PORT ANGELES — Local CSA farm “SisterLand Farms” is joining forces with Out Loud Story Slam, B and B Lavender Farm, Esoterica Shop and the Port Angeles chapter of Food Not Bombs to celebrate Pride with a community picnic.
Following the success of last year’s Pride on the Pier in Port Angeles, event co-organizer and SisterLand Farms owner Arleen Jenson has decided to double the community fun.
Leading up to Sunday’s second annual Pride on the Pier, SisterLand Farms will join other community businesses and organizations to host a “Coming Out” Pride Picnic on Saturday.
SisterLand Farms’ “Coming Out” Pride Picnic will begin at 6 p.m. and will include a makers’ space for local artists to trade art and services, a clothing swap hosted by local vintage clothing collector Noelani Boise of Esoterica Shop, a letter writing station where attendees can send cards and notes to LGBTQ+ prisoners, a vegetarian potluck picnic hosted by the Port Angeles chapter of Food Not Bombs, a meet’n’greet session to introduce queer elders to local LGBTQ+ youth, and a story slam hosted by Clallam County’s own Out Loud Story Slam.
It will be hosted at B and B Lavender Farm at 5883 Old Olympic Highway in Sequim.
Attendees will be encouraged to regroup the following day at 4 p.m. on the Port Angeles Pier for song, marching and celebration as part of the second annual Pride on the Pier party.
“Back in 2018, I created a two-word mission statement for my farm: Grow radically,” Jenson said at a recent Pride planning meeting.
“If I’m going to honor that mission to the fullest, I need to make sure that this business is rooted in its most radical, vibrant, and colorful community. And, as us farmers already know, if a plant is going to root into something for the long haul, that plant has to give back. Pride is one way SisterLand can return the love that’s fed us so well.”
Queer Xhoir will perform.
A suggested donation can be made upon entry to SisterLand Farms’ “Coming Out” Pride Picnic, though all activities are free to attend.
Organizers encourage attendees to bring a packed meal or vegetarian dish to share, and dress to impress. Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed and to the story slammer who tells the best “Queer” story.
About SisterLand Farms:
SisterLand Farms was founded in 2018 in Port Angeles. It has implemented the county’s first kitchen waste compost pick-up program, hosted monthly online learning sessions, and has helped develop the Clallam Growers’ Collective, a body of volunteer growers dedicated to building friendly community between regional farms.
It was a co-winner of the 2020 Land Trust “Farm of the Year Award” and a finalist for the 2021 Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce “Emerging Business Award.”
For more information, contact SisterLand Farms, LLC at 360-207-4627 or sisterlandfarms@gmail.com.