Ocean Shores goes Hawk-happy as thousands visit annual Fan Fest

By Scott D. Johnston

For The Daily World

An event that started simply as a seaside Seahawks fan party has quickly become one of the biggest and most elaborate yearly happenings in Ocean Shores.

The third annual Mighty Alliance Fan Fest and Beach Party takes over the town this Thursday through Sunday.

In 2014, a few hundred fans gathered for group pictures on the beach. In 2015, the first Fan Fest started slowly on a wet and windy Friday, then people kept coming and coming — 5,000 or more over the weekend.

Last year, everything in and around Ocean Shores was decked out in Seahawks blues and greens, and event organizer Terry Johnson said many have estimated that 20,000 or more came to the coast that weekend for the wide variety of event content.

This year, a huge schedule awaits fans, with related events mainly at the Ocean Shores Convention Center and Quinault Beach Resort and Casino, but also spread throughout the area with a 5K run, a golf tournament, celebrity bowling, fireworks and more. It all starts with a free kickoff tailgate party from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday at Oyhut Bay.

Mighty Alliance director Anna MacInnes said the group “is a nonprofit formed by a couple fans who wanted to bring a fun, family-friendly event to the people of Washington and the Northwest.” They do three or four events each year, of which Fan Fest is by far the biggest.

“We’re incredibly excited to be bringing Fan Fest back to Ocean Shores for the third time,” Johnson said. The parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, with “Hawked-out vehicles” and heavily decorated superfans, is one of his favorite parts of the weekend.

This year, he is especially looking forward to the Beating Cancer Benefit for Mr. Seahawk, Jeff Schumaier, at 8 p.m. Saturday night in the convention center. There will be live and silent auctions, a 50/50 raffle, guest speakers and music. Johnson said the alliance has collected some “special stuff that you just don’t find very often” for the auction.

Fan Fest brings about 80 vendors to the convention center, with plenty of food and beverage, as well as a variety of Seahawks wearables and collectibles.

The organizers also offer space to several nonprofits. The event makes donations to GraysHarbor Homeless Teen BackPack, Grays Harbor Youth Athletics and the Ocean Shores Food Bank.

The event also brings a lot of special guests, including more than a dozen Seahawks alumni, another dozen Hawks players’ family members, and a crazy cast of superfans.

For more information, visit www.mighty12salliance.com/events or the Mighty Alliance Facebook page.

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SCHEDULE

Thursday

5-10 p.m.: Tailgate Party and Street Dance at Oyhut Bay (free)

Friday

Vendors open by noon at the convention center and the casino (free)

Pick up Scavenger Hunt paperwork at the convention senter

10-11 a.m.: Coffee with Mama Lynch and Mama Bennett, 12th Woman Java in the IGA parking lot (free)

10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Outdoor beer garden hosted by Galway Bay at the convention center

1-2:30 p.m.: Mini Golf with special guests (sold out)

3-5 p.m.: Blues Remedy plays live outside the convention center (free)

6-9 p.m.: Spaghetti Dinner at the convention center. $8 adults, $4 kids, benefits Grays Harbor Teen Homeless Backpack. Tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3034653; information at www.ghhomelessbackpackin.wixsite.com/nonprofit

7-10 p.m.: Watch preseason Seahawks game vs. Minnesota Vikings at the convention center and the casino. Tribute to Cortez Kennedy during halftime at the convention center (free)

9 p.m. – 1 a.m.: Emerald City Throwdown plays live music at the casino (free)

10 p.m. – 12 a.m.: Live DJ and karaoke at the convention center (free)

Saturday

All Day: Fun Fly Kite Flying — Novice and professional kite flyers perform on the beach, near Chance a La Mer beach approach (free)

8-10 a.m.: Celebrity 9-Hole Golf Tournament at Ocean Shores Golf Course (sold out)

9 a.m.: Vendors openat the convention center and the casino (free)

9 a.m.: 5K Run/Walk starts at Dugan’s Pizza, benefiting Military Families and Youth Programs. Information and registration: www.fanfest5k.bpt.me

10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Outdoor beer garden hosted by Galway Bay at the convention center

11 a.m.: Mighty 12’s Alliance Fan Fest Parade (free)

12:30 p.m.: Raising of the 12 Flag at the convention center by guests of honor (free)

1 p.m.: Fan Fest group photo in front of Sharky’s (free)

1:30-5 p.m.: Blues Remedy plays live outside the convention center (free)

2-4 p.m.: Bowling with the Mamas (sold out)

6-8 p.m.: Special Guest Dinner at the casino. “Remembering Super Bowl 40” with members of the 2005 Seattle Seahawks (sold out)

8-10 p.m.: Beating Cancer Benefit for Mr. Seahawk. Silent and live auction along with musicat the convention center (free)

9 p.m.-1 a.m.: Emerald City Throwdown plays live music at the casino (free)

10 p.m.: Fireworks Show by Wolverine Fireworks West (free)

10 p.m.-midnight: Live DJ and karaoke inside the convention center (free)

10 p.m.-1 a.m.: Pub Crawl presented by Ride the Waves Tours; information and tickets at www.ridethewavetours.com/fan-fest-pub-crawl

Sunday

All day: Fun Fly Kite Flying – Novice and professional kite flyers perform on the beach near Chance a La Mer beach approach (free)

8-11 a.m.: Last Chance with Special Guests Pancake Breakfast to benefit the North Beach Cheer Squad, convention center, $5 at the door

9 a.m.-3 p.m.: Vendors open at the convention center only (free)

10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Outdoor beer garden at the convention center, hosted by Galway Bay

Angelo Bruscas/North Coast News: Seahawks gear for everyone and every taste will be on display at the Seahawks Fan Fest this weekend.

TOP: Seahawks gear for every taste will be on display at the Seahawks Fan Fest this weekend.. BOTTOM: Event organizer Terry Johnson of the Mighty 12’s Alliance Seahawks fan organization greets Mr. and Mrs. Seahawk (Jeff and DeDe Schumaier of Auburn) before the raising of the 12th Man flag at last year’s Fan Fest.