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Your Guide to Grays Harbor County Holiday Activities

 

Photo credit: Lost River Photography.

Your Guide to Grays Harbor County Holiday Activities

‘Tis the season for cocoa, caroling and Santa! You do not have to travel far from your home no matter where you live in Grays Harbor County to find a bit of holiday cheer. With events starting at the beginning on November, there is plenty to keep your whole family busy, from holiday bazaars and tree lightings to concerts and plays.

Central Park PTO Holiday Bazaar

601 School Rd, Aberdeen
November 3, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Free

Jump start your holiday shopping at the Central Park PTO Holiday Bazaar. There will be many local vendors with handmade as well as commercial gifts for everyone on your list. Food will be available for purchase and even a Seahawk gift basket raffle! Santa will also make an appearance. Vendor table fees contribute to field trips, assemblies and extra items for the Central Park Elementary.  Read more here:  http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2018/10/31/your-guide-to-grays-harbor-county-holiday-activities/

Grays Harbor ORV Park Promoters Endeavor to Create Multi-Use Park

The beautiful GHORV park has five tracks for riders to enjoy. Photo courtesy: GHORV.

Grays Harbor ORV Park Promoters Endeavor to Create Multi-Use Park

From the coast to the forest, there are many areas that make Grays Harbor a delightful place to settle down or visit. One that entices people from both near and far is the Grays Harbor ORV (GHORV) park on the rim of McCleary. The expansive park has multiple riding tracks and ever-growing services under the newest promoters that took on the lease in 2017.
GHORV is a great place for adults and children to get in some riding time between March and October. Photo courtesy: GHORV.

“They’ve got plans for new events and ways to maximize use and benefit the facility for the community,” explains Grays Harbor Fairgrounds and Tourism manager, Mike Bruner. “It’s the type of facility that most communities don’t have and people come from all over the state, or even the region, to ride there.”

The new lease holders, Brent Davis and prominent motocross rider Ryan Villopoto, have been collaborating to operate the park with many upgrades in mind. They plan to put Grays Harbor and the GHORV on the map for not only UTV and ATV riding events and motocross, but also downhill mountain biking, mud runs, concerts, camp sites and more.  Read more here:  http://www.lewistalk.com/2018/11/20/grays-harbor-orv-park-promoters-endeavor-to-create-multi-use-park/

Priceless Holiday Memories are Made at Montesano’s Festival of Lights

 

Montesano Festival of Lights parade downtown
Don’t miss this dazzling parade of lights. Photo courtesy: Festival of Lights

Priceless Holiday Memories are Made at Montesano’s Festival of Lights December 7-9

The holidays have officially here and that means everything from yule logs and parties to extravagantly decorated homes and lots of cookies for all to enjoy. Something especially bright is the Festival of Lights weekend hosted by Montesano that brings everyone together for some Christmas time merriment. Don’t miss out on the festivities planned for Friday, December 7 through Sunday, December 9. There is something new and fun to check out this year with the Jingle Lights light show that used to be done in Central Park, now happening during the Festival of Lights.
Montesano Festival of Lights parade log trucks
Watch a whole city light up in colorful colors as the Festival of Lights parade makes its way through Montesano on December 8. Photo courtesy: Festival of Lights

“The city of Montesano purchased the equipment and so they’re running that show at Fleet Park,” Leslie Goings, Festival of Lights parade chair says. “Each weekend, there’s a different non-profit. So, they’re asking for donations and then that non-profit for that weekend will get the proceeds.”

Sometimes there is a specific theme for the festival, but this year they are keeping it traditional with a theme of “lights” to welcome aboard the Jingle Lights show and for everyone to twinkle brightly during the parade. “We decided not to do a sub-theme, we’re sticking with the Festival of Lights,” says Goings. “Part of it is it has been so specific over the last couple of years that we wanted to let some of the participants reuse some of their decorations, but also with Jingle Lights coming this year we really wanted to focus on lights.”

The magic of the season comes through in Montesano this time of year as people help each other to bring alive the spirit of the holidays. A committee works tirelessly to put on the festival, but dozens of people also help through doing everything from decorating to hosting events.  Further, the event is made possible by a generous grant from the Grays Harbor County Department of Fair, Events and Tourism.

