Chalk art contest honors Armstrongs

The 2015 Bald Eagle Days festival will begin on Friday, July 17, with the eighth annual sidewalk chalk art contest on Main Street near the Bank of the Pacific.

Members of the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce decided to rename the event this year in honor of the couple who created it, Ginny and Rolly Armstrong. Ginny passed away in 2013 and Rolly, who missed his beloved wife, passed away the next year.

“From what I understand,” Chamber of Commerce Director Shannon Gildea said, “Ginny came up with the idea a long time ago and Rolly gave it form and function and started running it.”

The free event, which will now be called the Rolly and Ginny Armstrong Memorial Sidewalk Art Contest, will begin a little earlier in the day this year because of the issues that the heat has caused in the past.

“Kids would sweat on their artwork,” Gildea said, “and people were leaving early.”

The new hours are from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. There will be three age groups and prizes for first, second and third in each group. According to Gildea, this year’s organizer, Martie Vavoudis hopes that more teens and adults will join the younger kids, who have a history of turning out and enjoying the event.

“It’s a great way to honor Ginny and Rolly,” Gildea said, “and it will be fun for people to decorate our sidewalks.”

Saturday’s festivities will begin with a run/walk. The event has three courses, a two mile run/walk, a 5K and a 10K. All three courses begin and end in front of the Cathlamet Pharmacy on Main Street and head over the bridge to Puget Island.

This year, the 10K will be around the perimeter of Little Island.

“Heidi Heywood stepped up to organize this event the year after our former organizer moved away,” Gildea said. “The race will support the Wahkiakum High School Cross Country and Track and Field teams.”

Entry forms for the timed race can be picked up at the Chamber office in the Scarborough Building, at the Cathlamet Pharmacy and at the Bank of the Pacific. Entry forms can be filled out race day, but check in begins at 8:30 and the race begins at 9:00 a.m., so there won’t be much time. The cost is $12, according to Gildea.

Main Street will be closed for the event and water stations will be located at the 5K and 10K turnarounds on the island.

Awards will be given after the race.