Racing fans and anyone who enjoys “loud, exciting and very quick race cars” are in for plenty of speed and excitement at the Grays Harbor Raceway this year. “There will be lots more fan excitement,” says Steve Beitler, Promoter and General Manager of the Grays Harbor Raceway. He adds, “We’re going to continue to grow the classes. We have lots of new drivers and new cars.” The season opens on April 25 and includes the Summer Thunder Sprintcar Series.

Located at the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds in Elma, the raceway is a 3/10 mile, semi-banked, clay, oval race track. It’s a magnet for those who feel the “need for speed” and enjoy watching sprint car racing in a family-friendly venue.

“We definitely cater to families,” says Beitler. “The best part about being involved with the raceway is seeing all the families doing something fun together and having a great time.” He says he also enjoys watching new racers develop.

“We average around 1,000 to 1,400 for a regular event,” says Beitler. Attendance at special events such as fireworks shows, monster trucks or World of Outlaws averages around 3,000 or 4,000 according to Beitler. He says, “It’s a great way for moms, dads, kids, grandparents and everyone to spend time together and have fun.” Beitler adds that the American Sprint Car Series national tour is coming back in July.

Beitler took over promotion of the Grays Harbor Raceway about a year ago. Before that, he was with the Skagit Speedway for about 14 years. Beitler’s involvement with racing began at age eight when he went to work at Skagit Speedway selling programs and doing clean up. He started racing himself during his senior year in high school, building his first race car with money earned milking cows on a dairy farm.

Read more here:  www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/04/16/grays-harbor-raceway-2/

Most girls, at the age of five, when faced with choosing either a race car or a pony would choose the pony. Not Ariel Biggs. When her dad gave her the choice, Ariel chose a quarter midget – a small, caged, go-cart type race car. At age six, she began racing and today is going round the track faster than ever. Her dad’s love for cars and passion for building and fixing them was infectious. Ariel not only drove, but learned about the insides of her car and how to make them run correctly when broken.

At age 13, Ariel won her first Extreme Winged Sprint Series Championship in Oregon on the dirt track and shortly after, Don Emery became her first “car owner.” As her sponsorship base grew, however, so did Ariel’s challenges. “I’ve grown up with girls who get pushed around on the track, but my dad always said to me, ‘you’re not a girl – you’re a race car driver.’ Because of that, I’ve always gotten along fairly well. But I’ve had people laugh at me and walk away when I’ve told them that I race cars – all because I’m a girl,” explains Ariel. “Having people laugh at me has driven me to work harder. I think it’s fun proving people wrong.” As a woman in a primarily male-dominated arena, Ariel has had to work hard to earn respect.

Read more here  www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/04/13/ariel-biggs-racing/

Grays Harbor County

Request for Proposals

Tourism Creative Services – Television, Print and Electronic Marketing

Grays Harbor County is requesting proposals from qualified professionals for creative services to assist in the County Tourism Department’s marketing campaign.  For the purpose of this RFP, the services will be broken up into two (2) parts, marked “A” and “B” below. Qualified professionals may submit for either the tasks detailed in section “A”, the tasks detailed in Section “B”, or both.

1. The production of television commercials, trafficking coordination with selected networks/stations, and associated tasks. Desired services may also include the posting of the created commercials and video on YouTube and other social media sites.
2. The production of collateral print, advertising material intended to reach relevant local, state, regional, national and international tourism markets. Desired services will also include the placement of print and electronic marketing materials in paid and unpaid media outlets within local, state, regional, national and international markets, as appropriate.                                Questions regarding this RFP shall be directed to Mike Bruner, Fairgrounds and Tourism Manager, at (360) 482-2651 ext. 1870, or by email at mbruner@co.grays-harbor.wa.us.
3. Dates of publication will be April 13, 2015.
4. Detailed RFP can be downloaded from http://www.visitgraysharbor.com
5. Budget (2015): $38,000 – Total professional services budget (for all tasks within Section “A” and “B”)

The coming of spring marks many events in Grays Harbor. As the gray skies become less frequent, flowers start bloom, and hillsides dry out, the waters of the Pacific

Ocean and Grays Harbor welcome the return of the gray whales.

During the months of March and April, the Washington coast becomes a hotbed of whale action, marking the annual migration past our shores for the estimated 18,000 Gray Whales that make the journey up and down the Pacific Coast each year. Passing by within one-half mile of the breaking waves, up to 30 whales an hour swim by the coastal communities during the peak of the migration.

This event continues to be celebrated by the local tribal nations, and is now becoming a popular event in communities around the coast.  Read more here http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/03/06/whale-watching-washington/

What is a Razor Clam Festival?   “It’s CLAMTASTIC!” (need we say more?!?)

 

Dianne Hansen, Chair of the the Razor Clam & Seafood Festival, email: rcfcommittee@gmail.com, phone: (360) 580-5064 is inviting competitive chef’s and celebrity judges to participate in the 9th annual Razor Clam & Seafood Extravaganza, March 21 and 22 at the Ocean Shores Convention Center.

 

Last year Jess Owen of Ocean Crest Resort’s Clam Chowder won 1st place “People’s Choice” and Michael McQuay of Kokopelli Grill’s Seafood Entree won 1st place “Professional Chef’s” category.  Celebrity judges included Andrew Bickar of Rediviva Restaurant.

 

Now it’s YOUR turn to join the fun and flavor!

