Expanded Wooden Boat Festival this weekend

The 2016 Cathlamet Wooden Boat Festival will be held this Saturday and Sunday at the Elochoman Slough Marina.

Organizers have expanded the festival to two days this year.

Frinley crafted wooden boats will be on display in and out of the water. Visitors are invited to vote for their favorite boat in the show.

Events over the two days will include:

--There will be booths selling food and arts, crafts and interest items.

--On Sunday morning there will be a swap sale in the covered area, free tables, nautical items only. Space is limited. For details send an e-mail to seajeanb@gmail.com.

--On both Saturday and Sunday, there will be kids model boat building, including the shingle sailboat introduced at the last show.

There will also be a kids shingle boat race in the afternoon right after a rubber ducky race for all ages. There is a prize awarded for each race. the rubber ducky race prize will be one half of ticket sale proceeds.

--On Saturday only between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., there will be a speakers forum entailing a series of talks which will be presented in the covered area on such topics as boat building, repairs and restoration, tales of the sea, personal experiences, and so forth.

--On Saturday, approximately 12 noon, organizers have arranged a rescue demonstration by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter search and rescue crew. A member of the crew will go into the river off the marina, and the remaining crew will find and rescue the victim. If time allows, the chopper will land to be on display. As always, the demonstration is tentative, for the crew could be called to an actual rescue.

--There will also be the Ugly Car and Rat Rod Car Show on Saturday, 2-9, trophies at 5:30 p.m. River Mile 38 Brewery is the sponsor.

--New this year on both days will be blind dingy races. In the race, two individuals attempt to proceed over a set course with the rower blindfolded. No voice communication is allowed. Only a tap of some manner is allowed for indicating course change.

--Also on both days, organizers are hosting a search and rescue boat raffle in support of the Wahkiakum County Search & Rescue organization. The raffle is for a 7-foot boat specifically designed and built by Michael Baccellieri of Welcome Slough Boatworks. Drawing will take place on Sunday at 2 p.m.

--Organizers are planning a rowboat race on Saturday afternoon and an opportunity for those who might wish to experience going out on the river in a rowboat on Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

--Nautical vendors and a variety of food booths are expected for the festival.

Before the start of the activities at the Marina, on Friday evening, the Tsuga Gallery on Main Street will hold a reception from 5-7 p.m.

River Mile 38 Brewing Company has brewed special beer for this and will host live music.