Two weeks into a brand-new year. The bright colorful holiday lights are seen less along the boulevard. End of the year clearance sales are winding down. There’s a little less traffic in the rounabout, and the beaches are a bit emptier on weekends. It may not seem like there’s much going on in the North Beach on these cold mid-winter days, but there is. Gatherings and meetings are taking place. Planners and producers are busy behind the scenes. Crisp blank calendars are filling up quickly. A recent event producer showcase at the Ocean Shores Convention Center gave us a glimpse of the great things to come for 2017. Some of your favorites, and some new and exciting additions to the event calendar this year. Of course, there will be the Irish Music Festival, Razor Clam Festival, Expo and Beach Blast. This year, look forward to a weekend of top-level beach volleyball in July. Returning will be the Bikers at the Beach and Seahawks Fan Fest along with many others.
The Pirates Life for Us took over the town on the weekend of Jan. 12, and what a way to start the year off in a beach town. Ocean Shores is very Pirate friendly. Luckily for us, the Pirates that visited were friendly too.
Need a great reason to go out for a great spaghetti dinner? On Saturday Jan. 21, The Pirates Cove will host a benefit dinner and auction for the North Beach Medical Center. Silent Auction from 2-5 p.m. $12 Spaghetti Dinner from 5-7 p.m. Live Auction from 7 until it’s all gone! Must be 21 and over.
Ready to find out about the many healthy options on the Harbor? Grays Harbor Community Hospital brings you the 2017 Rock Your Health Fair on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Shoppes at Riverside in Aberdeen. Over 30 vendors, including YMCA of Grays Harbor, Blood Pressure Checks, ABC Dental, Aberdeen Fire Department Truck with games for the kids and performances by local dance and cheer groups. Fun activities and great information for the whole family – they will also be hiding 50 hand-painted rocks throughout the area this week. Find a rock, post and tag the hospital this month and be entered for a prize!
Is your green thumb itching for spring planting? Plan ahead with these workshops offered by GHCC.
Workshop 1: Caring for Your Trees and Shrubs. Learn how to select the right plants for your landscape, transplant trees and shrubs, properly care for them, and identify common problems.
Workshop 2: In Grays Harbor and Pacific counties, we have a short vegetable growing season, with low heat levels, and we need to know what vegetables grow best. Each workshop is only $22.50. To register, call (360) 538-4088 or visit: www.ghc.edu/ce
Looking for a fun weekend of antiques, up-cycled and repurposed treasures? Tickets are on sale for the Feb. 10 Friday night premier event at the Ocean Shores “Renewed” Antique Show. Take a first glimpse at unique treasures while you enjoy music, wine and appetizers. Tickets are at the Visitors Center and the Dusty Trunk.
It may seem quiet here right now. Take a little time to enjoy the soothing sounds of the waves crashing on the shore during the offseason. 2017 is going to be anything but quiet “On the Beach.”
Submission considerations to onebusibee@outlook.com
North Coast News: Event Planner Dianne Hansen displays one of the shirts promoting the events she is organizing at the Ocean Shores Convention Center.
