Event includes free canoe rides, arts and crafts, and a $10 salmon lunch

The Washington State Parks Folk and Traditional Arts Program invites the public to the Fourth Annual Canoe Families Celebration at Millersylvania State Park in Olympia.

The celebration runs from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at the boat launch area on Deep Lake, 12245 Tilley Road South, Olympia. 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 celebration will feature free canoe rides along with native singers, drummers and storytellers. Artists from the tribes will demonstrate traditional weaving, cedar work and woodcarving. There will also be children’s activities. A salmon and fry bread lunch will be available for $10. Free hot dogs and s’mores will be offered.

Activities at the cultural event will be 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 2018 Canoe Journey, Power Paddle to Puyallup 2018, will be hosted by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians in Tacoma, and will take place July 28 to Aug. 4.

The Discover Pass is not required to attend the event. In recognition of National Trails Day, Saturday, June 2, is a State Parks “free day,” when visitors to state parks are not required to display a Discover Pass.  (More information about the Discover Pass is at www.discoverpass.wa.gov.)

The event is accessible to persons with disabilities. If special accommodations are required to attend the event, people should call (360) 902-8635, or the Washington Telecommunications Relay Service at (800) 833-6388. Requests must be made in advance.

– Washington State Parks