Bald Eagle Days start Friday

Get ready to celebrate all things bald this weekend, because the annual Bald Eagle Days are here, and this year’s theme is “Bald is Beautiful.”

Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce Director Monica Budd was in good spirits on Tuesday. She has 80 vendors signed up for the big event, and 35 entries for the parade, which begins at noon on Saturday.

“It’s going to be fun,” she said. “We’re going to have more floats than we’ve had before. I think people are enjoying the theme, and it sounds like we’ve got some people being pretty creative.”

[An itinerary of festival activities may be found on Page 3.--ed.]

The Naselle Bobbleheads and the Wahkiakum High School and 4-H Mecha Mules, the two local robotics teams who performed so well in international competition earlier this year, will be the grand marshals.

“I’m so excited for their float,” Budd said. “I really think they are creating something special and everyone is going to love it.”

Citizens of the year Bob and Esther Roche will ride in a 1955 Chevrolet, and there will be horses, cheerleaders, a log truck and more.

Vendors were still calling the Chamber on Tuesday.

“They are deciding they all want to come and hang out with us,” Budd said. “I bet you we are pretty close to 80 vendors, more than we have ever had before. It’s going to be good. I think we will have a nice variety.”

There have been changes to Art in the Park this year, which is held at Strong Park.

Several free classes will be offered, thanks to a few local sponsors. Instructors will be teaching yoga, drawing, painting, and mosaics to people who sign up that day at the park. The classes are first come, first serve.

As for food, there will be a ready supply with pulled pork, kettle corn, elephant ears, cupcakes, snow-cones and other treats on Main Street, as well as some selections from Maria’s, Patty Cakes, and The Spar.

At the marina, visitors will find street tacos, barbecue, and more.

“There is going to be a lot of food available,” Budd said. “It’s going to smell really good. Come hungry!”

“Bald Eagle Day has definitely become bigger than what I was imagining,” Budd said happily.

If you have an urge to volunteer, Budd says to call the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce at 360-795-9996.

“We’ll make sure that our volunteers are taken care of,” she said.