By Susan Berta
The Penn Cove Water Festival proudly celebrated our 20th festival in Coupeville in May with Native canoe races, performances, arts, environmental displays, children’s activities, food and the unveiling of the new “Whale Wheel” near the Coupeville Wharf.
This festival is truly one of a kind. It celebrates our region’s history, Native culture and water resources and is a revival of the historic Coupeville Water Festivals from the 1930s.
The first Penn Cove Water Festival was held May 1992, sponsored by the Island County/WSU Beach Watchers, in partnership with the Island County Museum and the Coupeville Festival Association. In 2004 the Beach Watchers made the decision they could no longer sponsor the festival and a small group of dedicated volunteers founded the Penn Cove Water Festival Association.
Our small board started with no funds or supplies but over the past seven years have been able to hold the festival each year and continue the tradition. Board members Susan Berta, Cheryl Bradkin, Julie Dougherty (later replaced by Robin Hertlein, then Michael Ferri), Molly Hughes, Lynda Imburgia, Lou LaBombard and Benye Weber worked hard to get the festival up to speed with very little funding.
We have had a few new volunteers join our ranks, but for the most part, it is the PCWFA board members and one or two lead volunteers who do the majority of the work required to put on the festival. Most of us have been involved in the festival since the early years, and some of us are finding we need to step down from our positions on the board due to health issues or other commitments, but currently there is no one stepping up to fill these vacancies, or volunteers willing to take on a lead role.
As president of the Penn Cove Water Festival Association, and someone deeply involved in the creation of the Penn Cove Water Festival, I am very saddened that this event could now be in danger of ending. There is a huge need for cultural education in our island community and the festival is a boon to off-season tourism, since many off-islanders come to Whidbey to attend the event each May. If I were retired and didn’t have the responsibilities of another nonprofit to run, I would love to remain president of the PCWFA and make sure that it continues for at least another 20 years. Unfortunately, my other commitments make it necessary for me to step down as president of the PCWFA. Cheryl Bradkin, Molly Hughes, and Michael Ferri also are stepping down, as has Lynda Imburgia, leaving a huge void in our board and the need for several very dedicated volunteers to step forward to fill our vacancies, and keep the Water Festival alive.
We are holding a meeting Monday, Sept. 19, at 6 p.m. at the Coupeville United Methodist Church to enlist help for the future of the festival. It is my hope that others in the community value this festival enough to step forward to take the baton and keep the tradition alive. Not only does our island need this cultural event to educate our residents and bring visitors to the island, but it has become an important part of the Native canoe race circuit.
The Penn Cove Water Festival has always held a special place in my heart and always will, and I hope others will find it a worthy cause and make the commitment to become a board member or lead volunteer, so generations to come will learn about our region’s history, culture, and water resources, and continue to celebrate them on the shores and waters of Penn Cove each May at this unique, free family festival.
Susan Berta Penn Cove Water
A fateful Monday
A public Penn Cove Water Festival meeting will be held Monday, Sept. 19, at 6 p.m. at the Coupeville United Methodist Church. The fate of the festival will likely be decided.
