Friday, July 31, 2026 • Vol. 21
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Duck Calls, Dragon Boats, and Jaws 2 Under the Stars
Tomorrow is Ridgefield's Day of Festivals. Tonight there's a shark movie downtown. Pace yourselves.
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Clear the calendar: tomorrow is Ridgefield's Day of Festivals, which is exactly what it sounds like — festivals stacked on festivals, dragon boats on the lake, and yes, competitive duck calling, which is more than anyone could ever want, because what??? Full breakdown below.
Warm up tonight with Jaws 2 at The Neighborhood Refuge — the second-best Jaws movie, screening under the stars at 9pm. And if you've been waiting for the full story on those baby goats: my Rocking B Farm feature is live. Grab a tissue, then book a farm tour.
Busy issue. Comfortable shoes tomorrow. Let's go.
— Shannon Hayes
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In this issue
→ The News — Day of Festivals, a protected farm, National Night Out, and Hallstrom's First Friday
→ On the site — the Rocking B Farm feature + the couple building catios for a living
→ Ridgefield Gives Back — dragon boats, Back2School Bash, and more
→ This weekend — Jaws 2 tonight, and the Raptors return Monday
→ The Buzz — a pottery studio with a love story, and the JoJo & Coco countdown
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The News
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Tomorrow
One Day. All the Festivals. Yes, There Will Be Duck Calling.
Tomorrow, Ridgefield crams what feels like an entire summer of festivals into a single Saturday. Dragon boats. Vendors. Food. And competitive duck calling. I have a not-so-vague memory of weiner dog races in the past. Anyone else remember that? what???
I put together the complete breakdown — what's happening, where, and how to plan your day so you don't miss the good stuff.
The full Day of Festivals game plan →
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Food & Drink
Farm to Table Is Filling Up — Don't Sleep on Tickets
Your friendly reminder that Farm to Table 2026 is coming up and tickets are not sold out yet — but they're getting close. If this one's been sitting on your "I'll get to it" list, this is your nudge. It sells out. It always sells out.
Grab tickets →
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Mark Your Calendar
National Night Out Is Tuesday — Here's Your Heads-Up
The next newsletter lands after it happens, so consider this your official reminder: National Night Out is Tuesday, August 4. Flyer above has the details — go meet your neighbors and the people who serve this town.
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Local Land
A Ridgefield Farm Just Made Clark County History
A farm right here in Ridgefield became the first in Clark County permanently protected through the Legacy Lands program — meaning it stays farmland, forever, no matter who owns it next. Quietly one of the bigger local stories of the summer.
Full story at The Reflector →
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Mark Your Calendar
Getting This In Early: Hallstrom's First Friday Sale
Next Friday, everything in Hallstrom Home is 20% off from 5–7pm for First Fridays — and if you buy something in that window, you get a coupon for a free scoop at Eight Cow Creamery. In case I don't get next week's issue out in time to remind you, consider yourself told now.
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On the Site This Week
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Things to Do
Rocking B Farm: Where Ridgefield's Unwanted Animals Get a Second Chance
The full feature from my visit is live — the four apartment goats who pulled through, the people this farm quietly helps, and how to book a tour, a birthday party, or a field trip of your own. This one has my whole heart.
Read the feature →
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Lifestyle
Yes, Catios Are a Thing — and They're Built Right Here
Patios, but for cats. The Catio Company is run by a delightful couple who started the business during COVID and now build these things all over Ridgefield and beyond. We featured their Hillhurst client — and here's the fun part: you don't need the post to see it. It's built on the back of the house facing the road, directly across from the high school. Next time you drive by, look for it.
And if cats-in-enclosed-spaces is now a genre you're into: Clark County just got its first cat café, over in Vancouver. Not us, but worth the drive.
Read about the catio → The cat café story →
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Ridgefield Gives Back
Every fundraiser and good cause in town lives in one spot on our homepage. Here's what needs you right now:
Paddle for Life Dragon Boat Festival — tomorrow. Part of the Day of Festivals lineup: dragon boat teams on the water, free admission, and a cause worth cheering for. Details here.
That envelope at Starbucks is buying a kid a backpack nobody can pick out of a crowd. Compassion360 is coordinating the Back2School Bash at Davis Park on August 15 — 500 backpacks, 500 supply packs, free clothes, shoes, haircuts, even dentist swag, all for Ridgefield kids who need it. The post has what they still need and how a five-dollar envelope turns into a first day of school. Here's how to help.
Also on the radar: Soroptimist meetup at Ridgefield Wine Bar Sunday — watch the Gives Back section for when it goes live.
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This Weekend
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Jaws 2 Under the Stars at The Neighborhood Refuge
Tonight at 9pm • 21+ • No cover
Jaws 2 movie, outside, tonight. Owner Renee Serface says it's simple: no cover, bring a chair and a blanket, 21 and over, and there will be a shark-inspired cocktail. Just when you thought it was safe to stay home.
Details →
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Day of Festivals + Paddle for Life
All day Saturday • all over town
The big one — see The News up top for the full breakdown, and Ridgefield Gives Back for the dragon boats.
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The Raptors Are Back in Town
Monday • Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex
After a week on the road, the Raptors are home again Monday. Same advice as always: lawn, blanket, book, cheap food.
Full schedule →
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There's always more happening than we can fit here — the full calendar has it all.
See the Full Events Calendar
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👀 The Buzz
What we're watching in 98642.
Clayvana is this close. The new paint-your-own-pottery studio is hoping to open next week, and I got a sneak peek — the wallpaper alone is worth the visit. I met the husband-and-wife owners, and here's the part that got me: when they were younger, their go-to date was painting pottery together. Now they're opening the place where you can do the same. Very sweet. Looks very fun. Watch this space.
JoJo & Coco is basically cleaned out. After a month of inventory-moving sales, the shelves are nearly bare and the "new approach" restructure-and-redecorate is about to begin. Word from an employee: figure three weeks to a month before the doors reopen. Can't wait to see what the new look will be — stay tuned.
Which means, for now, Hallstrom Home is it. With JoJo & Coco dark, Rhonda's is the only place in town for clothing, shoes, and the like — and she has new arrivals in. Go support the last boutique standing (temporarily).
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Got a tip? Know something we don't?
Permit sightings, new signage, sales, an event we should know about — reply to this email or submit it here. That's how community news actually works.
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Watch a shark movie tonight, spend all of tomorrow at some festival or another, and catch the Raptors when they're back Monday. See you around town.
— Shannon Hayes
Your most plugged-in neighbor
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