It’s here!!! The Squirrel Fest wrap-up post!

I think a little background is in order (& also because, honestly, it’s more interesting than the actual Squirrel Fest lol) because this is such a quirky and interesting story so here we go!

It all started back in 1963 when local business owner and builder, Amos Peters, tried to find a solution after seeing so many squirrels getting hit by cars outside his office window.

Peters and a group of businessmen came up with the idea of building a bridge and brought architects on board. The result was a 60 foot aluminum bridge that cost $1000 and is called Nutty Narrows. It actually worked! and became the talk of newspapers all over the world and people even started sending in nuts to feed the squirrels.

The original bridge was replaced in 1983 and after Peters death in 1984 a 10 foot wooden squirrel sculpture was placed in the small park near the bridge in his memory.

Five additional bridges have been built since then and placed around the city and park:

Bruce Kamp Squirrel Bridge – built in 2011 (video of the dedication - the sound isn't great but the visual of bunch of guys in pinstripe with a squirrel is pretty funny)

John Dick Squirrel Bridge – built in 2012 inspired by the famous (that I have never heard of lol) Leonard Zakim bridge.

OBEC Bridge – built in 2014 and has a redwood frame and metal roofing and made to look like a scale model of a bridge fit for people

Safety Awareness Bridge – The bridge, built by the Longview-Kelso Bits and Bots robotic team features an industrial look and is made of gleaming steel. It includes colored glass panels of a walker, bicyclist and runner

Bridge Number 6 - This bridge was built by R.D. Olson MFG of Kelso Washington and was designed to resemble the Lewis and Clark Bridge crossing the Columbia River

Exact scale replica of nearby Portland’s Fremont Bridge - This all-aluminum bridge was constructed by H&N Sheet Metal in Kelso.

I snapped a few pics around town of the bridges and squirrel statue – sorry it’s so hard to see with all the trees in the way!

There are the Bridges of Madison county and now...the  Squirrel Bridge's of Cowlitz County!

For full details and a map you can check out the official website here & more fun facts about the history of the bridges on Road Side America here.

So basically, Longview likes it’s squirrels and Squirrel Fest was born. This was the 9th year for the festival and it’s a cute, small town affair in the town center with vendors, a few food trucks, a beer and wine garden, concerts and an open bus tour of the bridges.

The kids area is really cute with lots of games and activities. There are a few guys walking around with squirrel heads and red and white pin striped jackets. lol

It’s all free (except for the concerts) but they sell t-shirts (the 2 red ones I bought are pictured below. I LOVE the BFF one!) with all profits going to help local parks.

A new event for this year was the Squirrel Fest court crowning. Men and women from the community were nominated for their volunteer efforts int he county. The King and Queen got a crown of twigs with acorn lights . So fun!

And there are concerts. Kevin's company helped sponsor the event so we got free tickets. The main act – 5 Guys Named Moe (which, in fact, is not an act made up of 5 Guys Named Moe) was FANTASTIC!! They play a mix of  top 40 dance, 70's & 80's dance, rock, old and new and are one of the best bands I’ve seen. There was a (slightly tipsy) guy there (upper left photo - taking a selfie of himself, of course lol) in full squirrel attire dancing around and that was hilarious.

One thing I love about my new little town is how un-self conscious they are. Everyone just gets up and dances whether they’re good or bad (the beer garden may have had something to do with this lol). Parents actually get in there and play with their kids.

Everything seems so structured these days or IG/social media focused and this (as well as all the local events I went to this summer) are unhurried and have an old fashioned sweet vibe. No lines - nothing fancy - just bring a blanket, chair and cooler and have fun.

Next year will be the 10th anniversary of Squirrel Fest so I hope they have fun things planned.

Continuing with the squirrel theme...

Kevin's company mascot is Seymour Squirrel and his place is having a big safety meeting next month and Seymour is going! I have requested photographic evidence lol Its apparently rare for him to make an appearance.

And, since I'm here, I need to join in all the squirrel fun - but with my twist on it of course so I got myself a zombie squirrel... Kevin got one for his office too and plans on dressing him up for all the seasons. I'm sure they are questioning why they hired him at this point lol




So, that my friends, is what a Squirrel Fest is. I probably oversold it and after all that wait and build up it was a bit of a let down lol

But just think about how you'll know this weird bit of squirrel/Longview, WA trivia if it ever comes up!

Do you have any quirky festivals in your area??