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

The 27th Annual Bald Eagle Festival kicks off tomorrow with activities to last all weekend.

The first annual chalk art contest will take place on Broadway Street by Wright Pro Hardware from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. The cost is free for participants and the chalk will be provided.

Age groups for the art contest are, seven years and under, 8-13, and 14 and over. Each participant will be allotted one sidewalk square to decorate. Judging begins at 5:30 p.m. The artwork will remain on the sidewalk for all to enjoy until Monday morning. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in each age group.

At 7 p.m., the Rat Tap Tavern will host an all ages dance on City Dock featuring the band “Quick Release” from Astoria.

Saturday activities get started early. The Kiwanis Club of Cathlamet will hold a breakfast at the Elochoman Slough Marina from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. The cost will be $5 for those six and up. Five and under are free.

The Bald Eagle Challenge Fun Run/Walk begins at 9:30 a.m. at the north end of the Puget Island Bridge. Registration for the event begins at 8:30 a.m. The cost for participation is $15.

On Saturday, Main Street will be closed to traffic from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. for the street fair and parade. All cars must be removed by 5 a.m.

John C. Thomas Middle School eighth grader Marissa Washington will jumpstart the parade by singing the National Anthem. The parade begins the 11:30 a.m. trek down Columbia and will march through Main Street. This year’s Grand Marshal is George Butkus who recently retired from the Bank of the Pacific after 15 years. Master of Ceremonies is Bill Coons, candidate for County Commissioner District 1.

Immediately following the parade, the public is encouraged to congregate in front of the Cathlamet Market and line up down Main Street for a community photo to be taken by Dimmick Photography. The picture will be taken promptly at 12:30 p.m., said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tanja Winebrenner.

Copies of the photo will be available by logging onto the Dimmick website at http://www.1amazingphotographer.com with mugs and t-shirts available at a later date. Contact the chamber for more information. Copies of the photo are $7.

Throughout the day, the main stage, located on Main Street will feature a variety of shows from belly dancers to The Naselle Marimba Band.

An art show with local artists will be from noon to 4 p.m. One show will be held at City Hall and the other will be held at the Julia Butler-Hansen house. “These are your real tried and true local artists,” Winebrenner said. Sunday the art show will continue at City Hall from noon to 4 p.m.

Something new this year, the Wahkiakum County Historical Society has teamed up with the Bald Eagle celebration. A newly constructed mini-train will be available for rides. The steam train, usually behind a fence, will be open for tours and pictures.

Kids ages six through 2008 graduates, can swim at the Julia Butler-Hansen Municipal swimming pool from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. The cost is $3 per person and passes do apply.

John C. Thomas Middle School will host a drug and alcohol free event in the multi-purpose room beginning at 5 p.m.

The Wahkiakum Community Network presents the River Jordan Most Tribute Concert featuring a variety of bands. The concert is an all ages event and will conclude just before the fireworks begin.

By 6 p.m., Main Street will be cleared, however the beer garden will be open at the Elochoman Marina. The “Floating Glass Balls” will perform from 7 p.m. until the fireworks show, which begins at 10 p.m.

On Sunday, the Wooden Boat Festival will be at the marina from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be food and art vendors as well as a swap meet. The United States Coast Guard will perform a water rescue beginning at noon.

Unless an actual emergency occurs, the trolley will take people from the Marina to the high school to see the helicopter land. The ride is free, however donations are accepted.

From noon until 4 p.m., the former fire hall will continue the art show featuring the works of local artists.

From 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., is Wahkiakum County Museum Day on the museum grounds in Cathlamet. There will be many events throughout the day, including a three-legged race, a tug-of-war contest, rubber band target shooting and more.

For more information on Bald Eagle Days festivities, contact Tanja Winebrenner at the Chamber of Commerce at 795-9996.