Chiefs for a day sworn in to kick off Apple Blossom

Ella Bailey, 7, in an extraordinary jumpstart on her career was sworn in as the Chelan County Sheriff Thursday at Memorial Park amid the roars and cheers of her elementary school classmates.

"Welcome my friends," she said onstage on the Gesa Entertainment Stage. "It's me, Sheriff Bailey!"

Ella's father, Chris Bailey, pinned the shiny sheriff's badge to her tiny khaki sheriff's uniform.

She was one of seven chiefs, sheriffs or all-around top employee of their respective public agencies that were ceremonially sworn in as part of the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival's kickoff event: Chief for a Day.

Each of the chiefs were students picked out of schools in Chelan and Douglas counties. The seven agencies that participate include both Wenatchee Valley police departments, both sheriff's offices, the Wenatchee Valley Fire Department, state Fish and Wildlife department, and State patrol.

"Most of the children have some need or another that's a little bit different, whether it's an illness, potentially a terminal illness, or some other something that leaves them a little bit behind and a little bit out sometimes," said Wenatchee Police Department Chief Edgar Reinfeld. "So for the kids, it's an amazing thing."

The crowd of children equipped with clappers, posters, balloons and colored t-shirts cheered loudly as each new, little boss stood before them onstage.

Each of the outgoing, adult chiefs spoke about their successor: favorite shows, colors or if they had any requests.

Wenatchee Valley Fire Chief Brian Brett, who will retire from the position December after more than 30 years in the department, introduced his would-be successor, five-year-old Nica Radach.

Radach had three orders for her new department. One, she wanted to ride in the ladder truck in the Stemilt Grand Parade. Two, slide down the firepole at the fire station.

And finally, Radach wanted to institute a change to the department's strict uniform policy. Radach likes the music of Ozzy Osbourne and so would need to wear shirts reflecting that. Brett said he made a compromise with her as the two of them revealed they were wearing Ozzy Osbourne T-shirts beneath the usual black uniform.

"It's these days where it's literally about community," Reinfeld said about the event. "It's literally about kids, and it's not about maybe some of the bad things that happen while you're working. Today is all good things, and it's all upside. It's a really good time."

A Chelan County Sheriff's Office helicopter joined the celebration from the air, and the event was closed out with an official swearing-in ceremony by Chelan County Court Commissioner Tracy Brandt.

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