While local parents may be counting the days until school is back in session, that doesn’t mean there still isn’t a lot of summer fun to be had. The month of August is bursting at the seams with community festivals and gatherings. Some of the highlights for the month of August are:
Mossyrock Blueberry Festival
Aug 1-3
Mossyrock
Info:
mossyrockfestivals.org
The Mossyrock area has always been known for its blueberries. Eight years ago, it decided to start celebrating that fact. The Mossyrock Blueberry festival is a place to sample and buy blueberries, said Judy Peoples, part of the festival’s organizational team as well as a board member for the Mossyrock Area Action League. Blueberries for purchase and to pick are at: Aldrich Berry Farm, 190 Aldrich Road; Grose Family Blueberry Farm, 164 Damron Road; and Pan-American Berry Growers, 212 Klickitat Creek Road.
But even if blueberries aren’t your thing, there’s still plenty to do. The event offers: a 5K run that takes runners over the top of the Mossyrock Dam; a car show; equestrian exhibits; a Cowlitz Tribal drumming demonstration and even a dog show.
“The wiener dog races are always a lot of fun,” Peoples said when asked to name one of her “must see” events at the blueberry festival.
Lineup:
Friday, Aug. 1
• 5-7 p.m. Spaghetti feed at the community center
• 6:30 p.m. Riley Smart performs at Klickitat Prairie Park stage
• 7-10 p.m. Chris Guenther Band performs at Klickitat Prairie Park stage
Saturday Aug. 2
• 7-11 a.m. Blueberry pancake breakfast at Assembly of God Church
• 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. Vendors and activities at Klickitat Prairie Park
• 9 a.m. Registration opens for 5K trail run across the Mossyrock dam. Race begins at 10 a.m.
• 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Car show in the grass fields behind Mossyrock High School
• 11 a.m. Parade along State Street
• one-half hour after parade. Wiener dog races at Klickitat Prairie Park
• 1 p.m. Equestrian events at Klickitat Prairie Park
• 1-2 p.m. Square dancing demonstration at Klickitat Prairie Park
• 2:30 p.m. Dog show at Klickitat Prairie Park
• 2-3 p.m. Cowlitz Tribe Drums at Klickitat Prairie Park
• 3-4 p.m. Blueberry pie eating championship in front of Klickitat Prairie Park Stage
• 5:30 p.m. Mossyrock mini blueberry car cruise
• 7-10 p.m. British Export Band at Klickitat Prairie Park stage
Sunday, Aug. 3
• 7 a.m. Fire District 3 Mossyrock pancake breakfast at the fire station
• 9 a.m. to noon. Food and craft vendors at Klickitat Prairie Park
• 9:30 a.m. Gospel music at Klickitat Prairie Park stage
Morton Loggers Jubilee
Aug. 7-10
Morton
Info:
www.loggersjubilee.com
This year marks the 72nd year the Morton Loggers Jubilee will celebrate the logging heritage of the East Lewis County town. About 8,000 people annually attend the logging show. Linda Mettler, who organizes the event with her husband, Sonny, said she estimates about 15,000-20,000 visitors descend on the town for the weekend of events. In the not-to-miss category, Mettler said the lawnmower and bed races are always well liked and well attended. And the Loggers Jubilee parade is a unique one, featuring a lot of logging equipment and other large vehicles you don’t see at many other local parades. But if you have to do just one thing, Mettler said her money is on the logging show.
“The show brings in both the historic and the new logging techniques,” Mettler said. “It’s fun for everyone.”
Schedule of events:
Thursday, Aug. 7
• 8 p.m. 59th Annual Queen Coronation at Morton High School
Friday, Aug. 8
• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hampton Mill tours
• 4:30 p.m. Arena gates open for lawnmower races, time trials begin at 6:30 p.m., racing begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission: Adults: $10 Seniors: $7 Children (6-12): $5. Children 5 and under FREE
Saturday, Aug. 9
• 6-11 a.m. Lion’s Club Loggers’ Breakfast at Jubilee Park
• 7 a.m. registration opens for 10K run at Morton High School, race begins at 8 a.m.
• 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Morton Senior Center bakery goods
• 11 a.m. Jubilee Championship Bed Races on Main Street
• Before grand parade Children’s parade at Morton Co-Op Preschool
• 11:30 a.m. Jubilee Grand Parade on Main Street
• 12:30 p.m. Arena gates open for logging show. Show begins at 2 p.m. Admission: Adults: $7 Seniors: $5Children (6-12): $5. Children 5 and under FREE
• 7 p.m. Centralia College East and Fire Mountain Arts Council presents “All Star Roxy Review” at the Roxy Theater
• 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Main Street dance in downtown Morton with music by Hat Trick
Sunday, Aug. 10
• 6-11 a.m. Lions Club Loggers’ Breakfast at Jubilee Park
• 11 a.m. arena gates open for logging show. Show begins at noon. Awards and raffle prizes awarded at the end of the show. Admission: Adults: $7 Seniors: $5 Children (6-12): $5. Children 5 and under FREE
• 2 p.m. Centralia College East and Fire Mountain Arts Council presents “All Star Roxy Review” at the Roxy Theater
Southwest Washington Fair
Aug. 12-17
Southwest Washington Fairgrounds, Chehalis
Info:
southwestwashingtonfair.net
In 105 years many aspects of the Southwest Washington Fair have changed, but its heart remains the same, said fair manager Gale Sobolesky.
