MOSES LAKE – Music, shoppers, bean bag tossers and fun took over downtown Moses Lake near Sinkiuse Square on Saturday as the Downtown Moses Lake Association celebrated three decades of serving the community – an anniversary ordinarily symbolized with a pearl if it were a marriage.

“It went well,” said DMLA Executive Director Rosenda Henley. “It was a good turnout for being a first event.”

Henley said the celebration, which included vendors setting up by the square with an adult beverage garden, music piped in over a stereo system, a cornhole tournament and other activities, helped to mark three decades of accomplishments helping to ensure downtown Moses Lake remains vital. Successes over the last 30 years for the DMLA include opening a business incubator downtown last year, but events downtown are an ongoing success, she said.

“The events that we’ve had, they’ve been slowly growing every year, but they bring a lot of people downtown and it makes people aware of the stuff we have down (in downtown Moses Lake),” Henley said.

Attendees at the event said they enjoyed the activities, but also a chance to shop at local businesses, several of which had tents set up on the sidewalks to be able to enjoy the weather and interact with shoppers.

One of those booths was set up for Tovi Naff of Blue Sage Creations. Naff is a local artis that had been invited to set up in front of another business to show her artwork which featured a wide variety of Western art.

“I think it’s been busy,” Naff said.

She spent a great deal of time enjoying visiting with patrons and watching the cornhole tournament she said. She also appreciated the contributions that the DMLA had made to downtown with the beautification of Sinkiuse Square being of particular note.

“Having lived here all our lives, the downtown coming together and working together – the beautification. … I think it’s been really a good addition.”

Henley said she appreciated the community partners such as downtown businesses, the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce and the city for their support of the DMLA. She also had a great deal of appreciation for event sponsors. However, two groups she made special mention of – the volunteers that come out and help at events and the Future Farmers of America students who help keep the flowers blooming in the downtown area.

“I am really grateful for everybody that partners with,” Henley said.

R. Hans “Rob” Miller may be reached at [email protected].

Keeping downton rolling

Anyone who would like to volunteer with the DMLA can email Rosenda Henley at [email protected] or call the office at 509-770-1700. More information about the association can be found at www.downtownmoseslake.org.