Editor,

On Saturday, Sept. 9, Oak Harbor will be home to the 12th annual Driftwood Day. This is a free fun-filled activity that is sponsored by the Oak Harbor Arts Commission and open to everyone.

Individuals or teams may sign up at the registration table between 11:30 a.m. and noon at the west side of Oak Harbor’s Windjammer Park to participate and once registered go stake out their place on the beach.

Then, at noon, the entrants may gather only materials that they find on the beach that day to build their sculpture.

After working on their sculptures for roughly an hour and a half the sculptures are judged and trophies awards.

Throughout the event the judges wander the beach evaluating each entry and, at 1:30 p.m., all work on the sculptures stops and the judges make their decisions.

There are 12 highly coveted trophies to be awarded.

All sculptures and materials remain on the beach and as the tide comes in later in the afternoon you can watch the sea reclaim the driftwood.

This year, our distinguished panel of judges will include returning judge, the renowned artist Kevin Pettelle.

Come out rain or shine to meet Kevin Pettelle, have fun, and let your imagination run as you create sculptures from the driftwood and other materials found on the beach.

You will be amazed at what can be made when the imagination and a creative mind are set free on a beach full of driftwood.

After you have finished work on your sculptures go up to Windjammer Park and join the festivities of the Military Appreciation Picnic and enjoy a free pulled pork lunch and listen to the entertainment.

See you there.

K.C. Pohtilla, commissioner

Oak Harbor Arts Commission