NEAH BAY — The annual Makah Days celebrates tradition and modern times with activities ranging from slahal tournaments, canoe races and salmon bakes to poker, tug of war, a parade and fireworks.
Makah Days began earlier this week with a fun run and a golf tournament at Cedars at Dungeness in Sequim.
It continues today through Sunday in Neah Bay, which is at the end of state Highway 112 at the most northwestern point of the contiguous United States.
The festival is a reunion for members of the Makah Tribe with tribal members who have moved away and with neighboring tribes from Washington state and First Nations from Vancouver Island to commemorate thousands of years of the Makah ancient culture and the anniversary of becoming citizens of the United States.
The first American flag was raised in Neah Bay on Aug. 26 1913. Many members of the tribe have served in the military through World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and other United States conflicts.
All Native Americans — including the Makah — were granted the right to vote June 2, 1924, some four years after women won the right to vote.
Each year, on the weekend closest to the Aug. 26th anniversary, tribal members celebrate with Makah Days.
Today, the street fair — with vendors selling native art and crafts — will open at noon and continue until 10 p.m. The street fair will be open each of the three days this weekend.
Also today, a talent show and the coronation of Makah royalty is planned just before the day is capped with a fireworks show.
Saturday will be a full day of activities, from 8 a.m. with the opening of a softball tournament to dancing ending at 1 a.m.
The day will include a grand parade and a flag raising.
A highlight Sunday will be the Bahokus Peak Challenge. The 3-mile race is entirely uphill with an elevation gain of almost 1,400 feet.
The theme of this year’s festival is Celebration Washburn Since 1902, Washburn General Store is at 1450 Bayview Ave.
Here is the schedule.
Today
• Noon to 10 p.m. — Street fair on Bayview Avenue.
• 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Youth field games for fifth grade and under at the Front Beach platform.
• 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. — Youth canoe races from Front Beach.
• 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. — Talent show and royalty coronation at the community gym.
• 10 p.m . to 11 p.m. — Fireworks, at the Bayview Avenue near the Warmhouse Restaurant.
• 10 p.m. — Open slahal games begin in the community hall.
• 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. — Modern dance at the Makah Teen Center.
Saturday
• 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. — Softball tournament at the Makah Tribal Center field.
• 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. — Street fair on Bayview Avenue.
• 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. — Grand parade on Bayview Avenue from the Makah Museum to the Senior Center.
• 11 a.m. — Flag raising near the grandstand.
• 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Traditional Makah dancing by youth up to 7 years old at the Front Beach platform.
• Noon to 5 p.m. — Traditional salmon bake near the Senior Center.
• Noon to 7 p.m. — Men’s and women’s canoe races off Front Beach.
• 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. — Traditional Makah dancing by youth from 8 to 15 years old at the Front Beach platform.
• 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.— Youth field games for sixth grade and above at the Front Beach platform.
• 3 p.m. — Slahal 3-on-3 tournament and a youth slahal tournament, both at the Front Beach platform.
• 6 p.m. — Traditional Makah dancing by adults at the community gym.
• 7 p.m. — Slahal tournament in the community hall.
• 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Modern dance at the Makah Teen Center.
Sunday
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Street fair on Bayview Avenue.
• 10 a. m. to 5 p.m. — Men’s and women’s canoe races from Front Beach.
• 10 a.m. — Bahokus Peak Challenge.
• 11 a.m. — VFW Charity Poker Tournament at the Makah marina.
• Noon to 5 p.m. — Traditional salmon bake near the Senior Center.
• 1 p.m. — Tug of War tournament at the Front Beach platform.
• 3 p.m. — Softball tournament finals.
For more information, see makah.com/activities/makah-days.
