By Scott D. Johnston
For the Grays Harbor News Group
The 33rd annual Beachcombers Fun Fair comes to the Ocean Shores Convention Center this weekend for a two-day celebration of beach life along the Washington coast.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, March 7, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday, March 8. Admission for the entire weekend is $3 for adults and $1 for kids 5-12.
Although vendors will be there offering a wide variety of beach-themed merchandise, the draw seems to be the combination of information about and examples of all manner of beach-related topics — and the opportunities for some personal experiences. It is one of just a few of this type of event around the world each year.
A major element here is always the numerous displays of beach treasures, photos and art in over 40 categories, entered for free by the public and judged for ribbons. Entries must be brought to the Convention Center from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday. The venue will then be closed during judging, and ribbons will be awarded for first, second, third and honorable mention. Best of Class is awarded in those classes with two or more categories and a popular People’s Choice Award will be announced Sunday.
A pair of perennial favorites takes place Sunday morning. The Dash for Trash and Treasure is 8:30 to 10 a.m., when retired UW oceanographer and author Curtis Ebbesmeyer will sort through bags of things that people have found on the beach and brought to tables set up in front of the Convention Center.
The annual beach walk with local expert Alan Rammer is 9 to 11 a.m. Participation is limited and those interested should plan to register during the day Saturday at the event’s information booth.
Six expert speakers will do eight different presentations over the two days:
Saturday
• Noon — “Washington Razor Clams from A To Z” with Alan Rammer, one of the original founders of the Beachcombers Fun Fair, retired WDFW marine biologist, author and former National Marine Educator of the Year.
• 1 p.m. — “Extreme Beachcombing” with John Anderson, who displays the highlights of over 40 years of beachcombing at John’s Beachcombing Museum in Forks.
• 2 p.m. — “Flotsam on Washington Shores: What Washes Up” with Curtis Ebbesmeyer, editor of Beachcombers’ Alert, author, and retired oceanographer.
• 3 p.m. — “North Beach History” with Kelly Calhoun from the Museum of the North Beach, sharing tidbits, personal observations, and amusing entries from North Beach history.
• 4 p.m. — “The How, What and Why of Nautical Knots” with knotmaster Capt. John Johnson.
Sunday
• Noon — “Fun Facts About Northwest Sealife” with Alan Rammer.
• 1 p.m. — “Beachcombing and Exploring Japan” with Kathy Peavey. Three Alaska beachcombers take a trip of a lifetime, during which intense heat, quicksand and wild animals were quickly forgotten as the piles of glass floats they collected grew bigger and bigger.
• 2 p.m. — “North Beach History Continued” with Kelly Calhoun.
Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer, left, will once again examine “Trash and Treasure” found on local beaches as part of the 33rd annual Beachcombers’ Fun Fair at the Ocean Shores Convention Center this Saturday and Sunday. (Photo by Scott D. Johnston)
