Vendors lined Bolstad Beach Approach during the 42nd annual Washington State International Kite Festival last year in Long Beach.

Washington State International Kite Festival

LONG BEACH — The main days of Washington State International Kite Festival continue through this Sunday, Aug. 25, in Long Beach. See last week’s Coast Weekend story (tinyurl.com/Kite-Fest-2024-in-CW) or kitefestival.com for details. As of the Observer’s Tuesday press time, cool and misty weather in midweek is expected to begin transitioning into great kiting conditions by Thursday.

Jenny Don’t and the Spurs perform

CAPE D — Saturday, Aug. 24 will be the final show of the Waikiki Beach Concert Series this year, featuring Jenny Don’t and the Spurs at the Waikiki stage in Cape Disappointment State Park. Pioneering their own path in the music world for well over a decade, Jenny Don’t and the Spurs brings a fiery fusion of garage-rock and western flair to the stage in the finale to our concert series. The intensity and energy of their live set makes them a must-see. The event is free but a Discover Pass is required to park.

Unforgettable memories at the Pacific County Fair

MENLO — Mark your calendars for Aug. 21-24 as organizers invite everyone to a celebration of “Past, Present, and Future.” The fair is “a spectacular showcase of delectable treats, live entertainment, agricultural exhibits, and so much more. Get ready to create cherished memories that will last a lifetime at the Pacific County Fair!” General admission is $7 a day for adults 18-plus, $5 for seniors 60-plus, $5 for students in 1st-12th grades, and preschoolers and nursing home residents admitted free. Saturday only, starting at noon, kids 12 years old and younger get in free. Fair hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, see www.pacificcountyfair.org.

Rhododendron Care in the PNW

ASTORIA — Anne Stickel, Flavel House Garden Society’s volunteer team member, will share her expertise on rhododendron varieties, preferred planting locations, fertilizing, pruning, pests, and diseases. With 24 years of experience in the landscaping business, Anne has extensive knowledge of growing rhododendrons. The class will be held at the Flavel House Gardens on Monday, Aug. 26, from 10–11:30 a.m. There is no cost to attend — just bring your pruners. For more information about this event, visit the Flavel House Garden Society’s Facebook page. For other Clatsop County Historical Society activities, call 503-325-2203 or e-mail info@astoriamuseums.org.

Trolley tours for sightseeing, historical commentary

PENINSULA — Trolley tours organized by the Long Beach Merchants Association feature a sightseeing journey through the Long Beach Peninsula with historical commentary continue Fridays and Saturdays until Aug. 30-31. Tours are 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and 12-17-year-olds and $10 for 5-11-year-olds, available online at www.simpletix.com/e/history-trolley-tour-tickets-138148. They begin at the Welcome Center at 212 Pacific Ave. S., Long Beach.

Living on the Land Classes

Living on the Land teaches small acreage landowners in Southwest Washington practices that will improve their property and protect the environment. This course deals with the real-life issues landowners must address when trying to manage their land. The class will be held virtually by Zoom on Thursday nights from Sept. 5 through Oct. 24, 6 to 8:15 pm. Learn how to improve the soil, reduce mud and weeds, protect water quality, manage a small forest, develop a farm plan and more. Find out practical tips for making a small acreage farm more efficient and profitable. The registration fee is $40 (per family or household). You must register by Sept. 3. To register, send your name, phone number and E-mail address to Bjerke, Stephanie at BjerkeS@cowlitzwa.gov. Checks or cash can be sent to the WSU Extension office in Kelso to confirm attendance. For questions contact Gary Fredricks at 360-577-3014. The workshops are sponsored by Washington State University Extension.

Auditions for ‘The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon’

ILWACO — Auditions will be held 6 p.m. Sept. 4 and 5 at the River City Playhouse, 127 Lake St. S.E. in Ilwaco for the Peninsula Players’ production of “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon” by Don Zolidis. The comedy will be performed in November.

42nd NW Garlic Festival set for beautiful OP

OCEAN PARK — The 42nd NW Garlic Festival will be back at Sheldon Park Sept. 14 and 15. As a free event, it will have over 30 vendors featuring crafts, food and beverages, gift items and much more! Located across the street from the Ocean Park Elementary School at 25701 Ocean Beach Hwy (aka Vernon), this spacious venue allows everyone to come and enjoy all that Garlic Festival has to offer including live music both days! The theme of this year’s festival is the “Sea, Sun & Garlic.” A collectible poster will be available for sale and the winner will be announced Saturday morning at the festival. To find out more visit: opwa.com/northwest-garlic-festival or call our office 360-665-4448.

Peninsula Senior Activity Center

OCEAN PARK — See complete calendar of events at tinyurl.com/Senior-Center-calendar. Ongoing senior center services: Medical equipment for loan: A wide array of medical equipment that has been donated and is available for loan. Drop by or call during office hours. Haircuts: Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (call 360-665-3999). Meals on Wheels: call Sally 360-533-3311, Mondays and Wednesdays. Dial-A-Ride: provides service in Pacific County only.

It’s always fun at local state parks

Every Thursday evening at at 7 p.m., visit the Benson Beach Amphitheater to learn “The Story of the Salmon. Come swim the salmon life cycle through the eyes of a coho salmon named Sumi! Follow her journey to the ocean and back, discovering her importance in local culture. Paint your own salmon rock and take it home!”

The Fort Columbia Commander’s House is open to the public 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. This is the first time the building has been open for tours in a decade The Fort Columbia Interpretive Center will also be open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Thursday to Sunday, with guided tours of Battery 246 available on weekends.

Summer hours at the North Head Lighthouse are in place. The famous light is open daily for tours, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. through August, with tours happening every 15 minutes.

Cape Disappointment 1.5-mile guided hikes depart each Saturday, Monday and Wednesday from the Coastal Forest Loop trailhead (near the Cape D Store) at 2 p.m. Saturday’s hike focuses on learning to identify types of plants in our local temperate rain forest. Monday’s hike centers on learning about the old-growth forest and how it participates in a global system that maintains our atmosphere. Wednesday’s hike, “The Logs of History,” examines how the insides of the forest’s ancient trees serve as witnesses to “nature-centric” local history.

Master Gardener Plant Clinics

SOUTH BEND — The WSU Master Gardeners of Pacific County will be hosting twice monthly Plant/Answer clinics through September 2024, on the second and fourth Mondays of each month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the WSU Extension Office located in the courthouse annex building at 1216 W. Robert Bush Drive in South Bend. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your home gardening questions about plants, soil, insects, and other topics. Stop by and see us to get your gardening questions answered. For more information contact the Pacific County Extension Office at 360-875-9331.

AlAnon meetings on Peninsula and Zoom

AlAnon Family Groups are open to any adult. The only requirement for membership is that there is a concern about problem drinking by a relative or friend. The Ocean Park AlAnon group meets every Monday, 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Ocean Park Library Meeting Room, 1308 256th Lane in Ocean Park. Contact Maureen McCaslin at 360-214-8086. Zoom AlAnon group meets Fridays at 10 a.m. To receive a Zoom invitation, email dbelais@yahoo.com. A New Day meets at the Timberland Library on Mondays at 1:30 p.m.