Settlers Day is the oldest annual community celebration in the state of Washington. Every year, a group of dedicated volunteers put together a wonderful event that includes a parade, vendors, and games. It’s one of the many traditions here in Deer Park, and it wouldn’t be keeping up on that tradition without a theme.
The theme of this year’s Settlers Day is ‘The Drag Strip’. Drag Racing was a popular sport in the 1950s and brought the whole northwest together; this year Julie Pruffer hopes to do the same at Settlers Day. “My husband drag raced a long long time ago in the 50’s, and this year I hope to see people having fun at Settlers Day,” says Pruffer. “There are going to be dragsters there, obviously not in the parade but at the park for people to meet and talk to.” This year’s Settlers Day takes place on July 27th, and the parade goes down Crawford, starting at Bob Mart and ending at Mix Park.
The Deer Park High School Marching Band will be performing in the Settlers Day parade. “Because we never know what students will be available for the Settlers Day Parade, we always play the music that the middle schoolers play in the Jr. Lilac parade; that way the middle school students already have the music memorized, and it’s easy for the high school students to memorize it,” says Taylor Belote, Band Director for the high school and middle school bands, “This year we are performing an arrangement of ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ by Journey, led by Drum Major Shawn Lewis.”
Settlers Day is a lot of fun on its own, but it wouldn’t be Settlers Day without the famous Deer Park and Clayton Royalty.
The ladies representing Deer Park and Clayton this year are: Miss Deer Park, Abigail Waunch, and Deer Park Princesses Booke Begani and Kristina Shupe. “I am personally very excited for this year’s float; it’s going to be spectacular,” says Brooke Begani. When asked if the float would match the Settlers Day theme, she replied, “There isn’t anything I can tell you about this year’s float other than it’s going to be an amazing surprise.” Begani won the position of Deer Park princess after a spectacular flute performance. Representing Clayton, we have Queen Harriet Riebold and Princess Maddi Stehlar. “This year’s float is a classic truck, and the theme is ‘Bloom in Good Thyme,’” says Queen Harriet Riebold. “Clayton Royalty is helping the community in any way needed, and we are very excited for the Clayton Rodeo.”.
The Clayton Rodeo takes place Friday, July 26th- Saturday, July 27th. It is an event that brings our community together; with all sorts of family fun, it is a definite must to kick off your 2019 summer.
Needless to say, this year’s Settlers Day is going to be like no other, so be sure to make your way down to meet those drag racers, see our Marching Band, and show your support to our Deer Park and Clayton Royalty.
