Colonial Fest returns with expanded activities and offerings

In the Pacific Northwest, Pam Gassman, events planner for the Northwest Colonial Festival, said when some people hear the word “colonial” here, they think of Lewis and Clark or the battle between “north and south.” “. For her, it means “there is work to be done”.

Enter the eighth Northwest Colonial Festival, again at the quaint George Washington Inn and Washington Lavender Farm, 939 Finn Hall Road, Port Angeles.

The annual festival runs from August 11-14 with skirmishes between British regulars and colonial militia, demonstrations and talks about life during the American Revolutionary War, and more.

“It’s a very family thing and we want it to be a multi-layered experience,” Gassman said.

“Children and adults can learn. The people who came then wanted to help and participate. We are always open to inviting more people.

This year, around 75 reenactors are expected to recreate the life of around 1775 as part of a full event. The previous two years were a relaxed replenishment with fewer offerings with COVID-19 health and safety protocols in place.

Jane Ritchie plans to represent Martha Washington for one more year while continuing to share her knowledge of fibers and the contributions of women at the time.

“Women helped the revolution. They may not necessarily be manning the guns, but holding down the home fronts,” she said.

“(The festival is a) great way to showcase the history of women in the independence effort — supporting the troops, making their clothes, carrying on their family businesses (post office, farms, law firms, etc.).

“Women have played an important role. Now that it’s available, we can also show them that some were spies.

Extended

This year’s festival features a larger educational space with discussions on a variety of topics such as colonial medicine and the financing of the revolution. There will also be a larger fiber craft area for spinning and weaving, and an expanded kids’ area with scavenger hunts, games, crafts and more throughout the festival.

On Thursday, August 11, re-enactors will demonstrate firearms and other combat techniques on the battlefield and in camps. At 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Friday to Saturday August 12 and 13, and at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday August 14, skirmishes take place on the lawn.

Jeff Dacus, portraying George Washington, once again narrates and shares information about the soldiers, the politics of the time, and more.

Gassman said organizers hope to bring understanding and a sense of thrill to the West Coast with the history of the United States being more prevalent closer to historic sites on the East Coast.

“It is important that we know about the American Revolution because there are many bad things and good things in our history. I don’t want to whitewash it,” she said.

“As humanitarians, we have progressed and learned a lot from each other. It’s good to teach to see how far you’ve come and show you how far you need to go.

Tickets

Weekend passes are discounted ahead of the Aug. 11 event to $7 for adults; $4 for military, seniors and teens; and $1 for children 2 to 12 years old.

For more information about the event, visit colonialfestival.com.

Northwest Colonial Festival

When: August 11-14

Where: George Washington Inn, 939 Finn Hall Road

Tickets: $7 adult, $4 teens/seniors/military, $1 children (2-12); available online at colonialfestival.com and gate. Discount before August 11

Sequim Gazette File Photo by Matthew Nash/ Visitors can learn about the lives of re-enactors and historians during the American Revolutionary War at the Northwest Colonial Festival scheduled for Aug. 11-14 at the George Washington Inn and at Washington Lavender Farm.

Sequim Gazette file photo by Matthew Nash Colonial soldiers fire on the British during a skirmish during the North West Colonial Festival last year. It returns for four days August 11-14 with skirmishes, protests and more at the George Washington Inn.