Full festival details on-line at: www.oceanshores.org/clams

 

Here’s the details for Chef and Judge:

The judging is both Saturday and Sunday.  Saturday:  1:30, 3:00 and 4:30.  Sunday:  11:30am and 3:00pm.

Cooking demo Sunday 12:30 and 1:30

• For the stage there will be Prep Table, mirror, lapel mics.  Cooktop with pan.
• A full kitchen in the Convention Center is available where pre-cooking can be done.
• Clam Fest will reimburse chefs for ingredients
• Post demo audience tastings.  Approx. 40 servings per session

If coming from out of town contact Dianne about available hotel rooms too.  Didn’t we say this is  CLAMTASTIC!

Run faster than a Razor Clam and contact Dianne to sign-up!  Dianne Hansen, Razor Clam & Seafood Festival, email: rcfcommittee@gmail.com, phone: (360) 580-5064

We hope to see you there!

Grays Harbor is a unique place. With miles upon miles of coastal beaches, acres of forestland, lakes, rivers and more, the opportunities for outdoor recreation in Grays Harbor are many. From world class fishing, hunting and razor clam digging to hiking, camping, surfing and more, Grays Harbor’s natural landscape offers myriad ways to experience Washington’s coastal wonderland. But outdoor recreation isn’t all Grays Harbor has to offer. In addition to its breathtaking landscape, Grays Harbor also plays host to a variety of exciting events and festivals that draw in locals and visitors alike year-round, and the number of visitors to the area keeps on climbing.

With so much to offer, it’s no wonder that Grays Harbor is a tourism hot spot. But what may surprise you is how much the number of visitors to the region has increased in just the past five years.

Read more here:  www.graysharbortalk.com/2015/03/04/visit-grays-harbor

In the muddy, murky Wishkah River, hundreds of coho salmon work their way upriver, exhausted from years of swimming the Pacific Ocean. Many of these salmon return to a hatchery that, for the last 7 years, has been operated by the Grays Harbor Poggies. Reaching the Mayr Brothers Hatchery at Buzzard Creek, the salmon encounter something they haven’t seen before: the hands of volunteers of the Poggie Club, capturing them and collecting hundreds of thousands of eggs to help ensure a healthy salmon run in the future.  Read more here http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2014/10/05/grays-harbor-poggie-club/

I’m in my car driving west on highway 12. It’s earlier than I’d like it to be, but the coffee in my Thermos keeps me caffeinated and awake. It’s these early morning drives that make me wish I were a local.

As I pass by the “Welcome to Aberdeen” sign my stomach jumps a little. I’m getting close, but I’m not there just yet. I wait until I’ve crossed over South Bay before letting myself get too excited. That’s when I know I’m nearly there.

Passing by Brady’s Oysters and other familiar shops and landmarks I finally make my way to the main drag. To my right stand inviting looking hotels and bed and breakfasts, to my left are several charming oceanside neighborhoods. As I drive deeper into town I pass by the Surf Shop and Steepwater (two local surf shops where you can buy or rent boards and wetsuits), a few of my favorite restaurants, and the popular and busy Westport Marina where fishermen, tourists and locals alike gather simultaneously for both work and play.

Eager to get to the beach, any stops I make in town will have to wait until later. I make my left for Westhaven State Park and notice a grin sneak onto my face. I’ve made it to Westport. I’ve made it to the surf.

All of Washington’s coastal towns offer beautiful beaches and opportunities for adventure.  Read more here http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2014/10/07/surf-westport/

On June 10, 2014, the Railroad Camp building at the Polson Museum in Hoquaim filled with smoke. Pouring out the doors and even the cupolas at the top of the cedar flanked structure, the smoke wasn’t from a destructive fire to the historic building; instead the smoke was from the first gasps of life of an engine that hadn’t been started in over thirty years. As the haze cleared in the building, the sights and sounds of a 1933 Linn Halftrack were seen and heard in Hoquaim for the first time in over a generation.

For six months, Larry Wyrick and Lee Thomasson of Grays Harbor worked to rebuild a piece of logging history. Each Tuesday, the two would get together in the Railroad Camp building at Polson Museum, systematically cleaning and rebuilding the engine to one of the logging industry’s more iconic machines.  Read more here http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2014/10/07/polson-museum-exhibit/

Nestled just off the bridge as you enter Hoquiam, the Six Rivers Gallery is a local gem. This cozy, inviting gallery is run by the Harbor Art Guild, a group of Grays Harbor-area artists who came together in 2008. The gallery is located in the small house on Sixth Street behind Levee Lumber (it was formerly a stained glass gallery). Upon entering, a world of art awaits you. You’ll find beautiful works by Harbor Art Guild members as well as a first-class gift shop.

I stopped by the gallery to learn more about the Harbor Art Guild and what they do in the community. Walking in the door on a clear autumn day, I was warmly greeted by Mary Lou Gregory. Gregory is a watercolor artist and a founding member of the guild. She also currently serves as a Board member, helps schedule the gallery, and maintains the group’s website. You might recognize Gregory’s name: She is also a retired teacher and librarian. She served as a math teacher at Hoquiam High School, then a librarian at the high school, Grays Harbor College, and the Timberland Regional Library before retiring. Helping run the Harbor Art Guild (which is made up entirely of volunteers) is a labor of love for Gregory.  Read more here http://www.graysharbortalk.com/2014/11/02/six-rivers-gallery-and-the-grays-harbor-art-guild/