Old-Fashioned 4th of July Parade

OCEAN PARK — Ocean Park plans a full roster of July 4 activities, highlighted by a parade with more than 60 entries at 1 p.m., which will begin with a Coast Guard flyover. Featured in the parade are the Ilwaco High School Marching Band, clowns and classic cars. Fun family activities are set for Sheldon Park from 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., along with food and beverage trucks with refreshments for sale. Ocean Park Area Chamber of Commerce, the sponsor, “is beyond excited to share this event with our friends, family, neighbors & community!”

Cannon fire in Oysterville

OYSTERVILLE — The Honorary Oysterville Militia will mark the nation’s 248th birthday with a cannon discharge July 4 at 5 p.m. at the Cannon Parade Grounds. Earplugs advised.

Pacific County fireworks rules

LONG BEACH PENINSULA — With Fourth of July festivities taking hold up and down the peninsula this week, fireworks — and when and where they are allowed — are yet again at the front of mind. BANS: Consumer fireworks are banned within the city limits of Long Beach and Ilwaco, and within the boundaries of Surfside Homeowners Association. The discharge of fireworks is illegal on all state park lands, including beaches in front of Washington state parks, as well as forests and wildlife reserves. Overnight beach camping is also prohibited. PROFESSIONAL SHOWS: Long Beach’s ban carves out exceptions for the city’s professional Fourth of July fireworks show, which is staged on the beach the evening of July 4. A professional show is also held at the Port of Ilwaco on the first Saturday in July, which falls on July 6 this year. SALES: The sale of fireworks is allowed July 1-4 in the unincorporated areas of Pacific County, while fireworks use is permitted from July 2-4. Fireworks can be used from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 2-3, and from 9 a.m. to midnight on July 4 itself. ALLOWED: Fireworks use is allowed on the peninsula’s ocean beaches from July 2-4 in accordance with county rules, but Washington State Parks stressed they must be discharged at least 150 feet from dunes and submerged in water before being thrown away. TIDES: High tides of 8.3 feet at 11:13 p.m. July 3 and 8.2 feet at midnight July 4 may serve as natural limits to revelry on the beach. Motorists should exercise caution, as the limited exits via beach approaches tend to become jammed as festivities wind down.

It’s always fun at local state parks

Cape Disappointment State Parks evening programs are paused this week for 4th of July.

The Fort Columbia Commander’s House is open to the public 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, starting July 5. 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.

On Saturday, July 13, at 7 p.m., Cape D welcomes Ezza Rose to the Waikiki Amphitheater stage, delivering “flowy rhythm,” aggressive electric guitars, and dreamy vocal melodies.

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.

‘Little Women: A Little Musical’ starts July 5

FORT COLUMBIA — “Little Women: A Little Musical” by Jay Richards, directed by Carly Keone, will be presented by the Peninsula Association of Performing Artists at the Fort Columbia Theater, 475 U.S. Highway 101, Chinook. Shows are 7 p.m. July 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, Aug. 2-3; 2 p.m. July 7, 14, 21, 28 and Aug. 4. Tickets are $16 to 23, available online at www.papatheater.com, at Okie’s Thriftway in Ocean Park or by calling (360) 436-4448. A Washington State Parks Discover Pass is not required to enter the park to attend the theater.

Get ready for the big beach cleanup

The biggest community cleanup of the year is set for July 5, 9 a.m. to around noon at any major beach approach — Seaview, Sid Snyder, Bolstad, Cranberry, Klipsan, Ocean Park and Oysterville Road approach in Surfside. By participating in this beach cleanup, you will not only contribute to the conservation of our natural habitats but also become an inspiration to others in our community. Your presence and commitment will foster a sense of unity and remind everyone of the importance of environmental stewardship. If you have any questions or require more information, email Wendy@NWIFservices.com. Another way to help is by volunteering for The Great Bag Giveaway. Volunteers are stationed at every approach to hand out bags to visitors as they enter the beach. Handing out bags has proven to be a very effective way to assist with the cleanup. Volunteers are still needed on the Seaview and Klipsan approaches. To sign up, contact grassrootsgarbagegang@gmail.org.

