FORKS — The decades-long traditions of the Forks Old Fashioned Fourth of July will make for a party atmosphere this weekend.
Mark Soderlind, president of the celebration this year, said he is all set for the Sunday parade, fireworks and related events.
“Nearly everywhere we’ve taken [the Old Fashioned Fourth] float, we’ve won first place,” he said.
“This has turned out really good. We enjoy it now — it used to be a lot of work.
“It is still a lot of work, but now there are things that are sweet along with the sour.”
In place of town “royalty,” a local resident is selected for the float — this year, Chuck Archer, a World War II veteran who raised his family in Forks.
“He was a ball-turret gunner [on a bomber] — that is one nasty job,” Soderlind said.
Begins tonight
Old Fashioned Fourth events will kick off today between 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. with the Moonlight Madness shopping promotion in downtown Forks.
“It’s going to be a real barn-burner,” Soderlind said.
“Luckily, the weather looks like it will break for the Fourth, so it should be a good time.”
Judging for both the window decorations contest in downtown and the Arts, Crafts and Photo Show will be done throughout the day.
Most events will take place at Tillicum Park and the adjacent Department of Natural Resources building, 411 Tillicum Lane.
Saturday and Sunday are both packed full of events.
The weekend schedule:
Saturday
• 8:30 a.m. — Horseshoe Tournament sign-ups at Tillicum Park (early registration requested).
• 9 a.m. — Horseshoe Tournament, Tillicum Park
• Noon-2 p.m. — Kiddies Play Day at Tillicum Park, sponsored by the Forks Lions Club
• Noon-4 p.m. — Arts, Crafts and Photo Show, Department of Natural Resources conference center next to Tillicum Park.
• 3 p.m. — Sack’s Bean Bag Toss, $10 entry fee, 16 years and older, Tillicum Park.
• 4 p.m. — Frog Jump, Tillicum Park.
• 6 p.m. — Cribbage Tournament, Veterans of Foreign Wars hall, 110 S. Spartan Ave.
Sunday
• 8 a.m.-10 a.m. — Check-in for Grand Parade, Forks Outfitters parking lot.
• 7 a.m.-10 a.m. — Elks Breakfast, Forks Elks Lodge, 941 Merchant Road.
• 10:15 a.m. — Final entries, Grand Parade.
• 10:30 a.m. — Parade judging, Forks Outfitters parking lot.
• 10:30 a.m. — Check-in, Kiddies Parade, Bank of America parking lot, sponsored by the Forks Emblem Club.
• 11:45 a.m. — Kiddies Parade, Bank of America parking lot.
• Noon — Grand Parade.
• Noon-4 p.m. — Arts, Crafts and Photo Show, Department of Natural Resources conference center.
• 1 p.m.-4 p.m. — Salmon Bake, Tillicum Park, sponsored by the Forks Lions Club.
• 3 p.m. — Demolition Derby, Tillicum Park Arena, gates open at 2 p.m. Tickets, $8, strollers must have ticket, ages 2 and younger are free. No dogs or coolers allowed.
• Dusk: Fireworks display, Tillicum Park.
