40th Bald Eagle festival is on its way

If you ask me, bald is always in fashion, but this year the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce is taking a stand with their Bald Eagle Days theme, “Bald is Beautiful.”

The festival, first started as a one-day event on June 19, 1982, has grown to a two-day event.

Festivities begin on Friday, July 15, with a Chalk Art Contest at Strong Park from 12-3 p.m., followed by the Farmers Market at the Elochoman Slough Marina from 3-6 p.m. Afterward, there will be live music at River Mile 38 Brewery from 6-10 p.m.

On Saturday, July 16, the parade begins at noon. There will be lots more to do, with plenty of vendors, food, music, and activities, including Art in the Park, and fireworks at 10 p.m.

Planning has gone into everything, including the Kid’s Zone on Saturday, which is held every year in the Bank of the Pacific parking lot. This year there will be four giant inflatables that will surely be the center of fun for the younger set.

The Big Kahuna is a huge double slide with water. There will be a second double slide, called the California, as well as a bouncy house and a 40 foot inflatable obstacle course.

Some favorite activities from the past will return, including the fishing hole, the sucker ring toss, the photo booth, and kid’s tattoos.

Big River Sweets will have lots of goodies available nearby, including mini donuts, kettle corn, hot dogs, and nachos.

Local fire departments will compete in the Waterball War, which is returning this year at 2 p.m. on Saturday in front of the Bank of the Pacific, and kids of all ages can take in the Reptile Roadshow with Garth Pithan at the Community Center from 11-4 p.m.

“We’re excited!” Assistant Chamber Director Melissa Collins said.