All of us are excited about this year’s parade! The Junior Parade starts at 6 pm on Friday night right behind Rite-Aid on Alder Street. The Grand Parade starts at 11 am Saturday morning on the corner of Washington Street and 3rd Avenue.
We hope you see you there!
Visit the forms page for more information about parade registration.
One of the highlights of Old Settlers Weekend is always the Grand Parade, downtown Ferndale. This year is no different with our theme ‘We Salute Our Law Enforcement’ and Grand Marshal in this year’s parade is Chief of Ferndale Police, Michael Knapp. There has been a slight change in the parade route this year due to the closure of Washington Street for repairs, we have linked a map from the City of Ferndale here. The start of the parade is reminiscent of the old route years ago, starting and going down Vista Drive to 3rd Avenue onto Main Street. We are excited that it is 11 days away and have many great entries so far. In fact, it is not too late to enter, we have included a couple of links below for you to check out the registration. We can’t wait to see you again this year!
Visit the forms page for more information about parade registration.
This year we have an exciting line-up on our Main Stage of Live Entertainment, the Jr and Grand Parades again, Car Show, Horse-drawn wagon rides and much more exciting things. Come one day or come all the days, there’s something for everyone! Click the link below to view our schedule for this 121st Picnic.
This year is our 121st Annual picnic and we have worked very hard to provide a carnival type experience for kids and adults!
We are pleased to announce that we will be bringing in 4 attractions to our picnic this year.
The Pioneer Play Corral with have free and pay for play options for every budget. The attractions will have a $5 wristband that is required for unlimited entrance!! Each day you will need a different wristband. **The hours for the Pioneer Play Corral will be Friday evening from 3-7pm and Saturday from 12-7pm.**
A 24′ high rock climbing wall, featuring 5 climbing areas that vary in difficulty, and equipped with safety harnesses.
2 hamster balls, is fun enjoyment for both kids and adults! Be Ready for a WILD experience!
Wacky Fun Center, spacious bouncy areas, multiple obstacles and tunnels, and not one, but two covered slides. With room for up to 8 patrons at once!!
Tub’s O’Fun! One of the most popular rides at any carnival or fair is Tubs of Fun! This carnival ride enables riders to spin each of their six tubs independently as fast or as slow as they choose, while the whole ride rotates. Up to 12 patrons at once!!
Join us on July 30th, Saturday morning for our annual 5K Fun Run and 2 Mile walk. Pre-registration is open online or we do accept day of race registration. Day of race registration starts at 8 am and the race starts at 9 am.
This year we will have medals for the top 3 male finishers and top 3 female finishers, no matter your age. There is post-race food provided and raffle giveaways afterwards too.
We hope to see you at the start line!!
The parade.
The food.
The live music.
The cabins.
The beer garden.
The dance.
All things I think of as the last weekend in July approaches each summer; all parts of the fun, food, and festivities that make up the annual Old Settlers’ Picnic, our small-town celebration that’s the county’s longest running event –119 years strong.
But you know what I like best of all about Old Settlers’ Picnic?
It’s a chance to reconnect with family and friends. (Yes, dear cousins, I’m ranking you above a Rainbow Girls burger. Just barely.)
And, by reconnect, I don’t mean our typical way of keeping up these days. I don’t mean liking my aunt’s Facebook status. I don’t mean commenting on an Instagram photo from a high school classmate. I don’t mean texting a hello to my sister.
At Old Settlers’ Picnic, I’ll sit shoulder-to-shoulder with my parents on blanket folded over a sidewalk curb as the band marches by, just as I have for more than 30 years. I’ll snack on a bag of kettle corn with my daughters as we wave our flags to cheer on the Olson family tractor. I’ll catch up with people at the barn dance that I’ve known since I was in diapers.
FHS Marching Band — Old Settlers’ Parade 1983.
Winners from the Junior Parade — on the left is me, on the right is Kari Jensen – Old Settlers’ 1989.
Cousins on a carnival ride. Jeff McAlpine, Beth McAlpine, JD McAlpine, and me — Old Settlers’ 1985.
Reconnecting, in real life, with real people – just as Whatcom County residents have done each year at the picnic for more than a century.
Parade participants — Cousins Tracy O’Neil, Beth McAlpine, and me — Old Settlers’ parade 1987
My mom (Joey McAlpine), sister (Beth McAlpine), and me (Jessica McAlpine Spencer) on the Ferndale Co-op Preschool float — Old Settlers’ 1983.
Cousins watching the parade — Darby O’Neil and me — Old Settlers’ 1983
See you next weekend, everyone.
If you’re over 21, like Classic Rock, and appreciate the acoustics that only a barn can provide, then you should come down to the Barn Dance! BlindFate will be putting on a great show this year, so check out our events page to learn more or join the event on Facebook.
10$ entry fee includes Old Settlers registration. All years, makes, and models welcome. The show will be located on the Central School Grounds from 9am-3pm Saturday, July 26th, 2014.
Check out the event page for details.
Runners/Walkers!
There is still time to register for this year’s race! Visit the race page for more information on the routes and how to sign up.
The pre-registration form due date has been adjusted to July 20th, please contact Ron or drop off payment for the race at Everyday Fitness in Ferndale. Registration fee is $10 pre-registration and $15 for day of race.
Have photos from the past years races?
Post them on our Facebook page or send them to us via email to whatcomoldsettlers@gmail.com!
Special Thanks:
Haggen Food & Drug – Post-race snacks & water
Everyday Fitness – Race bibs & handling registration
Fairhaven Runners
Klicks Running and Walking
See you at the finish line!
