PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center will host the second annual Wintertide Festival of Lights on Saturday.
The festival at the center at 1203 E. Lauridsen Blvd.,will include outdoor artworks in the 2022 Light Art Experience, food and drink vendors, shopping at the Makers Market, live performances and interactive light art stations and activities for all ages.
Tickets are required for the Festival of Lights and can be purchased at pafac.kindful.com/e/wintertidefestival2022.
The festival will begin with a lantern walk through Webster’s Woods, where community members are encouraged to bring a lantern or light and join the opening procession. Staging for the community lantern walk will begin at 4:45 p.m. and the festival will kick off at 5 p.m.
Festival attendees will be guided through the forest paths by 16 lighted art installations that are on display throughout the 5-acre property for the month-long Light Art Experience.
Several additional temporary light displays will be up for the festival evening only, including neon displays by Seattle artist Ron Smith (aka OctoEyes), a video mapping projection by multi-disciplinary artist Marcell Marias, an interactive Zen Light Table by local artist Ross Brown, and a delightfully surprising miniature world in a black light box by artist team Brigette LaGarde and Farley Harding.
“The Wintertide Festival of Lights is going to be spectacular this year,” said Rachel Storck, community engagement director.
“With more artists throughout the park and market, additional interactive elements for festival night, and the return of many of our fantastic performers from last year, we hope community members and visitors will celebrate with us at this fun and unique festival.”
The Fractal Phase and Shadow Sail Theater will perform. The Fractal Phase will present a choreographed fire performance, and Shadow Sail Theater will give a short performance before inviting festivalgoers to create their own shadow art. Emmagine Painting also will be on site for face painting.
At any point during the evening, visitors can shop at the Makers Market in the gallery and enjoy heated seating in the courtyard.
Local artist and musician Noah Smith will play the electrical keyboard from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Pacific Pantry, Fogtown Coffee, and Angeles Brewing Supplies Company throughout the event.
On Saturday, all community members can visit the Maker’s Market from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., but from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the grounds will be open only to Festival of Lights ticket holders.
Wintertide is supported in part by grants from the City of Port Angeles Lodging Tax Fund and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Outside of the festival, visitors can walk the grounds from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., to enjoy the light art in the forest now through Dec. 28. The Makers Market will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays through Dec. 18.
