A number of classic cars competing in the Jake Street Memorial Classic Car Show also took part in the annual Dayville Fourth of July parade this year.

DAYVILLE — For many, the Dayville Fourth of July celebration isn’t just a family reunion — it’s a town reunion.

That sentiment was evident with many former Dayville residents traveling across America to come back home for what many consider the town’s biggest event of the year.

“Rather than calling it a family reunion, people see their family while they’re here, but they’re also seeing all the people they went to school with, the townsfolk,” said Wally Youngren, who now lives in Idaho and came back home to see his three brothers and sister. “On Friday, they had a funeral for one of the old-timers, Dave Round. His mother was my first grade teacher, and he was in his 80s when he passed.”

Wally’s brother Charlie, who now lives in Minnesota, said he looks forward to the storytelling and reminiscing.

“I have people that I graduated with that have never left Dayville,” Charlie Youngren said. “Most of it is storytelling. Some of the stories are true, some may not be true, but they’re close. It’s just reminiscing with good friends.”

“Deep Roots, High Hopes” was the theme for this year’s Dayville Fourth of July celebration.

Sunday morning, July 2, featured a Fourth of July 5K walk/run. There was live country dance music at the Dayville Community Hall on the night of Monday, July 3.

Dayville’s main Independence Day celebration on July 4 started with breakfast at the Dayville Community Church, followed by the annual town parade, with three divisions (motorized, non-motorized and kids). The late Dave Round, who passed away last month, was named honorary grand marshal.

During the parade, a float filled with family members honored the memory of Dayville resident and cattle rancher John Mascall, who passed away in May.

Enjoying the parade was John’s sister Suzan Mascall, who now lives in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

“I think it’s almost like a reunion of people that don’t get to see each other very often except this time of year, and this year we’re honoring Dave Round and John, who just passed away,” Mascall said. “I wanted to be able to watch (the parade) and take pictures this year. My kids and grandkids were on the float, and so I was able to take photos.”

The Jake Streeter Memorial Classic Car Show started off at 11 a.m. The event honors the late Jake Streeter, a Dayville resident and former city fire chief. Streeter is fondly remembered for cooking his famous Jake Burgers for roping events and fundraisers with a special topping made of chopped tomatoes, onions, green bell peppers and celery. The burgers were served at the city’s new fire hall, which held its grand opening on July 4. A fundraiser with live music, drinks and food was held at the Fish House Inn to raise money for resurfacing the court at Dayville Park.

The festivities also included a baked goods auction, a jackpot horseshoe tournament, a duck race and goat roping.

“I think Dorothy said it best: There’s no place like home,” said Grant County Education Service District Superintendent Robert Waltenburg, a Dayville resident and volunteer firefighter. “So when you have roots that run deep, the way you recharge from the hustle and bustle is you go home. This allows everybody to come home, celebrate and recharge.”

Jule Youngren, who now lives in Salem, echoed the sentiment.

“A small town like this — everybody is family,” he said. “You know everybody. You do something, they know about it before you get home. That’s why we keep coming back. This will always be our home. Always.”

Goat Roping winners

Kids: under 12

1st place: Jacob Ellie

2nd place: Jacob Ellie

3rd place: Cody Knowles

Adults:

1st place: Ethan Thompson and Tyler Thompson

2nd place: Tatyn Harper and Wyatt Suchorski

3rd place: Cash Moore and Ethan Thompson

Parade results:

Kids division:

1st place: Everleigh Schmadeka and her horse Cocoa

2nd place: McKenzie Thompson and her horse Moses; Carson Thompson and his horse Herbie

Motorized:

1st place: Martin Mobile Mechanics & Family (Duck Race Float)

2nd place: River Y Ranch and The South Forkers

Motorized Classic Cars:

1st place: Mark Brown 1929 Model T

2nd Place: Jim and Cheri Bellmore 1955 Chevy 210

Best of Parade:

River Y Ranch and The South Forkers

4th of July 5k results:

Age 50+ 1st place: Juliana Moulton (won a gift card to the Snaffle Bit)

Age 27-49 1st place: Cyrus Ward (won a Dayville Café gift card)

Age 14-26 1st place: Tanner Humphreys (won a Subway gift card)

Age 0-13 1st place: Piper Swagger (won a Dayville Café pie)

Jake Streeter Memorial Classic Car Show 

1st Place: Cheri and Jim Bellmore, 1955 Chevy 210

2nd Place: Mark and Renae (Decker) Brown, 1929 Ford Model A

3rd Place: Josh Moulton, 1929 Ford Model A pickup

Tanner Award: Emma Carniglia, 1972 VW Beetle 

Zach Award: Randy Hubbird, 1931 Model A roadster

Nate Award: Josh Moulton, 1967 Firebird

Kiah Award: Ron Phillips, 1915 Model T

Piper Award: Dan and Bridget Sudul, 1941 Chevy truck

 

The movie and softball game scheduled as part of Dayville’s Fourth of July celebration were canceled. The original version of this story contained incorrect information.