This calendar is the place to find fun events happening throughout Grays Harbor County including Aberdeen, Hoquiam, Westport, Ocean Shores, Elma, Montesano and beyond.
Have an event that isn’t listed? Please email events@GraysHarborTalk.com with the following information:
- Name of Event
- Date, time and location (name of business if applicable and complete address)
- Organizer(s) name
- Cost
- URL to purchase tickets
- Website URL
- SHORT description of event
- Photo
Our editors will review and post within a few business days.

Stretching for 13 miles, from Copalis to Moclips, this year’s 11th annual festival promises to be an amazing experience. As the only event bridging together the small communities along this section of the Washington Coast, the Chocolate on the Beach Festival has grown into the perfect winter activity in the region. No matter what the weather, smiles, sweets and happiness abound, as it is always raining chocolate during the last week of February along the coast.

Stretching for 13 miles, from Copalis to Moclips, this year’s 11th annual festival promises to be an amazing experience. As the only event bridging together the small communities along this section of the Washington Coast, the Chocolate on the Beach Festival has grown into the perfect winter activity in the region. No matter what the weather, smiles, sweets and happiness abound, as it is always raining chocolate during the last week of February along the coast.

This show will bring vendors from all over western Washington and as far as Oregon together to create an unforgettable weekend with a lot to see and do.
With vendors coming in from the Seattle area, Port Angeles, Portland and everywhere in between, there will be a large variety of goods to peruse. There will be so much more than simply one of a kind antiques at the show, there will also be things like handmade items, lotions, candles, body butters, home decor and crafts. Read more here.

Stretching for 13 miles, from Copalis to Moclips, this year’s 11th annual festival promises to be an amazing experience. As the only event bridging together the small communities along this section of the Washington Coast, the Chocolate on the Beach Festival has grown into the perfect winter activity in the region. No matter what the weather, smiles, sweets and happiness abound, as it is always raining chocolate during the last week of February along the coast.

This show will bring vendors from all over western Washington and as far as Oregon together to create an unforgettable weekend with a lot to see and do.
With vendors coming in from the Seattle area, Port Angeles, Portland and everywhere in between, there will be a large variety of goods to peruse. There will be so much more than simply one of a kind antiques at the show, there will also be things like handmade items, lotions, candles, body butters, home decor and crafts. Read more here.
Learn what opioids are and how to react to an opiate overdose. Immediately following the presentation will be an opportunity to ask questions as well as to receive a free Naloxene kit from Grays Harbor County Health Department.
A delicious buffet dinner of prime rib with all the fixings and yummy seafood appetizer stations are the perfect added touch to kick off a great night of fun for all. Also, we will be treated to musical performance by local legend, Ericka Corban.
The evening will conclude with a live auction with many desirable items. Not to mention there will also be a blind wine pull, where for only $20 you can get a bottle of wine that has a minimum value of $20 all the way up $100! Seats are limited so make sure to contact the Chamber to purchase your tickets.
You are cordially invited to a tea party at the library! Wear your favorite costume or fancy dress while we read stories, play games, decorate cupcakes, and make a craft. Sponsored by the Friends of the Elma Timberland Library.
Browse through bargains ranging from antiques to household goods. Saturday hours are 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
3rd Annual Food Bank Benefit. Silent Auction from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.. Dinner by George Lee at 6:00 p.m.. Music at 7:00 p.m., followed by the Live Auction at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets available at the Ocean Shores Visitor Center.
Browse through bargains ranging from antiques to household goods. Saturday hours are 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) will deliver a free training session for citizens interested in joining the COASST Marine Debris program. The COASST Marine Debris program is focused on the intersection of science, conservation, and communities. Through an interactive, hands-on workshop, trainees will learn how to collect data on the characteristics and location of debris – data that will ultimately be used to map the source and transport pathways of debris and to identify potential harm to people, wildlife, and local coastal ecosystems.
There is no charge to attend, but we ask participants to provide a $20 refundable deposit if they would like to take home a COASST survey toolkit. Beach surveys are best conducted in groups of 2 or more – please come with a survey partner in mind or plan to join a team during training. No prior experience is necessary, just a commitment to survey a specific beach at least once a month. Training activities take place indoors. Reserve your training spot by calling emailing.
If you ever have had a desire to yell and scream at a crab racing down a wooded track, the City of Westport has the event for you. On Saturday, April 18, the coastal town of Westport, Washington will be holding its 28th Annual World Class Crab Races. Under the big tent at the Westport Marina, hundreds of crab enthusiasts will gather together to watch crab races, listen to live music, and of course, feast on the deliciousness of the under-sea crustaceans.
Come learn from the lessons the Watts family, third-generation forestland owners, have learned over the years of managing their 70-acre tree farm. Topics covered will include pre-commerical thinning, invasive species removal, restoration, and road building. There will be time for questions and discussion.
If you ever have had a desire to yell and scream at a crab racing down a wooded track, the City of Westport has the event for you. On Saturday, April 18, the coastal town of Westport, Washington will be holding its 28th Annual World Class Crab Races. Under the big tent at the Westport Marina, hundreds of crab enthusiasts will gather together to watch crab races, listen to live music, and of course, feast on the deliciousness of the under-sea crustaceans.

