NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, Aug. 23.
NEAH BAY — Canoe races, slahal games, vendors and fireworks will mark today’s opening of Makah Days, a celebration of 89 years of full U.S. citizenship and thousands of years of being Makah.
The 89th annual Makah Days festival will continue through Sunday at Neah Bay, which is at the western end of state Highway 112.
This year, the Makah will especially honor their Vietnam veterans as grand marshals of the Makah Days Grand Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Grand parade honors
The grand parade’s hourlong procession will move down Bayview Avenue from the Makah Cultural and Research Center, on the east side of Neah Bay, to the Makah Tribal Senior Center at 341 Bayview Ave.
“As a tribe, we want to recognize what our people have done for our country,” said T.J. Greene, chairman of the Makah Tribal Council.
Vietnam veterans in particular were chosen this year because they “grow old before our eyes” and haven’t been sufficiently recognized for their service, Greene said.
“We want to do something for them while they’re still with us and can appreciate it,” he added.
All three days of the celebration, vendors will sell traditional and modern items from fry bread and Indian tacos to native arts and crafts in a street fair on Bayview Avenue that opens at noon today and at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Daily festivities will include slahal games, a traditional bone game and a formal slahal tournament, as well as a softball tournament.
Fireworks will start at about 10 p.m. today and can be viewed from Bayview Avenue or the beach.
War canoe races will be held each day of the event, featuring cedar racing war canoes from the Makah — who are closely related to the Nuu-chah-nulth nations of Vancouver Island — and from guest tribes from Washington state and Canadian First Nations.
The races will begin at 3 p.m. today with youth races.
At noon Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday, adult pullers will vie for the title of fastest canoe in both men’s and women’s races.
War canoes are narrower than the seagoing canoes used during the annual Paddle Journey and vary greatly in size, from accommodating single competitors to 11-person crews.
Races are held near the senior center, 341 Bayview Ave.
Makah royalty
The Makah royalty pageant will crown a full court during the talent show at 7 p.m. today at the Community Gym, 1493 Bayview Ave.
The Makah Royalty Court includes the Baby King and Queen, 5 and younger; the Junior Warrior and Makah Princess, 6 to 10 years old; the Warrior and Makah Junior Miss, 11 to 15; the queen, between 16 and 21; Makah Miss, 22 to 49; and the Senior King and Queen, 50 and older.
Royalty court members raise funds for future Makah Day events, represent the Makah tribe at tribal ceremonies and act as ambassadors at events in other communities, said Jessica Hanson, one of the royalty court organizers.
Salmon bakes will be held Saturday and Sunday near the senior center.
At noon Saturday will be traditional dances by Makah youths.
Challenge run
At 4 p.m. Saturday, all comers are challenged to race to the top during the 10th annual Bahokus Peak Challenge uphill fun run.
The event is a 3-mile run to Bahokus Peak, which overlooks Neah Bay.
This year, a Half Challenge will be offered for those not ready for the full course.
Entry in person at registration is $10 for youths ages 17 and younger and $20 for adults.
Registration begins at 3:15 p.m. at the base of Bahokus Peak Road.
Flag-raising
The first day the U.S. flag flew over Neah Bay was Aug. 26, 1913.
A flag-raising ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the senior center to commemorate that first flag-raising 100 years ago.
Despite the raising of the flag in 1913, the Makah were not granted full U.S. citizenship until June 2, 1924.
Sunday will see the finals of slahal and softball, as well as the last day of the street fair and canoe races, along with a salmon bake.
The modern celebration of Makah Days brings together both their ancient native tradition, a way of life on the tip of the North Olympic Peninsula for more than 4,000 years, and the 21st-century Makah identity as citizens of the United States.
Honoring veterans is important to the Makah, tribal members said.
The Diah Veterans Park and the veterans wall are among the constant recognition given veterans, said Rose Jimmicum, Makah Days Committee chairwoman.
State Highway 112, the road into Neah Bay, has been designated by the state as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway, and state Highway 113, a route to 112 from U.S. Highway 101, is also known as the Korean War Veterans Blue Star Memorial Highway.
A large number of Makah tribal members have served in the military from World War I to current times — and the tribe has been fortunate, Greene said.
“We have a rich history of service, and we have been blessed that we haven’t suffered any losses in the conflicts,” Greene said.
There is no admission for Makah Days events.
A $10 use permit is required for other activities, such as hiking, camping, fishing or visiting Cape Flattery, Shi Shi or other trails and beaches.
Permits can be obtained at Washburn General Store on Bayview Avenue.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
