Fun in the Sun – and plenty of it

Scorching temperatures didn’t deter Bill Rickett from bringing his 1950 Mercury to Edgecliff SCOPE’s Fun in the Sun festival.

Although it’s been in his family since it was new, Rickett hadn’t publicly displayed the classic ivory car with original pinstriped upholstery. He thought Saturday, with the mercury rising, was as good a day as any to start.

“My dad had that car for four years when he let me borrow it for my senior prom,” recalled Rickett, 71, who plans to pass the heirloom Mercury along to his own son.

Cars, crafts and live music were on tap for the second year at the festival, held at Edgecliff Park, on Park Road and Eighth Avenue.

This year, the city of Spokane Valley co-sponsored the event, which is meant to build community in the neighborhood tucked against the western flank of the Dishman Hills.

“Our main thing is to bring the community together and just have a day of fun,” said Debra Kirkpatrick, an organizer and one of 15 SCOPE volunteers helping with the event.

The sound of oldies and country music filled the air, courtesy of Ken Haugen, a guitarist and singer who lives across from the park.

The festival drew 35 vendors, who sold everything from birdhouses to big flower yard sculptures made from horseshoes.

“It seems like they have more booths this year. I just see it getting bigger and bigger,” said Connie Hirschel.

Inspector Dave Wiyrick of the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office showcased his hand-carved walking sticks embellished with burned-in paw prints, and planters made of lightweight volcanic stone, with faces etched into the sides.

Wiyrick started carving as a way to unwind from the demands of law enforcement and ended up with a part-time business with his wife, Colleen.

Adding classic cars to the festival was Wiyrick’s idea. He wanted men to have something to occupy their time, while their wives, the more traditional craft-show clientele, shopped.

Al Hollen sat in a lawn chair talking cars with several other men. He brought three automobiles, including a 1948 Plymouth convertible that he rescued from a wrecking yard 27 years ago. The car in pale yellow exterior is flawless.

“I took three good cars apart to get enough parts to do this,” Hollen admitted.

He displayed two other classics, a ‘29 Model-A Ford and a 1953 Pontiac convertible, painted Coronado red, with red leather interior.

“I started collecting Model-A’s in 1955. I had 25 at one time. I’m down to 15 now,” Hollen said.

Maryann Edwards had the hottest job in the park, grilling buffalo burgers and hot dogs to benefit Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1435. As temperatures rose, she switched jobs and sat perched on a dunk tank platform. She taunted grown men who threw balls, yet narrowly missed the trigger.

After 15 scorching minutes, a young man sneaked up, threw a well-aimed ball and hit the target.

Edwards, emerging from her plunge, thanked the kid profusely.