Sunday, July 26, 2026
72.0°F

Suds 'N Sun by the lake

CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years AGO
by CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | July 2, 2024 3:00 AM

SOAP LAKE — A three-on-three tournament on the new basketball court, a car show, the Seattle Cossacks motorcycle drill team, a parade, the second annual Soap Box Derby and fireworks are among the attractions at the annual Suds ‘N Sun celebration in Soap Lake Saturday. It’s sponsored by the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce.

The drivers will line up at 9 a.m. on East Main Street for the second annual Soap Box Derby. 

Participants will work on and decorate their cars on Friday night; the location and time for that will be announced. The Soap Box Derby is sponsored by the Soap Lake Police Department.  

The basketball tournament is a new event for 2024; the first games start at 9:30 a.m. at the basketball court at Smokiam Park. It’s sponsored by the Chamber and the Soap Lake Prevention Coalition, and organizers said one of the goals is to highlight the dangers of vaping. 

The inaugural tournament will have two age brackets, 13 to 15 years of age and 16 to 19 years of age. 

Registration is free, and applications are available on the Soap Lake Chamber website, www.soaplakecoc.org.

The Suds ‘N Sun Car show begins at 10 a.m. on East Main Street. Entry fee is $20, and the registration form is available on the Chamber website. The car show is open to cars, trucks and motorcycles. Attendees will be able to vote for the People’s Choice award.

Smokiam and East Beach parks also will be the site of food and vendor booths, which will be open throughout the day. A petting zoo and children’s games will be set up in the park, and live music is scheduled on the stage all day. 

The Cossacks take to East Main Street at 4:30 p.m. The team dates back to 1938 and is known for its precision maneuvers and elaborate stunts. 

The annual Suds ‘N Sun parade rolls down East Main Street at 6:30 p.m. Categories include floats, youth, commercial entries and vehicles. The night will end with the fireworks show at dusk.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].

 Independence Day celebrations

July 3

Red, White and Boom!
Moses Lake
McCosh Park
401 West Fourth Ave.,
and other locations
Music, contests and fireworks

July 4

Othello July 4
Lions Park
815 Pine St.,
and other locations
Parade, music, contests, children’s games, sports tournaments, fireworks

George
George Community Hall
403 W. Montmorency Blvd
and other locations
Music, parade, cherry pie, fireworks


    Competitors in the second annual Soap Box Derby will roll down East Main Street during the Suds ‘N Sun celebration in Soap Lake on Saturday.
 
 


    Members of the Seattle Cossacks will show off their precision riding and stunt skills during Suds ‘N Sun 2024, just like they did in 2023, pictured.
 
 


ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Terrain complicates fighting Railroad Fire
July 25, 2026 1:19 p.m.

Terrain complicates fighting Railroad Fire

MATTAWA — Rough terrain and red flag fire weather complicated efforts to fight the Railroad Fire north of Mattawa, with crews working on keeping the fire from spreading.

Hansen Road bridge demolition set to start Monday
July 24, 2026 3:50 a.m.

Hansen Road bridge demolition set to start Monday

MOSES LAKE — Like the London bridge – only not as picturesque – the Hanson Road bridge is coming down. “We’re starting (demolition) on Monday,” said Summer Derrey, public information officer for the Washington Department of Transportation North Central region.

Windy conditions forecast for weekend, elevating danger of spreading fires
July 24, 2026 3:10 a.m.

Windy conditions forecast for weekend, elevating danger of spreading fires

MOSES LAKE — A fire weather watch has been issued for Saturday for the Columbia Basin and North Central Washington due to the probability of high winds and low humidity. The National Weather Service is advising people to take precautions as a result.