75th Ridiculous Days coming to Washington

WASHINGTON — The Washington Summer Classic and Ridiculous Days are return to town this weekend, marking the 75th anniversary of a city tradition.

“We’re really trying to get our businesses and sponsors to do activities or games or float that have 75 in it, or a throwback to the ‘70s or throwback to 75 years ago,” Washington Chamber of Commerce Event Coordinator Alisha Davis said. “We’re also really reaching back and trying to get some of those past business owners who’ve participated in ridiculous days to be honored. We’re holding a special reception in the library and … having them be special honorees in the parade.

“I think they’ve been really touched by the fact that we’re reaching out to them, and it’s really cool to see their reactions to us even extending the invitation.”

The year marks the first of a new event the Chamber is trying out, the “Ridiculously Bubbly” sip-and-shop, with several retailers offering champagne-adjacent samples to registered shoppers, who must be 21 or older.

The event also will change a few aspects from years prior. Most notably, the Flightline Live concert will be held in central park, rather than the airport.

“What made us have it at the airport in the first place was the fact that it got rained out at Central Park when we first started it, so we moved it and just kept it there,” Davis said. “I think it’s going to be really cool to host in downtown.”

Of course, many of the hallmarks of the Washington summer classic remain the same. It will still kick off with a farmers market and Thursday Night Live event on June 2, still feature plenty of live music, still run a Tractor/Ridiculous Parade through town, and still feature sidewalk vendor sales from Thursday to Saturday.

Attendees can expect a big parade this year. While anyone is welcome to line up at the UP Church and Goodwill Parking lot from 4-5 Saturday, sign ups are already high.

“We’ve had a lot of people already register,” Davis said. “I think it’ll be the biggest one that I’ve put on, so that’s exciting.”

“I’m really excited for it, I’m always excited for it,” Davis said. “I had so many volunteers reach out and say they would help out, and that makes things a lot better.”

Event schedule:

Thursday:

Friday:

Saturday:

Sunday:

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