Held every year on the last Saturday in July, ChehalisFest is the quintessential summer tradition. Where else can you find live music, great shopping, kids’ activities, delicious food, a car show, free kids’ flights and so much more? ChehalisFest is truly fantastic.
Hosted by the Chehalis Community Renaissance Team (CCRT), ChehalisFest is the ideal place to enjoy a special day of fun in the sun. “We always look forward to this summer event, a day to celebrate our community and have some fun,” says CCRT Executive Director Annalee Tobey. “It’s a day to experience that classic ‘summer in a small town’ vibe.”
Kick off the day with a pancake breakfast at the Lewis County Historical Museum. Lots of unique vendors will be stationed here throughout the day, so be sure to wander through and peruse their offerings. Stop in and check out the museum too – there’s a wealth of insightful information and entertaining stories inside. And don’t forget to return for the Museum’s famous hot dog lunch.
Boistfort Street will be rocking with bands and a beer garden hosted by Market Street Pub & Grill. The music roles from noon till midnight. Chris Guenther, Chris Crowe and the Chris Jones Band will all take the stage. Enjoy the tunes as you browse nearby vendors or kick back and just savor the experience.
Downtown will be replete with great sidewalk sales, contests and promotions throughout the even. Stop by the ARTrails of SWW Plein Air Artists and Sale display to be truly wowed. Be sure to check out the Chariots Car Club 12th Annual Car Show on Chehalis Avenue. The rides are really spectacular and you’ll have a blast chatting with this crowd of car enthusiasts.
The Gambler 500 Poker Run takes off from Yard Birds Mall at 8:00 a.m. Sponsored by the Veterans Memorial Museum, this event is not to be missed.
Access all ChehalisFest events and avoid parking hassles by hopping on Twin Transit – fare FREE all day long! Arriving by bus is much easier and more efficient than navigating the crowds. Plus, you can spend the trip doing something you actually enjoy instead of fighting traffic. Simply go to TwinTransit.org, find your route and you’ll be having fun in the sun before you know it.
Fun for the Whole Family
Entertain the kids at ChehalisFest’s Kidzone. This special area is located on Chehalis Avenue between Security State Bank and Visiting Nurses Thrift Store. It’s hosted by the Boys & Girls Club of Chehalis so you know it’s going to be great. Look forward to inflatables, face painting and much more.
When they’ve had their fill, set out on the Where’s Bigfoot Scavenger Hunt and kids’ crafts sponsored by Book N Brush.
Then let your child soar with FREE Young Eagle Flights for ages 8 – 17 at the Chehalis Airport. This incredible experience will be memorable for years to come. Here you’ll also find Aviation STEM activities, plenty of kids’ fun and vehicle displays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Twin Transit is offering free shuttle service between downtown events and the airport. Attendees can catch the shuttle from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at these locations:
- Chehalis Airport
- Bus shelter near Westside Park
- Bus shelter at the Historical Museum
- Bus stop on Division St. near the public parking and Colony House
2019 promises to be the best ChehalisFest yet. “This will be CCRT’s third year organizing the event and it continues to grow,” says Tobey. “We couldn’t be more excited about several new partnerships this year with our local businesses and organizations.”
Come on down and enjoy ChehalisFest on July 27!
