Colby James Phillips was standing in line with his friends late Saturday night in order to get tickets for Aberdeen Rain Glow Festival. While they waited patiently, they saw people in costumes and light-up regalia.
People seemed happy as they were talking and laughing. They all looked like they were having a good time. As the kids say, it was “lit.”
Dressed with his glowing purple wristband, Phillips talked about his group’s night — how they hung out at a couple Aberdeen institutions before the festival itself, which included a new site a lot of people love — The Music Project.
“We started at the Tap Room, and then we checked out the Grunge museum over there, checked out the Kurt Cobain memorabilia,” Phillips said. “Since he’s from here I thought it would be pretty cool to check out some stuff. We ended up also going over to Mount Olympus (Brewing). (Then) we came here. The line was very long to get in here, but it got by pretty quick. And now we’re here.”
The exhibits at The Music Project impressed Phillips.
“The grunge museum was super cool,” Phillips said. “I know someone who helped put it together. Actually, I know a couple people who put it together. I’m super proud of their work and I truly think it’s gonna be something that is gonna become a main attraction in Aberdeen in the coming future.”
Phillips commented on the turnout for Aberdeen Rain Glow Festival and the positivity it brings for Aberdeen.
“Oh man, there’s a lot of people,” Phillips said. “I definitely think a lot of the town is coming out tonight. Stuff like this is very beneficial for the community, it creates community bonding. And not only that, it’s a chance to put a spotlight on Aberdeen. It shows ‘hey, Aberdeen might look like a small, rundown town, but there’s a real community here.’ We’re working super hard every day to make sure that we’re an upstanding community.”
Positive vibes
One of the highlights from the festival was the EDM (Electronic Dance Music) station, a World called “Celestial Passage.” It was in the alley just south of The Music Project.
Chandler Craig, whose EDM DJ stage name is “Suspect,” spun for an hour, just like his three other fellow DJs. Craig’s set was high-energy and people seemed to enjoy themselves a lot as they danced, took photos of the brightly-colored area where he played, and filmed the set with their phones. It was more of a small venue concert than just something to see.
History98520’s “World” was a grim, yet interesting one, simply because it highlighted a few important people in Aberdeen’s history with decorated grave sites. One of those people, Billy Gohl — the well-known killer from Grays Harbor, his face was lit up on a screen that was inside what looked like a coffin. Beside him was his full name “William “Billy” Gohl” and his life’s timeline: 1873-1927.
Another historical figure with Aberdeen lore was Capt. R.E. Peasley. Les Bolton, one of the volunteers working inside the alley, spoke briefly about Peasley, who was “one of the founders of the Port of Grays Harbor.”
“He was so famous and legendary in his competency and confidence and at times his bravado,” Bolton said.
Aberdeen Mayor Doug Orr, who is the president of the Harbor Art Guild — the nonprofit that puts on Aberdeen Rain Glow Festival — was sitting on a stool next to his dog at the gate of one of the worlds that made up the festival. He was in good spirits Saturday night as he asked a group of happy people to stay on the path. The world was situated in the field next to the Morck Hotel.
The host with the most
Orr shared some of his thoughts, including the reception for the festival that started in 2019.
“I’m thinking it’s a few thousand at least,” Orr said. “I don’t know until I go look at the ticket (count) and see what we sold. But the line was way longer than I’ve ever seen. It went down to the corner (of Broadway Street) and then almost to the alley. There were a lot of people in line. I’d say a few thousand.”
Orr said the festival welcomed a few others who aren’t big fans.
“Even the city council folks who hate on me, they even came,” Orr said. “They snuck in but I showed them where the ticket booth was. They just came in the back, but whatever. I hope they bought tickets. I don’t know if they’re still here.”
But then there was Liz Ellis, another Aberdeen city councilor, who was there for fun.
“It’s wonderful to see so many people down here tonight, (including) a lot of young people,” Ellis said. “There’s a long line of folks waiting here to get tickets.”
