St. Hilaires chosen as grand marshals for Washtucna Fourth of July parade

With the return of the Washtucna Fourth of July Parade this year one couple is being honored for all that they have done in the community since they moved into Washtucna.

Patrick and Theresa St. Hilaire are this year’s grand marshals for Washtucna’s Fourth of July Parade.

After serving in their community in various ways the St. Hilaires are surprised and honored that they have been chosen to lead the parade, particularly because the parade didn’t run last year.

The St. Hilaires moved to Washtucna in November 1980 because of Patrick’s job with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad.

“I was due in one week with our third child,” said Theresa, “and it was the middle of November and I thought this was a ghost town.”

When the rail line near Washtucna closed in 1984 they remained in Washtucna and Patrick would travel to work, sometimes as far as California because it was easier to hold a job there.

Since moving to Washtucna the couple has been extremely active in the community. Theresa has served in a number of different positions. Currently she serves as the City Clerk/Treasurer for Washtucna and also serves on the Washtucna Parks and Recreation District No. 2 board. She has been active in the Lion’s Club and the Tigercats Booster Club, as well as serving as a youth group, Girl Scout and Boy Scout leader.

Patrick in addition to working for 37 years on the railroad, has served as a Boy Scout leader and also maintains Sunflower Park, which is also known as “Patrick’s Park” by the community and is the first thing travelers see when entering Washtucna from Highway 26.

When Patrick and his sons started the park in 1989 there was nothing there. Originally the project was supposed to be maintained by the Boy Scouts but after a while it eventually became Patrick and his sons’ project. They planted the trees, the grass and the flowers.

All of the landscaping that has been done in the park is the result of Patrick or an Eagle Scout project by one of his sons. Including the yellow windmill held up by three railway rails that Patrick recycled.

Patrick pointed out where the power company has had to trim one of the trees down to allow for the power lines to pass through it.

“I didn’t think it was going to get that big when I planted it,” said Patrick

Patrick said that he prefers to mow the park. With all of the trees the park has plenty of shade to protect from the sun while mowing.

Their children; John, Adam, Keith, Ann, and twins Noah and Mary-Rose, were all raised in Washtucna and graduated from Washtucna High School.

“We loved raising our children here,” said Theresa.

Theresa explained in this small of a community her children had the more opportunities than children in bigger cities because they could be involved in more activities in the community and school.

Their children have all moved to various locations and occupations. John works in a retirement community in Arkansas.

Adam lives in North Bend and works as a dry-wall construction worker.

Keith works for BPA Security Systems and lives in Vancouver.

Ann is a stay at home mom and part time barista at Starbucks and lives in Tri-Cities.

Noah is a member of the National Guard and is stationed in Everett.

Mary-Ann is stationed in San Diego, California. She serves in the Navy as a rescue swimmer.

The St. Hilaire’s are excited that the parade is coming back after not running for a year and hope that the community is excited as well.

They said that they are going to have plenty of candy to throw out for the children at the parade. In the past Noah would serve on the Honor Guard leading the parade through the town.

“Some of my kids most favorite memories are from the fourth,” said Theresa.

They expect to have some of their children and grand children in attendance during the parade as well as extended family from Western Washington in attendance on Friday. Patrick will be dressing up as Abraham Lincoln for the Flag Ceremony as well.

Theresa described some of her favorite things about living in Washtucna, which includes the Java Bloom, where she comes to read and visit with members of the community.

“We are very thankful for our Java Bloom,” she said.

Another part of Washtucna that the St. Hilaire’s enjoy is the abundant wildlife that can be seen around, and sometimes in the town.

“I love living in a town where we have a flock of turkeys that wanders the town.”

For the parade, the St. Hilaires will be riding in a convertible Mustang.

“I don’t know what year it is,” said Theresa, “I just know it’s a dark Mustang.”

The parade will begin lining up at 9:30 a.m. at the corner of Main and May Street and will kick off at 10:30 a.m. with the St. Hilaires leading, a thank you for their years of service in the community.