KP Logging Show and Festival moves to Gateway Park

Posted

Scott Turner, KP News

Mark Luketz performing his climbing and topping skills in 2013. Photo by Brett Higgins, KP News

 

What began 29 years ago as “Old Timers Day” has become the Key Peninsula Logging Show and Festival.

And the event has moved from the Longbranch Improvement Club to Gateway Park, according to Susie Donahue, administrative assistant at Key Peninsula Community Services.

“We decided to move to the park for a couple of reasons,” Donahue said. “First, we sort of outgrew the Improvement Club space, and also because the LIC has plans to upgrade their septic system right in the spot where we had the logging show.”

The new location is a lot more convenient, she added. “It doesn’t seem as far out so we can hopefully attract more people and more families.”

As for the name change, organizers were concerned that the Old Timers Day moniker was confusing.

“It was a good name, but we want to attract younger, new families who didn’t show up in the past because they thought it was just for old timers,” Donahue said.

The festival, which is KPCS’s major fundraiser every year, will take place Aug. 16 starting at 10 a.m.

In past years, the event raised about $15,000. “This year we’d like to double that,” Donahue said.

The main attraction will be the logging show, with antique logging equipment and demonstrations by some of the Peninsula’s professional loggers. “It’s a festive day of watching loggers do their stuff,” she said.

And of course it’s not a festival without music. Entertainers include the Key Singers, Dr. Roes and the Down Home Band and country music by Donn Allard and Renegade Train.

Food booths and craft vendors will round out the festival and there will also be a raffle and live and silent auctions.

KPCS’s client base has grown steadily since it was founded in 1982, Donahue said. “We serve about 350 families a month. In 2013 we provided 113,400 meals.

“And we also assist families with their power bills through Pierce County Energy Assistance,” she said.

Summer is an especially challenging time for KPCS because people don’t think about donating to the food bank during this time of year. “They usually just think of that during the holidays,” she said.

Admission to the event is free, as is parking.

Raffle tickets can be purchased at the festival and at several locations around the Peninsula, including Key Center Market and the market at Lake Kathryn.

“If someone can’t come to the event, but they want to make a donation anyway, they can support us in that way,” Donohue said. “We are always grateful for donations.”

For information call (253) 884-4440.

 

WANT TO GO?

The Key Peninsula Logging Show and Festival – formerly called Old Timers Day – takes place Saturday, Aug. 16 at Gateway Park. Gates open at 10 a.m., and the event runs until 7 p.m. Parking and admission are free. For information, call (253) 884-4440. [/box]

 


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