Allyn Days returns to its three-day lineup this weekend

Kirk Boxleitner | Jul 14, 20220

File photo by Gordon Weeks count

Emily Addis shows off the salmon she was barbecuing during Allyn Days 2021.

Last year's Allyn Days was reduced to a single day due to COVID-19, but this year will see the full three-day weekend lineup run from Friday through Sunday.

Allyn Community Association President Jason Ilarraza said he's thrilled all three Allyn Days will be presented this year, though he acknowledged the event is still recruiting volunteers to conduct some of the event activities. If you're willing to pitch in, call Ronnie Colburn at 360-275-5002.

"Our sponsors have been absolutely fantastic," Ilarraza said. "But even with all the fine dining venues that are providing great food for our attendees, they're a bit short-staffed on folks to actually serve that food, so we've tried to step in with our own volunteer support."

Bent Bine Brewery is providing the beer garden all three days and is hosting a cornhole competition from 3-4 p.m. and 6:30-7 p.m. on Saturday, and from 6:30-7 p.m. on Sunday.

Taylor Shellfish donated enough shellfish to make Sunday's oyster-shucking contest possible, Ilarraza said. It's hosted by Explore Hood Canal and Tracing the Fjord, which also is sponsoring the Geoduck Gallop Mud Run, which masses at 2:30 p.m. to kick off at 3 p.m. and wraps up by 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

"The 200-yard dash is supposed to start when the Case Inlet tide is lowest," Ilarraza said.

In addition to a three-day food court of hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream and soda, Allyn Days' Salmon Bake of alderwood-smoked salmon and coleslaw runs from 11 a.m. Saturday until it's sold out.

Seafood Sunday includes geoduck wontons from chef Xinh Dwelley, geoduck sliders from the Boat House, clam chowder from the Bistro at LakeLand Village, grilled oysters from Port of Allyn Commissioner Ted Jackson and mussels from Port Operations Manager LeAnn Dennis.

Allyn Days offers more than meals. It opens with Open Mic Night at 5:30 p.m. Friday, hosted by The Wednesdays, followed by lineups of five live performing acts each Saturday and Sunday.

Ilarraza said the event's weekend-long Vendor Village of kitchenware, household knickknacks, clothing, body-care accessories, books and jewelry has typically drawn mom-and-pop-level outfits from across the state, but this year's selection is more locally concentrated.

The event continues to highlight the area's ecosystem with a petting zoo by Sunrise Equine, a "touch tank" by the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association, and educational displays by the Grapeview Community Association and the Salmon Enhancement Center.

Younger attendees can ride the Kiwanis Christmas Town Kids Train, explore the Central Mason Fire Engine, go a few rounds with Master Blasters Paintball, and play in the "South Park" Kids Area, the latter of which is slated to include the Central Mason Fire District's Smoke Tunnel, model boats, and games and activities.

For more information, go to http://www.allyntown.com.

To sign up for Sunday's mud run, go to http://www.tinyurl.com/mrynfnbx.