“The highly motivated community and volunteers have been amazing!” Hamilton said.
In preparation for the festival, volunteers have been doing a tremendous job at sprucing up Raymond. If you haven’t noticed the gleaming new paint coating many buildings or the blindingly clean sidewalks, perhaps you’ve noticed the determined looking people, organized by Senja Antilla, pressure washing, trimming, painting, and sweeping for hours each day. It’s becoming quite obvious that the 2013 Willapa Harbor Festival is definitely something everyone should be getting excited about!
The festival kicks off August 2nd at 10 a.m. with a quilt show in the Raymond High School cafeteria and from there on, the schedule blows up with activities for all to head out and enjoy.
Kid’s entertainment will be hosted in the Fifth Street Park by the New Life Fellowship youth program with games, prizes, crafts, and a bounce house. On Saturday, at 8 a.m. a softball tournament fundraiser kicks off at the 8th Street Park where they will also be serving a $3 biscuits and gravy breakfast Saturday and Sunday beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday evening from 1 p.m. they will host a $5 spaghetti dinner. The proceeds from all of this go to the Girl’s Softball Association.
Also on Saturday will be a classic car show featuring Johnny Manson.
Local vendors will have the streets lined offering everything from henna tattoos to Scentsy. HAVA will even be out with the adoption van.
If all this weren’t enough to spark your interest, the food selection is sure to. There will be authentic Asian cuisine, crepes, strawberry shortcake, and much more.
Saturday at noon, the annual parade is scheduled to take over the streets of downtown. With floats representing the Willapa Harbor’s “Past, Present, and Future,” who knows what you’ll see.
Even local artists will make their appearances.
“This is the first time in 23 years that we’ve really gotten local musicians involved,” said Hamilton.
Local bands such as Anitize, Steve Brown Band, Mark It Zero, and more will be participating in a Battle of the Bands scored by a panel of celebrity judges. Hosting venues are The Pitchwood Alehouse, the Elks Lodge, and the Raymond Theatre. On Sunday, beginning at noon, fans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite artists at the theater. A more complete schedule of bands is listed in the brochure.
“I think people will find that this year, we tried to put together something the whole community can be proud of,” Layman said.
For a complete schedule of events, places, and times as well as more information, join the Willapa Harbor Festival page on Facebook. There you can download parade float applications, a schedule, a map, and keep updated on vendors and businesses involved.