PORT ANGELES — On Sunday at StreamFest, you can be any earthly creature you like.
Maybe you’d like to be a raven or a newt, a cooing dove or a snow leopard. You have 20 million species from which to choose.
Whoever or whatever you are, you’re invited to the Procession of the Species, just one part of the StreamFest happenings at Ennis Arbor Farm, a nearly 50-acre haven at 824 Lindberg Road, off Golf Course Road in eastern Port Angeles.
This is the 12th annual event celebrating the rivers and streams of Clallam County.
And it’s the last one.
The hosts, Ennis Arbor Farm owners Jim and Robbie Mantooth, have said they’re ready to focus on other projects.
The Mantooths will welcome the public onto their land one last time to learn about the environment and enjoy the great outdoors.
Sponsored by the North Olympic Land Trust, StreamFest will run from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Sunday with guided stream walks, storytelling and educational displays by Olympic National Park, Wild Olympics, Streamkeepers and many others.
More than 20 booths will offer information on regional ecological products, activities and issues, including sustainable design and planning, low environmental impact cars, hiking trails, fly fishing, rowing and native plants.
On top of those, there will be a “critter pond,” a silent auction of gifts from local businesses and a lavish spread from local farmers and fishermen.
DJs Howard and Leslie Fisher will supply music all afternoon.
Build a costume
To help people of all ages to prepare for the Procession of the Species, Meggan Uecker and Mattias Jarvegren will set up a costume-building center, with ingredients for masks and outfits.
“We encourage children and their adults to bring items that they have already, to dress as any of their favorite species — plant, animal or other,” Uecker added.
The parade will start winding through the farm at 4 p.m. to “Twenty Million Reasons,” a tune dreamed up by Port Angeles songwriter and science teacher Dan Lieberman.
The chorus goes: “Of 20 million species on this planet we are one / Working to survive another trip around the sun / That’s 20 million reasons to appreciate / So join in the procession and let’s celebrate . . . life.”
The StreamFest procession was inspired by a parade held every year in Olympia, Uecker noted.
A celebration of humans’ connection with the rest of the natural world, it’s a sight to behold — and sing along with.
For the words to “Twenty Million Reasons” and other details about the event, visit www.paprocession.blogspot.com.
Food vendors
To sustain all of this singing and strolling, an array of food vendors will be on hand.
They include Mystery Bay Seafood Co., Sunrise Smoked Meats, Sunny Farms Country Store, Olympic Cellars, Ninkasi Brewing Co., Joshua’s Restaurant and Graysmarsh farm.
The entrance to StreamFest can be found down a forested trail at 824 Lindberg Road, across from the Peninsula Golf Club on the east side of Port Angeles.
Free shuttle service will be available Sunday at the east end of the Port Angeles Plaza shopping center between noon and 2 p.m. and again between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
More information about StreamFest and the North Olympic Land Trust is at www.NOLT.org and 360-417-1815.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3550 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
