LAPUSH — Quileute tribal members will share their cultural heritage and modern identity this weekend with visitors with a blend of traditional and contemporary entertainment.
The Quileute celebration in LaPush began at 3 p.m. Friday and continues all day — and much of the night — until 4 p.m. Sunday.
“We want to extend an invitation to our neighbors, friends, family and visitors to join us for our annual Quileute Days celebration,” said Tribal Chairman Chas Woodruff.
“We wanted to make sure there was something for everyone, so this year, we’ve added some new events we are sure you will enjoy.”
Entrance to all activities is free, unless otherwise noted.
A parade down Main Street and a fireworks show against the sea stack vistas visible from sandy First Beach are part of the festival, along with a salmon bake, horseshoe games, softball, bingo, the traditional stick games gambling tournament — which will continue Saturday and Sunday — concerts and a carnival.
The festival is conducted mostly on the main street of LaPush, which is about 12 miles from Forks on state Highway 110 and located on the Pacific Coast at the mouth of the Quillayute River.
The hourlong opening ceremony, with traditional dance and song, was held Friday at the A-Ka-Lat Community Center at the entrance to LaPush.
Dancing returns
“The dancing was very popular last year, so we brought it back,” said Russell Brooks, events coordinator for the Quileute tribe.
New events include a scavenger hunt, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and a fish hash Sunday brunch for $8 a plate.
No information on the scavenger hunt will be released until just before the hunt, which begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, Brooks said.
Instructions will be posted on the Quileute tribe’s Facebook page at http://tinyurl.com/pdn-quileutedays.
Main Street dance parties
The Main Street dance party was expanded to two nights — Friday night and Saturday — at the stage on Main Street.
Forks’ DJ Camello will host a late-night street dance from 10 p.m. to midnight Saturday.
Saturday’s activities will be full of variety, including softball, a parade down Main Street, canoes races, salmon baked in the traditional way and horseshoes.
Evening entertainment on Main Street will feature a talent show at 7 p.m. Saturday, followed by an 8 p.m. comedy show featuring Mitch Factor.
Vendors will sell arts and crafts. The salmon bake will provide a big piece of salmon, potato salad and a full plate of side dishes, Brooks said.
A salmon bake plate costs $15, or $25 for two.
As usual, the tribe will host a spectacular fireworks show at 10 p.m. Saturday at First Beach.
On Sunday, the tribe plans a fun run, more softball, bingo and canoes races.
For more information, visit www.quileutenation.org or phone 360-374-5091.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
