FORKS — The West End will be hopping with Twilight fans this summer, seeking their favorite sights from the vampire saga at several scheduled events.
Tourism based on Arizona author Stephenie Meyer’s four novels — Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn — will ramp up as schools across the nation let out for summer break.
The books recount the tale of a love affair between the very human Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen — all set in Forks.
The books — which have remained best-sellers for the past two years — have drawn droves of fans to see the land where their favorite characters dwell.
The phenomenon will be the topic of discussion at today’s Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce meeting.
Forks Chamber of Commerce director Marcia Bingham and Forks Dazzled by Twilight store owner Annette Root will be among four speakers at today’s luncheon meeting.
Diane Schostak, executive director of the Port Angeles-based Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau, and Victoria McDonald, who recently opened a Dazzled by Twilight store in downtown Port Angeles, also will be featured speakers.
Today’s chamber luncheon meeting, open to the public, begins at noon in the second-floor meeting room above the Port Angeles CrabHouse Restaurant at the Red Lion Hotel, 221 N. Lincoln St.
Luncheon tickets are $13 and can be purchased from the meeting room cashier.
Edward’s birthday
A celebration of Edward’s birthday is slated for June 20.
Although the books don’t specify his birthday — he is, after all turning 17 for the 90th-or-so time — Meyer named his birthday on her Web site, so a party was scheduled, said Annette Root, owner of Dazzled by Twilight, a fan store with locations in Forks and Port Angeles.
The day will be low-key, with a band at Tillicum Park for a picnic from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., she said.
“We are so grateful for the fans who come through town that holding these events is our way of giving back to them,” Root said.
The birthday party will include cupcakes and the Spartan Boosters Club selling Indian tacos, Root said.
The band, Three Hole Punch of Portland, will perform.
Although an RSVP is not required, it is helpful for planning, Root said.
The best way to RSVP is by e-mail to annette@dazzledbytwilight.com, she said.
Symposium
The literary aspect of the books will be the focus of a symposium June 25 to 28, said Ann-Laurel Nickel, organizer of the event for Literature Inspired Fandom Events.
Nickel started her company when Harry Potter was all the rage by doing events that focused on that series.
When she was similarly inspired by Twilight, she decided to hold an event in Forks, she said.
Summer School in Forks will be at Forks High School.
“What better place to hold a Twilight event,” she said.
“We are holding it at the high school because that is the only place large enough. But it is certainly interesting to be taking classes in the same place as Bella.”
The symposium will explore the folklore in Meyer’s book, her effect on vampire mythology and the impact of the series on popular culture.
Panels and workshops will be offered to discuss major themes of the book series, the role of parents in the saga and character analysis.
“I also got a group of real Forks people to talk about the impact that the books have had on their town,” she said.
“It was harder to find some naysayers, but they are there.
“I’m looking forward to hearing what they have to say.”
Special events
Special events will include a viewing of the “Twilight” movie — fans are welcome to shout at the screen or say the words along with the movie, Nickel said — a field trip to LaPush’s First Beach for a bonfire and Quileute legends, a keynote luncheon address by writer and former radio host Kaleb Nation, and the Twilight Prom in the Forks High School Performing Arts Center, which will feature live music from Bella Rocks!, The Bella Cullen Project and the Mitch Hansen Band.
For a full schedule or to register for the events, visit twilight.litfanevents.org.
Several other trips will make stops in the Forks-area this summer, including:
• Twilight Fan Trips Baseball Adventure on June 29 through July 5 will make stops at Forks and LaPush to see places such as First Beach, Forks High School, Forks Police Station and other sites in the books.
It will continue to Portland, where the fans will meet some cast members.
For more information, visit http://fantrips.travel/twilightfantrips.
• Twilight Fan Trips will hold a Passion for Fashion tour Aug. 7 through 13 that was inspired by Alice — Edward’s sister– and her love for fashion.
The tour will stop at the same locations in Forks and then go on to filming locations in the Portland-area. A Macy’s fashion contest is included.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
