A small town. Crowded with rural folks from nearby and beyond. Energy, simplicity, traditions. The parade started at 11AM sharp and lasted a full one hour and fifteen minutes. Fire trucks, log trucks, a float, pretty girls on horseback, a camel (yes, a camel), small businesses, tons of candy thrown to waiting children. The parade went well. Woodland’s Planter’s Day started in 1923.

Carnival rides nearby, food vendors selling the usual greasy this and that, artists pushing their wares, princesses in long dresses with sashes and crowns, no cussing, no yelling or drunkeness, civility. Cops doing perimeter traffic control, not crowd control.

The Woodland Fire Fighters slow roasted almost 1200 pounds of beef hindquarters. Amazingly tender and well presented.

This 87 year tradition is taken quite seriously. Old timers (fire fighters) show up to make sure that the tradition and process is adhered to. All that meat is chopped up and used to make thousands of BBQ sandwiches.

Bed races, frog jumping contests (the 20 year old record of 153″ was challenged this year with a 122″ best jump) and a battle of fire fighters against the big red ball ensued. In a contest best suited to a hot Summer’s day, no one shied away from the fire hoses spraying down the audience on a 62 degree day.

The large red ball is tethered to a long steel cable stretched tight between two props and two pick up trucks. The fire fighters use hoses on each end to compete on which team (agency) can propel the red ball past their opponent.


A totally enjoyable day. Small town on steroids for a weekend. Nice people and nice vibes. It was rather pleasant to not be surrounded by pretentious, pious hipsters; pinched yuppies or riff raff. What riff raff there were had it all under control as if a cease fire had been called. Good job Woodland, Washington. I mean you inherently know this about small towns. They rise to the occasion over and over. I just don’t get enough of it. Of course, women seem drawn to those heavy, funny hats……