Lighted Farm Equipment Parade Kicks Off The Christmas Season

Lighted Farm Equipment Parade Kicks Off The Christmas Season AG WORLD In northwest Washington farmers don’t put their farm tractors and implements away at the end of the harvest season They polish them up add lights and take them to town for the Sunnyside Lighted Farm Implement Parade the first Saturday of December
    “This year’s parade on December 3 will be the 28th annual ” says coordinator Deborah Estrada “It started when a couple of Sunnyside city officials and local farmers wanted to create a winter event around agriculture ”
    Over the years the parade has grown and on average there are 60 to 70 entries from individuals businesses and civic groups Entries portray the agriculture diversity in the area from tractors combines and hay balers to grape picking equipment Others show off antique cars horse-drawn carriages and flatbed trucks with Christmas displays
    People get creative about adding lights Estrada says with lots of zip ties tape and rigging Standout entries have included a dancing metal Christmas tree with a Grinch created by the Sunnyside High School welding class and a Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer tractor
    The popular parade is part of a holiday kickoff weekend and trophies are awarded in different categories
    For other communities considering a similar event Estrada has some advice
    “It takes lots of planning volunteers with a good sense of humor and long johns ” she says
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup City of Sunnyside 818 E Edison Avenue Sunnyside Wash 98944 ph 509 836-6310; www sunnyside-wa gov; events@sunnyside-wa gov

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