By Scott D. Johnston

An event that started simply as a seaside Seahawks fan party has now become one of the biggest and most elaborate yearly happenings in Ocean Shores. The third annual Mighty Alliance Fan Fest and Beach Party takes over the town this Thursday through Sunday.

In 2014, a few hundred fans gathered for group pictures on the beach. In 2015, the first Fan Fest started slowly on a wet and windy Friday, then people kept coming and coming, 5,000 or more over the weekend.

Last year, everything in and around Ocean Shores was decked out in Seahawks blue and green, and event organizer Terry Johnson said many have estimated that 20,000 or more came to the coast that weekend for the wide variety of event content and festivities.

This year, a full schedule awaits fans, mainly at the Ocean Shores Convention Center and Quinault Beach Resort and Casino, but also spread throughout the area with a 5K run, a golf tournament, celebrity bowling, fireworks and more, starting with a free kick-off tailgate party from 5-10 p.m. Thursday at Oyhut Bay.

Mighty Alliance director Anna MacInnes said the group “is a non-profit formed by a couple fans who wanted to bring a fun, family-friendly event to the people of Washington and the Northwest.” They do three or four events each year, of which Fan Fest is by far the biggest.

“We’re incredibly excited to be bringing Fan Fest back to Ocean Shores for the third time,” Johnson said. The parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, with “Hawked-out vehicles” and heavily decorated super-fans, is one of his favorite parts of the weekend.

This year, he is especially looking forward to the Beating Cancer Benefit for Mr. Seahawk, Jeff Schumaier, at 8 p.m. Saturday night in the Convention Center. There will be live and silent auctions, 50/50 raffle, guest speakers and music. Johnson said the Mighty Alliance has collected “some really fine items, special stuff that you just don’t find very often,” for the benefit auction.

Fan Fest brings about 80 vendors to the Convention Center, with plenty of food and beverage, and every kind of Seahawks wearable, collectible and anything else you can imagine. The event makes donations to Grays Harbor Homeless Teen BackPack, Grays Harbor Youth Athletics, and the Ocean Shores Food Bank. The event also brings a lot of special guests, including more than a dozen Seahawks alumni, another dozen Hawks players’ family members, and a cast of super fans, including Mama Blue, Mr. and Mrs. Seahawk, Big Lo, Painted Hawk, Cannonball, Shannon Love, Seahawks Rooster, Hawk in the Hat, and Wilson the 12th Pony.

Full schedule information is available online at www.mighty12salliance.com/events and on the Mighty Alliance Facebook page. Radio station KOSW 91.3 FM in Ocean Shores will be broadcasting live throughout the events, and will have interviews with a number of special guests.

Schedule highlights

Thursday Aug. 17

5-10 p.m.: Tailgate Party at Oyhut Bay.

Friday Aug. 18

1-2:30 p.m.: Mini Golf with special guests, SOLD OUT

3-5 p.m.: Blues Remedy plays live outside the Convention Center.

6-9 p.m.: Spaghetti Dinner, Convention Center, $8 adults, $4 kids, benefits Grays Harbor Teen Homeless Backpack.

7-10 p.m.: Preseason Seahawks game vs. Minnesota Vikings, Convention Center and QBRC. Tribute to Cortez Kennedy during halftime at the Convention Center

9 p.m. – 1 a.m.: Emerald City Throwdown plays live music at the Casino.

10 p.m. – 12 a.m.: Live DJ and karaoke, Convention Center.

Saturday Aug. 19

All Day: Fun Fly Kite Flying – Novice and professional kite flyers perform on the beach off Chance a la Mer approach.

8-10 a.m.: Celebrity 9-Hole Golf Tournament at Ocean Shores Golf Course

9 a.m.: Vendors open, Convention Center & Casino

9 a.m.: 5k Run/Walk, starts at Dugan’s Pizza, benefiting Military Families and Youth Programs. Information & registration: www.fanfest5k.bpt.me

11 a.m.: Mighty 12’s Alliance Fan Fest Parade

12:30 p.m.: Raising of the 12 Flag at the Convention Center by guests of honor.

1 p.m.: Group Photo in front of Sharky’s

1:30-5 p.m.: Blues Remedy plays live outside the Convention Center

2-4 p.m.: Bowling with the Mamas.

6-8 p.m.: Special Guest dinner at Quinault Beach Resort & Casino. “Remembering Superbowl 40” with members of the 2005 Seattle Seahawks. SOLD OUT

8-10 p.m.: Beating Cancer Benefit for Mr. Seahawk. Silent and live auction along with music, Convention Center (Free)

9 p.m. – 1 a.m.: Emerald City Throwdown plays live music at the Casino (Free)

10 p.m.: Fireworks Show by Wolverine Fireworks West at the Ocean Shores Airport. (Free).

Please support this show by making a donation at: www.gofundme.com/fireworks-at-fan-fest-2017

10 p.m. – 12 a.m.: Live DJ and karaoke inside the Convention Center (Free)

10 p.m. – 1 a.m.: Pub Crawl presented by Ride the Waves Tours, information & tickets at www.ridethewavetours.com/fan-fest-pub-crawl

Sunday Aug. 20

8 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Last Chance with Special Guests Pancake Breakfast to benefit the North Beach Cheer Squad, Convention Center, $5.

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Vendors open, Convention Center only.

All Day: Fun Fly Kite Flying – Novice and professional kite flyers perform on the beach near Chance a La Mer beach approach (Free)