CHIMACUM — The fifth annual All County Picnic on Sunday will celebrate area first responders and promote emergency preparedness in neighborhoods throughout East Jefferson County.
The picnic will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at H.J. Carroll Park, 9884 state Highway 19 in Chimacum.
The day will combine activities and music on how to keep families and neighborhoods ready for an emergency.
The picnic is a collaborative event by Local 20/20 and the Jefferson County Department of Emergency Management.
Local 20/20 also manages the Neighborhood Preparedness Action Group, or NPREP, which currently works with 130 to 140 neighborhoods through Jefferson County.
NPREP, which will have a booth and pamphlets at Sunday’s picnic, helps neighborhood organizers find the information and resources they need to ensure they’re prepared for an emergency.
Including NPREP, more than 50 information booths will offer emergency preparedness information along with live music, group games and presentations.
The picnic is a way to get emergency preparedness information and education out in a fun way, according to Daniel Milholland of Thunderbull Productions and an organizer of Sunday’s picnic.
First responders and representatives of local government will be at the Disaster Dialogue Booth to answer questions from the community.
Port Townsend Police Chief Michael Evans will host the first session starting at 11 a.m.
Other presenters include Port Ludlow Fire Chief Brad Martin, Jefferson County Sheriff David Stanko, Port Townsend Mayor Deborah Stinson, County Commissioners Kate Dean and David Sullivan, County Administrator Philip Morley, Maximilian Dixon of Washington State Emergency Management and Port Townsend City Manager David Timmons.
Presentations will run roughly every 30 minutes until 3:30 p.m.
Presentations also are planned in the upper pavilion at 11:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. on “Emergency Prep on the Toandos Peninsula” and the “Volunteer Pilots Disaster Relief.”
Community members also are invited to participate in an “emergency relay” and to dance to the music provided by the Unexpected Brass Band, Mark Twang and the Toolshed Trio starting at 1:15 p.m.
Food will be available from local food trucks such as Mo Chili BBQ, The Weenie Wagon, Flutter By Pizza Pie and Grilled Cheese.
Free corn on the cob will be grilled by Jefferson Healthcare chef Arran Stark.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.
The All County Picnic will be at H.J. Carroll Park on Sunday to celebrate first responders and promote emergency preparedness. (Jeff Eichen)
