CLATSKANIE, Oregon (STPNS) -- by Deborah Steele Hazen and Ruth E. Howard

    ?Lend a Hand...And the Beat Goes On!? celebrating this community?s heritage of volunteerism and music, will be the theme of the 2008 Clatskanie Heritage Days celebration.

    Events, some of which are detailed below, will begin on June 21 with a ?Princess-in-Training? luncheon for 5 to 10-year-old girls at the Clatskanie Castle.

    The Clatskanie Cruisers Car Club will take the wheel of the celebration with a cruise around town on Friday evening, June 27, followed by the 18th annual Heritage Cruise car show on Saturday, June 28.



    Car show day will also be complimented with the ?Pie in the Park? baking contest and sale.

    Vendors will begin to operate in the park on car show day, then again for the long holiday weekend July 3-6. Vendor applications are available on the clatskanie.com homepage or at The Clatskanie Chief office.

    A talent show is planned for Wednesday, July 2, at 7 p.m. in the Clatskanie Middle/High School Donavon Wooley Performing Arts Center auditorium. (See below for more details on all the events mentioned above).

    The Davis Shows Northwest Carnival - the same carnival that enhanced the Heritage Days activities last year - will begin a four-day run on Thursday, July 3.

    Teen Night, on July 3, will include reduced-price carnival wristbands for the first approximately 100 teens who fill out a survey, sponsored by the Clatskanie Together Coalition.

    As darkness falls on the 3rd, a movie designed to appeal to teens will be shown on a big outdoor screen in the Clatskanie City Park, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Clatskanie and the Heritage Days Committee of the Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce.

    With one exception, the 4th of July will feature all the traditional events, plus some added attractions.

    A Heritage Freedom Bike Ride will begin the day Friday, July 4, at 7 a.m. (see below for details).

    About the time the 4th of July parade begins at 11 a.m., spectators should keep an eye on the skies, because two Oregon Air National Guard F-16 jets will flyover the parade route.

    The Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District volunteers and personnel will serve as grand marshals of the parade.

    After the parade in the park, events will include the annual Kiwanis Club of Clatskanie chicken barbecue and bingo, the carnival, the kids? trout derby, Muriel?s Traveling Petting Zoo with a wide variety of pettable animals - miniature horses and cows, pot-bellied pigs, deer, alpacas, bunnies, puppies, lambs, goats, chicks and more.

    Various booths and concessions will be on hand, and the annual Heritage Days logging show will begin at 1 p.m. (See details below)

    About 3 p.m., ?Rose in the Heather,? a group of professional Celtic musicians will take the stage in the park. They will perfom into the evening hours, followed by a Longview-based blues band.

    And then, as darkness falls on Friday night, July 4, there won?t be a fireworks show, instead a G-rated family movie will be shown on the big screen in the park.

Full Day of Activities, Ending with Fireworks on 5th

    The fireworks show - the biggest, brightest and most exciting in years - will take place as darkness falls on Saturday, July 5th.

    Heritage Days spokespersons explained that with the 4th falling on a Friday, and in consultation with Western Display Fireworks, it was  decided to extend the momentum of the celebration throughout the weekend by having the fireworks show on the 5th. Having the fireworks show on the 5th is less expensive than having it on the 4th - so a more exciting fireworks spectacular is possible.

    The change from the 4th to the 5th is for this year only. Next year, the 4th of July will fall on Saturday - in the middle of the holiday weekend - and it is planned to return the fireworks to the 4th for 2009.

    But this year, ?the 4th of July goes all weekend long in Clatskanie,? Heritage Days Committee members proclaim.

    A full schedule of events is set for Saturday, the 5th, starting with a pancake breakfast served by Faith Lutheran Church in the picnic area at the park.

    The carnival, booths and concessions, and Muriel?s Petting Zoo will be in full operation.

    An expanded ?Strut Your Mutt? dog show with many special features will begin at 11 a.m., and Heritage Days celebrants are invited to hit the water at 2 p.m. with the first annual Clatskanie River Poker Paddle. (See details below).

    A professional classic rock band out of Portland - ?Off the Record? - will take the stage in the park at 7 p.m. and will play until the fireworks begin.

    Raffle tickets are now on sale to win a Traeger barbecue donated by Hazen Hardware or two alpacas donated by Little Blessings Alpaca Farm. Tickets are $1 each and go to support Clatskanie Heritage Days. The drawing will be held shortly before the fireworks show on July 5th. Contributions may be made directly to Clatskanie Heritage Days, P.O. Box  635, Clatskanie, OR 97016.

    Events will continue on Sunday, July 6. (See below).

Castle Hosts Princesses-in-Training Event

    A chance to become a princess is open to all local girls, ages 5-10, at a ?Princess-in-Training? luncheon Saturday, June 21, at 12 noon until approximately 3 p.m. at Clatskanie?s Castle, 620 SW Tichenor Street.

    The first 30 girls to register will be accepted as Heritage Days princesses-in-training. Registration may be accomplished by calling Deanna Remick at 503 308-3670. There is a $20 charge to participate.

