Don’t Miss the Star-Studded Entertainment at the Grays Harbor County Fair

Grays Harbor County Fair Morgan — Country music fans will love the tunes of William Michael Morgan. Photo courtesy: William Michael Morgan

Don’t Miss the Star-Studded Entertainment at the Grays Harbor County Fair

Now that summer is upon us, fair season is officially on the horizon. The Grays Harbor County Fair in Elma has big plans this year with a variety of entertainers scheduled to perform that will surely delight your family. From comedy and magic shows to country music and esteemed tribute bands, this year’s fair entertainment is setting up to be a blast.

Professor Bamboozle

Professor Bamboozle is a truly unique performer that will be appearing daily at the fair. His interactive magic and illusion show, complete with balloon animals, comedy, and magic is fun for the whole family. In 2016 he was honored as the service member of the year by the Washington State Fairs Association. The show, sponsored by the Great NorthWest Federal Credit Union, is free with fair admission, and you can find Professor Bamboozle each day of the fair beginning on August 8 and ending on August 12.

Steve the Pretty Good Comedy and Magic Show

Looking for another fun-filled attraction sure to entertain the whole family? Steve the Pretty Good will be performing his comedy and magic show daily at the fair this year. In his action-packed show, performer Steve Hamilton presents some of the classic magic acts with a unique and refreshing twist. Steve’s show, presented by Overstock.com, is highly interactive, and the audience is encouraged to participate in a number of acts. This is a show that will entertain both children and adults alike and is free with fair admission.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Bringing over 50 years of recording history, the critically-acclaimed country and folk group, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, sponsored by House Brothers Construction, will be performing on the Pepsi stage at the fair on Wednesday, August 8 starting at 8:00 p.m. This band has truly been influential to country and American roots music, with multi-platinum and gold records, numerous top ten hits, and multiple Grammy, IBMA, CMA awards and nominations. Their 1972 “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” album was even inducted into the U.S. Library of Congress and the Grammy Hall of Fame. They have created fans of all ages with their legendary hits such as, “Mr. Bojangles” and “Fishin’ in the Dark”, and are sure to put on a show that will be enjoyed by all. Don’t miss your chance to see the original Nitty Gritty Dirt Band this year. Reserved, Golden Circle Tickets are just $25 each, and includes fair admission. Limited, general admission bleacher seating is available, free with paid fair admission.

Grays Harbor County Fair Dan Whyms — Johnny Cash fans and music lovers alike will enjoy Dan Whym’s tribute performance.
Photo courtesy: Dan Whyms

Dan Whyms Tribute to Johnny Cash

Another fantastic entertainer joining the fair this year is Dan Whyms, who performs a one of a kind tribute to Johnny Cash. A resident of Grays Harbor, Dan’s performance of Johnny Cash’s iconic collection of music is not to be missed. “Johnny Cash inspired my love of music,” says Dan. “He’s been the inspiration for me to learn the guitar, to write, and to perform.” You can enjoy Dan Whyms’s Johnny Cash tribute at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 9 and the show is free with your paid fair admission.

William Michael Morgan

Hailing from Mississippi, country entertainer, William Michael Morgan, Sponsored by Big Foot 107.3 FM, will perform on the Pepsi Stage on Thursday, August 9 starting at 8:00 p.m. Since his debut album in 2016, Morgan has been a fresh voice in the country scene and already has multiple top ten songs on the Country Airplay charts, including, “I Met a Girl”. “George Strait, Merle Haggard, Marty Robbins, and George Jones, are the people that I grew up listening to and was influenced by,” says Morgan. Limited, general admission, bleacher seating is free for this show, with paid fair admission. Reserved, Golden Circle seating is also available at just $25 each, and includes fair admission.

