Port Angeles Turns Down Economy to Its Advantage
July 11 Celebration showcases fruit of unprecedented volunteer initiative to revamp former logging hub into vibrant model of small town America
Port Angeles, Wash., June 26, 2009 – The combination of a national recession and the spring closure of the Hood Canal Bridge, a primary commercial link between the Olympic Peninsula and Greater Puget Sound Area, packed a punch with the potential to knock-out a number of tourism-dependent businesses in the Peninsula city of Port Angeles. But residents of this feisty community saw a silver lining and seized the temporary period of isolation as an opportunity to transform their aging city into a bright, colorful vibrant model of small town America with a new appeal that would draw visitors across the reopened bridge.
On Saturday, July 11 Port Angeles will host a city-wide celebration showcasing the results of an unprecedented community volunteer initiative to restore the beauty, culture and unique identity of this small town. The project, dubbed Our Community at Work, began on May 1 and will continue throughout the summer.
PHOTOS AVAILABLE
“This project is powered by an outpouring of ‘Yes We Can’ community spirit and volunteerism that would make even Barack Obama proud,” says Our Community at Work Co-Chair Edna Petersen. “It’s amazing what can be accomplished with community involvement at all levels, a little innovation and a lot of determination.”
The Project
Our Community at Work is driven by a highly organized group of volunteers consisting of building owners, designers, artists, city government employees, downtown merchants, painters, service clubs, citizens – and even the Coast Guard! By summer’s end, this force of many will have scrubbed, polished, painted and restored 35 downtown buildings true to the period in which they were built.
How It Works
Each building restoration begins with a meeting between a volunteer architect and the building owner to determine the project scope and identify an appropriate color scheme. Local merchants have collaborated to offer building owners discounted pricing on paint and free use of man lifts and pressure washers to help make the “facelift” affordable. One of two campaign co-chairs then schedules work to begin. Labor is provided by a designated team of volunteers, complete with a “Go To” Guy (project foreman) and an on-site concierge that makes sure the workers have the tools they need, food and water. A local food bank and restaurants cook for the volunteers, and local citizens often pitch-in to bake cookies and other treats.
Nearly 3,000 volunteer hours have been contributed to date. Valued at an average of $18.00 per hour, the total value of volunteer talent stands at approximately $54,000.00.
A Virtual Visitor Center
The transformation of the downtown core includes establishment of a “virtual visitor center.” Storefront windows in several vacant downtown commercial buildings will soon be filled with informative art.
One storefront will contain 10 one-of-a-kind “Barrels of Art,” along with information about the local wine industry. Local wineries donated used oak wine barrels to 10 Port Angeles artists. Each artist agreed to donate his/her time and talent to turn the barrels into works of art that will remain in the storefront until the fall. At that time, they will be auctioned off to help fund the newly formed Port Angeles Arts Council, which supports and nurtures the local arts community.
An Initial Step
Our Community at Work is the first step in a broad city revitalization plan that incorporates the talent of an American Institute of Architects Sustainable Design Assessment Team, and a new organization, “Sustainable Peninsula.” The goal is to create a vital “sense of place” for residents and to facilitate memorable experiences for visitors.
The Celebration
The July 11 celebration, titled “Welcome to the New Port Angeles,” showcases the best the city has to offer, and is a tribute to the dedicated volunteers that visualized a vibrant, inviting downtown and continue working towards realizing that vision. The day begins with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the newly renovated downtown core, and features art, local cuisine and music.
Welcome to the New Port Angeles Celebration
Line-Up of Events
Time Activity & Location
11:00 a.m. Second Weekend Art Event
Downtown Art Galleries
See artists at work in galleries throughout the downtown area. Full list of galleries and walking map available at
most local hotels, restaurants, and at all participating art galleries.
Noon – 1 a.m. Wine on the Waterfront
The Landings, Laurel St. & E. Railroad
First Anniversary Celebration
Wine on the Waterfront, Port Angeles’ neighborhood wine bar, is celebrating its first anniversary with local
wines and live music.
1:00 p.m. Welcome to the New Port Angeles
Front St. between Lincoln & Laurel Sts.
Ribbon Cutting (Meet at Gateway about 12:45)
“Our Community at Work” volunteers will cut the ribbon and welcome the public to the new downtown core.
