The Ritzville Adams County Journal - Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887

The Adams County Harvest Festival in Lind scheduled for Saturday has been given final approval by the Lind Town Council.

Event organizer Diane Kennedy presented the council with a liquor license, proof of insurance and Washington Department of Transportation permits ahead of the council's Aug. 13 meeting.

The council had previously voted to approve the event, so long as Kennedy was able to provide proof of those items. As promised, the council told her at the meeting that she could go forward with the festival.

Now, Kennedy is happy to put that process behind her.

"When I went out to the truck [after the meeting], I almost cried," Kennedy said. "I was just so relieved."

She says she is now focused on putting on the event.

"Now it's rush rush rush rush," Kennedy said. "Getting the farmers board done, getting the donations for the raffle."

The farmers board is a plaque that people can buy a part of to "express their appreciation to Adams County's farmers," according to posters for the event. It costs $25 to put add your name to the board. Kennedy says she will donate all proceeds from the board to an organization that helps children.

"Last year we gave to the Assembly of God Church," Kennedy said.

She says she has not chosen an organization to donate to yet. She says money from the raffle will go toward helping animals. While she hasn't chosen an organization for this donation either, she said it will be for a non-kill shelter.

"We will not donate to anyone who is going to kill an animal," Kennedy said.

Kennedy says at the end of the day, she just wants to do something for the Lind community.

"It's to promote the town and the businesses," Kennedy said.

She says she is trying to bring back some of the entertainment she enjoyed as a child.

"This all stems from growing up and coming down here all the time," Kennedy said. "My grandma and grandpa would come down here every year and harvest and farm with the farmers. We had a lot of family down here. My mom and my grandma would always play for the street dance. They always had a rodeo, they always had a street dance. It was a lot of fun. I grew up doing that and being a participant in this town. And now no one does anything. No one has any enthusiasm to build this place back up ... I love this town. I have a lot of my family here."

This is the third edition of the Adams County Harvest Festival, but there are some new additions to the event this year.

The festival will start at 11 a.m. when the vendors all open up. Currently, 18 vendors are expected.

"We got people bringing wood, jewelry, clothes," Kennedy said. "I have the kettle corn guy coming in. There's just so many of them."

Kennedy has, however, limited the food venders.

"I've only let Slim's and Jim's do food because, again, I am trying to promote the town and keep it local," Kennedy said.

An hour after the vendors open, a car and bike parade happens at noon. As this is the first year this is being included in the festival, Kennedy says she's unsure how many cars will show up. She said she'd be happy if 10 came.

"I hope people bring their cars down," Kennedy said. "I'm going to have the song Low Rider playing. It's going to be a lot of fun."

After the parade, the cars will all park for judging, which will be done by the public.

A kids carnival will take place downtown during the afternoon.

"We'll have a ring toss and a water pong game," Kennedy said. "We're going to set up karaoke so people can come and sing a song."

The kids carnival runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Then, the beer garden opens for the live music, but the family friendly portion of the festival doesn't end there.

While only persons 21 and over will be allowed in the beer garden, bleachers will be set up for families and teens to watch the music and dance.

The family friendly portions are new to the event this year.

"I'm trying to build it so that maybe we can get a carnival back here," Kennedy said

When the beer garden opens, live music will be provided by the Spokane River Band, led by Rusty Jackson.

"He's Country Rock," Kennedy said. "He's done my festival since I started it. He's well known and he's very good."

The street dance will last until midnight when the event ends.

"I love this town and I want this thing to work," Kennedy said.

Kennedy says she hopes to bring more events to Lind in the future.