True story: The ninth almost-annual Liars Contest is back. Hosted by the Story People of Clallam County and Olympic Theatre Arts, this year’s event — the first in-person contest the COVID pandemic — is set for 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, at the OTA theater, 414 N. Sequim Ave.

Up to ten tellers from around the Pacific Northwest will have seven minutes each, plus a one-minute grace period, to tell their best original lie. A panel of esteemed judges will determine the winners. First-, second- and third- place winners will go home with $100, $50, and $25, respectively, plus trophies that “need to be seen to be believed,” organizers say.

In past contests, stories included such tales as: a young girl’s eyeglasses and braces that pick up top-secret Russian radio signals; the care and feeding involved in raising domesticated won-tons, and development of a bread-less “handwich” – this is the stuff of stories carefully crafted by those competing in past liars contests conducted by the Story People of Clallam County.

Those interested in participating can see the rules, judging criteria and how to sign up on a first-come, first-served basis at clallamstorypeople.org. Advanced tickets are $15 available at OlympicTheatreArts.org and $20 at the door. For more information, email Ingrid Nixon at clallamstorypeople@gmail.com.

Photos by Ingrid Nixon Long-time Story People of Clallam County member Bob Nuffer recounts his brush with football fame.

Photo by Ingrid Nixon Retired Port Angeles Fire Chief and champion liar Ken Dubuc shows no fear that his pants may catch on fire as he tells a whopper.