Less than a week away from Deer Park Settlers weekend, and it seems like there are 102 activities for the 102nd occurrence. There will be something for everyone, including fun runs, dunk tanks, basketball tournaments, a car show, and much more. Mix Park, Swinyard Park, and other places will be bustling with activity. 

Deer Park Settlers weekend is ramping up for another year of fun and excitement. This beloved event brings together residents and visitors to enjoy numerous activities. While the parade and vendors at Mix Park serve as the centerpiece, multiple organizations in the town are putting on additional events. 

Friday, July 21st
1st Annual Wheelin At The Mix Bring your Wheels down to Mix Park. From Hot Wheels to Hot Rods, if it has wheels, it’s welcome. Buy, Trade, or Sell them. The event starts at 3pm and goes on till dark. If you want to set up a table or booth, show off your wheels, or be a vendor. Call Robert at 509-263-9249 or join their Deer Park Hot Wheels Facebook page.

The Clayton Rodeo takes place on both Friday and Saturday at the Clayton Fair Grounds, located at 4616 Wallbridge Road in Clayton. The rodeo promises a thrilling spectacle of horsemanship and excitement. The rodeo events will start at 7:30pm on both nights. Learn more about this event in our article at: DPGazette.com/l2mih

Saturday, July 22nd
Get ready for a day filled with big Tri-County Settler’s Day events! It all begins in the morning with the exciting Settlers Day Fun Run and Parade.

The Fun Run starts at Perrins Field in Deer Park. This event raises funds for the Deer Park High School(DPHS) Track & Field teams. Participants can choose between a 4-mile, or 1-mile as well as a free kids dash. Check-in starts at 7:30am, and the races begin at 8:50am, 8:55am, and 9:30am, respectively. You can pre-register online at DPGazette.com/funrun2023 or by mailing in the form with a fee to Tri-County Settlers Association PO Box 1567 Deer Park, WA 99006. Contact Greg Chapman at 360-649-3646 for any questions.

The highlight of Settlers is the parade, which will start from various locations on East Crawford and make its way to Main Ave, Fourth Street, and end up, at Mix Park. 

Tri-County Settlers Association named Jerry and Mary Babb, esteemed members of the Deer Park community, as Honored Settlers. They will be joining the celebrations with Grand Marshal Mike Wolfe. This year, the Community Service Traveling Trophy will be awarded to State Farm insurance agent: Billy Costello.

Mix Park
Following the parade, Mix Park will be abuzz with food, craft, and commercial booths, providing opportunities for class reunions, family gatherings, and general community merriment.

Miss Deer Park and Court, featuring Miss Deer Park Elizabeth Fausti, Princess Carly Shines, and Princess Mackenzie Hayes, will be at Princess in the Park from 11am-2pm. Come create your very own crown and sash, make friendship bracelets with the representatives, play games, dance, and more. The entry fee is $10 per royal visitor. Please RSVP by texting their event coordinator Kelcie at 509-998-4591. Please include your royal visitor’s name and age. All proceeds will go to their local Miss Deer Park representatives’ winter activities.

Also, you can support some great local community organizations to show your support. Whether it is going to Kiwanis Food Booth starting at 11am to enjoy their delicious meals and support Kiwanis’ community events like Winterfest, the Kid Helmet Giveaway, and the Circus. Deer Park Music Boosters will also have a Dunk Tank and Lunch option. They will have an AllStar dunk lineup starting at 11:15am, where you can purchase balls to make some great people splash and raise funds to support DPHS Music Programs and Color Guard. Meet Mari Kay Everitt, the Color Guard coach, while she answers any questions about sign-up for this long-awaited program for kids. If you need more food options to meet your needs, there will be many more food vendors to meet. 

Indulge your senses, where a delightful event awaits your eyes and ears! The Car Show will captivate automobile enthusiasts with a stunning display of classic and contemporary vehicles from 8am to 3pm. But that’s not all – music lovers can enjoy as the Time Travelers will take the stage, enchanting the crowd with a concert featuring performances from various genres.

Swinyard Park
From noon to 6pm at Swinyard Park is a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament. Teams of 3 or 4 can compete in the double-elimination tournament with Competitive, Coed, and High School brackets available. Players must be 14 years or older. Register online through PlayPass or at the Real Estate Marketplace. The entry fee is $100 per team; registration closes on July 21st. For inquiries, contact (509) 992-4114 or [email protected].

Sunday, July 23rd
Churches from throughout the Deer Park area will unite for a community worship service at 10:00am in Mix Park. A special guest speaker will deliver an inspiring message, followed by a community-wide potluck. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs, blankets, and a dish to share.

Deer Park Settler’s T-shirts are available at Yoke’s Fresh Market as a souvenir for this special occasion.

Click on the event below for a printable schedule of events.