Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts continues today, Monday

PORT ANGELES — From funnel cakes to Thai food, blues to Hawaiian music and independent film, the Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts gave just about anybody a reason to attend Saturday.

And more happens today and Monday.

Port Angeles’ 12th annual arts festival would have gone on even if the weather hadn’t been so cooperative, but with few clouds in the sky, the incentive is there, said festival director Anna Manildi.

“Mother Nature’s doing us a favor this year,” she said of the sunshine and shirtsleeve temperatures.

“It makes people want to get outside.”

Manildi said this year’s festival — her fifth as director — will likely beat the 2004 festival’s attendance of about 12,000.

“I’m quite sure we’ll have more this year,” she said. “There are people everywhere.”

Spread among six venues across town, the festival brings about 450 performers to stage, Manildi said.

Boogie-heavy

Every year is different, she said, and not just because of the rain that usually dampens the festival.

Last year’s event had an abundance of dance performances. This year, she said, seemed to be boogie-heavy.

“This year it seems like we’re seeing a little more blues,” Manildi said. “We didn’t do that on purpose, though.”

Some of the blues headliners include ax-woman Alice Stuart and the Formerly’s, and country blues stalwart Walker T. Ryan.

Fleur Cornelius from Perth, Australia, came to Port Angeles to visit friends she made while an exchange student at Port Angeles High School in 1990.

The fledgling blues fan made sure to check out Ryan at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center on Saturday afternoon.

“I don’t know much about it, but I like it,” she said.

Not all Fuca Fest visitors showed up to see a performance on one of the festival’s stages.

Jamie Scott of Port Angeles took her lunch break from the Gottschalks cosmetics counter to stroll through the crowd outside the main festival area.

Music and people-watching keep her coming back year after year — this is her third consecutive visit — but that’s not everything.

“Of course the food,” she said.

More in Life

ISSUES OF FAITH: Truth and honesty important in leadership

THROUGHOUT THE TORAH, we are taught the importance of honesty and justice.… Continue reading

Doug Benecke will be joined by Sallie Harrison for special music at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
Program set for weekend service

Doug Benecke will present “Play Ball!” at 10:30 a.m.… Continue reading

The Rev Craig Vocelka will present “Listening for the Whisper” at 10:00 am this Sunday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1020 Jefferson Street.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church plans service

The Rev. Craig Vocelka will present “A Thankful, Generous… Continue reading

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith.
Speaker set at Unity in Port Townsend for weekend service

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith will present “Divine Feeding of… Continue reading

Suzan Mannisto, co-manager of Pioneer Memorial Park, introduces the “Pathway Accessible to All Project” as Sequim Irrigation Festival Prince Malachi Byrne looks on. (Sequim Prairie Garden Club)
Garden Club launches path at Pioneer Memorial Park

Organization seeking additional grants, fundraising

Map of lots available in Port Angeles from 1890.
BACK WHEN: Port Angeles celebrating 135 years on July 4

HERE IT IS. July 5, and we celebrated the 249th anniversary of… Continue reading

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Zane Rensen, 6, of Port Angeles receives patriotic face paint from Port Angeles High School cheerleader Madison Bishop in the children's activity tent at Port Angeles City Pier during Friday's Independence Day celebration.
Independence celebration

Port Angeles celebrated Independence Day with sights and sounds of America on… Continue reading

Blaine Hammond
ISSUES OF FAITH: Look through the lens of love

THE NEW TESTAMENT says many things about God, but only once does… Continue reading

The Wisdom of Avalon oracle series slated for six weeks

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith will lead the six-week series… Continue reading

Niobe Weaver
Speaker scheduled for Sunday service at Unity in Olympics

Niobe Weaver will present “Gratitude” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.… Continue reading

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith.
Speaker set at Unity in Port Townsend for weekend service

The Rev. Pam Douglas-Smith will present “Freedom and Community”… Continue reading