Birch Bay chamber gets Discovery Days back on track

By Brendan Shriane

New leadership at the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce has assured that little yellow ducks will be meandering down Terrell Creek and floats and people will march on Birch Bay Drive this summer.

The chamber has lost four of its seven directors, including its president and treasurer, this year.

At last month’s emergency chamber meeting, marketing director and Worldmark resort manager Frederich Becker had expressed concern that the traditional Discovery Days events, such as the annual parade and art and craft fair, were in jeopardy because of what Becker characterized as a “cash crunch.”

A lot can change in a month and in this case it was the determination of the directors that the show must go on.

“We can’t let it (the parade) die,” said Bea Ball, chamber member and chair of the arts and crafts committee.

Jerns called for members of the chamber to come forward and volunteer for the parade. “We need more help. We’re not asking for money, we’re asking for a couple hours of your time.”

Earl Ball, Bayview RV park owner and former chamber head, then volunteered to chair this year’s parade. The parade, which opens Discovery Days, is scheduled for July 21 this year. Jerns said he has heard comments from Birch Bay residents saying, “‘Oh, it’s a shame you’re not going to have it’ or ‘Jeez, we really wish you would have it,’” but no one had offered to help until Earl Ball volunteered.

Other Discovery Days event planning is going well.

Ducky Derby chair Ted Morris from Birch Bay State Park said the annual race, in which small plastic ducks are released from the banks of Terrell Creek, is progressing smoothly. The chamber has 700 ducks and 300 more are on order. Tickets for the derby are $5 a duck. Jerns wants chamber members to take a hands-on role in this year’s derby, asking each member to sell 15 tickets. “If we can sell this event out, it should pay for all the rack cards and all the brochures.” He said a sellout would generate $4500.

First prize will be a week’s timeshare at any Trendwest resort. This year’s derby will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 28, one week after the parade and arts and craft fair.

Bea Ball said the fair that will be at the state park is also progressing.

In other chamber business, Jerns outlined some of the new committees currently being formed. These include a fundraising group that will look to acquire corporate sponsorships, a media relations team and a prize committee.

Birch Bay chamber’s next meeting will be noon May 15 at the C Shop.

Back to Top