Destination: Ellensburg -- It Has The Greatest Show On Dirt - And A Lot More

Ellensburg is justly proud of its annual rodeo - billing it as The Greatest Show on Dirt - but there's no need to wait until the Labor Day weekend to begin enjoying the attractions of this city, only 90 minutes east of Seattle on I-90.

Art galleries, theatre, museums, antique shops and self-guided walking tours of historic buildings can pleasurably fill a day or a weekend. Some suggestions:

-- The 12th season at the Laughing Horse Summer Theater, Central Washington's only professional repertory theater, is July 8 through Aug. 22. "Lend Me A Tenor," "Prelude to a Kiss," "Rashomon" and "An Act of Imagination" are the plays to be presented Wednesday through Saturday in the Tower Theatre on the Central Washington University campus ($7-$8.50). Two members of this year's company, Max Baker and Cheryl Graeff, recently won acting awards in a national competition in Washington, D.C. For details, write or call Laughing Horse, P.O. Box 1412, Ellensburg, WA 98926, (509) 963-3400.

-- The Clymer Museum & Gallery, 416 N. Pearl St., honors the late painter of Western art, John Ford Clymer, whose hometown was Ellensburg. His work appeared on more than 80 Saturday Evening Post covers. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

-- The Community Art Gallery, 408 1/2 Pearl St., has five exhibit rooms and three sales rooms featuring contemporary arts and crafts. Exhibits are changed monthly. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

-- If you have an inflatable raft or a sturdy inner tube, the Yakima River is gentle enough in places near Ellensburg for relaxed floating. River Raft Rentals Inc., 12 miles east of Cle Elum and seven miles west of Ellensburg along Highway 10, can provide equipment. (509) 964-2145.

-- The Ellensburg Children's Activity Museum, 400 N. Main St., provides hands-on opportunities, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Youngsters can explore the mini-city, which includes a bank and a dentist's office ($2).

-- Admire the brick paving stones and vintage street lamps as you experience the walking tour of Historic Downtown, featuring 100-year-old buildings that have been restored. Most are between Third and Sixth avenues and Main and Ruby streets, and several house antique and art galleries.

-- Guaranteed to provoke a smile on your face and a shake to your head is Dick & Jane's Spot, 101 N. Pearl St., a whimsical collection of folk art at the home purchased by Dick Elliott and Jane Orleman in 1979. You'll see art made of more than 20,000 bottle caps and 1,600 bicycle reflectors. To the delight of camera-toting tourists, the project has grown to feature works with senses of humor from dozens of artists. You can view these creations from the sidewalk outside this home.

-- And if excitement and crowds be to your liking, make plans for the Ellensburg Rodeo & Kittitas County Fair, Sept. 4-7, 1-800-637-2444. Featured attractions include wild broncs, raging bulls, outdoor concerts, a parade, a tractor pull contest, a carnival, animal barns and the Frontier Village, with original log cabins built by pioneers who helped settle the valley.

For a free copy of "Destination Ellensburg," a visitor's guide, write or call the Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce, 436 N. Sprague St., Ellensburg, WA 98926, (509) 925-3137.