Pumpkins, spooky stories and a “crankie” show are all on tap at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center for the Celebration of Shadows Fall Festival, set for Saturday, Oct. 19.

The family-friendly event returns for a fourth year with workshops followed by free evening festivities that include a pumpkin walk and carving contest through Webster’s Woods, spooky readings in the courtyard, the opportunity for an evening visit to “Sparks of Connection – In Celebration of Fem Fabrication” as the gallery goes dark, and a visual storytelling performance by The Crankie Factory in the meadow.

Carve it up

Three sessions of a Pumpkin Carving Workshop will be led by local artist Tracy Beals, from 10-11:30 a.m., noon-1:30 p.m., and 2-3:30 p.m. Pumpkins have been donated by Grocery Outlet and tools will be provided as participants learn how to take their carving skills to the next level. The workshop costs $10-$12 per person and includes a pumpkin, tools, instruction and an entry into the pumpkin carving contest later that evening.

The contest is open to anyone, whether from the workshops or from carving at home, with a chance to win a prize basket with gifts from local businesses. Drop off entries are $5 per pumpkin, and community members can drop off their pumpkins at the PAFAC between 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Oct. 19. Payment can be made in person at drop off or ahead of time online.

Advanced registration is highly encouraged as space is limited, organizers note: pafac.kindful.com/e/pumpkincarving2024.

Getting ‘Crankie’

The main festival performers, Sue Truman and Cil Pierce of The Crankie Factory, will also lead three sessions of the Build a Crankie workshop. Participants will design and take home their own fall-themed match-box size mini crankie, a moving panorama art form that originated in the 18th century in Europe.

Crankie workshops will run from 11-11:45 a.m., noon-12:45 p.m. and 1-1:45 p.m. This workshop is $10 per person.

Register in advance at pafac.kindful.com/e/minicrankie.

A ‘Celebration of Shadows’

The Celebration of Shadows Festival itself will begin at 5 p.m., when festival goers can see the artwork in “Sparks of Connection” in the gallery and get food from Pacific Pantry or drinks for purchase. At 5 p.m., the Port Angeles branch of the North Olympic Library System will read spooky stories in the courtyard.

From 5-6:30 p.m., festival attendees are welcome to stroll through the pumpkin walk where submitted pumpkins will line the park paths. Selected judges will peruse the entries and decide on the winning pumpkins based on design, creativity, and skill of execution. For $1 per vote, anyone can cast a vote for their favorite pumpkin. At 7 p.m., the winners will be announced at the meadow stage before the performance.

Throughout the evening, activity stations will be open in the woods, and at festival goers can participate in mask making at the Port Angeles Community Playhouse.

Finally, all are invited to join in the meadow for a performance by The Crankie Factory. From 5:30-6:15 p.m., people can get up close to the crankies during free play time. Starting at 7:15 p.m, the Crankie Factory will begin their performance with the storytelling art form of crankies. Attendees will hear a story about Littlefoot, a juvenile Bigfoot who is a bit different. Instead of foraging for berries and fishing, all he wants to do is step dance. Another story is “Black Cat’s Jig,” about a cat who has a catnip-induced dream. Bring chairs, blankets and sweaters to get comfortable during the show.

These evening events are free and open to the public with a $5 suggested donation welcome to support this and other programs at PAFAC.

The Celebration of Shadows Fall Festival is brought in partnership with event sponsors Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau, City of Port Angeles, Clallam County Lodging Tax Funds, Country Aire Natural Grocery, Olympic Lodge, and KONP Radio and in kind donors Grocery Outlet and Angeles Millwork & Hartnagel Building Supply.

For more information about the Celebration of Shadows Fall Festival and to register for a workshop, visit pafac.org/fall-festival-9.

Learn more about the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center at pafac.org.