FORKS — The city of Forks boasts a “well-stocked” week of celebratory Independence Day events starting today.
They will include breakfast, a fun run, a kiddies’ parade, a Grand Parade, a salmon bake, a demolition derby and music in the park accompanied by an arts and crafts show, horseshoe and cribbage tournaments, frog jump and a kiddie playday.
Tuesday’s firework show at Tillicum Park will top off the festivities.
“This is a well-stocked week,” said Mark Soderlind, chair of the Forks Old Fashioned 4th of July Committee. “The city has a big job. They’re good to us.”
Throughout the week, Soderlind expects about 10,000 people will participate in this annual tradition.
Today
Forks’ businesses will appear a little more patriotic than usual today. By 10 a.m., judges will have taken note of storefronts participating in the window decorating contest.
The winner will be announced at Moonlight Madness — a tradition whereby Forks merchants stay open until midnight — on Saturday between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Saturday
Early birds and night owls can take their pick of events Saturday.
Forks’ 4th of July Fun Run begins at 9 a.m. at the parking lot across from Forks Coffee Shop, 241 S. Forks Ave. The 1-mile, 5K and 10K walks or runs will benefit the Spartan basketball program. The entry fee is $10 (race only) or $20 for the race and a T-shirt. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.
Also at 8:30 a.m., registration for a horseshoe tournament opens at Tillicum Park. The entry fee is $10, and the tournament begins at 9 a.m.
The evening will bring dancing and late-night shopping.
A street dance in the Forks True Value parking lot will last from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Moonlight Madness lasts from about 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Forks Avenue will close between Calawah and Bogachiel streets for music, vendors and games for children.
Sunday
Sunday will feature contests for kids with enticing prizes: ice-cream cones or cash.
Between noon and 2 p.m., the Forks Lion Club will host a kiddies’ play day at Tillicum Park. Games include a watermelon eating contest, water balloon tossing and three-legged races.
A bean bag toss to benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation kicks off at 3 p.m. Entry is $30, and 50 percent of proceeds go to Make-A-Wish. Call 360-870-1100 to register.
Monday
More games are slotted for Monday. At 6 p.m., a frog jump will take place at Tillicum Park.
At the same time, a cribbage tournament will start at the VFW Hall on South Spartan Ave. The entry fee is $6.
Tuesday, Fourth of July
The festivities will culminate with a busy Tuesday. Attending the day’s events is “kind of a rite of passage,” Soderlind said.
Here is the schedule:
• 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. — Elks’ annual Fourth of July breakfast at the lodge, 941 Merchants Road. Cost is $8 for adults, $6 for kids and seniors, and free for ages 4 and younger.
• 8 a.m. — Check-in for Grand Parade at Forks Outfitters’ parking lot, 950 S. Forks Ave.
• 10 a.m. — Sign-up and judging begins for Kiddies’ Parade at the Peninsula College parking lot, 481 S. Forks Ave.
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Far West Art League art, photo and craft show at the Rainforest Arts Center, 35 N. Forks Ave.
• 10:30 a.m. — Final entries and judging for Grand Parade.
• 11:30 a.m. — Lineup for Kiddies’ Parade at the college’s parking lot.
• 11:45 a.m. — Kiddies’ Parade begins from the college’s parking lot.
• Noon — Grand Parade begins from the outfitters parking lot.
• 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Salmon bake at Tillicum Park, 236 N. Blackberry Ave.
• 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Forks Visitor Information Center, 1411 S. Forks Ave.; and Forks Timber Museum, 1421 S. Forks Ave.; both open.
• 3 p.m. — Demolition derby begins, with gates opening at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the gate. Advance tickets are available at the Forks Youth League fireworks stand at the corner of Forks Avenue and Bogachiel Way.
• Dusk — Fireworks display at Tillicum Park.
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Reporter Sarah Sharp can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or at ssharp@peninsula dailynews.com.
