Mother’s Day weekend arrives with a full slate of Mason County community gatherings, from a beloved animal-rescue fundraiser celebrating its 20th anniversary to a charity run honoring women fighting cancer. Whether you are looking to stock your garden, lace up your running shoes, or explore the season’s freshest produce, Mason County has something happening for every household this Saturday and Sunday — and a big summer festival already on the horizon.
Adopt-A-Pet Plant Sale Celebrates 20 Years of Giving Back
Adopt-A-Pet of Shelton brings its signature springtime fundraiser back for the 20th consecutive year, hosting the annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot of Our Community Credit Union at 2948 Olympic Highway North, Shelton.
The sale is one of the most anticipated community fundraisers on the county calendar, offering something for every type of gardener. Shoppers can browse a wide selection of trees, annuals, perennials, hanging baskets, vegetables, indoor plants, and native species — all competitively priced to benefit the animals in Adopt-A-Pet’s care. A food truck will be on-site throughout the day, and artisan vendors will offer ceramic and craft items alongside the plants. Families with young children will appreciate a dedicated kids’ planting station where children can create a small potted garden gift for their mothers — a perfectly timed project with Mother’s Day falling the very next morning.
Adopt-A-Pet has operated as an all-volunteer dog rescue shelter serving Mason County for 46 years. The organization relies entirely on community fundraising to feed, house, and provide veterinary care for dogs awaiting adoption. With no paid staff and no government subsidy, every plant purchased at the May 9 sale goes directly toward the animals. The Plant Sale has grown into one of its most important annual revenue events, drawing shoppers from across the county each May.
Admission is free, and there is no charge to browse. Shoppers simply pay for plants, crafts, and food at the event. The OURCU parking lot is easily accessible on Olympic Highway North, the main corridor connecting Shelton with Belfair and the rest of north Mason County. For more information about Adopt-A-Pet, visit adoptapet-wa.org or call the shelter directly.
Mother’s Day Dash Returns to Huff N Puff Trail
One day after the plant sale, on Sunday, May 10, Mason County runners and walkers of all abilities are invited to honor the women in their lives — and the women who need their community’s support — by taking part in the Mother’s Day Dash at the Huff N Puff trailhead in Shelton.
The race covers approximately four miles along the flat, community-maintained Huff N Puff Trail, making it accessible for both seasoned runners and those joining their first organized event. The course starts and ends at the trailhead, and the event is timed, with prizes awarded to top finishers organized by age group. All participants who registered by May 1 received a participation gift; check the registration page for current day-of availability.
All proceeds from the Mother’s Day Dash benefit the Karen Hilburn Cancer Fund, a locally focused fund dedicated to assisting uninsured and under-insured women in Mason County with cancer-related medical expenses. The fund addresses a gap that touches families across the county — from Shelton and Allyn to Hoodsport and Belfair — helping women who face treatment costs without adequate coverage continue to access the care they need.
For many participants, the race means more than a Sunday morning workout. It is a tribute: to a mother who fought, a neighbor who is still fighting, or a community that shows up when it matters most. To register or find more information, visit runsignup.com and search for the Mother’s Day Dash in Shelton, WA.
Farmers Markets Open Season County-Wide
Mason County’s farmers market season is now underway at both ends of the county. The Shelton Farmers Market opened its 2026 season on Saturday, May 2, and will run every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through October. The market is located at Evergreen Square on Railroad Avenue between Third and Fourth Street in downtown Shelton. Returning vendors are joined by new additions this year, with fresh produce, handmade goods, locally prepared food, and beverages available weekly.
In north Mason County, the Belfair Farmers Market is also open for the season, running Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through September. The Belfair market serves the Belfair, Allyn, and Tahuya corridor with fresh local produce and artisan offerings. Both markets are free to attend, and shoppers are encouraged to arrive early as popular vendors tend to sell out before closing time.
Looking Ahead: Mason County Forest Festival Returns June 5–7
For residents already thinking past Mother’s Day weekend, the Mason County Forest Festival returns June 5–7 in Shelton. One of the region’s largest annual community events, the festival features the Paul Bunyan Grand Parade, logging shows and demonstrations, carnival rides and games, a classic car show, a community pancake breakfast, live entertainment, and the Goldsborough Creek Run — a popular race with distances including a 7-mile run/walk, 2-mile run/walk, and junior events for younger participants. The festival celebrates Mason County’s deep connection to its timber heritage and draws visitors from across Western Washington each year. Details and event schedules will be posted at masoncountyforestfestival.com as the date approaches.
This Mother’s Day weekend, Mason County is showing up for its community — with plants to give, miles to run, and markets to explore. It is the kind of calendar that reminds residents why county-wide connection matters from Hoodsport to Belfair and everywhere in between.
Leave a Reply