Oysterville Schoolhouse Artisan Fair

The annual Oysterville Schoolhouse Artisan Fair runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 5-6; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 7. The event, at 3322 School Road in Oysterville features pottery, garden art, upcycled art, fiber art, jewelry, glass mosaics, handmade cards, paintings, prints, art T-shirts, metal art, stained glass, handmade soaps and bath products, wind chimes and woodcarvings. Music is planned: July 5, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Millionth Street; 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Steve Frost. July 6, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Barnet Perrine; 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Peninsula Guitar Trio. July 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bruce Mihalek; 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Marion DiCicco. Refreshments include hot dogs, chili dogs and a bake sale.

Sandsations festival will run July 10-14

PACIFIC COUNTY — The annual Sandsations festival will run July 10-14 at the Bolstad Avenue Beach Approach in Long Beach. Activities begin Wednesday July 10 with construction of sand sculptures with vendors and face-painting and continue Thursday and Friday. Main events will be Saturday July 13, including sandcastle judging, a beer garden from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and live music from Fred Carter, Joel Underwood and Daryl Beau. The marina mermaid will appear from noon to 5 p.m. Vendors and face-painting continue on the final day, Sunday July 14.

Timberland Regional Library Anywhere Library van

The Timberland Regional Library Anywhere Library van will make stops at the Peninsula Senior Activity Center, 21603 O Lane, Ocean Park, 10:30 a.m. July 10; Bay Center Food Bank, 2 Main St., Bay Center, 4 p.m. July 12; St. Joseph Parish and Holy Family, 2800 Highway 6, Raymond, 10 a.m. July 16; and the Raymond Senior Center, 324 Jackson Ave., Raymond, 11:30 a.m. July 18; and United Methodist Church, 35 Second St., Bay Center, 3:30 p.m. July 18. For details, call Emily Libecki at 360-489-4144 or Email: anywherelibrary@trl.org.

Long Beach Peninsula Garden Tour

The annual garden tour on the Long Beach Peninsula, titled “Music in the Gardens,” will be on Saturday, July 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will feature six Peninsula coastal gardens. Each garden will have live music, artists and some may serve refreshments. It is a wonderful way to spend a day visiting gardens, meeting the gardeners who have mastered the art of successful gardening on the coast and visiting a variety of Peninsula neighborhoods. The garden tour is one of four unique Water Music Society annual events. All events support music and art programs in the Ocean Beach School District. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by cash or check starting July 6th at three venues:

• The Basketcase Greenhouse, 12106 Sandridge Rd, Long Beach

• The Bay Avenue Gallery, 1306 Bay Ave, Ocean Park

• Nansen Florals, 3715 L Place, Seaview

Tickets may also be purchased online at tickettomato.com. However, it will be necessary to redeem your printed online-purchased ticket for a tour-day map of the gardens at one of the above three mentioned venues. Visit our Music in the Gardens Tour Facebook page for updates on musicians, artists and raffle prizes featured in the gardens this year. Questions? Contact Nancy Allen at 360 642-2507.

Clamshell Railroad Days comes chugging down the track

ILWACO — Clamshell Railroad Days, an annual celebration of model trains and local train history, is back at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum July 20 and 21. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days and will feature model train layouts from a number of regional train clubs. Admission is $5 for the weekend and includes a commemorative button. Children under 12 are admitted free. Proceeds support museum operations. Layouts from a variety of regional model railroad clubs will be on display, including from the Cascade Z Modelers, Mt. Rainier N Scale Club, Longview, Kelso and Rainier Model Railroad Club, Pacific Northwest On30 Modular Group and the Peninsula Model Railroad Club. Also on display will be Dean and Donna Mead’s Lego Train. The Lone Wolfe Forge will also be onsite doing blacksmith demonstrations. Timberland Regional Library will be onsite on Saturday only with a kids’ craft station. They will hold children’s story times inside the Ilwaco freight depot at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. The Railcar Nahcotta will be open for viewing Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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 https://www.simpletix.com/e/history-trolley-tour-tickets-138148. They begin at the Welcome Center at 212 Pacific Ave. S., Long Beach.

Weekly Chinook School Market now underway

CHINOOK — The Friends of Chinook School group presents a series of summer markets featuring local artists and makers. Experience unique products, creativity and skill shown in handmade products, artisanal crafts, fine art, jewelry and more! The weekly Chinook School Market is being held at the Historic Chinook School, 810 State Hwy. 101, as part of the 100th year Century Celebration. There are both indoor and outdoor vendor spaces and plenty of free parking. The hours are every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through September. Learn more at ChinookSchool.com.

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.

Master Gardeners Plant Clinics

SOUTH BEND — The WSU Master Gardeners of Pacific County will be hosting twice monthly Plant/Answer clinics from April 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.