A rejuvenated Penn Cove Water Festival, the emphasis of which will be the spirit of Native American life, is scheduled for Saturday, May 15, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Coupeville’s waterfront. The Penn Cove Water Festival Association, a newly formed planning committee consisting of community members from the town of Coupeville, South Whidbey, Orca Network, Beach Watchers, Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce, Native Tribal representatives, Skagit Valley College, and Island County Historical Society, hope that all attending this free festival will come away with a better understanding of Native communities.

One of the primary goals of the festival association was to bring back the feeling of the original 1930 Water Festival with not only tribal canoe races, but increased Native arts and crafts, demonstrations, storytelling, dance performances, artist demonstrations, authentic Native foods, children’s activities, exhibits and displays. Another goal was to educate the public about traditional Native American culture and the importance of environmental resources as they relate to Native traditions.

For the first Water Festival in 1930, only 11-man canoes participated; subsequent years brought larger canoes as well as more than 22 tribes gathering to participate in races and to share their heritage with the population of Island County.

The ICHS museum staff, along with the many volunteers associated with the new Penn Cove Water Festival Association, have been working hard this year to create a revitalized festival with grants provided by Coupeville Festival Association, the Port of Coupeville and Whidbey Island Conservation District. Currently, the association has lined up several Native artists, storytellers, and live performances, along with a number of children’s activities, an historic film on the festival, and an exhibit detailing the history of this festival to go along with the numerous tribal canoe races happening throughout the day.

Local artist Roger Purdue has designed a logo that will be used on T-shirts, posters and fine art pieces .

Donations and volunteers are needed. Call 678-3310 for more information on being part of the festival