The countdown is on to this weekend’s Northwest Cherry Festival in The Dalles. The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Farquharson says they wrapped up taking entries for the parade over the weekend. Farquharson says this year’s parade will be a bit smaller, with 85 to 90 entries for the Saturday march through town. She notes they had put a cap on entries this year at 100 at the request from The Dalles Police Department, because the parade had become so long it was blocking emergency routes at the same time. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on its usual route. This year’s Grand Marshal is orchardist Mel Omeg. King and Queen Bing are former OSU Wasco County Extension Agent Lynn Long and his wife Marlene.