PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles will get in on the September vampire mania with a three-day TwilightFest beginning Thursday.
The first-ever festival will be all about Twilight — the best-selling four-novel vampire series written by Stephenie Meyer and set in Forks.
“We really wanted to have an event that would coincide with Stephenie Meyer Day in Forks,” said Barb Frederick, Port Angeles Downtown Association director.
“This will allow fans to enjoy both events in the two very different places that are both important to the books.
“This is also a way that we can really thank fans for all of the help it has given to our stores.
“We have all felt the impact.”
The celebration will begin at noon Thursday with Bella’s “re-birthday” at Dazzled By Twilight, 135 E. First St., in Port Angeles.
The “re-birthday celebration, which will continue until 6 p.m., marks the day that Bella — Isabella Swan, the human heroine of the series, who falls in love with vampire Edward Cullen — is transformed into a vampire in the novels.
The birthday also will celebrate the birth of Bella’s child, Renesmee — named for Bella’s mother, Renee, and Edward’s vampire “mother,” Esme.
“We’ll have cake and it will be a great start to all the events of the weekend,” Port Angeles store manager Kim Trenerry-Mogi said.
On Friday, stores throughout downtown Port Angeles plan special events, a Twilight Trivia Tournament will begin at 4 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel, and an outdoor screening of the “Twilight” movie is set for 9 p.m.
The movie will be shown on the side of Odyssey Bookshop, 114 W. Front St. Viewers are urged to bring their own chairs to the parking lot.
Just before the showing of the movie, the finalists for the trivia contest will face off.
Events will continue Saturday at The Gateway pavilion at Front and Lincoln streets, where storyteller Anita Wheeler will tell tales at 11 a.m. and music will play throughout the afternoon.
Red Cross event
At 8:30 p.m. Saturday, the Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the American Red Cross and the North Olympic Volunteer Center will host a semi-formal dance at the Elks Naval Lodge, 131 E. First St.
The Bella Ball will allow fans to celebrate a North Olympic Peninsula prom-like occasion, similar to what Bella might have enjoyed.
Tickets will be $15 ticket at the door. Advance tickets are $12 per person and $20 per couple. They are available at three locations in Port Angeles: Dazzled by Twilight, Odyssey Bookshop at 114 W. Front St., and at a table in the student area at Port Angeles High School that is manned during limited hours by representatives of the North Olympic Volunteer Center.
Also on Saturday, couple may be married, or renew vows, in “Twilight style,” for $125 for a wedding or $100 for a renewal of the vows. Wedding couples must have marriage certificates.
The weddings will be at one of several “photo-ops” at The Gateway, Frederick said.
“We will have the meadow scene set up there, and that is where the weddings will be,” she said.
The wedding package includes a special marriage certificate, cake for four, and a bottle of Twilight sparkling wine.
Appointments are required for weddings — phone 360-457-9614 — but walk-ups are welcome for renewal of vows.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladaily news.com.
