For all the support the Brownsville community has given its port district, port commissioners have found a way to give back.

On Saturday, Sept. 24, the Port of Brownsville commissioners are hosting the inaugural Brownsville Appreciation Day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The port is hoping to offer a big “Thank You” to the community with a day filled with free children’s activities including face painting, dinghy rides, sailboat rides (weather permitting), a scavenger hunt and a unicycle demonstration.

“We wanted to give back to the community that’s been helping us all these years,” said Jerry Rowland, harbor master for the Port of Brownsville.

And while they last, hamburgers, hot dogs and soda will be sold for 25 cents each. Two bands also will be performing live at the event. Jewels, a family band of 10 children from Chehalis, will be up first with folk tunes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The local band Shameless will be playing classic rock from 4 to 8 p.m.

All proceeds from the event will be donated and split among the four elementary schools in the port district’s area: Brownsville, Cottonwood, Esquire Hills and Woodlands.

In many ways Brownsville Appreciation Day is not only a way to thank the community, but a way to bring more awareness to the Port of Brownsville.

“Most people know the marina is here, but they don’t realize the Port of Brownsville is here,” Rowland said. “We want the Brownsville community to see what they have helped us build over the years. We are hoping to make this an annual event.”

Port commissioners have been planning for the event since February and approved the funding for it in their annual budget.

The entire marina will be opened for the event and guests will be allowed to wander freely including to the breakwater which has the only marina ramp rider in Washington state, making the breakwater Americans with Disabilities Act accessible.

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