Manson,WA (MVT) - This is the first of a series celebrating the making of a festival…not just any festival but one that had its start in the decade of the 20’s…at the very start of a small community that had been formally named and land sold just nine short years prior in1911.

That Manson’s future lay in orchards was the common belief of these farmers who came here from many hard luck areas of the nation, and when they found that the ground was good, the water seemed to be enough and certainly the climate was ideal for these fledgling trees, they set about laying out fruit trees.    A sometimes consistent supply of water to these new trees came from a delivery system connecting the lakes above the project, notably, Antilon Lake, in above-ground flumes.

While water was the nutrient for the orchards, people of the community were the lifeline for a new event to celebrate the beginnings of a new more prosperous life in this lakeside community.

Alice Killian adding the colors to the quilt designs for the particular year being celebrated. These quilt patterns have been made into delightful colorful bed coverings in many Manson homes.

In 1992 the tradition of a Nostalgia Night was established by Alice Killian at the UnitedMethodist Community Church.  Typically on the Friday night before the big Saturday parade, returning royalty is invited to come and gather and reminisce about times past.  According to Alice, these memories are often remembered differently by each member of royalty, all talking about the same event!  It is a generally laughter-filled hour or two as people keep arriving. 

Alice and her crew decided to honor the decade of whatever year we are currently in…hence the years of 1948, 1958, 1968, 1978, 1988, 1998 will be honored with returning royalty riding in the open convertibles this year.  Everyone is invited to attend Nostalgia Night at the United Methodist Church downstairs Fireside Room, Friday, May 9th at 7 p.m and bring their memories with them!