Out Our Way: Old Timers’ Day coming Saturday in Longbranch

Colleen Slater

Out Our Way

Come one, come all to the longest running festival-type event on the Key Peninsula. The 24th Old Timers’ Day will take place Saturday at the Longbranch Improvement Club.

LIC donates the use of its facilities for the event. All proceeds go to the Key Peninsula Community Services center and food bank.

The special annual event attracts not only local residents but visitors and regular attendees for miles around. Local entertainment, vendors and participants with special items to display are all a part of Old Timers’ Day.

There are no admittance or parking fees, and there are a variety of things to do and see for all ages.

The Key Peninsula Veterans Institute will raise the flag at 10 a.m., and the Key Singers will lead the singing of The Star Spangled Banner. Entertainment on the inside stage will include the Key Singers, Rhythm n Shoes cloggers and Down Home Band. In the afternoon, the four-member Zero Down Blues Band from Tacoma will play classic Rock ’n’ Roll, blues and roadhouse music.

A Bounce House, petting zoo and various carnival games will be available for the younger set.

The logging show, one of the big draws of the day, will begin about 11 a.m. and include the standard tree-falling and chain-saw competitions, and and obstacle course for choker setting.

The Hot Saws from Belfair are scheduled to be there with special events of their own, logging chairman Dale Boquist said. Boquist’s reliable steam engine always has a place on the grounds.

Don Fifer, a longtime member of the Olympic Peninsula Antique Tractor and Engine Association, will have his tractor and old working engines on display, as well as other collectors who are regular participants in Old Timers’ Day.

“About the same ones as last year,” said Fifer, who added he never knows for sure who will be present.

Fifer’s own antique engines range from 1907 to 1928 models.

Following the logging show, a live auction will be held for the wood used in the logging competitions as well as other donations from the community, including a large play toy from Costco.

A silent auction also will be set up outside this year at the KPCS booth, where people can browse, bid and return later to check and perhaps revise bids.

Marguerite Bussard is in charge of vendor arrangements and can be called at 253-884-3771. This year, applicants have been asked to fill out a form when they apply for a vendor table. Vendors will set up both inside and outside.

The kitchen and an outside grill will offer hamburgers, hot dogs and pulled pork — and other food vendors will be there, too. Or you can bring your own picnic lunch or snacks.

Old Timers’ Day chairman Vicky Lilyeblade has been working with Schwan’s for an additional fundraiser for KPCS. Customers will be able to use the community house number when they order, and Schwan’s will donate for each order.

Orders made before Old Timers’ Day can be picked up at the event. For more information, call 253-884-4440.

Out Our Way columnist Colleen Slater appears monthly on the Neighbors page. She can be reached by e-mail at cas4936@centurytel.net.