Humptulips

On Friday, August 10 at 7:30 p.m. on the Pepsi Stage, the legendary Grays Harbor-based country band Humptulips will be performing with special guests Erica Corbin and Tony Wintrip. Winners of the 2014 Battle of the Bands in Portland, Humptulips brings a high energy sound to the stage, and excels at drawing large crowds to their performances. With backgrounds in rock and country music, Humptulips band members create a unique fusion of the styles in captivating shows. Be sure to check out this exceptional performance, presented by Bayview Building Materials of Elma. The show is free with your paid fair admission.

Green River Revival: Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute Band

Hailed as North America’s most authentic sounding Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band, Green River Revival is going to be rocking out at the fair on Saturday, August 11 at 8:00 p.m. This group has performed throughout America, Canada, and Scandinavia for over two decades, spreading the sweet sounds of John Fogerty and Credence Clearwater Revival. Featuring hit songs such as “Bad Moon Rising,” “Proud Mary,” and “Up Around the Bend,” this is sure to be a performance to remember. Don’t miss this special event that is free with your paid fair admission, sponsored by the Vaughan Company.

Going to The Fair

Now that you know about the entertainers performing at this year’s fair, it’s time to start planning your visit. The Grays Harbor County Fair, with all of its carnival rides, games, animal exhibits and delicious fair food, begins on Wednesday, August 8 and ends on Sunday, August 12. Hours are 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Saturday, August 11 the fair is open 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. and on Sunday, August 12 the hours are 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Fair admission is $10 for adults (ages 16-62); $7 for seniors (ages 63+); $7 for youth (ages 6-15); and children five and under are free. Fair admission is $2 off with military ID; $2 off youth admission on Thursday; free admission from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Sunday; and $1 off admission with a Bi-Mart card and photo ID on Sunday. Daily parking is $5. Presale Carnival Ride Wrist Bands are on sale now at the Elma, Montesano and Aberdeen branches of Anchor bank, at the discounted price of just $22.

New this year, Golden Circle reserved seating concert tickets, and discounted Carnival Ride Wristbands can also be purchased on-line at the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds ticket box office. Just go to the ghcfairgrounds.com website to connect to the link and purchase these items from the comfort of your own home.

See you at this year’s Grays Harbor County Fair, in Elma!

Annual Aberdeen Art Walk

The official Annual Aberdeen Art Walk

Are you an ARTIST and interested in attending for FREE?

Are you an Artisan/Craft Vendor that would like more information on this event?

Please email aberdeenartwalk@gmail.com to inquire and state if are a fine artist or artisan/craft vendor.

Qualifying ARTISTS received a FREE booth space (in effect since 2014). In the email describe what you do and attach photos of your work.

Qualifying Artist: a visual art considered to have been created primarily for aesthetic and intellectual purposes and judged for its beauty and meaningfulness, specifically, painting, sculpture, drawing, watercolor, pen/ink, metal, photography, visual, performance (music, dance, entertainment), literature, graphics, and architecture.

On Saturday, July 28th, 2018 in the heart of Downtown Aberdeen on Hwy 101 will be the 20th annual Aberdeen Art Walk from 10 am to 5 pm.

Enjoy the works of artists and vendors from all over Western Washington as is energized event rocks Downtown Aberdeen core with over 100 artists and vendors displaying their talented works including street entertainment, kid’s activities, and live music, yummy food, Beer Garden, Pet Costume Contest, and more.

This event includes talented artists and artisan crafters from western WA set up on two blocks of Broadway (closed) and one block of Wishkah going through the middle of Downtown Core on HWY 101.

Live entertainment on the main stage begins 10 A.M. which will include performances by several local talents. The Pet Costume contest starts at 12 noon.

2018 is Annual Art Walk’s 20^th Anniversary and we are excited to add an evening street dance on Broadway between both sides of HWY 101 (between Wishkah and Heron). Have fun on a summer night dancing, listening to music, watching an amazing show, and enjoying the beer gardens.

Don’t forget the Art Attack Fun Run on July 29th at the Bishop Athletic Center. Race fees are $15 per person. Registration starts at 8:30 A.M. and race begins at 9 A.M.

