Bald Eagle Days festivities return after covid hiatus

Editor’s note: What a difference a day makes. Reporter Diana Zimmerman interviewed Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce staff Tuesday to write about events for the Bald Eagle Days festival; on Wednesday we learn that the Friday bull riding event is cancelled because of lack of riders and that the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast is also cancelled.

By Diana Zimmerman

Bald Eagle Days are back!

The festivities begin next Friday, July 16, with the annual chalk art contest, which has been moved to Strong Park and will take place between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

From 3 to 6 p.m., stop by the Elochoman Slough Marina to check out the wares and produce at the farmers market.

That evening from 5 to 9 p.m., rodeo enthusiasts are welcome to head to the Skamokawa Fairgrounds to watch professional bull riders who are touring with the Challenge of the Champions (editor's note: This event was cancelled by the promoter after the print edition of The Eagle was published). The gates open at 4 p.m., according to Lore Twiet, who said there will be food and a beer garden before the riding begins around 7 p.m.

On parade day, Saturday, there will be a ribbon cutting on Main Street in Cathlamet at 11:30 a.m., an idea brought to life by Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce Director Stacey Lane.

“That was my crazy idea, we’re just going to reopen Cathlamet,” she said.

The annual parade begins at noon, starting at Wahkiakum High School, and taking its usual route from Elm Street, left on South 2nd, turning on Alder Street to Columbia Street and all the way down to Main Street. They will continue on to Chester Street, turning left on 2nd Street, and right onto Una Ave, before heading back up the highway to the high school.

Stephanie Olsen will be honored as the Woman’s Club Citizen of the Year, and Tom Irving will be the Grand Marshal.

Vendors will be on Main Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and a new event, Art in the Park, sponsored by the Pioneer Community Association, will be held in Strong Park 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

According to Lane, local artists and musicians will be welcome at the event, and the PCA will auction off original art by Craig Holmes, with proceeds going to the Pioneer Center.

The Reptile Roadshow will be ongoing at the Community Center from 10-3:30 p.m., and the Skamokawa Farmstead Creamery will bring baby goats for a petting zoo area at the Butler Street parking lot.

The Chamber had about 45 vendors signed up on Tuesday and were hoping for more. A couple food carts will be down at the marina all day, and Maria’s Place and The Spar will offer food at their beer gardens from 10 a.m. to closing. The Cathlamet Market will offer fresh produce and ice cream. River Mile 38 Brewery will open its doors at 11 a.m., and will have live music from 4 to 10 p.m.

Velcro ax throwing is tentatively scheduled for the kid’s area, which will also include some of the usual activities. The Columbia River Maritime Museum will be there as well, helping kids build boats with GPS so they can track where they go.

The fireworks show will begin at the marina at 10 p.m.

“I keep telling people that these Bald Eagle Days are going to party like it’s 1999,” Lane said. “It’s going to be super fun. We’re hoping for good weather and good attitudes and that’s all I can ask for."