JOYCE — The streets were packed with visitors enjoying sunshine and plenty of blackberry pie Saturday during the 29th annual Joyce Daze Wild Blackberry Festival.
The celebration of the Joyce community, west of Port Angeles, and blackberries also offered a beard and moustache contest, a parade and an arts and crafts fair, and drew an estimated 3,000 visitors.
Central to the festival was the blackberry pie contest, which welcomed 17 entries.
Roxanne Olsen’s blackberry pie won first place, the judges’ unanimous choice.
The contest was judged by Crescent School District Superintendent Tom Anderson, Crescent School Board Chairwoman Tracey Grover and Peninsula Daily News senior writer and weekend commentary editor Paul Gottlieb.
Mac Hefton’s pie took second place, and an entry by Sharon Webb-Bauerman was awarded third place.
One group that risked blackberry stains on their entries were contestants for the Beard and Moustache Championship, held at the Family Kitchen restaurant.
Facial hair awards
The Beard and Moustache Championship’s best beard went to Rick Broderson of Sekiu.
Anthony Szabo of Clallam Bay won the prize for best moustache.
Tim Cella of Port Angeles was determined to have the best goatee.
Rick Broderson of Sekiu had the best natural beard.
In the “anything goes” category, Dan Lieberman of Port Angeles took the top prize.
Parade enthusiasts began lining the parade route on state Highway 112 before noon to get the best seats for the 1 p.m. parade.
Old cars, horses, festival royalty and local personalities shone under the sun, greeted by cheers and friendly needling from neighbors and friends.
Many visitors brought dogs, and some shared their blackberry treats with their canine friends.
“They’re people, too, and they like blackberry pie,” said Patty Crawford, 51, of Seattle, who fed pie to her schipperke, Bob.
Dogs aplenty
Dogs were everywhere. Boxers, golden retrievers, Shiba Inu and common mutts trotted happily on leashes, enjoying the day with their owners.
A group of teenagers gathered under the Joyce General Store porch roof, taking turns holding a snuggly dachshund puppy.
The friendly wagging tails helped grease the wheels of greetings among strangers.
Bernadette Philbin, 51, of Sequim brought her Scottish terrier, Jock.
“It get people talking to you more,” Philbin said.
The North Olympic Peninsula is a very dog-friendly area; dogs are welcome almost everywhere, she said.
She, and Jock, appreciates it, she said.
Bringing dogs along for festivals and other events also provides dog owners some quality time with their dogs, said Philbin’s sister, Margaret Philbin, 64, of Sequim.
Terrie Kaplan, 60, of Bellingham brought her border collie, Olivia.
“She’s one of the family — my other child,” Kaplan said.
Parade winners
Parade winners were:
■ Best in Show — Clallam County Fair royalty float.
■ Royalty Choice Award — Sequim Irrigation Festival float.
■ Chairman’s Choice Award — 1937 Packard, owned by Will Gluth.
■ Wild Blackberry Award — Poulsbo Vikings.
■ Most Congenial — Eaglet.
■ Best float — Forks Old-Fashioned Fourth of July.
■ Best patriotic theme — Korean War veterans.
■ Best youth group — Girl Scouts of America.
■ Best novelty group — Happy Tymers clowns.
■ Best antique/old car — 1940 Ford Coupe, owned by Allan Wang.
■ Best antique/old tractor — 1954 Chevrolet log truck, owned by Dick Admundson.
■ Best car club — Strait Air Volksgruppe.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
