When asked why folks should check out Selah Community Days, event organizers say the answer is obvious: It's going to be fun.
"This is the best party in town this week," said Jerry Henry, president of the Selah Community Days Board. "We want them all to come; we don't want them to leave."
Selah Community Days runs Thursday through Sunday and features everything from a parade and fireworks show to a carnival and kids' games.
This year's theme is "Mr. Peacock's Garden." For the past 30 years, Henry has built the city's float -- a pastime he credits for "keeping him off the streets and out of the bingo parlors."
"Finishing the float, that's the best part," he said. "I have a daughter who was Miss Selah back in 1979. I'm just paying the community back for what they did for her."
The Saturday parade will feature equestrian groups and school bands, car clubs and members of the military. There are about 100 entries, down a bit from previous years, said committee member Alan Pelzel. Still, he predicts the parade will be a show-stopper.
"We've got enough bands and stuff to pretty it up," he said, adding that the celebration will appeal to all age groups. "We try to put on a big event, but we try to keep it old town days. We try to give it that old feeling still."
A hobo feed, potato bar and pancake breakfast are some of the many available food options, and musical entertainment will feature the likes of Alex Willson, the Vikolairs and Blue Tattoo, a classic rock group from Hermiston, Ore.
Community members, too, will be honored by riding in the parade. Hazel Cameron, 94, was chosen as this year's Selah pioneer. Dan Anderson, a school helper known as "Grandpa Dan," was named grand marshal, and Suzanne Brown was named volunteer of the year for her longtime contributions to Selah Community Days.
For Pelzel, the kids' activities are especially enjoyable. Groups like the Gym Kids and FootLites will sing and dance for the crowds, and others will try their hand at lip-synching during a rendition of "The Gong Show."
"If one of the judges don't like it, we gong them out," he said, adding that he's often the bad guy. "People have a lot of fun watching little kids do their thing. It's a fun time."
With everything that's scheduled, committee member Jerry Kobes said there's bound to be something that appeals to everyone.
"There's a lot of neat and fun things to do," he said. "The whole thing is fun."
* Erin Snelgrove can be reached at 577-7684 or esnelgrove@yakimaherald.com.
Selah Community Days
A parade, carnival and a fireworks display are some of the many featured attractions of Selah Community Days.
Carnival wristband tickets will be sold in advance through noon on Thursday. They're available at Save on Foods, Selah Red Apple, all Selah banks, Selah Shell, Helms Hardware and other locations for $15.
If they're bought at the carnival, the cost is $20. Wristbands enable people to ride all of the rides they want for a day.
The schedule:
Thursday
* 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Lions Health Screening Unit, Red Apple parking lot.
* 4:30 to 8 p.m., Hobo Feed of stew and hot dogs. Meals cost $4 for 4-to-12-year-olds, $6 for those 13 and older, and are free for toddlers up to 3 years old, Selah Civic Center.
* 5 p.m., carnival opens, Lince Field.
Friday
* 4 p.m., carnival opens, Lince Field.
* 5 to 8 p.m., potato extravaganza -- build your own baked potato. The cost is $2 for a hot dog and $5.50 for a potato, Selah Civic Center.
* 6:40 to 7:40 p.m., Monic Dingo performs, Wixson Park.
* 7 to 10 p.m., Cruz Nite poker run, Lince Field next to the carnival. Music, awards and door prizes will be featured. A $2 entry donation applies to vehicle owners.
* 7:50 to 8:50 p.m., Alex Willson plays, Wixson Park.
* 9 to 11 p.m., 47th Parallel performs, Wixson Park.
Saturday
* 6 to 10 a.m., pancake breakfast. The cost is free for preschool students, $4 for all other students and $6 for adults, Selah Civic Center.
* 10 a.m., grand parade, First Street.
* 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., arts and crafts market, Wixson Park.
* 11 a.m., carnival opens, Wixson Park.
* 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Gym Kids, Wixson Park.
* Noon to 11 p.m., food and game booths, Wixson Park.
* 12:40 to 2:15 p.m., FootLites Dance Studio, Wixson Park.
* 2:20 to 3:20 p.m., Broadway Bound Dance, Wixson Park.
* 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Vikolairs perform, Wixson Park.
* 4:40 to 5:55 p.m., Melody Lane Academy performs, Wixson Park.
* 6:10 to 8:10 p.m., Gong Show lip-sync, Wixson Park.
* 8:30 p.m. to midnight, Blue Tattoo from Oregon performs, Wixson Park.
* 9:30 p.m., fireworks display by the Eagles, Wixson Park.
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