FORKS — A harvest dinner, smoked fish and brew, and a fundraiser for the Forks Library will cap the annual Forks Heritage Days celebration.
The celebration began Wednesday with Hickory Shirt Day, when residents were encouraged to wear the narrow-striped hickory shirts that could stand up to the rough, wet work of logging.
The West End Business & Professional Association on Wednesday presented Willard Morgan with the Hickory Shirt Award for his contribution to the timber industry, said Christi Baron, a Heritage Days organizer.
“Morgan came to Forks in 1952 to work for just six months driving a log truck and retired 40 years later,” Baron said.
“Now at 85, he keeps busy volunteering at the Forks Food Bank and the Forks Chamber of Commerce,” she added.
Began in 1981
The celebration, which began in 1981 when the Thriftway store decided to honor the logging industry of the area, this year coincided with Forks High School homecoming week.
The homecoming football game between the Forks Spartans and Rochester High School will start at 7 p.m. today.
The 78th annual Harvest Dinner will begin at 4:30 p.m. today at the Congregational Church, 280 S. Spartan Ave.
The menu includes turkey, stuffing, baked salmon, sweet potatoes, salads, desserts and drinks.
It costs $10 for adults and $6 for children 4-12 and senior citizens older than 60 or older. The family rate is $35.
Smoked fish will be judged, and beer and root beer will be on tap beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Old Mill Roundhouse at the 110 Business Park, 100 LaPush Road, during the annual Fish and Brew event.
Smoked fish entries are due at noon for judging.
First-, second- and third-place prizes for smoked fish recipes will be awarded, as well as a People’s Choice selection.
Admission is by donation.
‘Raise the Roof’
On Saturday night, dancing will “Raise the Roof” beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Rainforest Art Center, 35 N. Forks Ave.
All proceeds are earmarked for the Forks Library Renovation Fund to replace the roof of the library and complete other renovations.
Admission is a suggested $15 donation per person. Additional donations to the roof fund will be welcomed.
Waltz and swing dance instruction by Willow Roundtree and Joe Soha is planned from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
After that, dancers can move to the sounds of the “Crescent Blue” bluegrass quartet and “Therapy Session,” which performs a mixture of blues, rock, country, gospel, music from the 1920s and ’30s, show tunes and original material.
Homemade food and desserts, fresh apple cider from Sunny Farms and Olympic Springs water will be served.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
