Rain doesn't dampen fun

For the first time since 2019, downtown Shelton hosted a full weekend of Forest Festival events, including the Paul Bunyan Grand Parade. Thousands lined downtown streets to take in the parade, logging show and carnival for the festival, which took place Thursday through Sunday.

Rain drops and downpours, and the threatening black clouds in between, didn't prevent thousands of people from flocking to downtown Shelton last weekend for the return of the Mason County Forest Festival following a two-year hiatus.

Residents and visitors clearly welcomed the chance to get out and have fun, said Amy Cooper, vice president of the Mason County Forest Festival Board of Directors.

"I feel like the rain didn't keep anyone away," she said Tuesday.

The crowds that lined West Railroad Avenue on Saturday morning for the family and pet parade and the Paul Bunyan Grand Parade were spared rainfall.

"As always, the parade was awesome," Cooper said. "We really lucked out weatherwise during that part of the festival."

Breaks in the downpours also allowed hundreds of youths to enjoy the carnival rides and games at the new location on a lot on First Street, stepping gingerly around large, muddy puddles.

A steady downpour during the Rockin' the Forest concert Saturday evening in the parking lot of Our Community Credit Union on Olympic Highway North didn't prevent music lovers from singing along to bands and enjoying a few brews. The fireworks

erupted on schedule at 10 p.m. Saturday despite a steady downpour.

The Kristmas Town Kiwanis Club sold 4,999 wooden "ducks" for $1 each, which were released Sunday into Goldsborough Creek from the bridge that crosses Seventh Street. James Mitchell's duck was the first to cross the finish line at First Street, winning him $500 in the 27th annual race. Andre McMillian's duck finished second for $250 from Kristmas Town Kiwanis, and Sally Sampson's duck placed third for a $300 gift card for Cabela's Sporting Goods, courtesy of the Shelton Veterinary Clinic.

The club uses the proceeds to support college scholarships and community programs.

The judges at the Paul Bunyan Grand Parade awarded the Grand Sweepstakes prize for the best festival float to the McCleary Bear Festival Port Orchard's Fathoms O'Fun received the Queen's Choice Award, Southside Schools the Grand Marshal Award, the Hoquiam Loggers Playday the President's Award, and the Sequim Irrigation Festival the Governor's Award.

Griffin Dram earned the Creativity Award, Triple C Fab the Chairman's Award, Shelton Ladies Society the Novelty Award, and Green Diamond Resources the Spirit Award.

The other awards include:

■ School bands, Shelton High School first place, North Mason High School second.

■ Equestrian groups, Rancho Durango first, Equestrienne of Mason County second.

■ Community Non Motorized, Shelton High School NJROTC first, the Shelton High School Dance Team second, Mason County 4-H third.

■ Car clubs, Kitsap Mustang Club first, YesterYear Car Club second.

■ Community motorized, Friends of Willie and Joe, first, Operation Christmas Fund second, Alata Forest third.

■ Commercial, Graham Hay Co., first, Manke Lumber second.