Archives for April 19, 2012 5: 03 pm

Squirrel Fest 2012 ~ Longview Washington

The city, Longview Washington, way out in the west, has a unique party called The Squirrel Fest.

Its start has a interesting history, so here’s the story of how it all came to be.

It started long ago with a nice man, Amos Peters, who along with co-workers put up squirrel feeders,
For their nutty neighbors in the park who lived up in the cedars; efforts followed by applause from local business leaders.

From the civic park to the feeder there across the street, the hungry little squirrels crossed the road on tiny feet.
But cars we know are big and have those deadly tires, so when collisions happen the fragile creature soon expires.

It came one day a squirrel died with a peanut in its mouth, as it crossed the busy road going north to south.
It was one time way too many human hearts were broken, So Amos stood and all around him folks heard these words spoken:

We need a bridge for our squirrel friends, too many have met with untimely ends. I propose an engineering plan and over the road we erect a span. Let’s have a bridge for our pals to cross, saving future lives from bitter loss.

It was soon approved by the formal council of the city,
Who all agreed the loss of friendly squirrels was a pity.

The architects Newhall and Dahl, designed it so it wouldn’t fall.
Kramer, structural engineer said it would last for many a year.
Bill Hutch and Amos did the build, for a thousand dollar bill.
In March 1963 the bridge was erected, just as Amos Peters had expected.
Local councilwoman LaRiviere said,

It’s a nutty narrows hanging there.

That’s how the squirrel bridge got its name and thus began its world-wide fame.


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Until 1983 the span held its sway, but it was starting to wear and tear away.
Up stepped up the Sandbagger fraternity; “Defenders of squirrel we’re called to be!”
They spruced up the bridge and made it just like new, then had a rededication party too.

The Longview squirrel mothers began to teach their young
How to cross the Nutty Narrows when their turn had come.
It’s lit with lights for holidays complete with tiny trees
When it comes to happy squirrels Longview aims to please.

When Amos Peters passed away in honor of his good,
A 10 foot statue of a squirrel went up; it’s made of wood.
It’s near the civic circle on the lawn where squirrels play
Next to our library, come and visit it some day.

The Sandbaggers who for many years called the squirrels “brothers”,
Thought, one bridge is not enough, so sought to put up others.
We should add a bridge each year starting in 2011
The squirrels here will start to think that Longview is their heaven.

The city announced a contest for a new design, the copper bridge won the vote and it is really fine.
To celebrate the second bridge, a big party was thought best, and so began the planning of the Longview Squirrel Fest.
The King of Squirrels in Longview pronounced by Royal Decree,
Approval of that first event and it was as fun as fun can be.

Now we’re in two thousand twelve and the Squirrel Fest will be
On Saturday August 25th, and just you wait and see
How Longview celebrates with squirrels, come party here with me.

Signed,

Royal Squirrel Scribe, notary and historian
Princess Eyebright Glimmerfur
2012

Directions from the South going North

  1. From Interstate 5, go North towards Seattle
  2. Take exit 36 to merge onto WA-432 W toward 
Longview/Long Beach/WA-4 W
  3. The road turns into Tenant Way, continue
  4. Turn RIGHT onto 15th Avenue
  5. Turn LEFT onto Hudson Street
  6. Parking available along the streets

Download Map

View Map

Directions from the North going South

  1. From Interstate 5, go South towards Portland
  2. Take exit 40 toward WA-4/Kelso/Long Beach/Longview
  3. Turn RIGHT onto N Kelso Ave.
  4. Slight LEFT onto N Pacific Avenue
  5. Take the 3rd RIGHT onto Cowlitz Way
  6. Continue onto Washington Way
  7. Turn LEFT onto 15th Avenue
  8. Take the 2nd RIGHT onto Hudson Street
  9. Parking available along the streets


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Old, torn and sometimes photos in two or more pieces can be restored to their original state or better. Ric Wallace does a high resolution scan from your original image and electronically uses a computer to do the retouching and corrections. High quality photographic prints can be obtained from the computer file. The computer file can be supplied on CD/ DVD, USB, or downloaded from the internet to ensure exact copies can be made for years to come, with no loss in quality like prints made from negatives which will degrade over time.

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