Though downtown Ridgefield often hosts some sort of activity throughout the year, one event brings more melodic notes to the community aesthetic.
On Oct. 7, Ridgefield’s Birdfest and Bluegrass event featured activities across the western portion of the city. Beginning with a 6 a.m. tour to see sandhill cranes where they roost in the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, the event featured several opportunities to celebrate the wildlife of the region.
The annual event also features the sonorous picking of stringed instruments across downtown. The bluegrass element of Birdfest and Bluegrass has “pickers” — those who play in impromptu bluegrass jams — meet together at spots around town to play their craft.
Of all those playing near the start of the official time slots for pickers’ locations, Tim Dawdy has likely been involved the longest. He said the event was founded by Allene Woodage, “one of the classic women of Ridgefield that really got things done.”
Dawdy said Woodage was a fixture among the Ridgefield community. Unfortunately, Woodage passed away a week before the event, he said.
“With her passing, this is a real fit memorial for her,” Dawdy said about Saturday’s event.
Initially, Woodage wanted to do a blues event, Dawdy said. He was more versed in bluegrass, which Woodage agreed would be the music for the festivities.
The event has gone on for some 20 years, Dawdy said. The only year he has missed was in 2005 when his former job with what is now Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue took him to New Orleans to assist with Hurricane Katrina response.
Saturday’s event felt more like a perfect August weekend than October. Temperatures in the area hit the low 80s according to the National Weather Service.
“This is like the nicest day you could have in the summertime,” Dawdy said.
The groups of pickers change throughout the event, with some staying put while others mosey about to other spots, linking up with other musicians to play on whatever standard or free-form jam they settle on. Though he’s made connections over the years with players touting decades of playing, Dawdy said the event’s newest pickers should get the most attention.
“I think of it like a karate school. The most important people are the white belts,” Dawdy said.
Through his decades in the bluegrass scene, Dawdy said he’s become acquainted with many of the musicians who take part from around the region. Although the pickers put on a show, he said having an outlet for people to participate made for a better experience all around.
“I think it’s much more important to have a participatory event than a performing event,” Dawdy said.
