As the year winds down, the Ilwaco Merchants Association has announced a busy 2024 schedule of events.

Activities begin April 21 with the Ilwaco Spring Spruce-Up, held ahead of the Black Lake Fishing Derby led by the City of Ilwaco on April 27.

Summer fun kicks off May 4 with the opening day of the Ilwaco Saturday Market. It will run each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through September at the Port of Ilwaco. The September finale will have the theme “Christmas in September.”

May 4 also sees the Ilwaco Children’s Parade at noon and the annual Blessing of the Fleet, spearheaded by the Ilwaco Charter Association, at 3 p.m.

On May 15 an Ilwaco Dockside Open House will coincide with the PNW Offshore Sailing Race.

The Ilwaco Art Walk will run on the fourth Sunday of each month, from May through September, beginning May 26. Other dates are June 30, July 28, Aug. 25 and the “locals night” finale Sept. 29. Each Art Walk runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

July 6 promises to be a long day. It starts at 9 a.m. with the Firecracker 5K Run/Walk and culminates in the city of Ilwaco’s Fireworks Show at dusk.

Other key dates for the calendar:

July 10-14, Sandsations;

July 20-21, Ilwaco Railroad Days at the Columbia Pacific Museum;

Aug. 10, 137th birthday party at Ilwaco Hook and Ladder (fire department)

Sept. 6, Ilwaco Slow Drag (this coincides with Rod Run weekend);

Oct. 1-28, Ilwaco Candy and Treat Drive at City Hall;

Oct. 19, Pumpkin Patch at Ilwaco Fire department;

Oct. 26, Black Lake Witches Paddle;

Oct. 31, Halloween Block Party;

Nov. 30, Small Business Saturday Holiday Shop Hop from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dec. 7, Crab Pot Christmas at 4 p.m.;

Dec. 14, Holiday Market 10 a.m. to 3 p.m;

Dec. 21, Ilwaco Sunset Christmas Parade.

For details, visit www.discoverilwaco.com or email ilwacomerchantsassociation@gmail.com