Forest Festival reports record turnout and vendor activity; LTAC funding highlighted

Shelton — Amy Cooper, vice president of the Mason County Forest Festival organizing group, reported to the Shelton City Council on Sept. 16 that the festival’s 81st edition saw increased participation, steady vendor activity and healthy attendance at multiple events.

Cooper told the council that entries for the festival’s parade and contests rose (she cited 165 entrants for an event and 95 entries for another), and that combined vendor counts for some shows totaled 55 vendors, with an estimated 3,000 people attending one downtown event. She said some vendors traveled from neighboring counties and that the carnival, parade and live music drew strong crowds.

Cooper credited Local Tourism and Culture (LTAC) funding with helping secure acts and infrastructure, and she thanked volunteers, the Shelton Police Department and the city arts department for support. Council members praised the festival organizers and encouraged continued LTAC partnerships to bring visitors and overnight stays to the city.

Organizers also reported a successful downtown Art Walk in June with an estimated 2,000–3,000 attendees and strong business impacts for restaurants and shops. No formal action was requested at the Sept. 16 meeting.