The annual home and garden spectacular returns to the Elma Fairgrounds May 19-20. Come visit the pavilion, which will be full of vendors offering both gardening and home-improvement items.
Saturday at 1:00, renown garden writer and editor of Pacific Horticulture will give practical ideas that will make gardening for the whole family lots of fun.
On Sunday, Marianne Binnetti will delight her audience with “Container Wars.” Two gardeners will be selected to fill several containers each, while Marianne discusses the what, why and where of this type of gardening. In the end the audience will vote on which planters they like. You won’t want to miss this entertaining and educational presentation.
This workshop seeks to describe the measurable differences in stream micobial populations as related to human impacts in forest, residential, and industrial areas. Simple interventions to minimize these impacts will be described.
Tour of the GHC Fish lab optional to follow

The annual home and garden spectacular returns to the Elma Fairgrounds May 19-20. Come visit the pavilion, which will be full of vendors offering both gardening and home-improvement items.
Saturday at 1:00, renown garden writer and editor of Pacific Horticulture will give practical ideas that will make gardening for the whole family lots of fun.
On Sunday, Marianne Binnetti will delight her audience with “Container Wars.” Two gardeners will be selected to fill several containers each, while Marianne discusses the what, why and where of this type of gardening. In the end the audience will vote on which planters they like. You won’t want to miss this entertaining and educational presentation.

Cascades Job Corps College & Career Academy
Meetings 1st Monday Monthly at 10:00AM
Cascades Job Corps College & Career Academy is a tuition-free career training and education program that will connect students with the skills and educational opportunities they need to establish real careers in the high-demand healthcare and information technology industries. Students in the Cascades program receive FREE college education on local campuses, wrap around services, and extensive tutoring, mentoring, and skills development. Students also have the opportunity to earn Microsoft Imagine Academy certifications and industry-recognized credentials in healthcare or information technology via hands-on, practical experience.
Attend the information/application workshops for Cascades Job Corps College & Career Academy onsite at the Aberdeen Timberland Library and learn about this exciting NEW Job Corps Pilot Program. We offer two specific Career Pathways:
Healthcare
Associates of Sciences Degree in Pre Nursing or Biology
-Medical Administrative Specialist
-Certified Medical Assistant
Information Technology
Associates of Technical Arts Degree
-Computer Applications Support Technician
-Network Technician
-Game & Web Development
Basic Qualifications:
• 16-21 years of age
• Meet income standards (varies by applicant)
• No pending court dates
• No court fines over $500
• Motivated and committed
This program is completely FREE to eligible students!
If you are ready to take the next step contact Eric, or visit www.CascadesJobCorpsCCA.com
Eric Thompson
Office: 206-212-6189
Text: 253-265-7054
Thompson.eric@jobcorps.org
Explore the possibilities of buying fresh food from local farms with Washington State Extension agent Kiley Smith. She will discuss how shopping locally can help improve your family’s nutrition while supporting the local economy. She also will introduce and distribute the 2018 annual Farm Fresh Guide.

Should Ocean Shores invest in tsunami vertical evacuation structures?
National experts will discuss the issue and take public questions during a panel discussion from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 12 at the Ocean Shores Convention Center. There will be plenty of time for the public to ask questions about tsunami engineering, funding, siting and modeling of wave heights and inundation.
The panelists are national experts in their fields representing: Degenkolb Engineering, the Washington Geological Survey, the University of Washington, and the Washington State Emergency Management Division.
In April, scientists and preparedness experts visited Ocean Shores and spoke about tsunami science, risk, preparedness and mitigation, with more than 300 residents attending their public presentation. Many Ocean Shores residents and visitors are aware of their tsunami risks and understand that Ocean Shores lacks natural high ground in the event of a major Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake generated tsunami.
“This is exciting not just for Ocean Shores, but for the entire state,” said Maximilian Dixon, Earthquake Program Manager for the Washington State Emergency Management Division. “The more vertical evacuation structures we can build in the most vulnerable locations along our coast, the more lives we will save when a tsunami eventually hits. This is just a start, though. We need many more discussions and many more of these structures built up and down the coast.”
Ocean Shores city officials have heard from residents, who have specific questions about vertical evacuation approaches and would appreciate the opportunity to talk to a panel of experts. This panel has been assembled at the city’s request to provide in-depth information on tsunami risks and vertical evacuation refuges.
In 2016, the first tsunami vertical evacuation refuge in North America was built in Westport, as part of the new Ocosta Elementary School. Other refuges are being considered along the Washington coast.
“History was made when what was once thought of as an unachievable, vertical evacuation project in the Ocosta School District, became a reality,” said Chuck Wallace, deputy director of Grays Harbor County Emergency Management. “Ocosta Elementary School and Gymnasium is North America’s first, vertical evacuation, tsunami engineered, Safe Haven building.”
Six years ago, there were a series of meetings in Ocean Shores to discuss the types and locations of tsunami vertical evacuation refuges. These efforts were referred to as Tsunami Project Safe Haven. Planning reports were assembled from this collaboration between Washington State Emergency Management Division and the University of Washington.
Later this year, the Washington State Emergency Management Division will be publishing a new Roadmap Manual. The manual will help coastal communities better plan for and build tsunami vertical evacuation refuges. This Ocean Shores panel is part of the Roadmap project.
The National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation (NTHMP) is funding these efforts. NTHMP is also providing funding for tsunami inundation studies, improved signage and other projects related to tsunami planning and safety.
The panel meeting is hosted by the city of Ocean Shores, Washington State Emergency Management Division, Grays Harbor Emergency Management and the University of Washington Institute for Hazard Mitigation Planning and Research.
More information about the Washington coast tsunami risk and vertical evacuation can be found at http://mil.wa.gov/tsunami