The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

The 33rd Bald Eagle Festival is just around the corner and organizers are in the last throes of planning.

“It’s going to be the best Bald Eagle Day ever,” said Ashley Turner, the director of the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce.

The festivities begin on Friday, July 18 at 2:30 p.m. with a Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest in front of the Bank of Pacific. At 3 p.m., the farmer’s market on Puget Island will open with live music provided by local musicians. There will be vendors selling locally produced fruit, vegetables and meats and cheeses.

The Tsuga Art Gallery will have a special opening from 5-8 p.m. with more live music.

On Saturday, July 19, the Kiwanis Club of Cathlamet will begin the big day at 7:00 a.m. with the Annual Pancake Breakfast at the Elochoman Slough Marina. At 8:30, runners and walkers are invited to gather on Main Street for the Bald Eagle Run, with 10k, 5k and two mile events. At that time, Main Street will close to allow vendors to set up their booths.

At noon, the Bald Eagle Parade will wend its way from Wahkiakum High School to the marina. This year’s Grand Marshal is Roland Armstrong.

Local musicians will perform live on Main Street from 1-3 p.m. and local fire departments will hold a waterball tournament at 4 p.m.

“I would love to see some more people come out for the waterball tournament,” Turner said. “The volunteers for our fire departments do so much for our community and it would be a good opportunity for us to show our appreciation.”

Laser tag is a new event available this year for kids of all ages. The kids’ area will have a carnival feel, supported by several local people and groups. Train rides will be available at the Wahkiakum County Historical Museum. These events will be available all day.

At 6 p.m., the action moves to the marina. Drop Anchor Brewery will sponsor a beer garden and a Seattle based country rock band, Jones & Fischer, will perform. There will be a $2 cover charge, and it will be family friendly.

Turner is really excited about the band they were able to schedule this year.

“The band is up and coming,” she said, “and their album is about to drop. They are going to be big. They are getting played on a radio station up north and they should bring a lot of people into town.”

Fireworks begin at 10 p.m.

Registration for parade entries is free and ends on July 12. There will be divisions for People, Animals, Vehicles and Other. Participants must be in line at the high school parking lot at 10:30 a.m .; judging begins at 11 a.m.

One can pick up parade registration forms at the Chamber office, the Bank of the Pacific and online at http://www.wahkiakumchamber.com.

The Chamber of Commerce is almost ready, but there is still more to do.

“We’re trying to get more vendors right now,” Chelsea Paulson, an intern with the chamber said, “and more applicants for the parade.”