Battle Days hit Rosalia

ROSALIA — Battle Days is on tap here Friday and Saturday, May 31 and June 1.

The fun begins from 3:30-8 p.m. Friday with free swimming and games at the pool. At 5 p.m., a dinner provided by the Battle Days Association in Rosalia City Park.

As dinner is served, live music also begins — it runs from 5-9 p.m. — with Valente and The Jim Basnight Band.

Saturday starts out with the annual Scout Breakfast from 7-10 a.m. at the fire station, 607 Whitman Ave.

A 5K run begins at 8 a.m. (registration opens at 7 a.m.) at the fire station.

The Rosalia Garden Club will host a plant sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the mini park, and the Kids Parade will start at 10:30 a.m. with the theme “Adventure Begins at Your Libary.”

The Battle Days Parade takes place at 11 a.m., followed by the town’s inaugural egg toss. This year’s grand marshals are longtime Rosalia residents John and Penni Barringer.

An observance of the placement of the monument at Steptoe Battlefield State Park will be hosted by Daughters of the American Revolution is also planned.

Battle Days activities include Italian sodas sold by the Rosalia High School senior class, a 50/50 raffle at the fire station, and a raffle benefiting the local high school booster club. Vendors will be also available.

A dunk tank and a bicycle obstacle course are also planned.

And if you head over to the rodeo grounds, barrel racing returns.

Volunteer firefighters are planning a lunch, as well.

Free swimming at the pool starting runs from 1-8 p.m. Saturday; music also starts at 1 p.m.

Also from 1-2 p.m. there will be a baked goods bingo. Starting at 1:30 p.m. a 3-point hoop shoot for prizes opens.

A cornhole tournament is set for 3-5 p.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial Park.

Throughout the day, a re-enactor will be portraying, Sgt. Edward Ball, a U.S. soldier who fought in war against the Coeur d’Alene, Palouse and Spokane Indian tribes. The Steptoe Battle near Rosalia occurred May 17, 1858, .

Ball is being portrayed by Lyle Gleason, a veteran actor and re-enactor with Fort Walla Walla Museum.

Sometime during the festival, the community will welcome in the John Wayne Pioneer Wagons and Trail Riders, who have been traversing the state on the John Wayne Trail, also known as the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail Park.