This is a family friendly event, so grab the kids, grandkids, and the neighbors and head to Downtown Aberdeen for a day full of entertaining fun! You can find us on FB at Aberdeen Art Walk 2018 and at aberdeenartwalk.org

The Annual Aberdeen Art Walk is not affiliated with any other events or businesses.

Annual Aberdeen Art Walk: volunteer-based event making great things happen in our community

Westport Winery Releases Duckleberry Grunt

Westport Winery released the latest vintage of Duckleberry Grunt last weekend featuring new label art by Jill Neal, known for her Wild (but tasteful) Women series. With this label the winery highlights The Legend of Bigfoot’s Wife.

You may have noticed that we are only ever shown photos of Bigfoot, and not his wife. One can only suppose this is because she is wearing camouflage, thus making her nearly invisible in the Northwest woods. At our winery, you know we have always bordered our Duckleberry Grunt label in camo, so we made the jump that this should be her label. And what kind of career might you expect from someone who boasts big feet? Well, we think that creature would most likely be a winemaker, able to stomp more fruit than most.

At the same time we are designing a Sasquatch Habitat Garden in the farthest reaches of the 15-acre display garden. Since this area is planted with huckleberries, and these are likely primary forage of Sasquatch, it made sense that the wine made by the Bigfoot family would be Duckleberry Grunt (originally a blend of huckleberries and Gewurztraminer but now with blueberries). So we created this silly label with Mrs. Bigfoot stomping in a “duckle” barrel while wearing her camo bikini exposing the telltale Bigfoot tattoo on her derriere.

We will not be surprised to have Bigfoot sightings in the near future up on Bigfoot’s Huckleberry Hill. To assist in this search for the elusive creature the winery carries numerous Bigfoot products in their gift shops including a Bigfoot Adoption Kit, a Sasquatch Field Guide, and The Boy Who Cried Bigfoot. We also have a few one-time-only quarts of Duckleberry Grunt sorbet from Olympic Mountain Ice Cream in the grab and go freezer in our gift shop while supply lasts.

Westport Winery Garden Resort’s burgeoning Sasquatch Habitat can be found at 1 South Arbor Road, halfway between Aberdeen and Westport, Washington. Their Seaside, Oregon tasting room and gift shop is at 810 Broadway. For more information call the resort at 360-648-2224.

Garden Yoga and Tour at Westport Winery Garden Resort

Westport Winery Garden Resort is known for its 15-acre display garden featuring custom signage which allows guests to tour for free on their own. Garden designer and winery co-owner Kim Roberts said, “This land is my canvas. I hope to create art on it for years to come.”

In response to numerous requests for more information explaining her designs she has agreed to lead a two hour Guided Garden Tour at 2pm every Sunday in July and August. The cost for this personal walk through her living art is $10 per person and it includes a glass of wine or juice.

In addition to Roberts’ passion for gardening she has a great enthusiasm for yoga so she will teach a free one-hour Beginner Yoga class in the Meditation Garden every Sunday at 9am in July and August. Yoga students (yogis) are welcome to stay for brunch in the Sea Glass Grill. Students who own yoga mats are invited to bring them as no equipment will be provided for this yoga on the lawn.

Reservations are not required to join in either of these outdoor activities. Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes, layered clothes, and sunscreen. Guests for either of these opportunities should meet in the tasting room ten minutes prior to the start of the tour or class.

In 2017 the Westport Winery was named Greater Grays Harbor Business of the Year. The Sea Glass Grill at Westport Winery Garden Resort was voted #2 winery restaurant in the nation by USA Today. The business has been voted Best Winery by King 5 Evening Magazine.

In 2016 Westport Winery was honored as one of the top twenty most-admired wineries in North America by Winery & Vineyard Management Magazine. The business earned Best Winery, Best Wine Shop, and Best Boutique Winery for 2016 by South Sound Magazine. They received the Grays Harbor Environmental Stewardship Award in 2015. They were named the Best Washington Family Business Silver Medal winners in 2012 by Seattle Business Magazine. And in 2011 they garnered Washington Winery to Watch by Wine Press Northwest.

