Lake Sylvia festival expanding in 10th year

More vendors, food and fun expected.

By Michael Lang Grays Harbor News Group • September 19, 2019 1:30 am
Races at this year’s Fall Festival will include 5-kilometer, 10K and half-maraton lengths Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, at Lake Sylvia. (Photo courtesy Linda Smith)
Races at this year’s Fall Festival will include 5-kilometer, 10K and half-maraton lengths Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, at Lake Sylvia. (Photo courtesy Linda Smith)

The Lake Sylvia Fall Festival is growing in its 10th year.

It kicks off at 7 a.m. today with several new booths, including a blacksmith and a jeweler who works with salmon skin.

“We have over 30 vendors,” said Trina Young, chairwoman of the artists market. “I’m trying to make room for as many as possible. We have a lot of really cool stuff.”

Many popular past vendors will be on hand as well.

“We’ll have quite a few different types of arts and crafts. We pride ourselves as being a handmade-only show, so there will be no direct sales or imports,” Young said.

Most of the food vendors are returning this year, plus a taco truck.

The 5-kilometer, 10K and half-marathon races begin at 8:30 a.m. If a casual float on the lake is more your speed, you can bring your own kayak or rent one at the lake for the kayaking tour, which begins at 2 p.m.

“We’ll have quite a few educational booths,” Young added, saying the Grays Harbor Stream Team, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Twin Harbors Wildlife Center and K-9 Reading Buddies of the North Shore would be there.

Gerald Schaefer, also known as “Doc Shores,” will deliver a historical talk on the U.S. Spruce Production Division in World War I and how that related to the Northwest and the Grays Harbor area.

Throughout the day, there also will be live music performances.

More information is available online at fosls.org or facebook.com/LakeSylviaStateParkFallFestival.

A free shuttle will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Simpson Elementary School (519 W. Simpson Ave. in Montesano). Most parking by the lake likely will be taken up by the fair activities.

Photo courtesy Linda Smith The Lake Sylvia Fall Festival in Montesano offers fun for the whole family.

Photo courtesy Linda Smith The Lake Sylvia Fall Festival in Montesano offers fun for the whole family.

The new pavilion at Lake Sylvia State Park begins to take shape Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, in Montesano. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group)

The new pavilion at Lake Sylvia State Park begins to take shape Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, in Montesano. (Michael Lang | Grays Harbor News Group)

The artist and food vendors will return this year for Lake Sylvia State Park Fall Festival, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, at the park. Photo Courtesy of Helen Hepp.

The artist and food vendors will return this year for Lake Sylvia State Park Fall Festival, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, at the park. Photo Courtesy of Helen Hepp.

There will be plenty of fun activities for kids, like sack races, at this year’s Lake Sylvia State Park Fall Festival, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, at the park. Photo courtesy of Helen Hepp.

There will be plenty of fun activities for kids, like sack races, at this year’s Lake Sylvia State Park Fall Festival, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, at the park. Photo courtesy of Helen Hepp.