Bald Eagle Day events are coming together

Of all things, Paige Lake was thinking about black chalk last Friday.

It was just one of many minor details the director for the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce needed to be addressed for the coming Bald Eagle Days in Cathlamet.

The chalk Lake had purchased for the Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest scheduled for Friday, July 14, was colorful, but short on black. The coordinator for the event had asked for more, citing its popularity in past years. So Lake found a recipe online and she and other volunteers made some more.

Even though only she and her new intern, Robert Will, a junior at Wahkiakum High School were in the office that afternoon, there was a lot of energy and a lot going on.

"We only have two weeks to go and I've got way more vendors coming in than last year," Lake said happily. "I've got so many food vendors!"

Local restaurants will be represented and a couple favorites from last year are returning, including The Wandering Dog, which served hot dogs with several different kinds of condiments. According to Lake, they sold out last year. The food cart from Astoria that served smoked salmon chowder is coming back too.

"That was so good," Lake said. "I think I ate that every day, three days in a row."

After attending some seminars with Washington Festivals and Events earlier this year, she approached the board about lowering the price for vendors. They agreed and it seems to have had a positive effect.

There are already 40 vendors signed up for the big event and Lake was hoping they might have tables set up all the way to the highway this year.

She has also had a lot more help this year.

"I think people are getting really excited to see things happen," Lake said. "I'm having a really good time and people notice and want to play too. It's a lot of fun when people are excited but I think sometimes you have to be the one to start the excitement."

Some of the excitement centers around the kid's area, for the little ones and the bigger ones. There will be a bubble station. Bubbles will be flying all day long and toys will be available for the kids to blow their own. A water bomb sling shot will keep them cool too. There will be a boat race and a fishing hole and face painting. The Redneck Horseshoes was a big hit last year and will be back. There will be a shooting gallery with squirt guns and a mechanical bull for all ages.

And prizes! Lots of prizes.

There will also be prizes for participants in the annual geocaching event.

Lake had already seen several applications for the parade and was looking forward to seeing the 4-H Robotics Club entry. She'd already heard a couple of their ideas, but wasn't sure what they had settled on.

The Downhill Billies and Layton and Pam Elliott are scheduled to play downtown on Saturday. The brewery was expected to open at noon, with their own music beginning at 2 p.m.

On Friday night, a concert is scheduled at the Pioneer Community Center, with doors opening at 7:30 p.m.

Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. on Saturday.