08/03/2022
Annual festival in Raymond runs Friday thru Sunday
By GEORGE KUNKE, [email protected]
Get primed for festive fun as the annual Willapa Harbor Festival returns at full bore this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
"We are back to full festival all three days!" Event Organizer/Co-Director Michelle Layman told the Herald. "We are happy to be back to a pre-pandemic event! This great, free community event is a gem in our little area. Locals show off their talents, musically, commercially and with their foods.
Jeff Karnatz is the co-person of WHF. "We also have Jovon Vaughn, new to the area, who has hopped in to assist," Layman noted. "We have tons of volunteers, including the gang from the Pacific Events District."
This gala family affair for all ages promises to provide a little bit of something for everybody, including plenty of live music, an eye-appealing car and motorcycle show, free activities for the kids, some scrumptious food, a delightful parade, a softball tournament, a quilt show, plenty of crafts and food vendors, a beer and wine garden featuring some of best local beer available and much, much more! The primary location for the free festival is once again Riverfront Park with several events at other locations in historic downtown Raymond.
"Attendants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or shade umbrellas to make themselves comfortable while they watch the music," Layman said. "The beer garden will be open and the bouncies will be available for the kids. Bouncie Bracelets may be purchased during the event. Parade is on again. Yay! It will be at noon on Saturday. We have cookie decorating, crafts and karaoke on Sunday, Family Day.
Festival Kicks off at Noon
The WHF officially begins Friday at noon when the food and commercial vendors open. The vendors will open at noon each day.
As in past festivals, there will be plenty of vendors in Riverfront Park. "We usually have 20 or so food and commercial vendors," Layman said.
The WHF used to be in downtown Raymond and before that near the library.
"The new location is amazing," Layman said. "The city was very generous in outfitting the space for us with upgraded electrical and water access for our vendors. The beautiful park is accessible from the highway and the museums. It's a great hub of Raymond."
Nice Variety of Food
There is always some very good high-quality food for your dining pleasure. The Elks #1292 will serve up a special food-fest each day, including Friday's Grilled Salmon Dinner with corn, slaw and watermelon for 15 bucks. You can RSVP at 360-942-1292. Saturday features the BBQ & Bake Sale including hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad and baked beans for only $10; and you don't want to miss Sunday's Champagne Brunch that features bacon, ham, egg, sausage bake, French Toast, cinnamon rolls and fruit at a cost of $15. The Raymond Elks Lodge will also conduct silent auctions all three days. To reserve a table or if you have questions, call Dee at 360-589-9451.
"The Salmon Dinner is on!" Layman said. "We also have the usual Asaian and Hispanic flair with some burgers mixed in!"
Another great food event is the Raymond Firefighter's Association Third Annual Breakfast on Saturday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and noon. New this year is Biscuits & Gravy with a side of ham, orange juice, sweet tea and coffee for an $8 donation. It takes place at the Raymond Fire Department (212 Commercial Street) where there promises to be "good food, games and fun!"
Saturday, the Northwest Carriage Museum is conducting a bake sale and admission to the museum is only $5.
Don't forget to stop by the Farmer's Market at the east end of Riverfront Park from 11-3 p.m., also Saturday.
Adults can quench their thirst with a beer or wine at the Beer Garden featuring WooHoo Winery, Willapa Brewing and Wild Man Brewing from noon to 10:00 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6:00 p.m. Sunday.
Eight Bands to Perform
There are eight bands scheduled to perform at WHF, including Olson Bros Band (5:00 p.m., Fri), JT Trawick the Mud Bugs (7:30, Fri), Norm Olson Band (noon, Sat), DNA Entertainment (2:00 p.m., Sat), Common Thread (4:00 p.m., Sat), Adrian Xavier (6 pm, Sat), Haley & Jupiter (3:00 p.m., Sun), and Jacob Daniel (1:00 p.m, Sun).
"We have Halley and Jupiter (Ericka Corban from Grays Harbor) and Olsen Bros, out of Grays Harbor," Layman informed. "We also have locally, Norm Olsen, and another local favorite, DNA! Just a great music lineup. We close down with Karaoke on Sunday."
"I am so excited for this year's Willapa Music Festival," Karnatz wrote on his post. "Jovon Vaughn and I have been working hard behind the scenes to bring you some new bands to the Willapa Festival this year.
"Come have a beer at the beer garden on the docks, yummy foods and great friends," Karnatz added. "Be sure to like the Willapa Festivals group page for all the updates and info about the festival."
Must-See Classic Cars
The Classic Car & Bike Show (Saturday) is always a fan favorite that takes place from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the blacktop on the other side of museums this year, according to Layman.
Also on Saturday is a Free Rec Swim at the Raymond pool between the hours of 1-4 p.m.
The parade begins at noon Saturday noon.
Family Day Sunday
Sunday's Family Day is a great event for the whole family. Between the hours of 1-3 p.m., kids can look even more cool by attending Free Face Painting. There's more Free Kids Activities, sponsored by Basics Northwest, Teen Advocacy Coalition and Timberland Regional Library. The Free Cookie Decorating is sponsored by
Raymond Elks. There's also a Water Shower in the Street at South Fork Landing Riverfront Park.
From Sports to Reading
The Coed Softball Tournament,hosted by the ladies softball association. takes place at Eighth Street Park in Raymond, running Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. both days.
Avid readers will be pleased to know that Zumba Studio (209 Duryea street) is hosting a Friends of the Library Book Sale Friday through Sunday between the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. All proceeds go toward programs at the library.
The Quilts on the Willapa is Friday (10-5 p.m.) and Saturday (10-4 p.m.) at Raymond High School.
This year's WHF sponsors include Bank of the Pacific, Bud's Lumber, Dennis Company, Davis Insurance, Hanner Enterprises, Kiwanis, LV Raymond Foundation, Pacific Eye Clinic, Penoyar Law, Pioneer Grocery, Raymond Furniture, Seiler Home Group, South Bend Pharmacy, Sugar Valley Builders, Willapa Valley Lavender/Alder + Co, Willapa Printing Boutique and Thriftway.
