Plan Fourth of July at the Beach

One of our favorite times at the Beach is the Fourth of July. We are usually just getting used to the summer days, Westport is finally bright and noisy with visitors and fishermen, and everyday the giant American flag flies proudly over the Maritime Museum visible from our house miles away.

We love to dress the kids in their matching red, white & blue and head down to the presentation of the colors by the U.S. Coast Guard Grays Harbor at the Maritime Museum. The Old Fashioned Fourth of July is one of those events that makes me thankful as a parent to live in a small town.

This year, according to Westport-South Beach Historical Society president Peggy Coverdale, visitors can enjoy musical entertainment with Captain Pete’s Lollapalooza (Pete Darrah of the Wilapa Seaport Museum & percussionist for the Grays Harbor Banjo Band), a magic show (amazing tricks and outrageous fun with magician Jeff Evans) a cake walk, clowns, children's games, face painting, vendors, a plant sale, silent auction, hot dogs, strawberry shortcake and root beer floats at the former Coast Guard Lifeboat Station.

The 4th will also mark the opening of a special exhibit of limited edition Lighthouses by Harbour Lights. The collection was recently donated by Gretchen and John Lamb of Aberdeen and is valued at more than $10,000. The Destruction Island Lens Building will be open, providing visitors an opportunity to examine a first order Fresnel lens up close. The museum itself will also be open from 10AM until 4PM on July 4.

The Maritime Museum is located in Westport’s Marina District. The Westport-South Beach Historical Society operates the museum and is presenting its 17th annual "Old Fashioned Fourth." Museum admission will be $5 for adults and $2 for children under age 12. There is no charge for admission onto the grounds and access to the events.

When the Maritime Museum's Old Fashioned Fourth is over at 4PM, visitors can enjoy a dinner in one of Westport's many restaurants or stroll on the waterfront, until the Shoalwater Bay Casino presents the South Beach community's spectacular fireworks demonstration. The exhibition will beginning at 10PM in Tokeland—where the fireworks will light up the skies.

We will probably hit the beach after dark, and watch the amateur pyrotechnics go wild with their fireworks, make a fire, and have too many smores. The boys love to eat food they cooked on sticks :) The beach on the 4th, with all the families, the campfires, the fireworks, is quite a sight. Somehow, the next day, it all gets cleaned back up.

Where ever you go on the 4th, have a great one! See ya at the beach!

Rusty Scupper Pirate Daze 2011 - Tentative Schedule

If you've not visited Westport for the Rusty Scupper Pirate Daze festival, you need to make plans now to come down to the beach from June 24 - 26 and check out this event. It's entertaining, family friendly, and really a one-of-a-kind festival. Particularly with this year's launch of the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie, it should be a great event.

New for this year will be the Pirates Breakfast at Half Moon Bay Bar & Grill and an inflatable bounce house amusement area near Scallywag Alley (Scallywag alley is an area for kids games. All games are $0.50 each).

Also, during this weekend, the Maritime Museum and Washington's Tallest Lighthouse are charging reduced admission of $2 to enter either attraction! That's half the normal price!

Here is the tentative schedule, updates will be posted as they are available:

Friday, June 24, 2011

12:00 Noon Festival opens with pirates, vendors, games in Scallywag Alley, inflatable amusements for children, train rides, Sword Balloons,.

1:00 PM Northwest Gypsy Quest Belly dancers perform on the street by the Main Stage; Rusty Scupper Pirate Band performs on the Buccaneer Stage; Captain Arr performs next to the Islander

1:30 PM Mini Brig Battle - Jade Dragon Pirates

2:00 PM Boom Pirates Black Powder Demonstrations (definitely worth watching)

4:30 PM Jade Dragon Pirates - Swordfights with Children

6:00 PM Pirates of the Caribbean Characters Contest.

7:00 PM Pirate After Party @ Viking Bowl


Saturday, June 25, 2011 (Entertainment on various stages goes on all day)

8:00 - 11:00AM Pirate Breakfast at Half Moon Bay Bar & Grill ($5/person if dressed in pirate garb; $8/person if dressed in street clothes)

10:00 AM Pirate Daze street fair opens

10:45 AM Pirates invade Westport

11:15 Pirates & Scallywag costume contest/Boom Pirates Black Powder Demonstration

11:30 Jade Dragon Swordfights

11:45 Treasure Chest Drawings

2:00 Folk Style Belly Dancers on Main Stage

3:15 Mini Brigs Demonstration & Play Comedy Pirates in Red Pants Performance

4:00 Hops Ahoy Belly Dancers

4:30 Vintage Costume Contest

6:30 Jade Pirates Wedding Vow Renewal

7:00 Pirate Potluck @ Viking Bowl


Sunday, June 26, 2011 (Entertainment on various stages goes on all day)

8:00 - 11:00AM Pirate Breakfast at Half Moon Bay Bar & Grill ($5/person if dressed in pirate garb; $8/person if dressed in street clothes)

10:00 AM Pirate Daze street fair opens

10:30 AM Belly Dancers Performance

10:45 Professional Pirate and Scallywags Contest

11:30 Treasure Chest Drawings

11:45 Salty Dog Costume Contest

12;00 Mini Brig Battle

2:00 Pirates on Parade!

4:00 Closing Announcements

New Commerical for Westport Washington Tourism

Have you seen the new Westport commercial? Now airing on... well, I don't really know where its airing, but a friend whose daughter is in it posted it on Facebook. It's cute. Watch it!

Take a Little Vacation from Howell at the Moon Productions on Vimeo.