Illahee community to host

To celebrate the community, Port of Illahee officials are hosting “Illahee Day 2007” this Saturday, Aug. 11, with a tree walk, guided beach tour and a tide touch pool for the kids.

The 91st annual community celebration will begin at 10 a.m. at Illahee State Park. Free to the public, the event will feature snacks and drinks donated by Subway.

“There’s going to be lots of kids’ events,” said Jim Trainer, a local community forester who will be hosting a Trees and Treetures nature walk. “Illahee Day is a tremendous event ... it’s a good opportunity for people to get together, for neighbors to get together to eat and enjoy.”

The Trees and Treetures event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and children can learn about the giant old growth trees found right in the park, as well as identify tree creatures by their sounds, fur, claws, skulls, tracks and everything a “treeture” leaves in a forest. One of the largest yew trees in the nation grows in the park, along with the last stand of virgin, old-growth timber in Kitsap County.

At 10 a.m., there also will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the newly constructed shelter and restroom that has been in the construction process since February. The guided beach walk will occur at low tide at approximately 11 a.m. There will be a shuttle from the shelter to the shoreline for those who don’t want to make the trek.

The tide touch pools will be available for the kids from 11 a.m. to noon. Local divers will bring up creatures such as starfish and sea cucumbers for children to touch and observe.

Illahee State Park is a 75-acre marine camping park with 1,785 feet of saltwater frontage on Port Orchard Bay. Sweeping views of Puget Sound can be seen from the park as well.

“It’ll be a good time had by all,” Trainer added.

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