Residents enjoy breakfast, parade and sport events

WARDEN - Warden residents got an early awakening Monday morning when firefighters went door to door with a message about Warden Community Days.

Firefighters drove fire equipment through the town and made an announcement over their P.A. systems telling people to wake up and come to the fire station for a pancake breakfast, Fire Chief Randy Wiggins laughed. At least 150 attended the free breakfast.

People attending the breakfast had the option to give a donation if they were able, he said. It was unclear how much money was raised.

The money goes toward helping the community through scholarships for high school juniors and seniors, the volunteer firefighter program, Little League Baseball and other community events, Wiggins said.

The breakfast was only one component of the annual weekend event, which includes sporting events and a parade.

The sporting events included a basketball tournament and a volleyball tournament.

The annual Monday parade attracted various businesses, the Ritzville Junior Miss and other community groups and clubs who created floats, Mayor Roldan Capetillo said. The Warden High School band also performed and the fire department traveled with the parade.

He said he couldn't remember all the floats entered in the parade because he and his wife, Virginia, were chosen to be one of the grand marshals of the parade by the Warden Community Days Committee.

Capetillo said they were honored because they never thought they would be chosen for the position. He said he always enjoys helping the community.

He said the event was a success and it appeared to attract more people that last year's event. He looks forward to seeing people he doesn't usually get to see otherwise during the community days.

"The whole town is there," Capetillo added. "It's a great opportunity for people to come together."