By Nancy Rudolph
Today through Sunday marks the 77th annual Makah Days celebration in Neah Bay.
“There is an excitement in the air this year,” says June Williams, Makah Days committee chairman.
“This is the first time in a while we feel sort of free to be who we are as a people.”
A grand parade, street fair, arts and crafts, canoe races, traditional “slahal” games, dancing, singing, feasting and a spectacular fireworks show are all part of Makah Days, toward the end of August each year.
Here is the schedule:
Friday
Noon – Street fair opens, Bayview Avenue
3 p.m. – Youth canoe races
7 p.m. – Talent show, 2001 Royalty coronations
10 p.m. – Fireworks show – Front Beach
10 p.m. – Slahal games begin – Community Hall
10 p.m. – Modern dance
Saturday
8 a.m. – Street fair
9 a.m. – Softball tournament, high school
10 a.m. – Grand Parade
11 a.m. – Flag raising
Noon – Traditional salmon bake
Noon – Traditional Makah dancing – youth
Noon – Men’s and women’s buckskin canoe races
1 p.m. – Slahal games continue
2 p.m. Fun runs, races, games for all ages
3 p.m. – Slahal tournament begins
7 p.m. – Makah traditional dancing, high school gym
10 p.m. – Slahal games, Community Hall
10 p.m. – Modern dance
Sunday
8 a.m. – Street fair
10 a.m. – Men’s and women’s buckskin canoe races
Noon – Softball tournament finals
1 p.m. – Fun runs, races, games for all ages
1 p.m. – Slahal tournament – Front Beach
1 p.m. – Traditional salmon bake dinner
The full story appears Peninsula Spotlight magazine, part of the Friday/Saturday edition of the Peninsula Daily News. Click onto “Subscribe” to order your PDN delivered to your home or office.