July may be ending, but festivals continue
Published 9:00 pm Thursday, July 27, 2006
The final weekend of July brings more fairs, festivals and family activities to Snohomish and surrounding counties.
* The 14th annual Nubian Jam Community Festival celebrating African-American traditions and culture begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at Forest Park in Everett.
“The day is an opportunity for communities to connect and participate in the celebration of African-American culture,” said Fredrick Bletson, Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee Nubian Jam coordinator.
The free festival includes traditional African music and dance, recognition of graduates, ethnic foods and cultural performances. Single or group performers can sign up for an open mike talent competition at the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee booth. Winners in three categories will be chosen by the audience.
Organizers of this year’s jam say they expect 4,000 people to attend and encourage visitors to bring a picnic lunch.
Free trolley service is provided to the park from the Compass Health parking lot. The festival ends at 7 p.m.
* Visitors to the annual Loganberry Festival held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Greenbank Farm on Whidbey Island can participate in a variety of events, including poetry readings, open mikes, contests and live music.
Musical entertainment begins at 10 a.m. each day on the main stage, beginning with Amelia’s Only Daughters on Saturday. The Pickled Herring Band, Janie Cribbs, Pachanga, the Shifty Sailors and Lost Vuarnets also take the stage Saturday. Sunday’s music starts with Swords into Plowshares, followed by Island Strings, Danny Ward and the band Reality, Titambe Marimba and Da Sharks.
The Washington Poets Association presents poetry performances and an open mike on the stage by the Jim Davis House beginning at noon each day. Some featured poets include Judith Skillman, Thomas Hubbard and Jed Myers. Whidbey Island poets performing are Victory Lee Schouten, Robin Barre, Jane Winslow and Joni Takanikos.
Carnival-style children’s activities will take place throughout the festival.
Winemakers from Whidbey Island and the Puget Sound area offer a wine tent with samples available or bottles to purchase. More than 60 food and arts and crafts vendors offer visitors plenty of tasty treats and trinkets.
A loganberry is a cross between the blackberry and the raspberry developed by James Harvey Logan during the 1880s in California. Berries may still be available for purchase from the u-pick patch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Visitors can also purchase loganberry pies.
* The annual Monroe Summerfest is also this weekend.
From 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, visitors can participate or watch outdoor 3-on-3 basketball tournaments, live entertainment and shows, and view Shakespeare in the Park performances by Last Leaf Productions.
The Family Fun Forest includes children’s activities such as rides and slides.
A 5K bike ride, run or walk takes place Sunday to raise awareness of breast cancer.
F Street Project takes the stage at 10 a.m. each day. Other performers at this year’s festival include the Evergreen Youth Jazz Band, Henry Cooper Blues Band and Bahija.
Arts, crafts, commercial vendors and food booths round out the activities.
* John Hancock Champions on Ice returns for two performances Saturday at Everett Events Center.
At 3 and 8 p.m., world figure skating champions Sasha Cohen, Johnny Weir, Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto show their skills. Michelle Kwan returns to the ice for the tour after dropping out of the Olympics in Torino, Italy, due to an injury.
The tour also features specialty acts from Irina Gregorian and Dan Hollander, and the acrobatic duo of Vladimir Vesedin and Oleksiy Polishchuk. Other champions from Olympic and World competition include Olympic gold medalist Victor Petrenko, Rudy Galindo and Surya Bonaly.
Tickets are $46 to $126 through Everett Events Center.
Herald photo
Treeva Anderson (right) of Everett holds onto the shoulders of her friend, DeNay Boswell of Seattle, during a line dance at last year’s Nubian Jam celebration.
Herald photo
Champions on Ice performers acknowledge their introductions during a 2004 visit to the Everett Events Center.
