SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake’s Suds ‘N Sun festival began at 9 a.m. Saturday and already it was around 80 degrees. But that didn’t stop locals from finding shady spots to sit, talk and enjoy the goings-on downtown. Main Avenue East was blocked off at the highway for the Soap Box Derby and a car show, which boasted about 15 vehicles, hoods open, gleaming in the morning sun.

The festival was an all-day affair, with the car show and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament through the morning. The Seattle Cossacks motorcycle drill team was set to perform in the afternoon, followed by a grand parade and, of course, fireworks.

Over at East Beach Park, vendors were set up offering all kinds of food and crafts. There was also a petting zoo, where youngsters could get acquainted with goats, pigs, sheep, rabbits and more. The traveling menagerie doesn’t have an official name yet, but it’s currently called the Brought to You Petting Zoo, said owner Jenny Coppenbarger. 

The petting zoo is actually part of a farm animal rescue Coppenbarger operates, she said as she walked a year-old bull named Chicken around the park.

“His mama left him in the field,” Coppenbarger said. “The farmer called me and said, ‘You can have him, (but) don't expect him to live.’ I spent a week in my laundry room with him getting him back to healthy. He's still pretty small for a year old, but he won't get much bigger because he's only got a partial stomach.”

All of the animals Coppenbarger takes to fairs and festivals are rescues, she said. Letting children make friendly contact with animals gives them a different perspective.

“We like to make sure that like people are aware, teaching compassion and teaching people the proper way to be around animals, not to be scared of them,” she said.

Joel Martin may be reached via email at [email protected].

    A row of classic vehicles lines Main Avenue East in Soap Lake for the annual Suds ‘N Sun celebration.
  

    This 1967 El Camino was one of the classic vehicles on display at Suds ‘N Sun in Soap Lake Saturday.
  

    A young racer prepares to cross the finish line at the Soap Lake Suds ‘N Sun Soap Box Derby. Coverage of the derby was in Monday's paper and may be found online at https://bit.ly/SNSDERBY24.