PORT ANGELES — The Juan de Fuca Festival returns to Port Angeles this weekend with more than 50 musical acts, multiple stages and thousands of expected visitors.
Festival Executive Director Kari Chance says the event continues to grow while staying true to its original mission of celebrating the arts and bringing the community together. The festival, now in its 33rd year, officially kicks off Friday and runs through the weekend at venues including the Vern Burton Community Center and Field Arts and Events Hall.
Chance says organizers will fill more than 70 performance slots throughout the weekend.
“We are filling over 70 slots, but with about 52 bands. Sothere’s some kind of doubling up. We love to bring someone in and do like a full band set and then some like smaller acoustic variation or something, a different way to see people’s talent,” said Chance.
The festival features five stages, including a free outdoor street fair stage that typically draws thousands of people each year.
Chance says organizers want the festival to remain accessible, especially for younger audiences.
“We are very youth and education oriented, so students that show their ID 21 and under get half price and youth 18 and under basically. If you’re still in high school, we want you to come in for free. We still are going to give you a wristband to make you official, but free. We want you to be there. We want you to experience this,” said Chance.
This year’s lineup includes returning festival favorites along with new performers organizers hope will become audience favorites. Chance also highlighted excitement surrounding a special Led Zeppelin-themed performance by local band Black Diamond Junction.
Tickets and a full performance schedule are available at: JFFA.org.