On any other Saturday, wet and chilly weather may have left the streets of Coupeville relatively sparse.

But during the Penn Cove Water Festival, the rain seemed an appropriate addition.

Thousands gathered in the heart of the town to take part in the 25th annual celebration of Northwest Native American heritage.

Vicky Reyes, president of the Penn Cove Water Festival Association, said she won’t have exact numbers for another week or so, but estimated that this year the festival attracted somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors.

The majority arrived early in the day, though quite a few stalwarts hung around to see the ever-popular Tshimshian Haayuuk Dancers and the last of the canoe races.

“People love being able to go out and dance with them,” Reyes said.

About 12 clubs and 350 pullers participated in the popular canoe races, a solid turnout despite some concern that possible traffic congestion near Anacortes could hinder some of the participants from getting to the festival in time.

Reyes explained that many of the pullers come from Bellingham or even Canada.

About 350 of the 100 were youth.

Participation in the event seems to be growing, Reyes said.

Many current participants have been involved annually since its reincarnation in the 90s.

The festival also incorporated tribal story telling, music, food and artwork, in addition to several educational exhibits.

“It went wonderfully, we were so hopeful the 25th anniversary would be a big success and it was,” Reyes said.