Time to prepare for Bald Eagle festival

Cathlamet's 33rd Bald Eagle Festival is just over two weeks away; the festival runs Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19, this year.

The theme of the 2014 festival is "Celebrating Old Ways," Ashley Turner, director of the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce, said in a recent email.

Action starts Friday, July 18, 2:30 p.m., with the Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest in front of the Bank of the Pacific.

The Puget Island farmers market will host live music and vendors selling locally produced fruit, vegetables and meats, starting at 3 p.m. A trolley will run between the market and the Elochoman Slough Marina. From 5-8 p.m., Tsuga Art Gallery will have a special opening with live music.

Saturday's action will start with the Kiwanis Club of Cathlamet's Annual Pancake Breakfast, 7 a.m., at the Elochoman Slough Marina.

At 8:30 a.m., runners and walkers will gather on Main Street for the Bald Eagle Run, which features 10k, 5k and 2 mile events. Meanwhile, Main Street will close so that street fair vendors can set up their booths and displays.

The Bald Eagle Parade will start at 12 noon and run from Wahkiakum High School to the marina.

Parade entry registration is due July 12; there is no cost to enter. There are divisions for People, Animals, Vehicles, and Other. Entries must be in line at the high school parking lot at 10:30 a.m .; judging starts at 11 a.m.

Parade applications available at the Chamber office, Bank of the Pacific, and online at http://www.wahkiakumchamber.com.

Live bands will perform on Main Street at 1 and 3 p.m. Local fire departments will hold a

waterball tournament at 4 p.m.

New this year will be a laser tag area which will be open all day. Also open all day will be the Kids Area and train rides at the Wahkiakum County Historical Museum.

At 6 p.m., action moves to the marina. A beer garden sponsored by Drop Anchor brewery will open at 6 p.m. The Seattle based country rock band Jones & Fischer will perform, and at 10 p.m., the annual fireworks show will light up the summer sky.

The Cathlamet Wooden Boat Festival has traditionally followed Bald Eagle Day with action Sunday at the marina, but this year, organizers have rescheduled that festival to Labor Day weekend when it will coincide with the Chamber's Buzzard Breath Chili Cookoff.