Camas Days, free music, movies and much more await fun-seekers

Stand back, adult Papermakers. It’s time for children to take over the city of Camas.

The big annual civic celebration called Camas Days starts Friday with a children’s parade for 12 and under. Individual and group costume and non-motorized float judging begins promptly at 11:30 a.m. in front of City Hall at Northeast Fourth and Franklin streets. In addition to the category winners, every participant gets a ribbon. The parade begins at 12:15 p.m. No registration is required.

Meanwhile, the corner of Dallas and Fourth becomes “Kids Street” from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. both Friday and Saturday, featuring games, climbing wall, inflatable bouncy house and more.

Also on both Friday and Saturday nights, grown-ups can enjoy grown-up beverages along with live blues and classic rock for $5 from 5 to 11 p.m. on Birch Street between Fourth and Fifth — temporarily renamed “A Toast of Camas: Wine & Microbrew Street.” Entertainment is by the Beth Willis Band at 5 p.m. and The Hot Shots from 7 to 11 p.m.

The Camas Days Grand Parade is set for 11 a.m. Saturday, and the theme this year is Candyland. Enjoy the mass transformation of Papermakers into Pez, Peppermint Patties and other sweets that don’t begin with P.

Camas Days’ legendary bathtub races are set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Fourth and Franklin. Racing fever gets even funnier at noon Sunday, as the Camas-Washougal Rotary Club dumps 5,000 rubber duckies into the Washougal River from the Third Avenue Bridge — and lets the current pick the winner. Sponsor as many ducky racers as you like for $10 per quack; that price has risen, but it’s all a fundraiser for scholarships, youth programs and basic school supplies for students in need.

The weekend wraps up with a bright idea from last year that got canceled due to a heat wave. The Downtown Camas Association will host a DIY arts gathering called “Picnic In Color” from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday on Cedar and Fourth streets. Plentiful art supplies and suggestions for collaborative projects will be provided. Wear colorful clothes and enjoy a day of outdoor creativity with family and neighbors. Bring your own picnic or buy food in town.

Camas Parks and Recreation is also offering Thursday night concerts, Friday noontime family fun and Friday night movies. Check out the following website for the whole upcoming schedule of free fun for children and families at Crown Park in Camas, 120 N.E. 17th Ave., for the rest of this summer. Complete information is online at http://www.cityofcamas.us/specialevents.