Ocean Shores hosts a couple of uniquely North Beach events this weekend with the Beachcombers Fun Fair at the Convention Center and the UFO Summit at the Quinault Beach Resort & Casino.

By SCOTT D. JOHNSTON

The Beachcombers Fun Fair is a grassroots, enthusiast-inspired celebration of many aspects of life on the North Coast. Its 32nd annual edition will fill the Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10-4 Sunday.

The festival consists of exhibits of beachcombed items, seminars, information booths, and vendors. It also features beach walks and children activities and is designed to help visitors and locals appreciate and preserve the quality of life in this unique setting.

This year, a timely topic will be covered in a special presentation Saturday at 11 a.m. Representatives from the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Department will offer information and answer questions about the unspent anti-aircraft explosive rounds used in military exercises dating back decades and found on some North Coast beaches this past weekend.

In her fourth year as producer of the event, Ocean Shores resident and business owner Dianne Hansen has found an always popular element of the event is the numerous displays from members of the general public of all manner of things found on beaches in the Pacific Northwest. She anticipates several hundred entries in dozens of categories, including single objects, collections, photography, and various creative and artistic efforts, such as collages, carvings, mobiles, mosaics, flower arrangements, home décor and furnishings.

Entries should be brought to the venue on Friday, March 1, from 2-7 p.m. Entry forms can be completed then, and are also available in advance at The Dusty Trunk, 759 Pt. Brown Ave. NW, and online at www.oseventplanner.com. Judging will take place that night and ribbons will placed on winners’ entries before the doors open on Saturday.

All entries must be picked up just after the event closes, from 4-5 p.m. Sunday, March 3. There is no charge to enter any of the display categories. Entrants are competing for ribbons and Best of Show and People’s Choice awards.

Guest speakers will weigh in on a variety of topics starting at 11 a.m. and running until closing both days.

Two of the most popular events take place Sunday morning. Alan Rammer, retired WDFW shellfish biologist, author and educator, is one of the event’s founders. At 9 a.m., he will lead his annual beach walk and share bits of his encyclopedic knowledge of the beach environment.

Also, anyone can participate in the “Dash for Trash and Treasure.” Folks are encouraged to pick up a garbage bag (or use your own) on Saturday; go for a walk on the beach and enjoy some beachcombing, and put your finds in the bag. Then bring it back to the Convention Center between 8 and 9 a.m. Sunday morning, when beachcombing experts will examine your finds and let you know what is trash and what is treasure.

Admission is $3.00 for adults & teens, $1.00 for children 5-12 and good for all weekend. More information can be found online at www.oseventplanner.com and on Facebook at Beachcombers Fun Fair.

UFO/Paranormal Summit

Whether or not “the truth is out there,” and just what it consists of anyway, are topics up for discussion this weekend at the fourth annual UFO/Paranormal Summit at Quinault Beach Resort & Casino.

The event features researchers of the UFO and paranormal realms as they present their evidence, theories and information. It includes paranormal-related vendors throughout the resort grounds, seminars on Friday and Saturday including sessions for witness testimony, and hands-on workshops Sunday.

The research conference runs 6-10 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and wraps up Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon with a set of three limited-seating workshops featuring UFO and paranormal experts.

The event is produced by Johnny Manson, who lives between Ocean Shores and Hoquiam, and is the host of “Morning Madness,” broadcast weekdays on KJET 105.7 FM in Aberdeen, as well the “Strange Harbor” show that airs Sundays at 4 p.m. on KBKW 1450 AM and 100.5 FM. Manson also produces the annual “Sasquatch Summit” event in the fall at QBRC.

Similar to last year’s event, he expects around 500 to attend over the weekend. Friday’s program features Manson’s favorite part of the weekend, “Witness Testimony,” when ordinary people recount and discuss their extraordinary experiences. Saturday offers discussions of UFO sightings, alien abductions, ghosts and other paranormal occurrences, with six separate speakers. Tickets good for both Friday and Saturday are $45. Tickets for the Sunday workshops are limited to 45, cost $100, and include admission to all three days of the event. Tickets are online at www.ufosummit.com or at the door.

