Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
The fourth year of the revitalized Old Mill Days will kick off in Oakesdale Friday night.
Added events to the formerly one-day celebration now make it two, with 6 p.m. bingo and pulled pork sandwiches Friday at the McCoy Valley Museum, followed by the opening of the beer and wine garden at the town shop from 7 to 10 p.m.
The expanded schedule also includes a triathlon for adults, a softball game, egg toss, music and more.
Acts playing Saturday evening include Blue Highway and the Intentions.
Saturday morning starts off with a pancake breakfast at the fire station from 7 to 10 a.m., followed by the parade at 11 a.m.
The egg toss starts at 1 p.m.
Old Mill Days was brought back in 2013 after a years-long hiatus.
“We’ve had more donations this year than we’ve ever had,” said Jake Dingman, Oakesdale Historical Society member.
Additional events include a five-mile run at 8 a.m. Saturday, kids’ games at 2 p.m. in the park, a book sale and spin wheel at the library all afternoon and the swimming pool open from 1 to 8 p.m., followed by a midnight swim from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
“We think we’ve got stuff for everybody,” Dingman said.
All are welcome, and there is no need to pre-register for specific events before Saturday.
Participants in the adult triathlon will swim 250 meters (seven full laps in the pool), take a 10-mile bike ride up-and-back on Oakesdale Road and run a 3.1-mile loop.
A five-mile fun run also starts at 8 a.m.
Cost is $20 for adults for the triathlon or fun run, including race T-shirt. Kids’ triathlon – an abbreviated course – cost is $15, T-shirt included.
Food options for Old Mill Days will include pulled pork and coleslaw Friday night from the old Conoco station and inside the museum, ice cream cones and sundaes.
On Saturday, Oakesdale Historical Society member Gail Parsons will bring out his beer brats – soaked for a half hour in Henry Weinhard’s Private Reserve, caraway seed, coriander seed, mustard, onion, garlic and ginger. Hamburgers, hot dogs and potato salad will round out the menu.
A silent auction will be held Friday night at the museum, with two rounds of golf at Circling Raven as the top prize.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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