PORT ANGELES — Celebrations for TwilightFest started out with a bloody good time.
The three-day event in Port Angeles began with the fictional Bella’s “re-birthday” Thursday, which drew about 150 people to Dazzled by Twilight at 135 E. First St., to take a bite of a black cake and drink blood-colored juice.
The party celebrated the heroine of the Twilight-saga.
The four-novel series set in Forks details the love story between mortal teen Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen.
“We are having a great time,” Port Angeles store manager Kim Trenerry-Mogi said Thursday afternoon. “I’m sure that we’ll be very busy this weekend with all of the events coming up.”
The “re-birthday” celebrates the day, in the books by Stephenie Meyer, that Bella is granted her heart’s desire and is turned into a vampire.
Incidentally, it is also the day that Renesmee — Bella and Edward’s child — is born.
Emily Blair, 27, of Torrance, Calif., was among the first to stop by the shop during the noon to 6 p.m. celebration and grab a piece of cake.
Friends’ photographer
Blair, who is staying in Port Angeles for a few weeks with her grandparents, said she was appointed the official photographer for her friends in California who are fans of the series.
“I was charged with taking pictures of everything,” she said.
“It is really amazing, because I used to tell people that my grandparents lived in Port Angeles and no one knew where that was.
“Now I say it and they all ask if that is close to Forks.”
Blair — who is a fan of Edward over his rival for Bella’s affection, Jacob — said she was excited to be in town at the right time for all the weekend’s events.
“Last year, I barely missed the opening of the movie and was so disappointed,” she said.
“But this year I get to be here for this, so it is great.”
Barb Frederick, Port Angeles Downtown Association director, estimated that the Port Angeles TwilightFirst would see about 200 visitors this weekend.
Today’s events
Stores today throughout downtown Port Angeles plan special events, a Twilight Trivia Tournament will begin at 4 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel at 221 N. Lincoln St., and an outdoor screening of the “Twilight” movie is set for 9 p.m.
The movie, sponsored by Odyssey Bookshop, will be shown at The Gateway pavilion at Front and Lincoln streets.
Viewers are urged to bring their own chairs.
Just before the showing of the movie, the finalists for the trivia contest will face off.
Saturday’s schedule
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.
At 8:30 p.m., 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 Dazzled by Twilight and Odyssey Bookshop at 114 W. Front St.
Renew vows
Couples may renew vows on Saturday, in “Twilight style,” for $100 at The Gateway.
“We’ve booked two vow renewals already,” Frederick said.
“It is really great because not only did we find a minister who was willing to do it, but we got someone who worked with the vows and really incorporated Twilight into every part of them and then not only that but we had people who were interested in doing it.”
Several scenes set up for photos will be at The Gateway — which is “Twilight central” for the weekend.
The photo opportunities include “The Meadow” scene, a re-created interior of Bella Italia and a science classroom.
“The great thing is we really tried to work the schedule so that people can spend a couple hours here and also do all the events in Forks,” Frederick said.
“We are all so excited for Forks and the attention it has brought them.”
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