Razor Clam & Seafood Festival

March 16-17: Razor Clam & Seafood Festival, sponsored by the Ocean Shores Chamber of Commerce, at the Convention Center. Open from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sunday. Entry is free. There will be clam digs in the afternoon on both days (check tide tables for details. The festival is presented by the Quinault Beach Resort & Casino among other sponsors this year.

“ClamFest is the celebration of our local life, culture and foods, the relaxed pace of life at the beach, and our razor clam digs. The festival features activities for the entire family, whether you go clamming or come to enjoy the six miles of beach and the many beach town businesses.”

Features of this year’s festival include:

• Grays Harbor County Chowder Contest —Vote for your favorite chowder with a “Tasting Passport” to sample all the chowders.

• Food vendors. More than just chowder — razor clam steaks, clam fritters, clam chowder, fish and chips with razor clams, halibut, cod, and shrimp, Bennett’s 100% Dungeness Crab Cakes, a raw and barbecued oyster bar featuring Taylor Shellfish, pulled pork, brats, desserts, kettle corn and more. Razor clams will be coming fresh from the Quinault Nation.

• Beverages — Sample regional beer and wine, plus spirits and other and beverages.

• Clamtastic Party — Saturday evening from 6-8 with live music, food, and bar, then ride the free shuttle to the Quinault Beach Resort Casino.

• For “Clammers” — Programs designed for beginning through experienced clam diggers. If you have never gone clam digging before, head to the festival to learn everything you need to know about finding, cleaning and cooking clams. Get your license across the street and head two blocks to the beach. With low tides around 4 p.m. daily, spend the day at the festival, get your clams, come back and enter the contest for the largest and smallest clams.

• Clam Contest — Enter to win bragging rights and some great prizes for the largest and smallest clam, carefully measured by the State Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.

• Clam Cleaning Station — Learn how to clean freshly caught clams, and do it yourself right in the parking lot.

• Workshops – Learn everything you need to know about razor clams and outdoor life at the beach. Representatives of the State Depart of Fish and Wildlife will be there to explain it all.

• Shopping — 40 booths with handmade crafts, fishing and outdoor gear, and more.

• For the Kids — Giant outdoors slide, a mechanical shark, face painting, and hands-on activities.

• Running With The Clams 5K — Saturday morning, take a run and come back for lunch.

For more information visit www.osrazorclamfestival.org. Questions? E-mail info@osrazorclamfestival.org, or call 360.289.24

Upcoming events

• May 11: Youth Fishing Derby, sponsored by Ocean Shores Elks Lodge, at North Bay Park.

• May 11-12: More Urban Unglued exotic gear vendor show at the Convention Center.

• May 24-26: Expo at the Convention Center.

• June 1: Wearable Art Show at the Convention Center.

• June 8-9: Grays Harbor County Festival of Colors kite flying event on the beach at Damon Road.

• June 8: Flag Day Parade, sponsored by the Ocean Shores Elks, on Pt. Brown Ave. and Chance a la Mer St., ending at the Convention Center.

• June 28-30: Sand & Sawdust Festival, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, at the Convention Center.

• June 28-30: AAOS Juried Fine Art, Photo and 3D Show at the Convention Center.

• July 26-28: Bikers at the Beach at the Convention Center.

• Aug. 10: Ocean Shores Woof-a-Thon, North Beach High School.

• Aug. 24-25: Ocean Shores Body & Soul Festival at the Convention Center.

• Aug. 30-Sept. 1: AAOS Arts & Crafts Festival at the Convention Center.

• Aug. 31: Paddle the Shores, Oyhut Bay Seaside Village.

• Sept. 20-22: Whale of a Quilt Show, Convention Center.

• Oct. 16-20: Celtic Music Festival, Galway Bay and Convention Center.

• Nov. 29.-Dec. 1: Winter Fanta-Sea, Convention Center.