Balfe named grand marshal

SPRAGUE - A lifelong resident has been named grand marshal for the 2023 Sprague Days Parade.

Bernie Balfe, 77, was selected for the honor by the Sprague Chamber of Commerce.

He will preside over this year's Sprague Days, set for Sept. 9-10.

Sprague Days includes a Car and Bike Show, music and entertainment, a beer garden and the parade in which Balfe will preside.

Balfe was raised in Sprague and graduated high school here in 1963.

Balfe spent his whole life in Sprague, other than when he would be sent elsewhere to do work for Union Pacific Railroad.

He spent almost 30 years laying new rails and ties and installing new switches.

He married Kathy (Wood) of Ritzville; they have lived in the same home here for 54 years.

Together, they have two daughters Deanna (Love) and Brenda (Arlt), as well as four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Balfe has volunteered thousands of hours over 30 years to coach, support and even help to build Sprague's Little League Ball Field.

In the off-season, he organized and coached peewee basketball for 15 years, was a Chamber member for many years and served on the School Board and City Council.

He said he enjoyed working with families and coaching kids whose parents he had previously coached.

The Balfes enjoy traveling – sometimes with their family – to Disneyland, Texas, Las Vegas, Florida and Hawaii. But they are always ready to return their lives here.

Sprague Days

Sprague Days is set for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9 and 10.

Activities start in the city park with vendors, and the Renegade Restorations Car and Bike Show, parade lineup and the Disc Dogs competition.

The Frisbee-catching canines start time trials at 9 a.m. and continue into the afternoon.

The Car and Bike Show starts at 10 a.m., while the parade lineup is from 10-11 a.m.

A chalk art competition also begins at 10 a.m.

The Sprague Days Parade begins at 11 a.m.

Following the parade, the beer garden opens, as do games and activities for families and live entertainment by The Old Dawg and the Howlers of Ritzville.

Entertainment in the park is from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m .; it continues at the beer garden 4-7 p.m.

The fun continues Sunday with a Little League breakfast from 8 a.m. until noon, and Church in the Park at 9:30 a.m., hosted by Sprague Community Church.