PORT HADLOCK — Hadlock Days, which takes place this weekend, has always been the little community festival that could.
The 22nd annual event Saturday and Sunday has expanded to two locations this year, at the familiar site off of Ness’ Corner Road that houses the new and improved lawn mower racing track and a second vendor area in the parking lot of the Kively Center at 121 Oak Bay Road, the main Port Hadlock intersection.
Both locations will have vendors and activities through the weekend — and there’s a parade on Saturday.
“We are working to regenerate Hadlock Days to what it once was, although it’s always been a lot of fun,” said Dana Petrick, one of the event’s organizers.
Hadlock Days began in 1979 in lower Port Hadlock but moved to Kively Center before expanding into an event called Jefferson Days, which included an extravagant fireworks display.
Recent years showed a loss of interest until 2006 with the first lawn mover race, which has snowballed into Hadlock Days’ main event.
The races went national in 2009, becoming part of the circuit for the American Racing Mower Association — or ARMA.
This year, ARMA has elevated the Hadlock event to “point” status, making it part of a nationwide series of races that lead up to a national championship race.
The Hadlock Days races will be held Saturday and Sunday on a 560-foot track that retired contractor Lloyd Crouse built and which he is now renovating in anticipation of the pumped-up event.
He has expanded the size of the pit area and re-graded the track with a 14-degree bank on one side to make the race a bit more exciting.
He also added wheelchair ramps leading to the grandstands and built a NASCAR-style viewing stand.
The lawn mower races take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Admission to the track area is $3 per person while all other events are free.
The beer garden adjacent to the track will open at 10 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday.
Booths will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.
This includes an open microphone and children’s games at Kively Center and a kiddie play area outside of Hadlock Building Supply, 901 Ness’ Corner Road.
The parade will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the corner of Curch Road and Chimacum Road.
It will head north and turn left on Ness’ Corner Road and end in town.
About 40 vendors are scheduled to participate, divided between the two sites, Petrick said.
She said that many events are still being organized but she hopes to present karaoke and a street dance that leads up to a musical performance by the Dukes of Dabob at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Valley Tavern, 21 Chimacum Road.
A dance troupe also will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday at Kiveley Center.
The website, www.hadlockdays.com, has not been updated since last year — and no one has the password to access it, Petrick said.
This has made it difficult to get information to the public — but those with questions can write Petrick at danapointe@olypen.com or Nancy Woffenden at wolfsden@olypen.com.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.