New Date Is August 9 & 10 In Pateros, WA
PWC Racing makes a return to Pateros, Washington on August 9&10. Despite the tragic fires that ripped through the town, the organizers of the popular Apple Pie Jamboree have rescheduled and the IJSBA Sanctioned Race will be part of the festivities. Please see the story below:
PATEROS – Wildfires may have destroyed several homes and out-buildings, but it didn’t destroy the community’s spirit.
“We’re going to be celebrating our community spirit,” Chairwoman Tracy Miller said Tuesday in announcing the annual Apple Pie Jamboree festival and watercross race is back on.
The new Apple Pie Jamboree dates are Aug. 9 and 10, with events taking place in Pateros Memorial Park next to City Hall.
Apple Pie Jamboree was originally scheduled for July 19 and 20. But the Carlton Complex prompted the evacuation of the city July 17 as the firestorm ripped through the area destroying homes and buildings, and knocking out power.
Since that time, the community has been regrouping.
“It’s just been amazing,” Miller said, noting the Apple Pie Jamboree will be “jam packed into one day,” with the exception of the annual watercross race.
Jet Skiers will race both Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 9 and 10, said Northwest Jet Sports Association Promoter Roger Harnack of Riverside, Wash.
“Our association considers Pateros ‘home’ and will be in town to provide entertainment and assistance,” he said.
Jet Ski racing will join a number of other events in the revived Jamboree.
“We’re going to have shirts, buttons, prizes, kid’s games, a quilt show presence and fireworks,” Miller said. “And instead of sloppy Joes, we’re going to have a salmon feed. The Colville tribe is donating 50 salmon.”
There will also be music and a benefit, presented by the Samaritan Riders of Washington motorcycle club.
Ride and concert organizer Robert Johansen of Tonasket said several bands will be performing.
“Were hoping to have about a dozen bands,” Johansen said. “It’ll be a variety of music.”
The benefit ride will start at 9 a.m. in Pateros and motorcyclists will tour the outskirts of the fire area from Twisp to Loup Loup Pass to Malott and back.
The motorcycles will parade through town at 10 a.m., with Jet Ski racing to follow. Music and fireworks begin about 2 p.m. and fireworks are slated for 10 p.m.
Proceeds from the event benefit fire victims, Johansen said.
The annual bass tournament and 3-on-3 basketball competition will be missing from the revived line-up.
“We can’t do the 3-on-3, it takes too much manpower,” Miller said, noting volunteers are working on a number of fire-related efforts in town. “But we’re going to make it right for everyone.”
And while the Ray Stanley Memorial Bass Tournament isn’t in the Apple Pie line-up, Miller said organizers are trying to secure another date to host the event.
Apple pie, too will be missing this year.
More than 150 pies were made prior to the fire.
In the aftermath, residents, firefighters and other volunteers “ate a lot of pie,” Miller said, adding organizers won’t be baking another 150 pies.
Watercross racer Melissa Climaco of Mill Creek has organized a fundraising drive for the community online at http://www.gofundme.com/bqwkx0.
As of Tuesday morning, Jet Skiers had donated $1,895 toward a $3,000 goal.
“Thank you again so much for your donations,” Climaco said. “I am going to keep this fundraiser open for one more week, then will close out and send the check to city of Pateros with your messages from this site, along with a letter and picture from Jet Ski community Region 3.
“Spread the love to a city in need of our help, $1 at a time.”
That’s not the only fundraiser on the website. At least 20 are currently on the www.gofundme.com website and have raised several thousand dollars to assist fire victims and the community.
Miller said cash donations are pouring to help fire victims and the community.
“Pateros is coming back strong,” Miller said.