In Oregon, Westport Winery Seaside is open daily from 11am to 6pm and until 8pm on Friday and Saturday. Westport Winery TASTING @ Cannon Beach is open Thursday through Monday from 11am to 6pm.

Family-friendly Westport Winery Garden Resort is located on the corner of Highway 105 and South Arbor Road halfway between Aberdeen and Westport. The Sea Glass Grill at the resort is open daily or breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For more information or reservations call 360-648-2224.

Exploring the History of the Hoquiam Olympic Stadium

Olympic Stadium Logger's Playday — The Hoquiam Olympic Stadium annually hosts the Logger’s Playday. Photo credit: City of Hoquiam

Exploring the History of the Hoquiam Olympic Stadium

The Hoquiam Olympic Stadium is a Grays Harbor treasure, rich in history, and a shining icon of community pride. Located near the Hoquiam and Aberdeen border along Cherry St, the stadium is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is nationally recognized for its historical importance. Through the years, the stadium has played an integral part in celebrating the community, hosting festivals, including The Push Rods car show and the Hoquiam Blue Grass Festival, as well as music concerts and sporting events. Even a rally for a presidential candidate. Let’s take a closer look at the history of the stadium and see how it’s iconic past continues to inspire the present.

Olympic Stadium History Entrance — A visit to the Hoquiam Olympic Stadium will reveal it’s historic charm nostalgic draw. Photo credit: City of Hoquiam

Funded through President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal WPA (Works Progress Administration), the stadium officially opened to the public on November 24, 1938. This was the date of the big game between Hoquiam and Aberdeen, the longest running rivalry in high school football in the state. In fact, during the construction of the stadium crews recognized that they would not be able to complete the project before the game, so they hired a night crew, working around the clock to meet their deadline. There was even a naming contest open to the public for the stadium, with the winner receiving a free three-year pass to all stadium events. Constructed from local old growth fir, much of which was donated by the Polson Logging Company, the stadium grandstand forms an L shape and is enclosed on the Western side, protecting spectators from encroaching storms from the Pacific Ocean. Stadium architects designed the facility to house both baseball and football fields, a unique feature of the era’s grandstands. Read more here: http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2018/05/27/exploring-the-history-of-the-hoquiam-olympic-stadium/

Indulge Yourself at the 13-mile Chocolate on the Beach Festival in Grays Harbor

Chocolate on the Beach Festival death by choco cake 2017 — The amazing Death By Chocolate Cake made by Shannon Vavich of The Flying Kitchen. Photo courtesy: Ocean Crest Resort

Attention fans of delicious chocolate: you need to go to the Washington Coast at the end of February. On February 22-25, the Chocolate on the Beach Festival is once again returning to the North Beach of Grays Harbor and it is the can’t miss event of the season. Stretching for 13 miles, from Copalis to Moclips, this year’s 11th annual festival promises to be an amazing experience. As the only event bridging together the small communities along this section of the Washington Coast, the Chocolate on the Beach Festival has grown into the perfect winter activity in the region. No matter what the weather, smiles, sweets and happiness abound, as it is always raining chocolate during the last week of February along the coast.

Chocolate on the Beach Festival chocolate eating 2011 — The annual chocolate eating contest is a favorite among festival goers. Photo courtesy: Ocean Crest Resort

“The coolest thing about this festival is that we do grants to help the community,” says Sara Owen and Stephanie Allestad, two of the event organizers. “Local non-profits can apply for a grant, and they must help with event. Then the board gets together and awards grants. Recent recipients have helped Pacific Beach Elementary get new playground equipment.”

