Wheelchair and power scooter racing.
Pumpkin decorating.
Art studio touring.
Storytelling.
Whatzit deciphering.
And old-fashioned political rallying.
Something appeal to you?
This weekend’s activities across the North Olympic Peninsula offer something for just about everyone.
They include:
* The Hot Wheelers Rodeo, an obstacle-course competition and drag race along with food and prizes, Saturday starting at 10 a.m. at the Sequim Fire Station, 323 N. Fifth Ave.
The rodeo is held every year “not only to have a lot of fun but also to call attention to the transportation problems the physically challenged have,” says Bryant Butterfield of Sequim, one of the rodeo’s organizers.
Owners of scooters, power chairs and standard push wheelchairs will pilot them through an obstacle course in the fire station’s parking lot — and compete against each other in drag races.
Local businesses and organizations are donating food — and prizes for winners.
“It’s great fun to watch — bring a lawn chair to sit up and wear warm clothing,” says Butterfield.
To enter the rodeo, contact Margaret Witt, 360-683-3091.
* Pumpkin decorating contest, sponsored by the Port Angeles Downtown Association, at the Farmers Market on Laurel Street on Saturday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The contest is for children in the kindergarten through fifth grades.
A total of 200 sugar pumpkins will be given away on a first come, first served basis, said Arla Holzschuh, downtown association executive director.
Children will have one week to decorate — not carve — their pumpkin any way they choose. Pumpkins can be painted, decorated with pens and markers, or have decorative details like paper, yarn or dry pasta glued on the surface.
Creative use of natural materials such as pine cones, leaves, and twigs is encouraged.
Decorated pumpkins will be brought to the Atrium of The Landing mall one week later, Oct. 23, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
There, they will be judged and put on display for public viewing through Halloween.
* The sixth annual Artist Studio Tour, sponsored by Art Port Townsend, provides a peek inside the studios, lofts and workspaces of many of Jefferson County’s most talented artists.
This year’s tour on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. features about 35 studios. There is no charge for studio tours.
Professional artists working in oils, watercolors, acrylics, pastels, printmaking, sculpture, foundry pours, ceramics, woodworking, fabric arts, glass and a variety of mixed media will show, demonstrate and display.
A list of details and participating artists appears on Page 4 of Peninsula Spotlight magazine, included with this edition of Peninsula Daily News.
* The 10th annual International Forest Storytelling Festival pulls out a good yarn or dozens today through Sunday at the Port Angeles Senior Center, 328 E. Seventh St.
This celebration of tales begins this evening, with registration opening at 6:30.
At 7:30 p.m., there will be a tellers’ concert featuring Mary Hamilton, Dayton Edmonds, Brian Conroy, Allison Cox, Yvonne Young and Robin Moore.
There are opportunities for the rest of the weekend to hear stories, share stories and learn how to tell stories.
Cost for the full weekend is $65. Those who wish to attend specific events can do so.
For more details, including admission fees, a schedule and short biographies of the featured storytellers, turn to Page 11 of Peninsula Spotlight magazine in this edition.
* “Stump the Chumps,” who are actually experts from Seattle’s Burke Museum, will examine the rocks, fossils, bones and curios you found around the yard, in the forest or on the shoreline.
The Port Townsend Marine Science Center’s Natural History Building at Fort Worden State Park will be the setting Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Rachel Gaspers, marine science center past president and current board member, says “the ‘Chumps’ . . . identify (and get stumped by) the oddly shaped rocks, alleged bones, or other baffling objects found by folks while wandering the beaches, river beds or woodsy places.”
On hand this year from Burke Museum will be Dr. Elizabeth Nesbitt, chair of the invertebrate paleontology division of the geology department; Ron Eng, collections manager for the geology department; and Bruce Crowley, preparer of fossils.
In addition, Casey Burns and other members of the Northwest Paleontological Association will join the session.
At the conclusion of fossil identifying, Burns will give a talk about what global warming could mean to Port Townsend’s future.
Admission is free to anyone bringing an item in for identification.
For more information, go to www.ptmsc.org, or call the Port Townsend Marine Science Center at 360-385-5582 or 800-566-3932 or e-mail info@ptmsc.org.
* Jefferson County Democrats’ rally at Jefferson County Memorial Field, on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., rain or shine.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, who is seeking re-election, joins Jefferson County Democrats, who will be rallying on behalf of everyone from John Kerry at the top to partisan candidates at the Jefferson County level.
The 90-minute rally, open to the public in the stadium at Washington and Madison streets in Port Townsend, will also feature U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Bremerton; state Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam; state House candidate Kevin Van De Wege of Sequim; and Jefferson County commissioner candidates Phil Johnson and David Sullivan.
Representatives of gubernatorial candidate Christine Gregoire, lands commissioner candidate Mike Cooper and secretary of state candidate Laura Ruderman will also attend, said county Democratic chair Bill Biery.
The rally also will include the Backbone Campaign puppet, which was present at the Democratic State Convention in Tacoma and on the streets of Boston during the Democratic National Convention.
