Splash Festival is a star-spangled event full of family fun

Splash Festival is not only a community-wide event, it’s for the city of Aberdeen to show what it can do in order to celebrate the nation’s birth — July 4.

This year, the event is at Morrison Riverfront Park, next to the Rotary Log Pavilion — 1401 Sargent Blvd. The festival lasts from noon to 6 p.m., with a firework display at 10 p.m.

Damon Gleason, general manager for Five Star Dealerships (Ford), loves Splash Festival.

“It’s very important to Five Star (Dealerships),” Gleason said. “It’s very, very important. Number one, it’s a community event celebrating the nation’s birthday. That’s a big deal to us. We’re a very, very family-oriented small business that believes the community needs to have something to do. And when you can work with the city and they’re willing to put something on and put a lot of effort in, and we can just help out in any possible way — whether it’s monetary, or hard work, or (through) social media, whatever — we’re bringing the community together on the Fourth of July. That means a lot. That’s where we started 25 years ago with Five Star Dealerships.”

Gleason said the dealership’s worked with some “really, really great city officials” over at the city of Aberdeen.

Gleason loves the fact the day is all about friends, family and bringing the community together. Stacie Barnum, director of Aberdeen’s Parks and Recreation Department, seems to agree.

“My favorite things are the family entertainers and the inflatable rides,” Barnum said. “Both are free. This year we have some entertainment lined up for the log pavilion plaza. They include: Reptile Show, Magician Adam the Great, and Henrik Bothe Variety Show, which features juggling, plate spinning, unicycling, and more.”

The forecast is shaping up nicely — a high of 82 and sunny, according to National Weather Service.

“With the warm weather, I think festival visitors will appreciate the event being held in a park on the grass,” Barnum said. “We also have the Rotary Log Pavilion open for anyone who needs to get out of the sun and cool off. I love the setting close to the Chehalis River with views of the south side of Aberdeen.”

Gleason said if people don’t want to spend money on fireworks, the festival doesn’t end until a free fireworks display.

“It’s a phenomenal show, it’s absolutely phenomenal,” Gleason said. “I highly recommend if you haven’t seen it, watch it. You can also feel safe, because you can sit back from your car and watch a fully, professional display fireworks show and be home, if you have to work the next day or whatever, and not have to spend any money.”

And according to Barnum, the city spent more money on fireworks this year, so Thursday’s fireworks display should be even better.

Schedule of events:

12:30 p.m. — Reptile Isle

“Providing fun and educational reptile shows for over 20 years,” the Splash Festival flyer states. “Don Riggs really connects with the audience through humor, funny stories and a hands-on experience for all-ages. Entertainment leads to education, which leads to conservation.

1:45 p.m. — Magician Adam the Great

“His award winning magic tricks and audience participation is second to none,” the flyer states. “He’s a master of improvisation, a weaver of skits and a conjurer of awe-inspiring magic. His performances are a unique blend of audience interaction and personal connection, making every show a one-of-a-kind experience

2:45 p.m. — Eric Haines One-Man Band & Variety Show

“His show is fun, unique and guaranteed to create smiles,” the flyer states. “Whether it’s stand-up comedy, unforgettable characters, original music, a six-foot unicycle routine or amazing variety acts, Eric Haines puts on a spectacular show that truly has something for everyone

3:45 p.m. — Henrik Bothe Variety Show

“Performance features juggling, plate spinning, unicycling and much, much more,” the flyer states.

The sponsors include: Five Star Dealerships, MB Electric, Schermer Construction, Grays Harbor County Tourism, Hultman Construction, Bayview Redi Mix Inc., LeMay Enterprises, House Brothers Construction, Aberdeen Rotary Club, Alpha Media and Jodesha Broadcasting.

Rick Moyer, who’s gone to Splash Festival with his family for years, shared what keeps him coming back.

“I remember when my kids were little, we would come to it because they had a lot of kids activities and they just loved it, that was really fun,” Moyer said. “Sometimes we would gather them all up and take the kids to (Splash) after (the festival) for the big fireworks because there wasn’t anything like it, so we would do those.”

Moyer said it’s “always been a really good, family-friendly” festival.

“And the crowds that come, it’s a sure hit every time,” Moyer said. “ I don’t think I’ve ever seen one not well-attended.”

Moyer guessed he’s seen attendance “up in the thousands.”

Moyer’s looking forward to Thursday for Splash Festival, too. And as a bonus, tune in to KDUX 104.7 for music-coordinated fireworks.

“Pat Anderson, (Phil) Luce and I are gonna be there at the festival this year with a booth,” Moyer said about KDUX and KIX 95.3. “I’m gonna take some pictures. I always get great pictures and it’s usually really good weather. That’s what I remember about that festival. Sometimes you get a rainy Fourth (of July) but most of the times we’ve gone it’s been super hot or really nice weather, so you get crowds of people. It’s pretty cool. I love to see the kids having fun. That’s really awesome.”

Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.

Rick Moyer of Moyer Multi Media LLC. A happy family poses for a photo while enjoying cold desserts at a past Splash Festival. The festival is held every year on July 4. People love how family-centric the activities are. This year, it’s being held at Morrison Riverfront Park, which is just east of the Rotary Log Pavilion — 1401 Sargent Blvd., in Aberdeen.