Covered Bridge festival to include parade, music

The Grays River Covered Bridge Celebration to be held on August 1, invites those with tractors and classic cars to be in the parade coming through the bridge, beginning at 11 a.m. Horses are also welcome.

The day begins with a walk/run at 9 a.m., awards at 10:30 a.m., parade at 11 a.m. and music all afternoon. The river offers swimming, the park offers large historic trees to sit under and the event offers an old time picnic with food and music, ideal for a family outing for young and old alike. In the afternoon, the Naselle Marimba Band and then the Quick Release Country Music Band will provide music. This event is free and always a great time for friends and families to gather at very little cost.

The event is at Ahlberg Park, a five acre pasture area on the southwest corner of the bridge. It was purchased by the Wahkiakum Community Foundation with funding from private donors and the State of Washington so it would remain undeveloped and always open to the public. The Park is named for the Swedish pioneer family that settled at the site in the early 1900s. Trees in the park date back to that era and the family's home is visible above the north end of the bridge.

Those coming for the parade are invited to gather and set up at the Torppa field on Loop Road near the bridge, then drive through the bridge in the parade, and park at the celebration site.

To be a vendor, contact Bonnie Linquist at 360-777-8300. For information on the walk run, contact Mike Matthews at 360-465-2320 or, for more information on the parade, contact Karen Bertroch at 360-465-2414. Information on the area is available at http://www.wahkiakumchamber.org or http://www.wahkiakumfoundation.org.