1:15 – 3:15 Music & All-American Picnic
Gateway Pavilion, 125 E. Front Street
Food Bank of Port Angeles staff will cook hot dogs and serve lemonade to the public, free of charge. Cake
Will be served in thanks to Our Community at Work volunteers. Music will be provided by DJ Duo Double
Exposure.
2:00 – 4:00 Art On The Town Unveiling & Guided Art
Walks Front St. between Lincoln & Laurel Sts.
Four new exhibits will be unveiled in Port Angeles’ outdoor art gallery, “Art on the Town.” Free art walks guided by local artists will include explanation of the new exhibits, as well as some of the other 62 pieces located throughout Port Angeles’ downtown core. New exhibits include “Flying Fish Woman,” painted steel; “The Long Journey,” salvaged steel; “The Vernal One,” stone & steel; and “Vertebrae,” a bigger-than-life size whale vertebrae made of polished and buffed concrete. Vertebrae is a working exhibit. Visitors can observe artist Alex Anderson of Sequim at work throughout the summer. The exhibit is located at Valley Creek Estuary Park.
2:00 – 4:00 Guided Building Tours with
Front St. between Lincoln & Laurel Sts.
Architect Charlie Smith
Local architect and historian Charlie Smith will guide historic walking tours of the newly renovated buildings in Port Angeles’ downtown core. Tours are free, and depart on the hour.
2:00 – 4:00 The Fine Art of Cooking Demonstration
The Showcase, 833 E. Front Street
Chef Shawn Royaltey of Michael’s Divine Dining will demonstrate the fine art of making fresh Dungeness Crab Cakes.
All Day Twilight Storefront Vignette
200 W. First Street
Fans of Stephenie Meyers’ Twilight series of books will recall Bella’s trip to Port Angeles with her friends, who were shopping for prom dresses. This scene is recalled in the window of the former Gottschalks Department store with a prom dress exhibit.
Evening Red Lion Wine & Beer Garden
Red Lion Hotel, 221 N. Lincoln
End your art walk with a glass of locally made wine or a cold beer in the Red Lion Hotel’s outdoor Wine & Beer Garden overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Evening Experience Olympic Coastal Cuisine
Various Downtown Restaurants
Restaurants in the city’s core and beyond will offer a menu item featuring fresh, locally grown, caught, and/or harvested “Olympic Coastal Cuisine” adding the restaurant’s own signature twist, in celebration of the new downtown Port Angeles. The following link provides a list of restaurants and their featured dish. http://portangelesdowntown.com/directory.php#Restaurants
MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS
Time Activity & Location
11:00 – 5:00 Envision Cascadia! Exhibit
Port Angeles Fine Arts Center
The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center presents Envision Cascadia! Artists as visionaries towards a sustainable homeland. For more information, call 360.417.4590.
11:00 – 6:00 Red, White & New Wine Release Party
Olympic Cellars Winery, 255410 Hwy. 101
The Olympic Peninsula comes alive in July with the colors of Lavender fields abloom and Olympic Cellars’ Red, White & New Wine Release Party, July 11-12. Taste the latest releases, including the 2007 Dungeness Red, a gold medal winner; the 2006 Cabernet Franc, and a new Bordeaux blend of Handyman Red. Two new limited edition wines will also be available for tasting, a lavender-infused Müller-Thurgau and Sparkling Twilight, a lively, refreshing and off-dry sparkling Syrah that bubbles with enthusiasm in celebration of your day’s adventure. Live music throughout the weekend. For more information, contact Olympic Cellars at 360.452.0160, or visit www.olympiccellars.com.
11:00 – 5:00 Lavender Celebration Tour of Wineries
Port Angeles, Port Townsend
Enjoy the lavender fields in full bloom and sample award-winning wines at the Olympic Peninsula’s six artisan wineries, July 11 – 19 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets for this self-guided tour are $25.00 and include a commemorative wine glass and complimentary tasting at each winery. Get your ticket stamped at all six wineries and be entered into a drawing for a wine themed gift basket. Tickets are available online or at any of the wineries. For more information, visit www.olympicpeninsulawineries.com.
For Port Angeles lodging information, visit www.portangeles.org/LodgingDining.html
