This year’s opener for Penn Cove Water Festival, “Whales and Wine; Mussels and Music,” starts at 7 p.m., at Coupeville’s Rec Hall, Friday, May 3.

This year’s program has been expanded to include an extensive auction of unique items. Auctioneer Dale Sherman will host this year’s auction, which includes art works by local artists Sandy Dubpernell and Mary Ellen O’Connor, sailboat tours of Penn Cove, dinner at the Oyster Catcher, a half-day kayak tour from Eddyline Kayaks, soaps from Whidbey Soap Company, a collection of plants from Sweetwater Lavender Farm, and much more. The premier piece is this year’s fine art print created by Whidbey Island’s Roger Purdue, printed by Carol Peralta of CP Prints and matted and framed by Windjammer Gallery. It depicts this year’s festival theme — the near shore habitat — in a traditional Native American style. All items may be previewed at the Coupeville Recreation Hall at 7 p.m. This year’s festival T-shirt and collectible poster will also be available for purchase.

Penn Cove Shellfish will prepare mussels steamed in wine and garlic, served by Coupeville’s town marshall, Lenny Marlborough. Beverages include wine provided by The Bay Leaf and Toby’s and sparkling cider from Prairie Center. Sally Hayton-Keeva and Joe Keeva will provide Screaming Bansheebreads from The Bay Leaf. Beach Watchers will cook a variety of appetizers, including salmon pate.

Coupeville’s Celtic band, Sweetbriar, will play Irish jigs, reels and hornpipes. The band members play a variety of instruments, including fiddle, the Irish bodhran, penny whistle, mandolin, guitar, banjo, accordion and concertina.

Tickets are available at Coupeville Pharmacy and Videoville. Buy them before the program for $12.50 or at the door for $15. For more information, call 678-3720.

Paddle people needed in May

The Penn Cove Water Festival will be held in Coupeville on Saturday, May 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This festival relies heavily on local support and participation. Native American canoe races continue to be a central part of the festivities. Crews from the Swinomish, Samish, Nooksack, Lummi, and other tribal groups have been invited. But Penn Cove Water Festival offers so much more than the chance to watch other people row.

While only organized crews can take part in the actual canoe races, anyone can participate in the Penn Cove Paddle. The Paddle is open to anyone with a non-motorized, sea-worthy vessel. All participants must wear personal floatation devices and adhere to the instructions/directions.

Boats will need to be portaged from the parking areas along Alexander (north of the library) to the base of the Coupeville Wharf. Consider it part of the competition.

For more information on the Penn Cove Paddle or the water festival, call 679-7327.