Saturday, May 12, we celebrated the 16th annual Penn Cove Water Festival in Coupeville.

Thanks to the hard work of a small group of dedicated volunteers, we have been able to carry on the revived tradition of historic Coupeville Water Festivals of the 1930s featuring Native Canoe races on Penn Cove, with the added cultural and environmental education features of the Penn Cove Water Festival.

The support of many individuals, organizations and businesses enable us to continue this tradition, and though we don’t have room to possibly thank everyone involved, special thanks go out to the following for financial support of the festival:

Tulalip Tribe, Island County Hotel-Motel 2 percent Tax Fund, Town of Coupeville, Port of Coupeville, Coupeville Festival Association, Penn Cove Shellfish, Stillaguamish Tribe, Washington State Arts Commission, Lummi Nation, and all who generously contributed to the sponsorship of Canoe Races.

We also truly appreciate the help and support of the Amateur Radio Club, Cambey Apartments, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Colonial Critters, Coupeville Coffee House, Peg Tennant and Coupeville Farmers Market, Betty Gewald, Harbor Gift and Art Gallery, Island County Historical Society Museum, Jewelers Bench, Lighthouse Environmental Programs (WSU Beach Watchers and Waste Wise programs), Orca Network, Craig Platt and Mimi Buescher, Roger Purdue, Barry Rix, Island County Sheriff’s Dept., Paul and Karen Whelan, The Whidbey Examiner, Whidbey General Hospital EMS, and Whidbey Island Bank, Coupeville Branch.

Since becoming a non-profit organization in 2004, the Penn Cove Water Festival Association has worked tirelessly to continue this unique family festival, and to build upon the Native cultural components of the event. Our goal is to provide a festival that is not only a fun celebration of the history and culture of Penn Cove, but a learning experience as well. We continue to bring quality Native performance, storytelling and arts to the festival, and provide a mix of environmental education exhibits and children’s activities that provide an enjoyable learning experience for kids and adults alike.

The sun shone, the canoes raced, the music wafted over the sparkling waters of Penn Cove, and we were pleased to see the fruits of our efforts and share the day with all who attended and participated in the festival. This wonderful festival would not happen without the talent and efforts of those who have dedicated so much time to keep this historic festival alive. My heartfelt thanks goes out to the Penn Cove Water Festival Association members: Cheryl Bradkin, Molly Hughes, Robin Hertlein, Benye Weber, Lynda Imburgia, Lou LaBombard, and Celia Bartram, and to Marty Crowley for taking the lead with Children’s Activities.

Without you, this beautiful tradition would be lost, and every moment you work toward continuing the Penn Cove Water Festival is very much appreciated. We welcome any community members or organizations who would like to be involved in the 17th Penn Cove Water Festival, to be held May 17, 2008, to join us in this endeavor. More information can be found at www.penncovewaterfestival.com.

Susan Berta, president

Penn Cove Water Festival Association