Ellis, who had never been to the Aberdeen Rain Glow but wanted to check it out, was dressed appropriately.
I’ve got a (Grays Harbor Historical) Seaport sweatshirt on, with Lady Washington,” Ellis said before pointing to the lights she was wearing around her waist. “I thought maybe I could get these lights to be her rigging. This is repurposed from the pet parade, I got this for my dog.”
Glad to be there for the late night festivities, Ellis shared her plan for enjoying the festival.
“I thought I’d start by getting a ticket and wandering about,” Ellis said, which mirrored the plan for most people who celebrated Aberdeen Rain Glow Festival.
Quite a night to wander
In addition to EDM that the DJs were playing and the several bands playing outside of The Music Project, Bill Leach, a talented acoustic guitarist in town, was playing near the alley on South K Street. People seemed to enjoy his set. Several steps away from him, there were a couple of vendors selling their wares. One of those was a business from Bellingham run by Brad Marshall and his wife Astri. They were face-painting and selling other art.
“This is our first time down here,” Marshall said. “We’re from Bellingham but our daughter lives in Ocean Shores. We kind of met in the middle so we could do this.”
It could be the start of a successful business up there. Saturday sounded like it was a bit experimental.
“My wife and my daughter have always been really artistic, so we figured, ‘might as well throw it out there you know, see if people like it,’” Marshall said.
Marshall couldn’t pinpoint his favorite requested face-painting design.
“I don’t think I’ve seen two of the same thing, so a whole lot of different ones,” Marshall said. “Some arrows, and all kinds of different stuff, probably more variety than I’ve seen before in what they want.”
While at the time he shared his thoughts they had “70-80 people” stop by, Marshall spoke about one surprising element — the stress balls they sell.
“You know what’s weird?” He said. “This is why everybody stopped, to see these little squeeze ball things, isn’t that weird? You wouldn’t believe how many people have picked those up. It’s staggering.”
Just down the alley was a sitting mermaid, and a unicorn. No kidding, apparently they exist.
Chaela the Mermaid was sitting and interacting sweetly with the different visitors to her world. Not far from her a unicorn — Kira Boyle — was a bright highlight on Saturday night.
“I’m just a unicorn,” said Boyle, who had what looked like a sash that changed colors between pink and yellow.
The food
Rorro’s Tacos, who served to a continuous line on South K Street for at least a little while, offered pork or steak tacos made with cilantro, lime and onions. You could also get radish slices too. It was a well-portioned and delicious meal people could eat on the go.
Mr. Taco was also there and seemed to be quite popular. Over near Rancho Alegre Meat and Produce — next to the alley that abuts at Broadway Street — was Rancho’s pop-up vendor. They served a few delicacies, such as a bratwurst sandwich and Yakisoba that one person said was “bussin,” meaning it was delicious, and “filled to the brim.” Hector Topete, who owns Rancho, and his team stayed open until after 1 a.m.
Wrap up
Another youthful voice, Stuart Ball, reflected on his Saturday night. He’s glad he went to Aberdeen Rain Glow Festival and encourages others to show up to it in 2025.
“It was so well put together, truly an event for all ages,” Ball said. “I saw so many kids enjoying the neon glow sticks, the ‘spider car,’ etc. And the adults were enjoying the vendors and food-drink options downtown.”
Ball said the alleys were “very clean” and the stage locations with the laser and light shows “looked great.”
“It’s hard to pick out a definitive favorite, but I really enjoyed the main alley entrance with all the photo opportunities, as well as the stage areas for the musicians lined down the alley,” Ball said.”
It sounds as though Ball doesn’t want to miss his next chance to see the lights illuminate for the next Aberdeen Rain Glow.
“For those who missed out,” Ball said. “Make an effort to come next year and I promise you won’t regret it. So many people were out and having fun and it was very well put together. Fun for all ages.”
Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.
