To the editor:

Saturday, May 17, we celebrated the 17th annual Penn Cove Water Festival in Coupeville.

Thanks to the hard work of a small group of dedicated volunteers, we have been able to carry on the revived tradition of historic Coupeville water festivals of the 1930s featuring native canoe races on Penn Cove, with the added cultural and environmental education features of the Penn Cove Water Festival.

The support of many individuals, organizations and businesses enable us to continue this tradition, and though we don’t have room to possibly thank everyone involved, special thanks go out to the following for financial support of the festival:

National Endowment for the Arts, Tulalip Tribes, Stillaguamish Tribe, Island County Hotel-Motel Tax Fund, Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival Association, Town of Coupeville, Hugh & Jane Ferguson Foundation, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, Lummi Tribe, Port of Coupeville, Washington State Arts Commission, and the many businesses and individuals who generously contributed to the sponsorship of Canoe Races.

We also truly appreciate the help and support of the Amateur Radio Club, Cambey Apartments, CHS Honor Society, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Pat Cozine, CP Prints, Mark Dahl, Mariner’s Haven, Howard Garrett, Betty Gewald, the Island County Historical Society and Museum, Island County Sheriff’s Office, Lighthouse Environmental Programs, Orca Network, Craig Platt and Mimi Buescher, Roger Purdue, Barry Rix, Bob and Dillon Sines, John Weber, Whidbey Examiner, Whidbey Island Bank, Whidbey-SeaTac Shuttle, Windjammer Gallery and the many, many dedicated volunteers who helped make the Water Festival a success.

Since becoming a non-profit organization in 2004, the Penn Cove Water Festival Association has worked tirelessly to continue this unique family festival, and to build upon the Native cultural components of the event. Our goal is to provide a festival that is not only a fun celebration of the history and culture of Penn Cove, but a learning experience as well. We continue to bring quality native performance, storytelling and arts to the festival, and provide a mix of environmental education exhibits and children’s activities that provide an enjoyable learning experience for kids and adults alike. The festival offers a rare chance for communities of native tribes, Whidbey Islanders and visitors to all convene on the shores of Penn Cove to celebrate our natural and cultural resources, and to share with and learn from each other.

This year’s festival was blessed with one of the very few sunny days this spring, dozens of native canoes raced, music and dancing filled the streets of historic downtown Coupeville, and we were pleased to see the fruits of our efforts and share the day with all who attended and participated in the festival. This wonderful festival would not happen without the talent and efforts of those who have dedicated so much time to keep this historic festival alive — my heartfelt thanks goes out to the Penn Cove Water Festival Association members: Cheryl Bradkin, Molly Hughes, Robin Hertlein, Benye Weber, Lynda Imburgia, Lou LaBombard and Celia Bartram and to Marty Crowley for taking the lead with children’s activities and Al Smith for being lead volunteer for performances. Without you, this beautiful tradition would be lost, and every moment you work toward continuing the Penn Cove Water Festival is very much appreciated.

The Penn Cove Water Festival welcomes community members or organizations who would like to be involved in the 18th Penn Cove Water Festival, to be held May 16, 2009, to join us in this endeavor. More information can be found at www.penncovewaterfestival.com.

Susan Berta

President

Penn Cove Water Festival Association