OLYMPIA — Nine entities in Clallam County have been given tourism relief grants through the state Department of Commerce.
The grants were made in collaboration with the Washington Festivals and Events Association and ArtsWA, state officials announced on Tuesday.
The funds provide support to “legacy-level” events (those that have taken place for five or more years), festivals, civic and holiday celebrations, cultural and heritage events, music festivals, and street and arts fairs in communities with populations of 100,000 or less, state tourism officials said.
Grants can be used to restart local festivals and events suspended in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic or to stabilize depleted budgets.
In all, 284 successful applicants in 36 of the state’s 39 counties received more than $3.3 million in pandemic relief and recovery grants.
Clallam County Parks and the Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival each received $25,000.
The Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce and the Juan De Fuca Foundation for the Arts each were granted $17,500.
The Sequim Irrigation Festival received a $15,000 grant, while the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Extreme Sports Park and the Makah Indian Tribe each received $11,000.
The Sequim City Band was given $5,000.
Six Jefferson County entities received grants.
Centrum and the Port Townsend Film Festival were each given $35,000.
The Wooden Boat Foundation received $30,000.
The Jefferson County Fair Associated was given $20,000.
Olympic Music Festival was granted $15,000 and Port Townsend Main Street $13,000.
Grants ranged from $178 to $35,000 and were based on need and demonstrated losses, according to the Department of Commerce.
“Festivals and events are important to a community’s sense of place. They bring residents together and visitors from out of town,” said Commerce Director Lisa Brown.
“Many of these celebrations also support other causes, from local food banks to college scholarship programs. They are an essential part of Commerce’s mission of strengthening communities and growing Washington’s economy.”
The program was made possible through a tourism relief grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
