Fall Festival attendance grows in eighth annual celebration

Festival at Lake Sylvia a pleasant surprise for campers

More than 600 people went up the hill from Montesano on Saturday for food, music and games at the eighth annual Lake Sylvia Fall Festival.

“We were quite happy with that number as it was higher than we had at our last head count two years ago,” said event organizer and Friends of Schafer and Lake Sylvia (FOSLS) representative Stet Palmer. Attendence based on head counts for years previous had not surpassed 600.

Almost everyone’s first stop upon arriving at the festival was for coffee and pancakes whipped up by Montesano Mayor Vini Samuel.

“This is way better than my camp coffee,” said Juleann Marshall who was at the lake camping with her daughter, 8-year-old Kaydence, and granddaughter, 8-year-old Sally. The Marshall’s just happened to come from Olympia to camp at Lake Sylvia at the right time to catch the festival.

“We are pleasantly surprised,” Marshall said. Sally and Kaydence said they enjoyed the music and had even heard their favorite song, “Count on Me,” by Bruno Mars.

While some happened to be at the lake by chance, plenty of others made plans to spend the day at the lake, or at least for a good portion of their Saturday. The earliest arrivals of the day were those taking part in the trail runs. Johnny Camp came from Cosmopolis to race and was sponsored by Opal Art Glass of Cosmopolis. Camp finished first in the 10K.

“The trails were tough compared to flat land,” Camp said. “I had a fun run, the trails were marked really well.”

There also was plenty to do for those who felt like having a more relaxed Saturday off of the trails. Park patrons could sit back on benches and picnic tables and enjoy music performed throughout the day by Lisa Ramsauer, Ken (Albert) and Christine (Hill) and Outta Monte. The artist market was comprised this year of 22 vendors selling everything from hand-made bags to wood and concrete art and benches.

Taylor Pettainen, now of Shelton, grew up in Montesano and decided for the first time this year to go to the Fall Festival. While looking over vendor Ashlee Mitchell’s home-made bags, she commented on the festival and on how it felt to be back in Montesano.

“I’m impressed, but not surprised,” Pettainen said. “Montesano is our hometown, we were born and raised here. It’s just fun to come down and see people I haven’t seen in a while.”

While adults ran, shopped and enjoyed music children engaged in games and activities throughout the day. Chehalis Watershed Festival representatives were on the lake’s perimeter giving out information and answering questions in addition to having informational games for kids. The Canine Reading Buddies of Grays Harbor were on hand to spread awareness for their program which serves to encourage young readers by having them read to dogs.

“She was really excited,” said Melissa Lakey of her daughter, 7-year-old Molly who was reading to a dog at the festival. “The dogs came into her kindergarten class and now she’s in second grade. She still remembered the dog’s name.”

Projections for the festival were looking good as early as 8 a.m., just one hour after the event’s start.

“I think it’s going pretty good,” said Lynne Palmer, who was counting attendees as they entered the park. “As of 8 (a.m.) we had 156 people. This is just a great park we have here.”