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

The Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce is busy getting ready for the 2023 Bald Eagle Days festivities, coming Friday and Saturday, July 14 and 15.

“We are hoping we have a handle on it,” Assistant Director Dan Lorenzen said. “Last year Monica [Budd, former chamber director] got thrown into it, and this year we have us who have never done it before trying to put it together. We are hopeful that it is successful.”

Lorenzen is currently the veteran in the office, which includes a new Chamber Director Alysse Weiler.

The theme for this year’s Bald Eagle Days is Fishermen’s Frontier. It was selected by a very close board vote, Lorenzen said, after suggestions were solicited from the community on Facebook.

Bald Eagle Days fun begins at Strong Park with the annual sidewalk chalk art contest. That starts at 11 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. Art in the Park will continue nearby with the Columbia River Maritime Museum on hand to offer a hands on art project with Gyotaku Fish Printing from 12 noon to 3 p.m.

At the county fairgrounds in Skamokawa on Friday, visitors can witness mud wrestling beginning at 3:30 p.m., followed by a Shania Twain cover band performing at 7 p.m.

The second annual Terry Bonny Fun Run begins at 7 a.m. at the Elochoman Slough Marina on Saturday. The run is a fundraiser for the Wahkiakum High School track team. Registration for the 5K walk/run begins at 6:15 a.m. and costs $20 per person, and $15 for kids 12 and under. The price includes a t-shirt. Participants can also register and order a t-shirt online at http://www.pugetsoundscreenprint.com or send registration forms to Wahkiakum High School, 500 S. 3rd Street, PO Box 398, Cathlamet, WA, 98612. Make checks out to Wahkiakum ASB.

The River Mile 38 Taproom is sponsoring two days of music starting on Friday. On Saturday, The Duck Inn will join them at the marina, hosting their own beer garden and live music.

Face painting and free caricatures will be available at Strong Park on Saturday while the Wahkiakum County Historical Society Museum offers train rides and root beer floats.

The parade begins at noon and will finish at the marina. There is an application and fee to join the parade this year and a late fee will apply if it is complete after July 7. Contact the chamber for more information.

This year’s grand marshal is Skyline Golf Course, which is being honored for their commitment to youth golf after Lady Mule golfers took first in the State 1B/2B tournament this year.

Diane Hollenbeck will also be honored as the Woman’s Club Citizen of the Year.

After the parade, the Kids Zone will open up, and this year includes bouncy houses and carnival activities in the parking lot of the Bank of the Pacific.

“We’ll have a full Main Street,” Lorenzen said. "There are probably at least 60 vendors.”

Vendors include political, informational, fundraisers, and wares like candles, clothing, jewelry, craft, pottery, coffee, soaps. There will also be food, including shaved ice and ice cream. More vendors and food will be located at the marina.

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the hour, on Saturday at the Community Center, there will be a Magic Show with Craig Martin.

Local fire departments will put on their usual waterball fight in front of the Bank of the Pacific at 2 p.m., and the Cathlamet Fire Department will offer fire truck tours and popsicles for the kids.

Fireworks begin at 10 p.m.

A QR code on Bald Eagle Days posters will link users to live updates thanks to Weiler’s husband, Andrew.

“That will have more detailed information for people,” Weiler said. “It’s free, and just a text. You won’t get any more texts throughout the year.”

“We still have need for volunteers,” she added.

To volunteer, call the chamber office, 360-795-9996, or sign up on their website.