Quinault Beach Resort & Casino will hold the grand opening of its newly expanded casino and Vegas-style buffet on June 22.

The celebration concludes a two-year, $25 million-dollar expansion project. The new casino now accommodates 750 slot machines with new games, and includes a high-stakes table area, according to a news release announcing the grand opening. The Quinault-themed buffet, and circular bar, opened to the public on June 1.

“We are excited to be able to bring this expansion project to a close,” said Don Kajans, General Manager of Quinault Beach Resort & Casino. “The new casino and games are exciting and the buffet is like none other in the area.” Quinault is one of the largest employers in the Grays Harbor; and they’re currently hiring, the news release said

The official ribbon cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. June 22 will include a traditional blessing and tour of the new facility. It coincides with Quinault Beach Resort and Casino’s 18th Anniversary Celebration beginning June 15 with the Cooking the Blues festival extending through June 23 with the William and Reese Comedy Show (Indian and the White Guy). Full details for the grand opening are available online at: quinaultbeachresort.com

June events

June 15: Seabrook is hosting an advanced beach volleyball competition this weekend.

The AVA Beach Volleyball tournament draws talented applicants from Vancouver and across the U.S. to play for a chance to win $2,000 in either the Men’s or Women’s Open Winners tournament, with a total grand prize of$10,000 for the competing adult divisions. Entry is open to anyone of any skill level to join and form a team, and there will be clinics with professional coaches available. All junior and adult levels can compete for this cash pool, regardless of experience. Men’s and Women’s A and Masters (ages 35+) have a chance to win a cash payout along with the $10,000 total prize money for competing adult divisions. For more information about AVA, visit http://www.alkibeachvolleyball.com/

June 15-23: Quinault Beach Resort & Casino’s 18th anniversary celebration begins, along with the annual Cooking the Blues festival extending through the week with live blues music daily and the finale of Williams and Ree Comedy Show on June 23.

June 22: Official ribbon cutting ceremony, including a traditional Quinault blessing, for the opening of the Quinault Beach Resort & Casino expansion. Festivities start at 3 p.m.

June 22-24: Five Star Dealerships Sand & Sawdust Festival, at the Ocean Shores Convention Center.

The free annual festival hosted by the Ocean Shores/North Beach Chamber of Commerce celebrates the forests and the beaches of the Washington State coast. Sand and Sawdust features one of the largest chainsaw shows and auctions in the Northwest, sand sculpting workshops, gigantic sand mandalas, food andbeverages, beer garden, crafts, music, and family activities.

New website with full information at http://sandandsawdust.org/

July

27-29: Bikers at the Beach motorcycle event at the Ocean Shores Convention Center, with Hog Wild Weekend also ongoing simultaneously at Quinault Beach Resort and Casino.

August

11: Ocean Shores Woof-a-Thon. Annual event honoring our pets and raising funds and awareness for animal welfare. At North Bay High School with dog walk on the track Games, sporting events and demonstrations, and auction. Online at www.oceanshoreswoofathon.org.

11-12: Body and Soul Festival. Learn all about a natural and homeopathic way of life. At the OceanShores Lions Club on Ocean Shores Boulevard.

17-19: Ocean Shores Fan Fest & Beach Party, with events planned for Quinault Beach Resort &Casino, Oyhut Bay and the Ocean Shores Convention Center.

18: Gnome & Fairy Festival at Seabrook. A day of enchantment and outdoor play for the whole family, face painting, games, crafts and live animal encounters. Starts at 11 a.m.

Aug. 31-Sept. 2: AAOS Arts & Crafts Festival at the Convention Center: www.associatedarts.org.Visit one of Western Washington’s largest indoor and outdoor handmade arts and crafts fair.Thousand of unique items are showcased by gifted artists and talented craftspeople. Admission is free.

Aug. 31-Sept. 2: Annual Kelpers Festival and Shake Rat Rendezvous, featuring tug of war competition between Moclips and Pacific Beach, kid’s parade, full parade in Pacific Beach on Sunday, and various logging competitions.

September

1: Ocean Shores Paddleathon. Saturday, Sept. 1. Oyhut Bay Seaside Village Canal. For kayak, canoe,and rowing enthusiasts. All Skill levels are welcome. Human-powered boat activities on the lakes and canals of Ocean Shores. Race, Poker Paddle, picnic, seminars and the latest in paddling gear at end-of-season prices.

21-23: Whale of Quilt Show at the Ocean Shores Convention Center, (509) 715-9082 for information.

October

6: Big Foot Brew Festival at Seabrook, for craft beer enthusiasts, with some of the regions’ best breweries featured from noon to 5 p.m.

16-21: Irish Music Festival. The West Coast’s largest Irish music festival: 6 stages, 3 venues,including Galway Bay and the Convention Center in Ocean Shores, and 30 great bands. Come tip a pint and kick up your heels. For more information and a schedule visit www.galwaybayevents.com

November

3-4: Run From the Rain Indoor Kite Fly in Ocean Shores, sponsored by Ocean Shores Kites(oceanshoreskites.com). Call (360) 289-4103 for more information.

23-25: Winter Fanta-Sea pre-Christmas festival of holiday gifts and vendors, Ocean Shores Convention Center, (360) 289-9586.