As summer heats up and pandemic restrictions relax, communities around Hood Canal and South Puget Sound are gently phasing back some of their much loved traditions that formed a framework to bring local families together. And they need your help to make them a success.

Skookum Rotary’s Music in the Park

Kneeland Park, Shelton, July 8 - August 12

Kicking off summer in Shelton, Skookum Rotary is invited families to head over to Kneeland Park for free family live concerts in their annual Music in the Park. The series starts with Hilary Scott, July 8; July 15 the Tammy Frost Band takes the stage; July 22, OysterFest favorite, Hurts Like Hell will rock the park; and July 29 welcome Bluestone. In August local bluegrass band, Runaway Train will charm the crowd and August 12 The Varmints finish up the 2021 series with their classic covers. Concerts are on Thursday evenings from 7:00 PM to 8:30. Bring your own chairs and blankets, pets welcome. Food will be available on site.

*Celebrating the Expo’s 20th anniversary, admission and parking are free to the public.*

Expo & Bite of Mason County

Street Fair | Shelton, JuLy 16

The Shelton Mason County Chamber of Commerce transforms Railroad Avenue with over 60 vendors featuring display, activities and great food “bites” from local restaurants and caterers. Activities continue through the afternoon and evening so you can bring the family down after work. Each year, the public votes for the Best Booth and the Golden Fork awards. Top honors last time went to Hood Canal Communications and Tempting Eats & Treats. Who will it be this year?

Allyn Day(s)

Allyn, WA | July 17

A much loved summer event in this tiny Case Inlet town encompasses seafood, community, live music and craft vendors is reshaping in 2021 for a one day event. There’s always plenty to do including a Fun Run around Lake Anderson (pets welcome) followed by a salmon bake in the Allyn Waterfront Park. The event this year is not including its unique geoduck festival, but they have scheduled a full music line up as well as 50 vendors. Activities for kids include a paintball park activity, petting zoo, bounce house, and a kiddie train ride on the Allyn Pier. A variety of festival and fair food items will accompany their salmon bake. The event runs from 12:00 to 7:00 PM with live bands: “Undecided” from 12-2:30 PM, “Tammy Frost Band” from 3-4:30 PM and “The Wednesdays” from 5-6:30 PM. The shady beer garden features local breweries – Bent Bine and East2West – coupled with wines and ciders.

Although the festival is a one day event this year, the Allyn Community Association’s vision is to return to the traditional three day festival in 2022. — *Although the festival is a one day event this year, the Allyn Community Association’s vision is to return to the traditional three day festival in 2022.*

“The funds we raise through our admission sales,” said Jason Ilarraza, ACA President, “will better position us to provide the full event in 2022 along with other community events. We may be doing things little different this year but it is great to be able to bring the community back together again.”

Admission can be purchased ($5) online or at the gate. Details and updates available on Explore Hood Canal.

*The first Timber Days in June hosted two stages to spread out attendees and featured a themed lantern parade down Railroad Avenue.*

Forest Festival Timber Days & Parade

Shelton | July 29-31, August 20/21, and September 18

Traditionally held the weekend after Memorial Day, Mason County Forest Festival volunteers realized early in the 2021 planning that hosting an event of that size in late spring was doubtful given the WA State restrictions on gathering. Proactively they opted to move the parade and fireworks show to September 18, a date that worked with most of the reigning court, take their car show online, and host a series of smaller evening street fair events throughout the summer to celebrate the area’s timber heritage – Timber Days. The first Timber Days in June was a cautious affair given existing gathering requirements with two stages to spread out attendees and a themed lantern parade down Railroad Avenue. Later, family classic, The Princess Bride, was shown outdoors in Post Office Park.

*Forest Festival’s 2021 court is accompanied by the 2020 court for a ride on the float – something that was not possible during the pandemic year. Cooper Studios photo.*

July 29-31 Timber Days is continuing with live music (Paul Barber FRI 6-9 PM and RAVA and Co SAT 6-9 PM), movies, cornhole championship, food, beer garden, A Royalty Tea at the Colonial House (SAT 3 PM) and a Pet and Family Parade (FRI 7 PM).

In August the event raises awareness for fire safety and celebrates Smokey the Bear’s 77th birthday with more live music and possibly the return of the carnival.

On September 18 all eyes will be on the 77th Annual Paul Bunyan Grand Parade as it courses downtown Shelton, but don’t miss out on the Firefighters Pancake Breakfast and the Kiwanis Duck Race followed by fireworks in the evening. Details and updates on Timber Days and the cumulating Forest Festival events is available online.

*Union’s Hood Canal Marina will offer a spectacular “backdrop” to Hoodstock’s floating spectator event.*

Hoodstock Music Festival

Union, WA, August 21

Social distancing won’t be difficult this year with the unique format this festival is adopting for 2021. Attendees are invited to purchase a flag and “float” with them in your own personal boat as they enjoy a series of bands from 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM. The concert location is near the Hood Canal Marina, creatively labeled with GPS coordinates: 47.3547° N, 123.1016° W. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the South Sound YMCA. Updates available at hoodstock.org.

Bluegrass From the Forest

Shelton, September 10-12

Northwest Bluegrass fans have reason to celebrate and tighten their banjo strings! After a year of no musical gathers and COVID cancellations last year, Kristmas Town Kiwanis’ Bluegrass from the Forest is planning to make a come back September at the South Mason Youth Soccer Park on John's Prairie about two miles from downtown Shelton. Although pandemic restrictions have made it impossible for the festival to be held at the Performing Arts Center, event organizer, Duane Wilson, is excited by the potential for the Festival’s 16th year.

“We will miss the comfort and all of the amenities that school theater had to offer but feel there are a lot of positives in having the Festival outdoors. The biggest one is space. We have fifteen acres to spread people out. Social distancing should not be a problem.”

And spread out they will, with plans to host two stages areas, a beer and wine garden, and food and vendor spaces near the stages. The festival also will accommodate two RV parking areas and lots of grassy tent sites for out of town festival-goers or for locals who want to be part of the whole experience. For more on the band line-up and to purchase tickets visit bluegrassfromtheforest.com.

All the community events represent dedicated volunteers eager to get back to business – safely! As restrictions loosen, Mason County looks forward to welcoming more traditional events back. The list is changing daily so visit explorehoodcanal.com/events for updates and additions.

Getting Events Back On Track