PORT HADLOCK — The three-day Hadlock Days festival will the largest Saturday parade ever, with more than 200 entries, lawn mower races on a new track, and more 50 vendors, says the festival’s president.
“There just has been a huge amount of support this year. It’s growing tremendously and we’ve got a lot more property available,” said Viva Davis.
Davis will be one of 17 women competing in the Saturday and Sunday lawnmower races at a new track built on a former concrete plant site off Ness Corner Road, where other Hadlock Days events and vendors will held.
The modified lawn machines can haul past 40 mph on the new, tight-turn, 470-foot track, sending gravel flying.
Davis took test runs around the track Wednesday with other locals competing this weekend against other regional lawnmower racers.
The festival begins at 5 p.m. today with a salmon bake at the Inn at Port Hadlock, off Oak Bay Road in Lower Hadlock, and runs through Sunday.
Twenty-four people from Hadlock will be competing in the lawnmower races, including women and old-timer racers well into their 70s.
Kids rides will be located at the Kively Center, Oak Bay Road.
The parade at 11 a.m. Saturday is expected to include a marching performance by the Chimacum High School Band.
A Hadlock Days information booth will be stationed in front of Hadlock Building Supply on Ness Corner Road.
Davis said Steve Backus, a chain saw carver from Whidbey Island, will display his skills.
There will be no royalty in this year’s event because of a lack of interest, said Mickey Nagy, association vice president.
Major Hadlock Days sponsors are Hadlock Building Supply, Rotary International, Mountain Propane, Rakers Port Townsend, Bloomer’s Landing, Hadlock Realty and Driveway Maintenance.
Here is the schedule:
