The Clatskanie Festival returns this year, and organizer Lori Sherman wants to bring free, family-friendly community fun to the Clatskanie community.
The event will be Aug. 9 through Aug. 11, and will largely be taking place at Cope’s Park in Clatskanie. Sherman said that this year’s theme is “Unity in the Community.” The community festival was founded ten years ago by Sherman and her husband Steve.
Sherman said the festival continues to grow, and she pointed to more participation in the Evening Light Parade. This year’s Grand Marshall is Clatskanie Library District Library Director Maryanne Hirning. Sherman said that Hirning is a big piece of the “Unity in the Community” theme because she has fully embedded in the community and is constantly trying to make connections.
“She’s been here a little while, since she has been here, she has brought so many groups together. She’s brought the library, she’s brought the schools, she’s brought the Clatskanie Arts Commission, the city, the Food Hub; every group you can think of. You name it. [She’s brought] different people and groups together,” Sherman said.
Festival fun
On Friday, Aug. 9 on the start of the festival, there will be a costume contest of sorts called the “Community Walkabout,” where community members are encouraged to dress up in their “favorite era,” and enjoy music and friendly competition in Cope’s Park with prizes going to a variety of categories. Next, Iron Giant will be shown as a free movie in the park, and though people need to bring their own chairs, popcorn will be provided. Free water will be provided all weekend by the Presbyterian church.
This year’s event will also feature more vendors; Sherman said there are over 20 vendors signed up for the festival. The festival vendors will be in City Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as local musicians, a Make-A-Wish Well, and other fun for all age ranges. Folks are also welcome to wander over to the Clatskanie Farmers Market, which will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 10. There will be free rock painting for kids, free face painting, music all day, as well as a pet parade and petting zoo.
For those who have a sweet tooth, there will also be a free cakewalk featuring baked sweets from Safeway and some of Stuffy’s II Restaurant’s famous giant cinnamon rolls on Saturday afternoon.
Sherman said the Clatskanie Parks and Recreation Department has helped make the event possible by allowing Clatskanie City Park and the Clatskanie City Pool to be available for the festival, and there will be a free open swim from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 10.
Saturday will culminate with a “live worship” led by Unite in Prayer, followed by the Evening Light Parade, which people can register the night of the parade, but Sherman also said they have great participation with about 20 floats hitting the Clatskanie streets. People are welcome to register their float until the parade.
One event that will be making a return after being “a hit” last year is the froggy races. Sherman said there will be $225 in cash prizes handed out to the top three finishers. People pick a frog and a number and then hope they got the fastest frog in the bunch.
“We have 300 frogs; we throw ‘em in the river on Sunday, and the first three to cross the finish line are the winners, but first place gets $100, second place gets $75 and third place gets $50,” Sherman said. “And that’s all donated by local sponsors.”
The festival wraps up Sunday, Aug. 11, with the free “froggy races,” a community candlelight remembrance ceremony at City Park, and a community baptism at the Clatskanie River Inn’s swimming pool.
Sherman emphasized that this year’s event would not be possible without the festival’s sponsors. Sponsors include Farmhouse Coffee, Cryptic Cookie, Clatskanie Mobil, Clatskanie Fire Dept., Clatskanie Park & Rec., Fultano’s, Quality Auto Parts, Clatskanie Presbyterian Church, Ark Realty, Stuffy’s, Safeway, and Clatskanie Mini Storage.
Overall, Sherman just wants the community to come out and enjoy community fun in the name of unity, without needing to break the bank.
“Just come and have a fun family time, on us,” Sherman said.
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