Folk and Traditional Arts Program
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission’s mission involves both a commitment to care for the state’s most treasured lands, waters and historic places and a desire to connect all Washingtonians to their natural, cultural, and artistic heritage through memorable experiences in the parks.
Since 2004, the Folk & Traditional Arts Program has added to those memorable experiences with events in state parks by musicians, dancers, craftspeople and storytellers who represent a wide variety of old and new Washington traditions. From tribal canoe family journeys to Cinco de Mayo festivities, from fisher poetry to Ecuadorian song, from Hawaiian hula to old-time square dances, the program brings people together — some to celebrate a common heritage and some to learn about the traditions of others.
The Folk & Traditional Arts Program is brought to you, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Washington State Parks Foundation, and by funds generated through the sale of Washington State Parks license plates.
Learn more about the Folk & Traditional Arts Program: View a video
For information about the Folk & Traditional Arts Program, send an email or call (360) 902-8635.
2019 Folk & Traditional Arts Events
| Date | Event | Park |
|---|---|---|
MARCH23 |
Holi Celebration - Festival of Colors A joyous celebration of Spring for the whole family! Presented by Eastside Family & Friends. Free entry. Color packets and Indian food available for purchase. 11:00 AM-3:00PM |
|
| 31 | Nowruz - Persian New Year On the 13th day of Nowruz, an ancient spring festival, Persian families celebrate Sizdah Bedar by enjoying the outdoors. Join the celebration for music, food, and more! 10:00AM-6:00PM |
Lake Sammamish |
JUNE1 |
with the Chehalis, Nisqually, Puyallup and Skokomish River Road Canoe Families. Singers, drummers, storytellers, cedar bark weavers, Indian fry bread and salmon BBQ lunch for sale. FREE CANOE RIDES! 12:00PM-4:00PM |
|
| 8 | Salish Sea Native American Cultural Celebration with the Samish and Swinomish Tribes. Singing, crafts, traditional smoked salmon plate lunch for sale. FREE CANOE RIDES! Bowman Bay, 12:00PM-4:00PM |
Deception Pass |
| 8 | Waikiki Beach Summer Concert Series
Live music (band TBA) from 7-8:30PM. |
Cape Disappointment |
8 |
Cama Beach Family Music & Dance Series Join Podorythmie for French-Canadian music, dance, and interactive crankie-making! |
Cama Beach |
| 22 | Waikiki Beach Summer Concert Series
Unit Souzou- Japanese taiko and folk dance from 7-8:30PM. |
Cape Disappointment |
| JULY | ||
| American Roots Music Series Saturdays 7:00-8:00 PM, West Beach Amphitheater | Deception Pass | |
6 |
Meshugga Daddies - High energy folk music with Eastern European, Yemenite, and Arabic influences | |
| 13 | Live music (band TBA) | |
| 20 | Unexpected Brass Band - Funky and eclectic New Orleans style brass band | |
| 27 | Squirrel Butter - Old time music and clogging with Appalachian roots | |
AUGUST |
||
16 17 |
Cama Beach Family Music & Dance Series Fun for all! No experience necessary. Squares, circles, contras. Dance to live music the way Cama Beach campers did in the 1940s and 50s! Tunes on the Beach- Rattlesnail Family Dance at the Boathouse- Rattlesnail with caller |
|
Cambodian Cultural Festival Cambodian music and musicians, traditional food, crafts, children's activities and extraordinary dance performances. Live DJ! 11am-4pm. |
||
| 24 |
Waikiki Beach Summer Concert Series Unexpected Brass Band- funky and energetic tunes with New Orleans roots from 7-8:30pm
|
Cape Disappointment |
25 |
Micronesian Cultural Festival Micronesian traditional music and dance, food, crafts, artifacts, children's activities and storytelling. 11am-4pm. |
|
SEPTEMBER |
||
| 27-28 | Heritage Days | Sacajawea |
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