Comment
Email
Print
Families enjoy the free activities offered by Little Crane Café during May Day 2014 in Vader. May Day 2015 is scheduled to take place this Saturday and local residents are invited to drop by and enjoy the festivities.
Vader will be celebrating their 63rd annual May Day festival this Saturday, and a number of family-friendly events are scheduled to take place throughout the day.
This year's theme is "Trains, Tractors and May Flowers," so visitors can expects to see a lot of locomotion among the commotion as May Day kicks off Lewis County's summer festival season.
The grand Marshals for this year are residents Pegge Baher and Lois Wilson, with organizers noting their long-standing commitment to serving their community.
When it comes to activities, some old favorites will be on tap, such as tours of the city's historic jail, pony rides and the annual cakewalk, while other events are anticipated such as a zip line and a chance to walk on water (in a bubble).
Sales of raffle tickets will also be happening throughout Saturday, and on Friday, with opportunities to win prizes donated by local businesses. The top prize so far is a $100 toward the steakhouse at Lucky Eagle Casino, and tickets will be on sale Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Saturday both before and after the parade.
The schedule of events, so far, is as follows:
7 to 10 a.m. - Breakfast at Little Falls Masonic Lodge (826 A St.).
9:30 a.m. - Parade line up along D St.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Plant sale at Vader Assembly of God Church (302 6th St.). Vegetables, fruits and other plants available, donated by Bonnie Plants, with proceeds benefiting the church's youth group.
11 a.m. - Parade begins and travels west on SR. 506, then north on A St.
Directly after Parade - Live entertainment, to include performances from dance groups Noe No Ka Mauna Hula, of Longview, and Mexico Within the Heart, of Winlock. Food and carnival games will be provided by the Little Crane Café, who will also be raffling off a children's bicycle. The annual cakewalk will also follow the performers, and those wishing to donate cakes may do so Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the storefront across the post office.
After the parade until 3 p.m. - Cowlitz-Lewis Fire District 20 will be hosting an open house, with resources and activities to educate local families about health and safety. Featured will be tours of the fire station, free hotdogs and refreshments, free blood pressure checks, automatic defibrillator demonstrations and CPR information hourly, and information about a proposed EMS levy increase. Kids' activities are also scheduled, including Sesame Street fire safety and prevention skits every half hour, a poster coloring contents for age groups 4-6, 7-9, 10 and up, and free coloring books, crayons helmets and badges to the first 100 children (must be accompanied by an adult).
Throughout the day - Vendors and yard sales will be set up around town, as well as opportunities to just hang out and get to know your local community.
It's not too late to become involved in May Day 2015, and those seeking a vendor booth should call Judy Costello at (360) 295-3036, while parade entry forms can be found at J & G Grocery and Cedar Village IGA, or by calling Janet Charlton at (360) 295-3011.
