America's national bird, the bald eagle was declared an endangered species in the U.S. in 1967. With a rebounding population thanks to the ban of the pesticide DDT, the bird was reclassified from endangered to threatened in 1995. In June 2007 it was taken off the list of threatened and endangered species.

CATHLAMET, Wash. — The Wahkiakum County Chamber of Commerce will present the 34th annual Bald Eagle Days Festival Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18.

When Congress passed the Bald Eagle Endangered Species Act, the Cathlamet Women’s Club decided to parade through Cathlamet in support of the majestic bird.

Over the years, the annual event has grown into a festival drawing crowds of more than 3,000 people. The bald eagle is no longer endangered, and Wahkiakum County is proud of that many eagles can be seen in and around the area.

The annual festival is a weekend of fun and offers one of the best fireworks shows in the state of Washington.

Each year the festival has a theme and the parade entities decorate floats, trucks, tractors, etc. in accordance with it. The theme for 2015 is The Mighty Mighty Columbia River. Trophies and other awards are handed out to category winners. Parade participants range from people walking their dogs to driving log trucks.

For more information visit http://www.cathlametchamber.com/bald_eagle_days.php, call 360-795-9996 or email wchamber@cni.net

This year’s schedule of events includes:

• All Day – Explore and find hidden treasures with a Family Geocaching Competition; pick up your passport at the Chamber of Commerce. Prizes include a Kindle Fire, gift certificates and more.

• 11a.m. to 3 p.m., Rolly & Ginny Armstrong Memorial Sidewalk Art Contest – Bank of the Pacific

• 3 to 5 p.m., Trolley rides between the marina to the farmers market.

• 3 to 6 p.m., Puget Island Farmers market with live music, vendors, fresh meat, veggies and bread at 59 W. Birnie Slough Road.

• 5 to 8 p.m., Tsuga Art Gallery will host its fourth anniversary party at 70 Main St.

• 6 to 9 p.m., Trivia Night at River Mile 38 Brewery for a Wahkiakum High School cheer fundraiser.

• All Day, Lots of events go on all day. Find food, arts and craft vendors on Main Street. Enjoy train rides and rootbeer floats at the Wahkiakum Historical Society Museum. Pick up your passport at the Chamber of Commerce for a Family Geocaching Competition. Bradley House will host antiques and collectible sales. The Bank of the Pacific will have a Kids Area with a Velcro wall, face painting, dunk tank and more. The Cathlamet Fire Hall will hand out Popsicles and give tours of the fire department.

• 7 to 10 a.m., Kiwanis’ Pancake Breakfast at Elochoman Slough Marina with eggs, sausage, orange juice and coffee.

• The Bald Eagle Walk/Run registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the 10k, 5k and 2-mile races will begin at 9 a.m. The run-walk challenge will begin and end at Cathlamet Pharmacy. The races benefit WHS track and cross-country.

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Check out a Reptile Road Show Animal Exhibit at the community center with snakes, lizards, geckos and more.

• Noon, The parade begins and stretches from Wahkiakum High School to the marina.

• 4 to 5 p.m., Waterball fight with the Fire Department.

• River Mile 38 Brewery will open its beer garden at 6 p.m., and from 7 to 10 p.m. it will host a rock and soul live concert extravaganza and CD release party with Purefusion featuring Joshua Wright.

• 10 p.m., The fireworks show at the marina will light up the sky.