Coast Calendar: ‘Raucous’ returns for Food Bank benefit

Events and entertainment accross the North Beach

By SCOTT D. JOHNSTON

The Ocean Shores Food Bank’s fourth annual benefit fund raising event, on Saturday April 6 at the Ocean Shores Convention Center, comes at a time when ‘…it’s no surprise the need continues to grow,” Executive Director Sandy Harley told the local non-profit’s 60 volunteers in a recent email. “During the first quarter of this year, we have seen a 23% increase in the number of guests compared to the first quarter of last year.”

Remaining tickets for the event, the Food Bank’s only annual fund-raiser, are available through Sunday, March 31, at the Visitors Information Center, in the Ocean Shores/North Beach Chamber of Commerce office on Chance a la Mer Blvd. across from the IGA.

A limited number of tickets for the event, the Food Bank’s only annual fund-raiser, will be available at the Convention Center through Friday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Tickets are $35 per person, and a reserved table for eight is $300.

The event includes a silent auction, live auction, dinner, dancing, and music by the popular, Seattle-based rock ‘n roll band, Raucous, which performs throughout the Northwest and has been featured six times at the Bite of Seattle and nine times at the Taste of Tacoma. The band played the Food Bank’s fund-raising party a year ago and is literally “back by popular demand,” according to Kathy Harris, the event chairperson.

The evening begins with a huge silent auction, which fills the front hall of the Convention Center, with music by DJ Charlie Baer from 4:30-6 p.m. Dinner by George Lee will be served at 6 p.m., then it’s time to rock out and dance with Raucous at 7. After their first set, the live auction will take place, followed by more music and dancing.

The Ocean Shores Food Bank in 2018 served 5,094 households, 13,520 individuals and distributed 114 tons of food. More than 60 volunteers clocked in 10,852 hours of their time. All of these numbers are record highs for OSFB, which is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Upcoming events

• April 26-27: 10th annual High Rollin’ Hot Rods at the Beach, car show at Quinault Beach Resort & Casino, sponsored by Push Rods of Hoquiam. Poker Run on Friday. Register at the show or online at www.pushrods.org.

• May 3-5: 24th annual Grays Harbor Shorebird and Nature Festival in Hoquiam, the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, and with field trips to Ocean Shores and Huynisisoos on the Quinault Indian Nation among the events. Guided walks, shorebird lectures, presentations on bees and coastal raptors are scheduled. There also is a festival “Run for the Birds” Saturday at 9 a.m., starting at Hoquiam City Hall. For registration questions, call (360) 580-8162 or email jeandart303@gmail.com.

• May 4: Ninth annual Savor Seabrook Seafood & Wine Festival, noon to 5 p.m. on Front Street. More than 35 wine and seafood vendors, including Chateau Ste. Michelle, Sparkman Cellars, Mark Ryan, DeLille Cellars. Event for 21 and over.

• May 11: Youth Fishing Derby, sponsored by Ocean Shores Elks Lodge, at North Bay Park.

• May 11-12: More Urban Unglued exotic gear vendor show at the Convention Center.

• May 24-26: Expo at the Convention Center.

• June 1: Wearable Art Show at the Convention Center.

• June 8-9: Grays Harbor County Festival of Colors kite flying on the beach at Damon Road.

• June 8: Flag Day Parade, sponsored by the Ocean Shores Elks, on Pt. Brown Ave. and Chance a la Mer St., ending at the Convention Center.

• June 28-30: Sand & Sawdust Festival, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, at the Convention Center.

• June 28-30: AAOS Juried Fine Art, Photo and 3D Show at the Convention Center.

• July 26-28: Bikers at the Beach at the Convention Center.

• Aug. 10: Ocean Shores Woof-a-Thon, North Beach High School.

• Aug. 24-25: Ocean Shores Body & Soul Festival at the Convention Center.

• Aug. 30-Sept. 1: AAOS Arts & Crafts Festival at the Convention Center.

• Aug. 31: Paddle the Shores, Oyhut Bay Seaside Village.

• Sept. 20-22: Whale of a Quilt Show, Convention Center.

• Oct. 16-20: Celtic Music Festival, Galway Bay and Convention Center.

• Nov. 29.-Dec. 1: Winter Fanta-Sea, Convention Center.