Celebrating Shadows, PAFAC Style

Back in 2021 we had an idea- what if we added another outdoor festival to our calendar? Sure, Summertide has that carefree, sunshine vibe; and Wintertide has light art and thrills that lighten the heaviness of winter, but “what about fall?” we asked.

Fall is a special time here in Webster’s Woods. The leaves change colors, right on time with their counterparts all over the peninsula. The days shorten and the light through the trees changes- subtly at first, then seemingly all at once. The play between shadows and light demanded a stage- thus, the Celebration of Shadows Fall Festival was born!

Our Fall Festival is an invitation to consider the artfulness all around you- from creative pumpkin carving to skillful storytelling. It’s where art, creativity, and the spirit of the season come together for one fantastic evening. During the event you can stroll the pumpkin lined paths and vote for your favorite carving, listen to spooky stories in the courtyard, try the glow-in-the-dark scavenger hunt, visit the gallery, and enjoy a one of a kind shadow theater performance down in the meadow! Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Angeles Brewing and Pacific Pantry.


Pumpkin Carving Workshop and Contest:

One of the highlights of the Celebration of Shadows Fall Festival is the Pumpkin Carving Workshop and Contest. Whether you’re a seasoned pumpkin-carving pro or just looking to try your hand at this classic fall tradition, we’ve got you covered.

Pumpkin Carving Workshop Details:

  • When: Saturday, October 21, 2023
  • Session 1: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Session 2: 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
  • Cost: $8 per person for the workshop | $5 per pumpkin if you prefer to carve at home and enter the contest
  • Sign up for the workshop or drop off entry at: https://pafac.kindful.com/e/pumpkincarving2023

During the workshop sessions, local artist Tracy Beals will guide you through the art of pumpkin carving, providing tips and tricks to help you create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. All necessary tools and materials will be provided, so all you need to bring is your creativity and enthusiasm.

What makes this workshop even more exciting is that once you’ve crafted your pumpkin masterpiece, it’s automatically entered into the Pumpkin Carving Contest! There are three categories for entry: Adult, Youth, and People’s Choice. It’s your chance to showcase your artistic skills and compete for fantastic prizes.

The prize baskets are the best yet thanks to 13 awesome local businesses: Brown’s Outdoor, Welly’s Real Fruit Ice Cream, Evergreen Surf Shop, Barhop, Olympic Stationers, Rebel Heart Coffee, Port Angeles Winter Ice Village, Anime Kat, Northwest Fudge and Confections, Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club, Fat Yeti Froyo, New Day Eatery, and Alley Cat Boutique.


Shadow Theater Journey

This year we are thrilled to have West of Roan on the meadow stage! West of Roan, a duo made up of Annie Schermer and Channing Showalter, draws inspiration from traditional music, myths, and legends to weave captivating stories. Their enchanting puppets move gracefully through landscapes crafted from shadows and light, taking you on a journey into the subconscious realm of imagery and creation.

More from West of Roan

We hope you’ll join us to celebrate the beauty of fall, showcase your carving skills, and experience the enchanting world of shadow theater. The Celebration of Shadows Fall Festival will be an unforgettable evening of creativity and community. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $5 per person to support this event and other PAFAC programming. Your contribution helps us keep the festival accessible to everyone, and every dollar is greatly appreciated. See you on October 21st, 2023, 5pm-8:30pm for a night filled with art, music, and the magic of shadows!

Find the event schedule and more details at: https://pafac.org/fall-festival-9/

Rachel Storck

Recent Posts

Ring in the New Year in Celebration of the Arts

WOW! What a year it has been at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. We…

1 day ago

Wintertide Festival of Lights 2024 Recap

Thank you to all who joined us for another year of the Wintertide Festival of…

4 days ago

Celebrating Shadows and Pumpkins and Storytelling at Fall Festival!

What a night! THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for the Celebration of Shadows…

2 months ago

Summertide Recap

Did you catch the Summertide Solstice Art Festival?! We had a fantastic time with you…

6 months ago

What’s Going On? Youth Program Updates

Our youth programming sometimes falls under the radar...unless you're a student participant or parent, you…

7 months ago

Creating Access: Online Auction to Fund Youth Art Education

We are thrilled to announce that we will be auctioning a selection of five artworks…

7 months ago