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Small crowds, but big fun at 76th Ridiculous Days
WASHINGTON — Organizers said this year’s Washington Summer Classic Events drew smaller crowds and a shorter parade than most in recent memory, but that the weekend of Oz-themed programming was still a success.
“There’s really positive feedback and comments from everybody,” Washington Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michelle Redlinger said. “We had cast members from Oz down at the square … Their energy was definitely an added bonus to our slate of activities. Plus, the theme of The Wizard of Oz and, ‘There’s no place like home,’ is a great fit for our weekend celebration.”
While there were no big-ticket events competing for crowds in the immediate area, Redlinger said Iowa City’s Arts Festival 45 minutes to the north likely pulled some people away.
So did high temperatures throughout the weekend and a handful of small, local attractions like a horseshoe tournament in Coppock, a dance recital at Washington High School, and a baseball tournament at the Washington Wellness Park.
“One of those, or a few of those, weren’t probably too much concern, but there just were a lot of different activities going on in the community and a lot of people were pulled in different directions,” Redlinger said.
The weekend of festivities was by no means a disappointment, however. Families spent hours in the park for pedal-pulls, costume contests, live music, magic shows and a variety of other entertainment.
Redlinger said the Ridiculous Day tradition of sidewalk sales also went over swimmingly.
“I received comments from people that sales were relatively still strong, I know that there was an activity at Purposefully You, and … they were really swamped with kids going in there, which is what we’re hoping for,” she said. “And anecdotally, I heard from a lot of people who were shopping that said the stores were really busy that they were going to as well. So I’m hoping that equates to strong numbers.”
The Schmidt Brothers, a band who performed for the Flightline Live concert Saturday night, said they were excited to be a part of Washington’s community festival and others like it.
“Small towns are great,” Band Member Stephen Schmidt said. “Small towns in general, local music venues and things like that, people get much more into it.”
Five-year-old Lennyx Pringle said her favorite parts were the pony rides and the bounce house.
“They let me stay (in the bouncy house) for 20 minutes!” she said.
Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com
