FORKS — The Forks Old-Fashioned Fourth of July won’t have the boom and blast of fireworks this year, but there will still be plenty of family fun to be had during the holiday weekend.
Saturday night’s fireworks show was canceled due to high fire danger, and caution is urged with personal fireworks and backyard barbecues.
But two more full days of activities include a parade and a demolition derby.
The West End Youth League — the only fireworks sellers in Forks — canceled their firework sales due to concern for fire safety.
The league’s fireworks stand will remain open to sell tickets for Saturday’s Demolition Derby.
“The Demolition Derby funds all the entire Fourth of July activities in Forks,” said Scott Baysinger, president of the youth league.
Open fires have been banned within the Forks city limit and in both Clallam and Jefferson counties’ unincorporated areas — only gas grills or gas stoves are allowed.
The celebration began Wednesday with a movie at the Rainforest Arts Center and continues through Sunday with family-friendly activities packing the weekend schedule.
Friday’s activities included the noon opening of the Far West Art League Art, Photo and Craft Show at the Rainforest Arts Center, 35 N. Forks Ave.
The art show continues through the weekend. It will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
On Saturday, the Fourth of July, the full day begins at 8 a.m. with check-in for the Grand Parade and the Elks Annual
Forks Fourth of July Breakfast at 941 Merchant Road.
The Grand Parade will begin at noon at the Forks Outfitters parking lot at 950 S. Forks Ave., and proceed on Forks Avenue toward Tillicum Park.
Once the parade is over, the party will move to Tillicum Park for the 1 p.m. salmon bake, sponsored by the Forks Lions Club.
This year’s prices for salmon lunches were not available on Wednesday.
Gates will open at 2 p.m. for the 3 p.m. Demolition Derby at the Tillicum Park arena, the event centerpiece of the Forks traditional Fourth of July celebration.
Tickets for the derby are $8 in advance at the Youth League fireworks stand, or $10 at the gate.
The day will be topped off by a Cribbage Tournament at 6 p.m. at the VFW Hall, 110 S. Spartan Ave.
Entry to the tournament is $6.
The weekend’s celebration concludes with another full day on Sunday.
At 8:30 a.m. will be registration for the horseshoe tournament, which will begin at 9 a.m. at Tillicum Park.
Registration is $10.
Children take over the park from noon to 2 p.m. for Kiddies Play Day, sponsored by Forks Lions Club.
The weekend concludes with the 5 p.m. frog jump contest as 80 to 100 croakers leap for prizes at Tillicum Park.
Prizes will be awarded for the longest, second longest, and shortest jumps by frogs.
Most entrants are caught in local creeks and ponds, and are returned after the contest.
Entry is free. Frogs must be kept in a container where they can stay moist and get fresh, cool air and cannot be kept in a box.
________
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