    The princesses should be capable of conducting themselves in a quiet and polite manner, of following instructions, and learning a simple song with motions.

    At the luncheon, the little princesses will be taught an original song about the Heritage Days theme of ?Lend a Hand...And the Beat Goes On,? and some motions to go with it. They will also learn how to curtsey and wave like a princess, and will be presented with tiaras and sashes.

    The young royalty will be featured in the Heritage Days talent show on Wednesday evening, July 2, at the CMHS auditorium and also will be invited to ride on a float in the 4th of July parade.

    Parent participation is accepted and will be appreciated to help with the princess-in-training luncheon, the rehearsal for the talent show on July 1 and the parade.

Local Talent Sought

for Show July 2

    An all-call for local talent has been issued in anticipation of the Heritage Days talent show on Wednesday, July 2, at 7 p.m. at the CMHS auditorium, 471 SW BelAir Street.

    Those interested in performing are encouraged to contact Debi or Dave Borgstrom by calling 503 728-4248 and leaving a message, or by e-mail at daveborgstrom@gmail. com.

    Performers of all kinds and ages are being sought.

    Deadline to sign-up is June 30, with a rehearsal on Tuesday, July 1.

    Clatskanie?s little princesses, who will have participated in the June 21st luncheon, will be introduced and perform at the show.

Cruisers Car Show Motors in June 28

    Hundreds of vintage vehicles are expected to roll into town for the 18th annual Heritage Days Car Show - ?Show and Shine? Saturday, June 28, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on the grassy venue of the Clatskanie City Park.

    The Clatskanie Cruisers Car Club, which annually sponsors the popular event, will jump-start this year?s show with a cruise around town on Friday evening, June 27, starting in the Clatskanie City Park.

    More than 30 classes are featured in the car show, with first place trophies, many sponsored by local businesses, and second place prizes being awarded at the end of the day.

    Also planned in conjunction with the show are a poker walk, food vendors, kids? games, free swimming at the Clatskanie swimming pool, raffles and music by Runaway Productions. A limited quantity of colorful show shirts will be available for purchase.

    Show pre-registration is $12, due by June 13, or $15 at the gate.

    For more details, go to www.clatskanie.com. Questions can be directed to Chris or Leslie at 503 728-2531.

    The Clatskanie Arts Commission is hosting a pancake breakfast the morning of the show from 6-10 a.m. at the American Legion Hall at 930 NE 5th Street.

Pie in the Park June 28

    Coinciding with the car show on Saturday, June 28, is the annual ?Pie in the Park? baking contest and pie sale sponsored by Clatskanie Chapter T P.E.O.

    All pie-bakers are invited to enter pies in the contest. Pies submitted for judging should arrive at the pie booth between 9 and 10 a.m. on the morning of June 30,  and judging will begin at 10 a.m. in the categories of: adult (age 18 and older) fruit, holiday specialty and lite/dietetic, and youth (17 and under) fruit and holiday specialty. Pies entered in the contest must have homemade crusts.

    Judges will be the successful bidders from the Kiwanis Auction last December - Ernest Carman, Mike Arthur and Dee Wooley.

    Both pies entered for judging and pies baked by local members of the P.E.O. sisterhood will be sold by the slice as a benefit for P.E.O. scholarship programs.

July 4th Freedom

Ride Tours Area

    A chance to see some of Clatskanie?s sights and scenery is offered in the first annual Clatskanie Heritage Days Freedom Ride, an early morning bike ride on Friday, July 4, with routes designed for families and serious bike riders.

    Starting at 7 a.m. at the gazebo in the Clatskanie City Park, family riders will travel about eight miles out onto Clatskanie?s historic dikelands, near the ?old wigwam burner,? by the Wallace Fish Station and along some of Clatskanie?s Columbia River frontage.

    The long ride, approximately 25 miles, traverses some of the area?s beautiful and challenging backroads, complete with river views and waterfalls. Both routes end back at the park?s gazebo.

    Pre-registration cost is $25 per family or $8 for an individual rider on the shorter route and $10 per rider on the long route. Pre-registrations by mail must be postmarked by June 20.

    Fees on the day of the event are $30 per family, $10 per individual rider on the short route and $12 per rider on the long ride. Registration begins at 6  a.m. at the city park gazebo. Riders will receive a Freedom Ride t-shirt and raffle ticket.

    Participants are also encouraged to ride in the 4th of July parade later that morning at 11 a.m.

    For more information, call Kris Lillich at 503 728-2051 or visit www.clatskanie.com/heritagedays.

Annual Logging Show

Buzzes July 4th

    Organizing this year?s logging show are Judy Skirvin and Jeremy Chalk who invite all-comers to participate in the competition that features a variety of fun and challenging lumberjack events for both children and adults.

    Skirvin and her family have organized the Clatskanie?s logging show for many years, and Chalk has participated in and won the show in the past.