“Just how it envelopes the whole community as far as having something for everyone,” Sobolesky said of her favorite thing about the fair. “There’s a chance for youth and adults to show off their talents. There’s education and agriculture and the entertainment is always fun.”
The fair is open: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, through Friday, Aug. 15; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17. Carnival opens at 11 a.m. daily and is open through the end of the day. Detailed schedules of each day’s events are available on the fair website.
Schedule highlights include:
• Twin Cities Bulls and Barrels rodeo 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, in front of the grandstand. Admission: $15 grandstand, $20 arena
• 38 Special 8 p.m., Aug. 12, at the Saloon Stage, free with fair admission or Golden Circle reserved seating for $20
• Diamond Rio 8 p.m., Aug. 13, at the Saloon Stage. Tickets: $25
• Collective Soul 8 p.m., Aug. 15, at the Saloon Stage. Tickets: $35
• The Neverclaim 3 p.m., Aug. 17, at the Saloon Stage. Free with fair admission
• Annie Moses Band 5 p.m., Aug. 17, at the Saloon Stage. Free with fair admission
General admission prices are: $10 for adults ages 13-59; $6 for seniors ages 60 and older or military with I.D.; $6 for kids ages 6-12; and free for children 5 and younger. Discount days at the fair are: Tuesday, Aug. 12, is kids day, with half priced admission for all kids; senior and military day Wednesday, Aug. 13, with $3 admission for seniors and military with I.D.; and Sunday, Aug. 17, is KACS family day with half price tickets for all ages.
There are various contests, activities and entertainment throughout all six days of the fair. Competitions abound for Lewis County locals, ranging from flower arranging and agriculture to canning and sewing. Exhibitors’ entry deadlines usually take place sometime in the week prior to the fair. Check the exhibitor’s handbook on the fair website for more details.
Garlic Fest
Aug. 22-24
Southwest Washington Fairgrounds, Chehalis
Info:
chehalisgarlicfest.com/ or
facebook.com/pages/Garlic-Fest-Chehalis/196989940333262
Garlic Fest began 18 years ago as one small farm’s celebration of the stinking rose. Today the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds nearly bursts with activities, vendors and entertainment during the three day event. Garlic Fest is open noon to 7 p.m. Aug. 22, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 23 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 24. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors 65 and older and military with I.D. and free for kids 7 and younger.
Organizer Judy DeVaul has been part of the event for eight years. She said what keeps her coming back is the real family atmosphere, including vendors and attendees who come year after year. Besides the chance to buy garlic from local farms, the event offers garlic themed foods, antique alley, kids activities and chef demonstrations.
DeVaul said that one thing the public may not know about Garlic Fest is that the event is a community fundraiser. The festival is completely staffed by volunteers. Each volunteer works on behalf of a non-profit of their choosing. “So other than hugs and happiness we don’t get anything,” DeVaul said. “It is a true community fundraising event.”
Schedule of Events:
Friday, Aug. 22
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. Locust Street Dixieland Band
• 2-3:30 p.m. Virgil Storteroen
• 4-5:30 p.m. Ben Potter Band
• 6:30-8 p.m. Backfire Band
Saturday, Aug. 23
• 12-1:30 p.m. Ian McFerron Band
• 2-3:30 p.m. Smilin’ Scandinavians
• 4-5:30 p.m. Chris Guenther
• 6:30-8 p.m. Oncore
Sunday, Aug. 24
• 12-1:30 p.m. Fiddlehead
• 2-3:30 p.m. Raucous
Cowlitz Prairie Threshing Bee
Aug. 23-24
155 Buckley Road, Toledo
Info on vendor spaces:
(360) 304-0779
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Cowlitz Prairie Grange Threshing Bee, which attracts visitors from far and near to marvel at the ingenuity of yesteryear and learn about the agricultural history of Lewis County. All proceeds from the weekend event benefit local nonprofits, said Sam Zion, a member of the Cowlitz Prairie Grange and long-time threshing bee volunteer. But what Zion said he likes best about the event is the range of options it provides.
“If you’re into engines, the antique tractor pull would be for you,” Zion said. “But if you like antiques. The antique fair is one of the biggest around.”
Admission to the threshing bee is $5 per person or free for kids 12 and younger. Parking is free with paid admission. Overnight camping is available for $20 for two nights for two people.
Schedule of Events:
• 4-7 p.m. Friday Aug. 22. Baked potato bar in the field
• All day Aug. 23-24. Free train rides for kids and possible wagon rides, threshing demonstrations on the hour, weather permitting
• 9 a.m. Aug. 23-24. Antique tractor pull begins
• Noon Aug. 23-24. Model T “greased pig” races
• 2 p.m. Aug. 23-24. Money dive for kids