Each year the Chocolate on the Beach Festival awards its proceeds to non-profits benefiting the North Beach. The festival started in 2008 as a fundraiser for the Museum of the North Beach and in 2012 became its own entity. Read more here: http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2018/02/16/chocolate-on-the-beach-festival-grays-harbor/

Ken Waite Memorial Golf Tournament

The Grays Harbor College is proud to announce that they once again will be hosting the Ken Waite Memorial Golf Tournament. The tournament will be hosted at Highlands Golf Course, and all proceeds benefit Grays Harbor College Choker Athletics. The tournament is Saturday, May 12, 2018 and registration begins at 8:30 am, with golfing starting at 9:00 am. The cost is $65 per person, and the entry fee includes green fees, BBQ after golf, tee prizes, and awards. Every golfer receives a sleeve of Ken Waite Memorial Golf Balls as well. The tournament is sponsored by Snell Crane, Corona Steel, Five Star Dealerships, Schermer Construction, Northwest Rock, Tacoma Rainiers, Rognlins, Coast Crane, and Pacific Coast General Contractors. Sign up today by contacting Margo Hood at 360-538-4066. Entry deadline is May 5, 2018. Sign up as a team or individual.

Ever Growing Art Scene Livens up Grays Harbor

Grays Harbor Art Humptulips Hornbee

As humans, we are drawn to vivid colors, things out of the norm, or things that evoke an emotional response. Art is not only a form of creative expression for artists, but often times carries with it a unique story or a rich message in history that everyone can appreciate. Grays Harbor is teeming with talented artists whose creations are well worth admiring. The art scene is an important part of local culture and Grays Harbor is continually growing with exciting changes underway. Read more here: http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2018/01/31/ever-growing-art-scene-livens-up-grays-harbor/

Where to Explore Logging History in Grays Harbor

Grays Harbor Logging History Sign — This sign welcomes you as you enter Aberdeen from the East, find out why by visiting Grays Harbor museums. Photo credit: Douglas Scott

You’ve seen the “Lumber Capital of the World” sign as you drive into Aberdeen from the east, but do you know why the city was given that title? While almost everyone knows that the timber industry and Grays Harbor County go hand in hand, few know just how deep the connection goes, and how rich that history is.

The region was sought after for the towering resources that scraped the sky. When the British first explored this area, they are rumored to have said that whoever controls these forests will rule the world. Within 130 years of the initial “discovery” of Grays Harbor by Captain Robert Gray, Aberdeen become the largest lumber town in the world. With direct access to the Pacific Ocean, Aberdeen was once said to be the busiest port on America’s west coast. While at one time Grays Harbor was the lumber capital of the world, the remnants of the logging industry are barely noticeable today. To preserve the past glory of the region, there are a few museums where the incredible history of logging can be seen. From the coast to the friendly-rivaled cities of Aberdeen and Hoquiam, these museums will have you inundated with impressible pictures, machinery and buildings form the logging heydays of Grays Harbor. Spread through the county, three museums showcase Grays Harbor’s logging history, with each a destination that should be visited by locals and visitors alike. To understand this corner of the world, visiting one or all of these collections is in order. Read more here: http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2018/01/27/where-to-explore-logging-history-in-grays-harbor/

Ocean Crest Resort’s Jess Owen Mixes up Local Ingredients with Global Flare

Out along the Washington Coast, where there are more pieces of driftwood than people, it can be hard to be noticed for excellence in almost any craft. Yet, up on a bluff from the breakers of the Pacific, one restaurant is becoming a Pacific Northwest leader for amazing cuisine, unique dishes and delectable delicacies. Inspired by Jess Owen’s creativity, the Ocean Crest Resort and Restaurant is one of the finest dining destinations in Washington State. Since the restaurant opened its doors in 1963, those who enjoy quality, local foods have fallen in love with the Ocean Crest. Over 50 years later, the delicious meals and incredible flavors found at the Ocean Crest continue in the spirit of its creators. Read more here at http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2018/01/12/ocean-crests-jess-owen-mixes-up-local-ingredients-with-global-flare/