Penn Cove Water Festival sets sail in Coupeville from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 7.
The festival is a blend of native history and culture and environmental education. It revives native canoe races from the 1930’s, when canoe clubs traveled from Washington and Canada to participate in the races. Many native performers are lined up for the day, along with Northwest and native foods and environmental displays.
Performers on Front Street: 11:30 a.m. Lou LaBombard, storyteller; 12:30 p.m., Shifty Sailors, singers; 1:30 p.m, Harvest Moon, storyteller; 2:30 p.m., Swil Kanim, Luumi fiddler; 3:30 p.m., Tsimshian Haayuuk Dancers
Lou LaBombard is a resident of Whidbey Island. He is a member of the Seneca Nation. LaBombard is a professor of anthropology at Skagit Valley Community College and the chair of the Social Sciences Department and has been at the college for 14 years. He has lectured around the United States on subjects ranging from incorporation of Native American materials into the general teaching curriculum and using Native American story telling and oral traditions. He is an interesting and entertaining speaker.
Harvest Moon is a basket maker, a Quinault tribal ambassador and storyteller and keeper of traditions.
Swil Kanim is a world-class virtuoso violinist who advocates self-expression to create stronger community. He intertwines his music with storytelling, poetry and audience interaction.
Tsimshian Haayuuk Dancers members are from the Tsimshian Tribe along the northern coast of British Columbia, Canada and Southeast Alaska. The group is based in Seattle. Each dance reflects a Tsimshiam interpretation of common themes such as fishing, hunting, first contact with non-Indians, family history and their relationship with the spirit world. Highlights of the group are theatrical and choreographed dances; the use of wood box drums unique to the Tsimshiam tribe and handmade dance regalia consisting of button robes, masks and headpieces.
At 3 p.m., learn a clam shell game from Melissa Duffy at boat launch on Parker Road.
Children carry a clam shell on a stick and attempt to walk with it through a preset course without dropping the clamshell. Tricksters attempt to distract the walkers and make them drop their shells. Everyone has a lot of fun in the process and clamshell walkers develop their ability to stay focused on a task and disregard distractions.
Paddlers are invited to bring kayaks, canoes, or row boats and sign up for Penn Cove Paddle, which is open to any paddle-able boat. Penn Cove Paddle is free, offers prizes and begins at 3 p.m. next to Coupeville Wharf; registration is at 2 p.m. at the head of the dock. Penn Cove Paddle is sponsored by Mariner’s Haven.
Canoe races on Penn Cove run from noon to 6 p.m. Races start and finish at Captain Coupe Boat Launch. Races include: 11-man canoe; 11-woman canoe; 11-person buckskin; 11-person junior buckskin; six-woman canoe; six-man canoe; six-junior buckskin canoe; six-buckskin canoe; mixed doubles; one-woman canoe; one-man canoe and family canoe.
Various children’s activities will run all day under the tent on the corner of Coveland and Alexander.
Environmental exhibits will be on display in the Rec Hall all day. The information booth will be set up at the head of the Coupeville Warf. Performers schedules, vendor and craft information will be available all day. This year’s Water Festival T-shirts will be for sale for $16.