    Skirvin?s son, Jeff Skirvin, who usually spearheads the event, will be participating in logging exhibitions in Alaska this summer.

    Events include children?s choker set and axe throw, adult axe throw, power buck - 5 cubic inches and under and 5-6 cubic inches, steeple chase, obstacle pole (pole snip), choker set, modified saw, Jack and Jill cross-cut, hot saw and the boom-stick run over the Clatskanie River for all ages.

    Those interested in serving as timers at the show are encouraged to call Judy Skirvin at 503 455-2540 and leave a message.

Canine Competitors Welcome in ?Strut

Your Mutt? July 5th

    The ever-popular ?Strut Your Mutt? dog show and competition takes center stage Saturday, July 5, at 11 a.m. in the city park.

    Preceding the light-hearted dog show will be a pancake breakfast served by the congregation of Faith Lutheran Church in the picnic area in the Clatskanie City Park from 8 to 11 a.m.

    Owners or handlers and their canines are invited to register in either the youth or adult category and may then enter any or all of the following ?Strut Your Mutt? classes: longest tail, longest ears, shortest tail, shortest ears, owner/dog look-a-like, traveled the farthest, best smile, best trick, curliest hair, best costume, and best kisser.

    Doug Colbert of the Dog Zone will emcee the show, give-away free toys and hold a question and answer time.

    A registration form is printed on page 11 and is to be brought to the Strut Your Mutt registration table by 10:30 a.m. on July 5.

    Also planned in conjunction with the show are:

    PAWS: Adopt-a-Pet will have a few adoptable pets available.

    Columbia County Animal Control will offer a free clinic on nail grooming and ear cleaning and 10-minute talks on how to prepare a home for a new pet, how to care for a pet, what to do with a pet when fireworks are being shot off and more.

    The Columbia Humane Society will be on hand to insert micro-chips into dog for $20, a reduced price from $25, and will have free items and posters to give away.

    Dr. Lynn Taylor of Valley Veterinary Clinic of Rainier will conduct a rabies clinic for $5 per shot, with proceeds to benefit next year?s show.

    A demonstration on obedience and clicker training will be offered by local residents Rae Bordwell and Sharon Roggow, as well as talks on canine diet and diseases such as yeast infections, cancer, hip displacements, etc. Bordwell is licensed to do pet massages and will offer 10 minutes for $10, with donations going to ?Strut Your Mutt.?

    Questions about ?Strut Your Mutt? can be directed to Debi or Dave Borgstrom at 503 728-4248.

    July 5th Poker Paddle Benefits Turning Point

   Combining fun on the river and a chance to support Clatskanie?s Turning Point Community Service Center, the Clatskanie River Poker Paddle is set Saturday, July 5, from 2-4 p.m.

    Boats, canoes or kayaks are welcome and will begin at the Beaver boat ramp and paddle up the Clatskanie River, with a short side spur into one slough also planned. Seven stops will be marked for contestants to pick up a poker card. Participants will then choose the best five-card hand from the seven cards they receive.

    Prizes will be awarded for the top three poker hands. Everyone who enters will receive a gift bag with valuable prizes and coupons donated by local businesses.

    The event is the first of its kind for Clatskanie and Turning Point and it is hoped that it will become an annual Heritage Days activity.  

    Paddlers of any age are welcome, however, minors will need to have their parent's signature on the registration form.

    Participants are asked to pre-register so organizers will know how many racers to expect (visit clatskanieturningpoint.org  for more information.)

    For those who don't have anything to paddle, kayak rentals are available at Scappoose Bay Kayaking, 1-877-272-3353 or 503-397-2161.    

    Registration forms can be picked up at Turning Point, at 220 E. Columbia River Highway, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.  Cost to participate is $20.

    Volunteers are needed to help hand out the poker cards and to serve as safety people, including someone on the water, in case problems arise.

    All proceeds will benefit Turning Point in serving the low-income families of the area.

All-School Reunion Set Sunday, July 6

    The annual All-School Reunion for all those who ever attended or taught at Clatskanie area schools is set for Sunday, July 6, beginning at 12 noon near the covered picnic area at the city park.

    Those attending are encouraged to bring yearbooks, pictures and other memorabilia. There are no organized activities - just visiting.

    Those who wish may bring a picnic or partake of food offered in booths at the city park.

?Touch a Truck?

Set July 6 in Park

    Toddlers through 10 year olds and their parents are invited to explore and touch ?giant? trucks, including dump trucks, semi-trucks, tractors and military and emergency vehicles, in the city park Sunday July 6.

    The blow of an air horn will kick-off the ?Touch a Truck? event at 1 p.m. and it ends at 3 p.m. There is no cost to attend.

    LifeFlight and firefighting demonstrations are also planned.

Rubber Ducky Races

    The annual Rubber Ducky Races will be conducted this year by the Wyldlife youth group on Sunday, July 6, at approximately 3 p.m.

    The public is invited to ?rent? rubber duckies which will ?race? on the incoming tide from the Nehalem Street Bridge to the Clatskanie City Park.