Photo by George Kunke - A youngster conquered the Blair Warnstadt Pole Walk there-and-back without losing her balance and falling into the water at the 2019 festival.
SOUTH BEND - The 58th Annual "Come and Play on Labor Day" Festival opens tomorrow and closes out on Labor Day. This years' theme is "Happy Days are Here Again!" This unique gathering of friends, families and visitors offers a variety of kids and adult activities and food and music, and, more than anything, wholesome fun for everyone.
The Grand Parade, which often brings a couple of thousand spectators, is Monday at 1:00 p.m. South Bend Mayor Julie Struck is this year's parade announcer and coordinator. The 2021 Grand Marshal will be the Heroes of Willapa Harbor. This year the parade is dedicated to our local essential workers who labored so diligently throughout the pandemic to assist citizens in the entire community. The always great fireworks display on the Willapa River is Sunday night at dusk.
This year's Labor Day Committee includes Mayor Struck, South Bend Police Chief Lucas Stigall, Pacific County Commissioner Lisa Olsen, Alyssa Olsen, Debra Bostwick, Sue Scott, Zoe Sowa, Aimee Betrozoff, Kenny Betrozoff, Susie Webber, Sarah Sheary, Brian Morley and Jenny Penoyar.
Vendor booths will be open Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The Wood on the Willapa Softball Tournament will play its games at Cheney Park on Saturday and Sunday starting at 8:00 a.m, and the beer garden and concessions will also be set up there, sponsored by Pitchwood Alehouse. The Scavenger Hunt is an event where you find clues around town and then return your form to the South Bend Timberland Library before 4:00 p.m. Saturday for a prize. The Friends of the Library Book Sale goes from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday-Monday at Penoyar Law office.
Remember to turn in your Labor Day Button with your name and phone number in a ziplock bag at Pioneer grocery or Tim's Chester Club and Oyster Bar to possibly win one $50 cash prize or two $25 cash prizes. The winners will be drawn on Sept. 20. Get your $1 tickets for the HAVA 2021 Quilt Raffle. The drawing is on Labor Day. Contact Gail Friedlander at gfriedla@comcast.net.
The Don Weisel Memorial Texas Hold 'em Poker Tourney is Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. at the Willapa Harbor Chamber Building Community Center located at 916 First St.
There's live music at Tim's Chester Club and Oyster Bar Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights starting at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday is fun galore with a wide range of activities for all ages. The Salmon Derby is a competition for big-time fishermen starting at daylight until 6:00 p.m.
The cost is 10 bucks per person per day. Get your tickets at Dennis Company in downtown Raymond through today and at the South Bend boat launch on derby days from 5:30-7:00 a.m.
Get up early and head to the 5K Color Run/Walk Race for check-in at 7 am at Koplitz Field House. The race starts at 8:00 a.m.
Kid's Races for youngsters 12 and under take place at 10:00 a.m. at Millam Field under the direction of Lisa Olsen.
Hang around after the Kid's Races for the Hay Scramble, also at Millam Field at 10:30 a.m., for kids 9 and under.
A big highlight at noon Saturday is the Kid's Parade which starts at Koplitz Field House and ends at First and Monroe streets. The theme is "Happy Days are Here Again!"
It's always a blast to watch people splash into the water at the Blair Warnstadt Pole Walk at Robert Bush Park at 1:00 p.m. The event is directed by Kenny and Aimee Betrozoff.
A Free Kid's Movie (Scoob!) is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Chamber Building Community Center. The movie is sponsored by Basics NW and free popcorn, snacks and water will be available.
The Salmon Derby continues Sunday from sunup to 6:00 p.m.
Again, you don't want to miss out on the Grand Parade at 1:00 p.m. The SBHS band jumpstarts it with The National Anthem.
The Water Ball Competition between the two fire departments squirts off at 3:00 p.m. at the fire hall. South Bend Fire Chief Alan Ashby directs the battle.
The Duck Race is Monday at 3:00 p.m. Purchase your ducks at local retailers or from any committee member for $5.
Sponsors for this year's festival are Bank of the Pacific, Bud's Lumber & Electric, Chen's Restaurant & Motel, Chester Club and Oyster Bar, Davis Realty & Insurance, Dilk Tire, Fibre Federal Credit Union, Guy Glenn Attorney, Pacific Seafood, Pacific County title, Penoyar Law, Pioneer Grocery, Michael C. Plato, CPA, Riverview Chiropractic, Security State Bank, South Bend Pharmacy, Westlake Hardware, Weyerhaeuser, and Willapa Brewing Co.