MOSES LAKE — It was foggy and chilly in downtown Moses Lake Friday, but the community spirit was warm for the Downtown Ag Appreciation Parade and Street Party.

“I just talked to some people and they were, like, ‘This is our first year and this is awesome,’” said Downtown Moses Lake Association Executive Director Mallory Miller.

The event, held on the first Friday of December every year, has been a Moses Lake tradition since the 1990s, according to Columbia Basin Herald archives. Several blocks of downtown Moses Lake were closed off in the afternoon as parade floats lined up in the Surf ‘n Slide parking lot and partygoers in Sinkiuse Square enjoyed free french fries from Simplot, free hot cocoa sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union and Viking Eatery, and free s’mores sponsored by Steve Crapson of Allstate Insurance and James Shank of Edward Jones. Other food and craft vendors did a thriving business in the streets.

“It’s going fantastic,” said Jim Huff, who was selling Unique Kettle Korn and cotton candy with his wife, Karen. “It’s our first time here.”

Most of the small downtown businesses stayed open late, and the party drove a stream of customers through their doors.

“It’s been a lovely afternoon with people out and about downtown checking out what we have to offer,” said The Boutique owner Lynn Nesmith. “Even with the road closure today, we had a good amount of people in this morning. This afternoon was a bit quiet, but as soon as they started setting up and decorating and the music and vendors came, we had a really nice group of people come through.”

On the stage at Sinkiuse Square, young dancers showed their stuff under the big lighted tree, and DJ Dale Roth spun holiday music.

At 7 p.m., the parade began to make its way down a foggy Third Avenue. The Ag Parade traditionally features farm equipment decked out in Christmas lights, and there was plenty of that. There were also classic cars, groups marching with banners and inflatable costumes galore. Santa Claus appeared in several places, including soaring overhead on a Genie Industries lift.

“I love this event so much,” Miller said. “It’s a great place for people to shop local and support small businesses.”

    Sinkiuse Square teems with partygoers for the Ag Appreciation Parade and Street Party Friday. The weather was cold and foggy, but there were free fries, cocoa and s’mores to take the chill off.
  

    Dancers show their fancy footwork at the Ag Parade and Street Party in downtown Moses Lake Friday.
  

    A trailer full of toys lights up Third Avenue in the Ag Parade Friday.
  

    Santa Claus rides high above the Moses Lake Ag Parade in a Genie Industries lift.