Quilcene is “Still a Great Place to Linger Longer.” The theme of the 34th Quilcene Fair and Parade on Sept. 16-17 celebrates the community over the years.

“This is a day that the people of Quilcene come together. It’s a great time for the community to get together and reminisce,” said fair board member Denise Karp.

In a tribute to the joys of lingering longer in Quilcene, artist Andrea Pleines reworked her fair image of 21 years ago, bringing back lots of memories in the process.

Her original image was of a small child and a dog on a dock in front of Mount Walker, which was printed on T-shirts. In the new version, created in watercolor for the poster, the setting is the same, but the child has grown up a little.

Her original model is now an adult, with two small daughters of her own.

“I was honored to be asked to do that again, and it was really fun to paint it this time,” said Pleines, adding, “I’m still lingering in Quilcene, and I’m enjoying it.”

Some T-shirts bearing the original image are to be on sale at the fair.

Here are the highlights of the newly expanded two-day event.

BREAKFAST

Quilcene High School Vocational Cooking Club serves breakfast from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Saturday in the school cafeteria for $5.

PARADE

The Quilcene Fair Parade begins at 11 a.m. with Ann Gibson singing the national anthem. The traditional parade, which honors local citizens, welcomes entrants to sign in at 9 a.m. in the U.S. Bank parking lot. For entry information, contact Greg Brotherton at 206-422-8238.

Grand Marshal is Jim Hodgson, Lions Club member and retired Quilcene High music teacher.

Norm Johnson is honored as Citizen of the Year for his work in the Coyle community, organizing concerts, community lunches, and other activities, as well as for his Quilcene Fair participation.

“I appreciate the award,” said Johnson, a fair board member from 2010 to 2016. “I like the fair. I think it’s nice it remains a country fair and uncommercialized, as has happened to many fairs. It’s all run by the folks in Quilcene.”

Johnson joined the fair shortly after moving here in 2009, as a way of getting to know some some local people.

“It’s a great way to find out what’s happening in the community and make some friends right away,” he said.” I think it’s definitely a place to make your mark, and do things that make a difference.

“It needs more volunteers. All the volunteers would like new friends to share activities with, and that makes the job lighter. If everyone has one task, they don’t have to wear so many hats; it makes it more fun for all.”

Pioneer Citizen is lifelong Quilcene resident Barbara McClary. Born in 1934, McClary graduated Quilcene High in 1952. At 16, she took a job as a switchboard operator with Alaska Telephone and Telegraph in Quilcene, and worked in the telephone industry until retiring from CenturyLink, outlasting several company transfers.

Parade King and Queen are Don and Thais Svetich, longtime community members, active in Quilcene Fire Rescue (QFR). Don, with 21 years of service, is currently deputy chief and training/wildland fire coordinator, and a 30-year Quilcene resident. Thais, a 1985 Quilcene High graduate and lifelong Quilcene resident, is in her fifth year as a QFR volunteer.

“It’s an honor just to be considered,” said Don Svetich. “The community has done a lot for our family over the years, so it’s just nice to do back, but it was a kind of a surprise. We’re just humble and thankful.”

Quilcene School’s Educators of the Year are teacher Erica Weller and paraprofessional Marji Mueller. Weller taught in the classroom for three years, and has seven years of teaching in the PEARL program. “The people in Quilcene are great, staff and colleagues, and I enjoy working with them,” she said.

Mueller is recently retired, after more than 20 years.

LIVE MUSIC

Free performances are sprinkled throughout the fair. Saturday brings The Hucksters playing “mountain blues” from noon to 1:30 p.m.; Correo Aereo with Latin American music from 1:30 to 3 p.m.; and Famous Lucy performing Western soul from 3 to 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, Joy in Mudville plays lively music from noon to 2 p.m.; and the Robert Sarazin Blake Band performs “recitative” music from 2 to 4 p.m.

COMMUNITY PORTRAIT

Immediately following the parade, the annual community portrait is scheduled to be taken on U.S. Highway 101 near Peninsula Foods.

FOOD

Quilcene Booster Club offers its famous salmon barbecue for $10 on Saturday. QHS Vocational Cooking Club serves a $5 lunch of pan-fried oysters, green salad and cheesy jalapeño cornbread in the cafeteria on Saturday. Lots of high-quality food trucks are to be on site, offering fry bread, Indian tacos, Hungarian food, ice cream, smoothies, egg rolls and other delights on both days.

EXHIBITS

Quilscenery Photo Contest entries are on view in Room 9 for both days. Digital entries are due Sept. 14; check

quilcenefair.com for details.

Paintings, fiber arts, sculptures, scrapbooks, pottery, woodworking, jewelry, drawings, ceramics, building-block creations and other arts are displayed on both days in Room 9. Entries may be dropped off between 3 and 6 p.m. on Sept. 15; call Linda Lindquist at 360-774-6855 with any questions.

Homegrown produce competing for ribbons and prizes by Quilcene Garden Club also are to be on display. Drop off entries on Friday between 3 and 6 p.m.

VENDORS

A variety of goods and information booths present lots of choices to peruse, including books, handmade American Girl doll clothes, jewelry, LuLaRoe products, arts, crafts, politics, fire safety and more. Vendor sites are still available; check quilcenefair.com or call Denise Miller at 360-531-3561.

RAFFLE

Tickets for the Quilcene Fair Board Raffle, with more than 120 prizes, including gift certificates and items, are $1 each or six for $5. Tickets are available in advance at the Quilcene branch of U.S. Bank, Quilcene Village Store, Quilcene Fire Station administration building and Discovery Bay Village Store or on fair days at the fair/raffle information booth. The drawing takes place at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

CARNIVAL

Cascade Amusements offers rides, games and food on Friday, 4 p.m.-dusk; Saturday, 11 a.m.-dusk; and Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Advance discounted full-day ride tickets are available at Quilcene U.S. Bank branch, Quilcene Village Store, Munn Brothers Hood Canal Properties and Disco Bay Detour for $15 until the carnival opens on Friday. After that, full day tickets are $20. Individual ride prices vary.

SPONSORS

Fair sponsors include Chuljian Family Forest–Wood Products, Resource Renewal, Chimacum Corner Farmstand, Johnston Realty and Jefferson County Escrow, Dharma Ridge Farm, Sea Change, Taylor Shellfish Farms, Chimacum Chevron Grocery and Liquor, Olympic Optical, Peninsula Foods, Siasat Photography, Munn Brothers Hood Canal Properties and Taylored Fibers.

VOLUNTEERS

“We’re excited to be here and expanding, but we need help to have the fair next year,” said Quilcene Fair Board president Greg Brotherton.

Bookkeeper and raffle coordinator positions are open for next year, and all volunteers are welcomed. Inquire at the fair information booth for opportunities.

Viviann Kuehl is a member of the Quilcene School Board and active in the Quilcene community; she is also a longtime Leader contributor.