By Chelsea Royer
Last year, despite intermittent showers, an estimated 2,000 people lined the street to see Aberdeen’s first annual Founders’ Day Parade. It had been a number of years since a parade had marched through the downtown of Aberdeen or since the downtown windows had a reason to decorate themselves.They celebrated for no other reason than that Aberdeen and its citizens exist. In doing so, they rekindled an outward expression of pride that has been squelched by the economy and often upturned noses of outsiders.
Jamie Judkins, who is on the planning committee for the Founders’ Day Parade, explains, “Many people I talk to from outside of the community have something negative to say about Aberdeen. Part of why this event was created was to bring pride to the community and also an outlet for that pride. I know we have a lot of it. We just haven’t been showing it. We want to display it because we have a lot of great history to share as well as great people and it needs to be shown to everyone.”
Every town has common and unsolved issues to battle. Jamie Judkins and fellow planner Karen Rowe feel Aberdeen has been judged out of proportion to its own issues. “We are not a gateway to everywhere else in the peninsula,” expresses Karen. “We are a gateway to our own awesome community!” And she’s out to prove it. The event planning spans the course of two days, with activities geared toward the young and old, all the while celebrating the interesting history of Aberdeen.
“This year, we have more kids activities planned and more unique parade entries than last year. We are hoping for an even better turnout than last year but our big goal is community pride. We did great last year but we can do better. For those who may complain that there’s ‘nothing to do in Aberdeen,’ we are giving you two full days of activities,” Karen says with a big grin.
Friday, June 26 kicks off the two-day event with a mystery theatre dinner hosted at the Aberdeen Museum of History. The dinner and dessert will have the accompanying entertainment of a murder mystery, historically influenced by local history and written by Roy Vataja. “Guests will have to talk to characters to find out who-done-it,” says Karen. This dinner will follow after a procession to the resting place of Sam Benn, an Aberdeen founding father.
June 27 is the day that will be packed full of activities. From dunk tanks to street vendors, dancing to family fun zones, the parade will have bookends of entertainment and new things to explore. “We are keeping it family oriented,” says Karen. “We have a climbing wall, a 10 foot bunny, and a motorbike game at Franklin Field hosted by the American Legion from Onalaska.” There will be performances by the high school choir and a performance by the Dance Club of Grays Harbor near the mid-afternoon. Even the street dance that evening will be family friendly. Held in front of the Grays Harbor Wine Sellars, children are welcome to join in the fun and dance to music performed by Six Pack Pretty and 10 Cent Judy. There will be a beer garden and access to the Wine Sellars for those over the age of 21.
Jamie Judkins is convinced that community events help glue residents together. “Having a spoon in the pot as a resident and being involved is crucial. It is something that can create community for those who don’t have one yet. I know for a fact that there’s been some people who have gotten involved who were ready to leave the community. When they jumped on board to be a part of the events, they changed their minds. Being involved creates a sense of community and pride that we have been lacking,” explains Jamie.
On a volunteer level, the planning committee has some impressively designed t-shirts, exclusive to those who volunteer to help out for the event. Some of the most helpful volunteers last year came from the Grays Harbor Amateur Radio Club. “They were the most amazing group no one knew about,” says Karen. “They made everything go so smoothly and were one of my favorite aspects of last year.”
You can be that presence this year by volunteering! For those unable to volunteer, just your attendance is enough. Come join in the fun, celebrate the history of Aberdeen, and dance until your feet ache at Aberdeen’s Founders’ Day Parade!
June 26 – Founders’ Day Dinner and Mystery Theatre at 6:30 p.m.
111 E 3rd St
Cost is $30 per person
Tickets may be purchased at City Center Drug, The Tap Room, GH Wine Sellers, and Aberdeen Museum.
June 27
Parade begins at 11:00 a.m. on Market St.
Vendors and performances start at 12:00 p.m.
Street dance and beer garden 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