“It’s pretty much a city-wide effort,” shares Goings. “The city and public works department, they put up the garland around town, and each business is responsible for doing their own decorating. And then we have just a lot of support, whether it’s monetary sponsorships or donations. Everyone just kind of works together.”

A huge crowd of 13,000 came to town for the parade last year and with new entries coming onto the scene this year, it’ll be even bigger. “We have quite a few new participants this year that I’m excited about,” says Goings, commenting that businesses such as the Extreme Fun Center and Home Depot are coming along with the usual groups that always have dazzling displays.  Read more here:  http://www.thurstontalk.com/2018/11/25/priceless-holiday-memories-are-made-at-montesanos-festival-of-lights-december-7-9/

Clash of the Cowboys Rodeo Brings Evening of Fun to Grays Harbor Fairgrounds October 27

Rodeo fans will have to hang onto their hats as the Clash of the Cowboys rodeo brings a wild ride to town at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 27 at the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds. Sponsored by Bud Light, Clash of the Cowboys will have everyone cheering and rooting for riders as bull riding, bronc busting, and barrel racing competitions happen in a fast-moving and exciting night at the rodeo. Continue reading “Clash of the Cowboys Rodeo Brings Evening of Fun to Grays Harbor Fairgrounds October 27”

American Lung Association’s Reach the Beach Comes to Washington

It’s nearly time to gear up and hit the road for hundreds of riders participating in the second annual Reach the Beach in Washington. The American Lung Association (ALA) is hosting the perfect opportunity to close out the season with their event on September 29. It promises to be a beautiful ride supporting a worthy cause. Continue reading “American Lung Association’s Reach the Beach Comes to Washington”

Clash Of The Cowboys Rodeo

Clash of the Cowboys Rodeo. Rodeo with the Jessie Leigh Band. Saturday October 27th. Show starts at 7 PM .Doors open at 5 PM. At The Grays Harbor County Fair And Events Center. Presale tickets are $12 at the Elma, Centralia and Olympia Les Schwab Tire Stores and Monte Farm and Home. $15.00 at the door. Sponsored by Budlight.

ckash

2019 Grays Harbor Tourism Grant Programs Announced

ELMA, WA – Sept. 10, 2018– The Grays Harbor County Department of Tourism is now accepting applications for three tourism-related grant programs.

The grant programs and their deadlines:

  • Festival and Event Grants (deadline Oct. 19, 2018)
  • Tourism Services and Projects (deadline Oct. 19, 2018)
  • Major Tourism Projects (deadline Oct. 19, 2018)

Under State law (RCW 67.28) Grays Harbor County receives funds from room taxes imposed on lodging facilities. These funds can be retained and utilized by the County for tourism promotional operations, or expended for projects and activities established by an eligible entity under State law.

Grays Harbor Tourism Grant Applications will be accepted from qualifying non-profit entities organizing tourism based activities within Grays Harbor County, except those municipalities that are allowed by law to collect and manage 3% lodging tax revenues generated within their corporate limits. Grant funding is provided to increase tourism activity within Grays Harbor County.

Full details regarding what is a qualifying organization, and/or expense, is available on the appropriate grant application. Applicants with additional questions can contact the Grays Harbor Tourism Office, which allocates more than $300,000 in grant funds annually.

“We are very fortunate that our County Commissioners have continued to support the funding of this grant program. They understand that tourism is vital to Grays Harbor’s economic success,” said Kelly Peterson-Lalka, GH Tourism Public Relations/Office Manager. “Tourism results in more than $260 million of revenue and over 5,000 jobs for Grays Harbor County. When we support tourism, our local communities reap the rewards in tax revenue, jobs and community infrastructure. It is a win-win.”

Applications for grant funding are available from the Grays Harbor Tourism office, or can be downloaded from the Grays Harbor Tourism website www.visitgraysharbor.com . For more information, contact Kelly Peterson-Lalka at 360-482-2651 or petersonk@co.grays-harbor.wa.us.