A bloomin’ good idea returns to the peninsula
Published 11:00 am Wednesday, April 2, 2025
A daffodil bouquet by Kathy Witgutoff won first place in the 2023 Driftwood & Daffodils show. This year’s entries will be on display April 4 and April 5. (Patrick Webb)
Rita and Warren Aikins earned second place in the adult division of the altered driftwood contest in 2023. (Patrick Webb)
The challenge quilt contest organized by leaders of the Peninsula Quilt Guild in conjunction with their March show had a daffodil theme and produced this winner created by Debra Millard. It will be displayed this weekend. (Patrick Webb)
The color yellow will reign supreme in Ilwaco this weekend.
The third annual Driftwood & Daffodils event will offer a pop of color at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum on the Long Beach Peninsula. It runs two days, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 4 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5.
It will feature entries in driftwood art as well as daffodil bouquets, vases and displays.
Ribbons will be awarded in multiple categories, with junior divisions. In addition to judges awarding the Best in Show, those attending will be able to vote on the People’s Choice Awards.
Along with displays, the museum will host a Spring Daffodil Tea on April 5. Two reservation-only seatings will be offered at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., with an assortment of teas, savories and sweet treats.
The annual driftwood art exhibition began at the Long Beach Grange in 1956 and ran through 1967. Museum staff reinstated the concept in 2023 after a lengthy break, drawing on guidance from peninsula flower expert Todd Wiegardt — a key advisor again this year.
Dahlias were considered, but because they bloom later in the year, museum leaders chose instead to showcase daffodils.
Betsy Millard, the museum’s volunteer exhibits curator, said the colorful exhibit is always popular.
“It is the first hint of spring, and everything is ready,” she said. Including the driftwood component produces interesting combinations, she added. “It turns out people have embraced that.”
This year’s event has a further component.
The challenge quilt project, organized by the Peninsula Quilt Guild in conjunction with its March show, had a daffodil theme. The winner was Debra Millard.
Her artwork and other entries will continue to be displayed through the daffodil event.
“Spring flowers are so refreshing to see after the long and cold winter season,” Debra Millard noted. “I greatly enjoyed making this quilt a reminder that springtime and all of the spring flowers are truly a gift for all to be grateful for.”
The second-place ribbon was earned by Terry Weeks, third place was a design by Toni Tweedle Healy and an honorable mention went to Victoria Peterson.
‘Driftwood & Daffodils’
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 4 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5, Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum, 115 Lake St., Ilwaco.
Free admission. Registration is required for Spring Daffodil Tea. Two seatings at the museum are offered at $35 each, 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. April 5. Call 360-642-3446 for reservations.
