Festivities start Friday

ROYAL CITY — Several activities were introduced this year to Royal City's already packed SummerFest 2007 lineup, which begins Friday and runs through Sunday.

"There's so many fun things to do and so much of it is free," said steering committee member Leslie Fanning.

The festival kicks off Friday at 6 p.m. at Royal City Lions Park on Camelia St. with a 3-on-3 soccer championship and barbecue.

New additions this year include a U.S. Army climbing wall, Los Payasonics de Schawana clown performance, Extreme Team anti-drug show, virtual karaoke contest, pie-eating contest, fire safety demonstration and a bed race.

Other events are a talent show, return performance by Portland classic rock band Life on Mars, Run Royal 2007 charity race, a parade, 3-on-3 basketball, drag racing and fireworks Saturday at 10:15 p.m.

"It's going to be a lot of fun," said SummerFest Chairman Heather Jenks.

A barbecue is prepared by Royal City resident Ted Christensen Saturday from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. the cost is $4.50 at the door, or $3.50 pre-sale by picking tickets up a Harvest Foods in Royal City.

"He cooks really fabulous barbecue," Jenks said. "(His) wife makes the baked beans from scratch."

The Run Royal 2007 5K race costs $10 to participate in and raises money for histiocytosis, a disease a Royal City boy battled when he was 4 years old, organizers said.

Royal City firefighters are leading a fire safety demonstration for children, Fanning said. Children can come into a demonstration house, and firefighters teach them how to escape during a fire.

"It's like a little virtual fire," Fanning said.

A 3-on-3 soccer tournament and Jack n Jill softball tournament already kicked off Monday.

For more information, call Heather Jenks at 509-346-1629 or e-mail summerfest@centurytel.net.