Town's first Santa Parade a hit

RITZVILLE – This year’s inaugural Santa Parade, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce Dec. 12, had lots of colorful entries. Participants dressed up in a wide variety of Santa outfits, joined by Ritzville police, Adams County Sheriff’s deputies, Ritzville Volunteer Fire Fighters, East Adams Rural Healthcare staff, Mayor Gary Cook and other community members.

The parade of cars headed out from City Hall at 1 p.m. and wound their way down Main and Broadway, with volunteer fire fighters handing out bags of peanuts and candy.

“I thought it was really nice. The community needs so much, being isolated, and the Chamber has really outdone themselves this year. It’s really nice they’ve taken the incentive to do that. I don’t think a lot of communities have, from what I hear,” said Cook, adding the turnout was really good for how cold out it was. “I just thought it was fun all the way around. We don’t get enough of that.” (See more photos page B1).