PORT ANGELES — The liars are ready and the tall tales about to burst forth. And afterward, the cash will flow.
This is the third annual Liars Contest, set Saturday night at the Sons of Norway Hall, 131 W. Fifth St., where a small flock of fibbers and embroiderers will gather at 7 p.m. to vie for cash prizes, trophies and the prestige of being the biggest liar willing to entertain an audience.
“It promises to be great fun,” said Cherie Trebon, mistress of ceremonies at the competition, which she noted is a family-friendly event with contestants from a variety of backgrounds.
Admission is a suggested donation of $10, with proceeds to benefit the Forest Storytelling Festival, a weekend-long event at Peninsula College’s Port Angeles campus in October.
The Story People of Clallam County put on the Liars Contest each June, with storyteller Pat Ferris recruiting participants throughout the spring.
“We have 10 fantastic tellers,” Ferris said.
Liar lineup
The roster includes locals such as Port Angeles Fire Chief Ken Dubuc, actor Ron Graham, medical transcriptionist Joy Beaver, veteran storytellers Carlos Xavier and Alice Susong, technical presenter Kyle Hall, nurse practitioner John Joseph and social worker Bob Nuffer.
Out-of-towners are Ingrid Nixon, chief of interpretation at Mount Rainier National Park, and Jennifer Ferris (no relation to Pat Ferris), a storyteller from Victoria, B.C.
The panel of contest judges includes Bob Grattan, owner of the Bushwhacker restaurant; storyteller Jan Yates; and Peninsula College President Luke Robins.
The three will rate the liars on creativity, delivery, stage presence and audience response, and bestow a $100 first prize, $50 second and $25 third prize.
Those hungry for more stories can catch Jennifer Ferris one more time next week: She will be the featured teller during the Story People’s monthly Story Swap at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.
For more information about the Liars Contest and Story Swap, visit www.clallamstorypeople.org or phone 360-452-8092.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.