Camas Days’ fate undecided, women’s club seeks Royal Court nominations

Though the fate of this year’s 46th annual Camas Days celebration — an event that regularly attracts more than 12,000 people to downtown Camas during the last weekend in July — has yet to be decided, organizers behind the Camas Days Royal Court say they’re moving forward and taking nominations for the 2020 Camas Days king and queen. 

“The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Camas-Washougal believe that our world will return to normalcy (in) July, so that we all can participate in Camas Days,” said Susan Bennett, of the local GFWC. 

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has not yet extended his “stay at home” order meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus past May 4, but many local and regional events scheduled for the summer months — including the June 6 Camtown Youth Festival at Camas’ Crown Park; the 57th annual Vancouver fireworks show at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site; Portland’s Waterfront Blues Festival the first week of July; and the city of Portland’s summertime movies and concerts in the parks series — have already been canceled to prevent large gatherings that could spread COVID-19. 

If Camas Days does go on, the “Celebrating America” themed event will take place Friday and Saturday, July 24-25, throughout downtown Camas. 

As of now, the senior royalty coronation and dessert reception is scheduled to take place in mid-July at Columbia Ridge Senior Living in Washougal; the Royal Court will ride in the Camas Days Grand Parade on Saturday, July 25; and Zion Lutheran Church in Camas will celebrate the court with a luncheon for past and present royalty following the grand parade.  

Those nominated for the royal court must be residents of either Camas or Washougal, age 55 or older, have a history of local volunteer service and be active in the community. 

Nomination forms are normally available at the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce, 422 N.E. Fourth Ave., the Camas Community Center, 227 N.E. Lake Road, and the Washougal Senior Center, 1681 “C” St., but those buildings are currently closed to in-person traffic under the statewide “stay at home” order meant to stem the spread of COVID-19. To receive a mailed nomination form, call Bennett at 916-330-7932 or  Jeanette Jester at 360-834-2354. Entries should include the name of the couple or person being nominated, volunteer activities and why the nomination is deserved.  

Nominations are due by Monday, May 26, and should be mailed to the GFWC Camas-Washougal, Attn: Royal Court, P.O. Box 319, Washougal, WA 98671.

The 2019 Camas Days Royal Court King and Queen are Chuck and Barbara Carpenter, of Washougal. To read more about the Carpenters and their community volunteer work, click here.