Bald Eagle Fest approaching fast

Plans are jelling for Cathlamet's summer festivals.

The Bald Eagle Festival and Wooden Boat Festival are just over two weeks away, and the Cathlamet Downhill Corral skateboard competition is two months away.

Bald Eagle Festival coordinators are trying to add to the entertainment, said Lynda Gerlach, executive director of the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce.

"Chamber President Jen Hanigan is trying to schedule live music all day (Saturday) on Main Street," Gerlach said. "We'll have the rock climbing wall and inflatable plastic toys for kids."

The three-day festival starts Friday with a celebration at the Two Islands Farm Market and the Third Annual Side Walk Art Contest.

Saturday is the busy day, starting with the Kiwanis Club of Cathlamet Breakfast at the Elochoman Slough Marina and the Bald Eagle Fun Run from Cathlamet to Puget Island and back.

Main Street will close so vendors can set up starting around 8 a.m. The annual Bald Eagle, Parade starts at 11 a.m., and the street fair continues after the parade. Parade entry blanks are available at the Chamber office in the Scarborough Building and may be found in this week's edition of The Eagle. Entries are due Monday.

There will be an arts and crafts show, a display of Model T's and tractors, root beer floats and train rides at the Historical Museum, and the annual firemen's Water Ball Tournament.

Still in development, the Main Street entertainment schedule includes the Barney Perrnie Band, the Wahkiakum Acoustic Guitar Society and the Randy Williams Trio.

Action switches to the marina in the evening, with the Chamber's beer garden and the Buoy 10 Band. The annual fireworks show will light up the sky at 10 p.m.

The Wooden Boat Festival opens at 10 a.m. Sunday.

It features a vendor market, activities for kids, and a display of fine wooden boats from the lower Columbia region.

For further information, contact the Chamber office, 795-9996.