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Extravagant Mermaid Festival continues its run

The incredibly popular Mermaid Festival invites visitors every weekend in April.

As always, this fin-tastic, free and family-friendly event is held at Westport Winery Garden Resort, home of the International Mermaid Museum. Even museum admission is free during the festival as each Saturday and Sunday (April 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27) boasts a fleet of world-class entertainers along with talented local artists and tempting treat purveyors.

Special festival performers include the Northwest’s most famous mermaid, Una in her tank, Siren Circe will preside on the mermaid throne in the museum, Vertical Axis aerial acrobats Nick Perry and Amanda Thornton will electrify the sky while suspended from a 20-foot tower, Rachel Novak, the Sailing Siren, will thrill guests with fire dancing, and the enchanting Pacific Northwest Unicorns are eager to have their photos taken with their fans.

Mermaids from around the Northwest will share their culture and love of the sea throughout the festival. The Ono Wahine Mermaid School will detail what it takes to become a professionally certified mermaid. Members of the Mystic Menagerie, the South Sound Pod, the Emerald Sea Sirens, the Cascadia Pod, the Whidbey Island Sirens Pod, the Shadowscale Squad, the Mutiny Mermaid Pod and Portland’s Mermaid Cove, will host a variety of events and entertainment during this incredible celebration of all thing’s mermaid.

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As part of the festival, the museum will host a costume contest on April 20 (Easter Sunday) at 1 p.m. All visitors are invited to don their finest costumes whether they are mermaids, pirates, other mythical creatures or Easter bunnies, with adult and children’s categories. Every contestant will receive an enchanted Easter egg. Winners are awarded a pirate chest filled with ocean treasures.

In many arts and crafts tents in the 15-acre display garden, guests can meet the creators in person as they shop woodworking, jewelry, knotwork, acrylic and watercolor paintings, jewelry, soaps, candles and gifts.

Mixed media artists offer fantastical face painting and hilarious balloon animals while LaNae weaves shimmering mermaid hair, Westport Bubble Works creates interactive fun and Lighthouse Wellness offers massages.

The Master Gardeners will host a free plant clinic and tool sharpening each Saturday. Festival attendees can enjoy a variety of delicious delicacies including mini donuts, cotton candy, ice cream, coffee, burgers, hot dogs, roasted nuts and lemonade.

Each day in the museum kids are invited to join a Pirate’s Treasure Hunt with prizes for those who complete the puzzle and find the treasure.

The International Mermaid Museum is dedicated to teaching ocean ecology from seashore to sea floor immersed in mermaid mythology, uniting world oceanic cultures.

Located on the grounds of Westport Winery Garden Resort, halfway between Aberdeen and Westport on the Washington coast in Unforgettable Grays Harbor County, the museum is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. year around. For more information go to www.MermaidMuseum.org.

YMCA of Grays Harbor hosts family paint day

Join the YMCA of Grays Harbor for April’s paint event on Sunday, April 13 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The instructor will walk you through the painting and all supplies are included.

Cost: $15 per person for members and $26 for program members, family of four is $45 for members and $78 for program members, $5 per person after.

Comedy night at the Driftwood Theatre

One of Washington’s funniest rising stars is headed to Aberdeen. Comedian Sam Miller is bringing his wildly funny, deeply honest stand-up to The Driftwood Theatre in Aberdeen on Friday, April 11 at 7 p.m. for one night only.

Sam’s comedy is rooted in real life — growing up poor in Yakima, surviving addiction, navigating fatherhood and trying to stay sane in a world that rewards chaos. His stories are equal parts absurd and moving, mixing punchlines with gut-level truth in a way that leaves audiences laughing and thinking.

Joining Miller are comedians Megan Elwod and Richard Harlman as part of Harvey’s Pop Up Comedy, hosted by Jeremiah Hughes.

The Driftwood Theatre is located at 120 East 3rd St. in Aberdeen. For tickets, go to Tickettomato.com.

Voice of Elvis performs at McCleary Museum

Terry Bartelme, known as The Voice of Elvis, will be making musical memories at the McCleary Museum and Events Center at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 12.

Admission is $20. Tickets are available online and at the door. For more information, visit mcclearymuseum.org or call 360-964-0561. The museum is located at 426 S 3rd St. in McCleary.

Grays Harbor Youth Works hosts cornhole fundraiser

Grays Harbor Youth Works cornhole tournament is Saturday, April 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Washington Elementary School, located at 3003 Cherry Street in Hoquiam.

Teams of two will vie for first, second and third prizes. Registration starts at 11 a.m., bags fly at noon. Food and snacks will be available.

Cost is $40 per team. Info: www.ghyw.org or send an email to cbrown@ghyw.org.

Rocky Mountain Elks-Twin Harbors Chapter Big Game Banquet

The Rocky Mountain Elks-Twin Harbors Chapter Big Game Banquet is from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 12.

An estimated 400 people should be in attendance. The event takes place at the Ocean Shores Convention Center, located at 120 W Chance a La Mer NW.