QUILCENE — When Mari and Gary Phillips started the Quilcene Antler Show as an adjunct to the annual Quilcene Fair, they weren’t sure where it would lead. Three years later, the Antler Show has evolved into a celebration of the art of hunting.
“Some people think that hunting is just going out and shooting something, but that’s not all it’s about,” Mari Phillips said. “There is so much more, and we are hoping to pass on some of that knowledge.”
While most of the Quilcene Fair activities are Saturday, taking place at or around Quilcene School, 294715 U.S. Highway 101, the Antler Show is both days.
It runs from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, and takes place in the school gym.
“It gets bigger and better every year,” Phillips said. “This year, we are also doing a gun and knife show, but it’s taking place at the Masonic Hall because you can’t have guns at a school.”
Gun and knife show
The gun and knife show will be from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.
Aside from displaying antlers, the show offers information about taxidermy, knapping — the process of making arrowheads — and hunting dog training.
The quality of the antlers has changed since the first show, Phillips said.
“When we first started this, we would take anything we could get,” she said. “Now we are a lot more particular. We have a lot of really nice displays this year.”
Another component of the show is the honoring of accomplished hunters, both alive and those who have passed on.
The Quilcene Fair will feature a classic car show, car burn-out exhibition, music, arts and food and craft vendors, along with a garden display and games.
Parade
The centerpiece of the Quilcene Fair will be the parade.
Those participating can begin check-in at 9 a.m. in the lots next to the community center, preparing for an 11 a.m. start time.
The parade will proceed down Highway 101 in front of the school moving toward U.S. Bank.
Entries include local dignitaries and honorees, floats, vehicles, horses, local groups, candidates, vehicles, animals, logging and old farm equipment.
A special participant in the parade will be artist Jacob Kohn, who is donating eight of his murals that were once displayed at the Seattle Aquarium for use in Quilcene as public art.
Kohn will ride a float along with two of the murals and will give demonstrations on how he created the art during presentations at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. at the school.
The murals are made of Plexiglas with different layers of paintings held between the panels, resulting in a three-dimensional effect.
Citizens honored
In addition to the mural floats, several local citizens will be honored for their service to the community.
The Citizen of the Year, Jacque Bancroft, has organized many community holiday bazaars and uses her arts and crafts skills for gifts and her business.
The parade’s king and queen are Mark and Tammy Thompson, who are active members of the Quilcene School District — Mark as teacher, coach, athletic director, class and club adviser; and Tammy as a district secretary, class and lab adviser, and mentor to students.
Don and Lorna Ward are honored as pioneer citizens.
Don Ward is one of the oldest pioneers born in Quilcene. Both have been active members of the community through its school and school board, fire department, cemetery board, booster club, museum board, community calendar and church activities.
They have four children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Teacher Michelle Moriarty and classified employee Veda Wilson were named educators of the year, and Bernice and Gary Levitt will appear as the most missed citizens.
Community portrait
A special event each year is the Quilcene community portrait.
All are invited to step onto Highway 101 at noon after the parade for the community snapshot.
Other events are:
■ A breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday in the school cafeteria; $5 gets eggs, sausage, cinnamon rolls, juice and coffee.
■ The South County Classic Car Show behind the school from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, with a “burn out” exhibition beginning at 3 p.m.
■ A Fair Board Raffle, with $1 tickets purchased from sellers at the breakfast, at the Antler Show and at the information booth on fair day.
For more information, phone Jacque Bancroft at 360-765-3569 or Larry McKeehan at 360-437-2842.
■ A photo contest, with prizes given to four winners.
■ A gardener’s corner, with prizes awarded for the longest zucchini, best miniature carrot, funkiest fruit or veggie, biggest pumpkin and best flower arrangement.
■ A Ranger Run beginning at 10 a.m. Sunday.
The flat, scenic 4-or 2-mile run/walk will begin on Rogers Street and follow Linger Longer Road to the turn-around points and back.
All proceeds benefit Quilcene-Brinnon Dollars for Scholars and Friends of Jefferson County Parks & Recreation.
Entry fees are $25 for adults and $20 for youths younger than 18.
Entertainment throughout Saturday in the cafeteria and courtyard includes:
■ Juggling by David Kell — Noon to 12:45 p.m., cafeteria stage.
■ Country duo Night Beat — 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m., courtyard.
■ Puppets Please, an in-the-round marionette variety show — 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., southwest corner of the cafeteria.
■ Julie Duke Band’s blues vocals — 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
■ Larry Murante — 2:40 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., courtyard.
For more information, visit www.quilceneantlershow.org and www.quilcenefair.com.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
