In addition to the perennially popular Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration held on the grounds of the Westport Maritime Museum in Westport’s Marina District on the 4th of July, the Westport South Beach Historical Society has added family-friendly activities on both Friday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4.
Access to the grounds for Independence Day weekend activities is free. The Maritime Museum is located at 2201 Westhaven Drive. You can’t miss it —Just look for the giant 30-ft. by 50-ft. American flag flying proudly over the grounds.
Exhibits open
Both the Maritime Museum and Destruction Island Light Lens Exhibit Hall will be open all three days, as well. Museum admission, which includes entry into the Destruction Island Lens Building, is $5 for adults, $3 for teens through age 18, $2 for children 6-12, with youngsters 5 and under entering free.
All U.S. Coast Guard active duty families get free admission to the exhibit venues – just show your ID when you enter the museum.
There is no charge for access to the museum’s gift shop.
Friday, July 3
Patriot Day - 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
A Flag Ceremony will kick off Friday’s activities at 11 a.m., followed by children’s games, vendors booths offering a variety of interesting and fun items for sale, a Coffee Bar & Bake Sale inside McCausland Hall, festival food booths, a plant sale and a free lecture at 7 p.m. from retired state Department of Fish & Wildlife biologist and educator, Alan Rammer, who will share information about “Razor Clams A to Z”.
Saturday, July 4
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Come for more fun on Independence Day. You’ll enjoy An old-fashioned family celebration, complete with children’s games for prizes, a bouncy house, festival food, a plant and bake sale, vendors, face-painting, cakewalk, live music, a raffle and a silent auction.
How about a hot dog with the works, a strawberry shortcake or an old-fashioned root beer float to bring your taste buds and memories alive?
Evening entertainment
Classical Strings will perform in the Destruction Island Lighthouse Lens Exhibit Hall starting at 6 p.m. The hall will remain open until 10 p.m. with free admission to view the amazing Fresnel lens, rotating in all its prismatic glory.
Visitors are welcome to stay and view the show from the Maritime Museum grounds. There’s comfortable picnic table seating on the grounds where you can relax and visit with friends while waiting for the fireworks show.
Sunday, July 5
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Historical Society’s plant sale continues, enjoy live music, the Grays Harbor Dance Zoom Kidz will perform at 2 p.m., and horseshoe tournament play is available all afternoon as pairs sign up – Old pros and newcomers are welcome to participate in this free tourney.
Today you also can enjoy an exhibit in McCausland Hall explaining Historical Society projects completed and in-the-works at both the museum and the Grays Harbor Light Station.
