PORT ANGELES — Historical costumes, tours, contests and a fashion show were among the high points Saturday of Heritage Weekend, an annual celebration of Port Angeles’ rough-and-tumble past, which continues today.
Participants, some dressed in period costumes, enjoyed the car show, tried their hands at sketching, took tours of the Clallam County Courthouse and the dams on the Elwha River and attended a tea and a fashion show-and-tell discussion.
The festival is an opportunity to learn more about local history, said April Bellerud, owner of the Odyssey Bookshop at 114 W. Front St., and the new chairwoman of the celebration begun eight years ago by Don Perry and Port Angeles Heritage Foundation.
Events continue today with tours and exhibits.
Today’s schedule
• “Snapshots Of Our Past,” a showcase of historical photographs and signs from downtown Port Angeles, plus slide shows from the North Olympic Library System collection, is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Studio Bob, upstairs at 118 ½ E. Front St..
The Studio Bob display also features girls’ and women’s dresses and lingerie of the Victorian and Edwardian era from the collection of Marilyn Lamb of Cottage Queen, a women’s boutique at 119 W. First St.
• Historical downtown walking tours start from the atrium of The Landing mall, each hour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, or $30 for two adults and up to three children.
• The Last Dam Tours of the Elwha Dam will begin every two hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Meet in The Landing mall atrium. The cost is $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Participants must be 16 or older and able to navigate stairs and steep terrain. Tickets for today were still available as of late Saturday, Bellerud said.
• Free tours of the Elks Naval Lodge, 131 E. First St. at Lincoln Street, start hourly between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday.
• The Olympic Dream Machines car show parks on Laurel Street between First and Front streets from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The U.S. Coast Guard fast boat is on display on Laurel Street, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The bubblegum-blowing contest debuts at 2 p.m. at Northwest Fudge & Confections, 110 W. First St., with free gum provided for contestants.
• Children are invited to make their own climbing-bear toys at Sterling Impressions Photographic, 103 W. First St., between noon and 4 p.m. It’s free while supplies last.
• The Coast Guard gives a rescue demonstration off City Pier at noon.
• 1950s “flashback” prices on cheeseburgers, fries, root-beer floats and sundaes are in effect at Rick’s Place, 102 W. Front St.