Editor,

The Penn Cove Water Festival needs community minded volunteers. The festival which began in the 1930s is an opportunity to celebrate and lift Coast Salish culture. It features performances of indigenous music, dances, stories, food, art, crafts and a day of canoe races. Canoe racing is the national sport of the Coast Salish culture where children learn the 10 laws of the canoe, the essence of team work and challenging physical training.

Coupeville is the only event of this kind not on tribal land. (You can see newsreels of the 1930s races at the Island County Museum). If wish to be a part of this important tradition go to our website, www.penncovewaterfestival.org, and click on the “Support” then the “Volunteer” link, choose a task and time and that’s it. There’s also a convenient link to donate. It will be Saturday, May 10 this year.

Thank you for helping keep this important event going through difficult times.

Gary Piazzon,

President PCWF