PORT ANGELES — The three-day Juan de Fuca Festival that runs today through Sunday returns to a full-on program featuring three stages of live music, more than 35 artists, 10 food vendors and a slate of free community events for the first time since 2019.
The annual signature event of the Juan de Fuca Foundation for the Arts was canceled in 2020 due to state-mandated COVID-19 restrictions and presented in hybrid format in 2021 to accommodate concerns about the resurgence of the virus.
This is also the first festival programmed by Executive Director Kyle LeMaire, who was hired to lead the Juan de Fuca Foundation for the Arts in August 2021.
LeMaire said one of his objectives for this year’s event was attracting more young people, part of a longer-term goal of cultivating their interest and participation in the arts.
“We’ve aged down some of the performers, like Abby Posner, who has a younger appeal,” LeMaire said. “Admission is now free for kids 14 and under — it used to be 12 and under — and new this year is half-off [admission] for those 15 to 21 with a student ID.”
There are still volunteer opportunities, although these are limited. Those interested should go to the volunteer tent located by the north entrance of the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St. Each volunteer who gives four hours of time receives a free T-shirt and a one-day pass to the festival.
The Juan de Fuca Foundation for the Arts’ 2022-2023 season that will be announced today also reflects one of LeMaire’s goals of diversifying its offerings presented throughout the year.
“Diversity for me means different genres. It’s a balance of some theater, some performance art. It has to be the right fit,” LeMaire said.
The street fair with artists and food vendors, as well as a number of free events, will primarily take place outside the Vern Burton, while the musical performances starting at 6 p.m. today and at 11:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday will be held on the Vern Burton Main Stage, the adjacent Chamber Stage and the Elks Naval Lodge ballroom, 131 E. First St.
Single-day tickets at the gate are $30 for tonight and $45 for Saturday and Sunday. Full festival passes are $100 general and $50 for students.
Complete information about the festival lineup is at JFFA.org. To reach the festival office, call 360-457-5411.
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Paula Hunt can be reached at 360-425-2345, ext. 50583, or by email at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com.
