FORKS — A five-day celebration of Forks’ history, Hickory Shirt Heritage Days begins today with the presentation of the West End Business and Professional Association’s Pioneer Logger Award.
The award will be given at a meeting of the association at 7:30 a.m. at the Rainforest Arts Center, 35 N. Forks Ave.
Two of the nominees — which include Homer Kesterson, George Helvey, Dean Hurn, Chuck Anderson, Floyd McCoy, Squat Halverson, James “Pat” Peterson (nicknamed “Bullet”) and Pat Raben — will receive the award, said Forks Forum Editor Christi Baron, who is president of the West End Business and Professional Association.
“Since 1981, this award has been bestowed on an individual and sometimes several individuals,” Baron said in the Forks Forum. “It began with real pioneer loggers receiving the award, but they are all gone now, so it is presented in their spirit.”
The award kicks off days of celebration, this year with the theme of “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”
During the annual event, residents are urged to wear their hickory shirts to symbolize Forks’ logging roots. Hickory shirts are thick, cotton blue-gray- and white-striped shirts designed to stand up to hard work and traditionally worn by loggers.
The Forks Timber Museum, located at 1421 S. Forks Ave., will offer free admission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Today
Today, events continue after the Pioneer Logger Award presentation with a Forks Chamber of Commerce luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. at Blakeslee’s Bar & Grill, 1222 S. Forks Ave. Baron will talk about trains at the luncheon.
From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Jack Zaccardo will offer a presentation on the history of Forks at the Rainforest Arts Center. The public is invited to bring stories, artifacts and questions to share at the gathering of friends and memories.
Not associated with the celebration but included in the schedule is a Peninsula Trails Coalition open house from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Rainforest Arts Center. The public can hear about and share ideas for the future of the Olympic Discovery Trail.
Friday
A special Hickory Shirt children’s program is planned from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Forks Library, 171 S. Forks Ave. Children can dress up, and storytelling is planned.
From 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., First Congregational Church, 280 Spartan Ave., will offer its 84th annual Harvest Dinner.
From 7 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. will be the Rain of Terror Haunted House at Quillayute Airport.
Saturday
On Saturday is the annual Fish and Brew from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rainforest Arts Center. Admission is a $5 suggested donation.
This year, the categories for smoked fish will be expanded and there will be prizes for first-time winners.
Gordon Gibbs will offer his brews as well as homemade root beer. The brew categories will be expanded to other liquid refreshments such as apple cider.
Musical entertainment will be by Loose Gravel.
The Far West Art League Art Show and Sale will be ongoing in the arts center lobby from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
From 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. will be dance instruction at the arts center, followed by the Choker Setter’s Ball from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Admission will be by donation.
It will be open to all ages, with old-timey clothes encouraged.
From 7 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. will be the Rain of Terror Haunted House at Quillayute Airport.
Sunday
The art show will continue from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the arts center, where spinning demonstrations will be offered as well as free rock painting.
Also from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the arts center will be Phillip Ward leading a basket-weaving class. All materials will be provided. Participants will weave small cedar bark baskets.
Preregistration is required. The fee is $25. To preregister, contact the Far West Art League at 360-327-3346.
At 3 p.m., Forks Outfitters, 950 S. Forks Ave., will host a pumpkin display, a Little Logger Contest and a cross-cut saw demonstration.
