Water Festival set for May
Published 6:00 am Wednesday, March 10, 2004
Penn Cove Water Festival, complete with new organizers, is scheduled to take place May 15.
Coupeville Town Councilwoman Molly Hughes said during a recent Town Council meeting that the festival this year will focus more on exposing people to Native American culture. Hughes also serves on the festival committee.
The canoe races, which are always a highlight of the year, will continue. Hughes said the festival has received entries from five tribes throughout the Puget Sound region. In addition, several larger, more decorative, family canoes are expected to participate in the races.
Native American performers, a salmon bake and artwork will be featured during the festival, Hughes said.
The festival coincides with an exhibit on Native American heritage at the Island County Historic Museum.
The previous sponsors of the festival, Washington State University/Island County Beach Watchers, are still expected to participate and provide environmental displays and educational activities, though they pulled as sponsors.
In place of the Beachwatchers, a group formed called “The New Penn Cove Water Festival Association,” comprised of the general public, members of Island County Historical Society, Coupeville Town Council, Coupeville High School and from the Native American community.
Hughes said the committee is looking for more volunteers, sponsors for the canoe races and donations for the race purse.
Call Island County Historical Society at 678-3310 for more information.
