Hey There, Buckaroo

Name: Cowpoke Wrangler Buckaroo

Where Do You Live: Elma, Washington

Profession/Day Job:  a hired hand who tends cattle and horses at a ranch

Loyal To: Buckaroo Days! September 22 in Elma!

Best Harbor Moment: Chili/Salsa Cook off
Cash prizes: Chili Category:

• First Place - $250
• Second Place - $100
• Third Place - $50

Salsa Category:

• First Place - $100
• Second Place - $75
• Third Place - $50

Elma Feed & Farm Supply, 2nd & Martin Street

Cost: Tickets available for $1 each to be used for sampling.
The Chamber will provide sampling cups to each contestant for serving

Favorite Festival: Buckaroo Days in Elma, Saturday September 22

Favorite Local Business: Elma Chamber of Commerce,  Elma Feed and Farm Supply, Guesthouse Inn and Suites, Les Schwab Tire Center, House Brothers Construction, and Puget Sound Railroad (the sponsors)

Grunge, Metal or Country: The music of Momma at the Beer and Wine Festival following the daytime festivities at Guesthouse Inn and Suites of course.

Beach, Forest or River:  Saturday on the Harbor at Buckaroo Days September 22

Favorite Outdoor Adventure: Elma, Saturday!  Enjoying events that include a grand parade, a chili cook off, a "fun" dog show, a bouncy house, kiddy cowpoke games, a Cowboy jail and mutton busting!

Define the Harbor in One Word: Fun events and great people!

If You Could Change One Thing About the Area, What Would it Be: A packed crowd this Saturday at Buckaroo Days in Elma!

Grays Harbor's Best Kept Secret: Beer and Wine Fest with wine samples from Westport Winery and beer Samples from Westport Brewery from 4-9 p.m. at the Guesthouse Inn in Elma!  If you want to spend the night use the codeword "Buckaroo" for a discount!

County Fair Kicks Off Today

Wahoo! Today kicks off the annual County Fair in Elma! Are you going? What day are you going?! What's your favorite part? Food? Animals? Exhibits? Entertainment? Games? Rides? Rides!!!

If it seems like I'm excited about the County Fair, its because I am. The fair is the epitome of summer in a place where we aren't gauranteed other summer staples... you know, like sun and heat. I look forward to the fair every year as my opportunity to be a little country, have some fun and celebrate the summer season. And if you've ever been to another county's fair, you know that Grays Harbor puts on one impressive festival! And if you haven't....consider yourself lucky. I lived outside of Washington State for four years and I never encountered a fair that was as robust or country as Grays Harbor's.

I'd write more, but I'm way too excited to get there already!

This year's theme is "Our Colors, Our Country, Our County Fair" and the five days of fun starts today. Visit the GH County Fair website for more information on admission, events, entertainment times and more.

August 4th brings Hot Rods and Wine to Grays Harbor

You could be celebrating Mustard Seed day, a popular August 4th holiday, or commemorating President Barack Obama's Birthday, also Saturday.  Jeff Gordon of Nascar fame will also be celebrating a birthday tomorrow.  August 4th is National Coast Guard day, as it is the day it was founded, a day that it shares with Chocolate Chip day!

You could be doing any of these things tomorrow, however I know that I will be checking out the Heat on the Street in Elma and the Wearable Art and Wine Festival in Ocean Shores.



photo courtesy of Elma chamber of commerce



photo courtesy of Beach Fairy Events



Heat on the Street is in its fourth year and seems to be growing by leaps and bounds each event.  Classic cars for as far as the eye can see, and with the weather promising to be close to 90, the heat will be out and shining off the paint as the cars line up for a shine and show from 9:00 am to 3:00 on August 4th.

With 15 wine vendors participating in the Wine festival at the ocean shores convention center on Saturday there is sure to be a vintage for everyone.  The festival is hosted by Beach Fairy Events, and the Wearable Art fashion show is the highlight of the event.  Walking art that you can showcase as clothing is such a fun and unique way to approach an art show.

However you celebrate August 4th make sure you get out and explore the great events in our wonderful county!

Grays Harbor Outdoor Adventure and Travel Expo

This weekend is the second annual Outdoor Adventure Expo.

April 28th-29th.

Crew members from the deadliest catch.

Prizes and fun for the family.

Grays Harbor County Fair Grounds.

Eva Shockey of “Jim Shockey Hunting Adventures”.

Glen Hall of the fishing and hunting show “Hawg Quest".

Expo tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for youths 6 -13, children 5 and under free.

Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Children are welcome to cast for prizes at Cabela’s Fishing Pond.

Having lived on the Harbor for most of my life, it is hard to convey to people who are not from our beautiful area just how important the surrounding wildlife is to our outdoor experiences.

I would even go as far as to say that most of us either are a hunter/fisher-person, or know someone who is, which usually translates into a freezer full of yummy fish and meat to smoke, grill and fry!

flyer courtesy of www.ghcfairgrounds.com/OutdoorExpo.

And don't forget to visit Local Magazine Horns and Hooks booth!