Spokane, WA, June 25, 2024 – For decades, the Lion’s Club of Washtucna has spearheaded a Fourth of July celebration in Washtucna for the local community. In recent years, this time-honored tradition has declined in scale due to several challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and low volunteer participation. In celebration of their 50th Anniversary this year, Innovia Foundation is proud to sponsor a renewal of the community’s beloved July 4th celebration, featuring the reopening of Main Street’s Sonny’s Tavern. 

Bridget Coon, a Washtucna local, re-opened the iconic tavern in the fall of 2023, with a fresh brand and a family-friendly focus. Located next to Bassett Park, Sonny’s provides a gathering place for the community and a lively center for the town’s Main Street. 

“Due to the impact of the pandemic, the community of Washtucna has experienced a disconnect. Members of this city and county are motivated to align with Innovia Foundation’s support to reignite the annual July 4th at the Park celebration, all held in and around Bassett Park,” says Bridget Coon, owner of Sonny’s Tavern. 

The park celebration will take place July 4th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m., including a youth parade, community picnic and horseshoe tournament at Sonny’s Tavern. 

The Kiddie Parade will feature local children and families on bicycles, wagons and more, parading through the park with a float parade following behind. Washtucna band teacher, Lora Hillie, and her students will serve lunch at the Picnic at the Park, offered for a donation, and Sonny’s Tavern will provide free Ferdinand’s Grabbers ice cream sandwiches for dessert. To finish the celebration, Sonny’s Iron Slinging Open will bring 32 community participants together to form 16 teams for an elimination-style horseshoe tournament. All participants will receive Sonny’s Tavern hats and the winners will receive a generous grand prize and hand-crafted trophy, made by a local shop teacher and her students to display in Sonny’s. 

As the community foundation for Eastern Washington and North Idaho, Innovia Foundation has invested in economic opportunities and local revitalization projects for over 50 years. 

“We are proud to invest in the renewal of such a beloved Washtucna tradition,” says Shelly O’Quinn, CEO of Innovia Foundation. “We look forward to joining the community for a July 4th celebration to reflect the strength and resiliency of Washtucna.” 

Innovia’s investment in this event is part of a series of events and activities Innovia is gifting to communities across Eastern Washington and North Idaho in celebration of the Foundation’s 50th Anniversary in 2024. More information about these events can be found at innovia.org/fifty. 

Celebrating Community in 2024  

Together with media partner NonStop Local KHQ, Innovia is Celebrating Community, a year-long, region-wide celebration of the volunteers, citizens and organizations that have faithfully served the needs of communities for 50 years in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Each month, Innovia will gift the region with free, inclusive, family-friendly activities and experiences to commemorate the Foundation’s past, present and future of bringing people together to transform lives and communities. Event details will be released at the beginning of each month throughout 2024.  

50th Anniversary Calendar of Events  

In addition to Innovia-sponsored community events, the Foundation has launched an online calendar where individuals and organizations can submit information about celebrations and activities in their community. The calendar is open to any events within the Foundation’s region that are free or low-cost, family-friendly and have a broad community appeal. Calendar entries can be submitted at innovia.org/fifty.   

Photo Drawing  

Community members who attend Innovia-sponsored community events this year are invited to submit their photos from the event for a chance to win a photo drawing. Winners will be selected in March, June, September and December to receive a $250 grant to a nonprofit of their choice. Entries can be submitted by posting photos on Instagram with the hashtag #innoviacelebratescommunity or by submitting through an online form. Full drawing details and rules, including the online submission form, can be found at innovia.org/fifty.  

About Innovia Foundation  

As the community foundation for Eastern Washington and North Idaho, we partner with people who want to improve their communities and make the world better. We work together to identify and respond to our region’s greatest opportunities, help those in need, and leave a lasting impact. Our mission is to ignite generosity that transforms lives and communities. We envision vibrant and sustainable communities where every person has the opportunity to thrive. Each year, Innovia Foundation invests $10 million into our communities through grants and scholarships. 

Innovia Foundation is proud to partner with NonStop Local KHQ for community coverage of these family-friendly free events.