NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, July 11.
CLALLAM BAY-SEKIU — Food, fireworks and parades are on tap at the 33rd annual Clallam Bay-Sekiu Fun Days today through Sunday.
“Fun Days is just a good, fun local event. It started as a play day for the local loggers and workers more than 30 years ago and has carried on every year,” said Tricia Hutson, Fun Days chairwoman, president of the Clallam Bay-Sekiu Chamber of Commerce and chief of the Clallam Bay Fire Department.
Many residents schedule family and school reunions for Fun Days, Hutson said.
Those from out of town visiting the communities near the western end of state Highway 112 will find the annual festival an opportunity to explore the area, meet the people and enjoy some beautiful vistas, she said.
“It’s supposed to be beautiful weather this weekend,” she said.
All of the events during Fun Days are free except for the Fun Run.
Photo contest
Photographers can enter any photos they have taken in a free contest at the Clallam Bay-Sekiu Visitor Center, 16795 state Highway 112 in Clallam Bay.
The photographs will be displayed through the weekend at the visitor center.
They can be any size from 5 inches by 7 inches to 16 inches by 20 inches. Each must have the entrant’s name and phone number printed on the back of the photo mat.
To enter, bring the photo to the visitor center anytime before 6:30 p.m. today.
Visitors will judge the photos at the visitor center Saturday, and winners will be announced Sunday morning.
For more information about the photo contest, phone Brian Harmon at 360-963-2581 or 928-699-1985.
A festival potluck social will begin at 6 tonight at the Clallam Bay School bus garage, 16933 state Highway 112.
It will feature music by the West End bluegrass band Loose Gravel.
Friends of the Clallam Bay Library will hold a local historic photo sale at the bus barn during the potluck and all day Saturday.
Parades on Saturday
The Kids Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday. Lineup and judging will take place at the Clallam Bay welcome sign on state Highway 112.
The Grand Parade will begin at 11 a.m. Lineup and judging will be at Weel Road.
Same-day parade applications can be turned in at the parade lineup.
The day will be filled with activity, including the Play Station — games for children ages 8 and younger — the Poker Race Ride, the Lions Club barbecue and the Messy Palettes art show.
To support the continued tradition of Fun Days, a live auction will begin after the Grand Parade at the bus barn.
Fireworks display
The annual Saturday night fireworks show is funded by the auction sales, Hutson said.
“It’s a great show,” she said.
Fireworks will be shot off at dusk (about 10 p.m.) Saturday from Olson’s Breakwater at Olson’s Resort, 444 Front St. in Sekiu.
“Our fireworks show is so good that passing cruise ships slow down to watch,” Hutson said.
This year, the fireworks show will be dedicated to the memory of Bob Bowlby, a Clallam Bay native who died June 15 at the age of 88.
Bowlby was born June 4, 1926, to William Henderson Bowlby and Beatrice May (Sands) Bowlby in Clallam Bay.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a sonarman in March 1944 and served on the USS Gurke in the South Pacific.
From the time he returned from the Navy until his death in June, Bowlby was an active member of his community, including 10 years’ service on the Cape Flattery School Board.
Sunday events, Fun Run
Registration for the Fun Run from Sekiu to Clallam Bay is at 9 a.m. Sunday on Front Street in Sekiu.
Entry is $10 for adults and $5 for children.
The race will begin at 10 a.m. on Front Street.
The 3.7-mile course begins at Front Street in Sekiu, follows Highway 112 to Clallam Bay’s Frontier Street and loops back to finish at Hoko River State Park.
The top male and female runners, and those who finish in the top three in each division, will receive ribbons and medals at an awards ceremony at 11 a.m.
For more information, visit www.clallambaysekiufundays.com.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
