Enjoy free canoe rides, arts and crafts and a $10 salmon lunch
OLYMPIA – May 30, 2017 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Folk & Traditional Arts in the Parks Program invites the public to the Third Annual Canoe Families Celebration at Millersylvania State Park in Olympia.
The celebration runs from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 10, at the boat launch area on Deep Lake, 12245 Tilley Road South, Olympia. (Directions) The event celebrates the hard work and dedication of the members of and volunteers associated with the Chehalis, Nisqually, Puyallup and Skokomish River Road Canoe Families.
The June 10 event will feature Native American singers, drummers and storytellers, children’s activities and free canoe rides. Artists from the tribes will demonstrate traditional weaving, cedar work and woodcarving. A salmon and fry bread lunch will be available for $10, and the tribes will provide free hot dogs and s’mores.
In recognition of National Get Outdoors Day, Saturday, June 10, is a State Parks free day, when visitors to state parks are not required to display a Discover Pass.
Cultural event activities are presented by Canoe Families from The Chehalis Tribe, the Nisqually Indian Tribe, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and The Skokomish Tribal Nation. Proceeds from food sales support the canoe families’ participation in the Tribal Canoe Journey—where tribes and nations from the Pacific Northwest travel by canoe to different host communities along the Salish Sea. The 2017 Canoe Journey will be hosted by the We Wai Kai and We Wai Kum Nations in British Columbia.
The Millersylvania event is accessible to individuals with disabilities. People needing special accommodations to attend the event may call (360) 902-8626, (360) 675-3767 or the Washington Telecommunications Relay Service at (800) 833-6388. Requests must be made in advance.
About the Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program
The Canoe Families Celebration is part of a broader series of events celebrating Washington’s diverse cultures, presented by the Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program, with funding provided by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Washington State Parks Foundation. For more information about the Folks and Traditional Arts in the Parks program, with more details about the upcoming events, visit: parks.state.wa.us/folkarts or contact Debbie Fant, Program Coordinator, at Deborah.Fant@parks.wa.gov or (360) 902-8635.
_________________________________________________________________________________
About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
Follow Washington State Parks:
Share your favorite state park adventure on the State Parks’ blog site at http://adventureawaits.com/
Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W.
P.O. Box 42650
Olympia, WA 98504-2650
Washington Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388