Alpacas, magic, a multi-float parade and a car show with cash prizes are just some of what’s planned for the Quilcene Fair and Parade.

The event, held annually on the third Saturday of September, has been running for 40 years, while the car show has been in place about 18 years.

The fair’s car show, food and other vendors all start at 10 a.m., with the first 100 to register for the car show receiving a dash plaque and swag bag, while trophies with a $100 prize each will be awarded for Best in Show, Best Hot Rod, Best Rat Rod, Best Vintage/Antique and Winner of the Burnout Contest.

Shonna Wilkerson, of the Quilcene Fair and Parade Association, acknowledged the event has evolved significantly over time, as Lodging Tax Advisory Committee grant funds have enabled them to partner with other entertainers and event organizations, and the relative decline of COVID has allowed them to stage a number of activities inside again.

“In 2020, we had to cancel the event,” Wilkerson said. “For a year or two afterward, everything was held outside. Even now, we have a lot of things that naturally lend themselves to being outside.”

Wilkerson is excited to welcome the Cape George Highland Alpacas to this year’s fair, which she noted has again been made possible by coordination between the fair and parade association, the Quilcene School District, Jefferson County and the Federal Highway Administration.

The parade proceeds along U.S. Highway 101, in front of the school, starting at 11 a.m. and is free to enter, by registering either that day beginning at 9 a.m., or online beforehand at quilcenefair.org/parade.

“The day of the parade, it gets so crowded that it feels like a homecoming,” Wilkerson said. “We get folks coming in from across the county, and even from neighboring counties. Sometimes, you have attendees hugging each other because they haven’t seen each other for years.”

The inclusiveness of the parade likely plays a part in this turnout, since Wilkerson stipulated that

“any family-friendly entry, organization, event, club, farm, animals, cars and businesses” are encouraged to participate in the parade.

Wilkerson advised attendees of this year’s parade to look for floats from the Rhododendron and Sequim festivals, as well as members and representatives of the Borderline Dance Team, the Quilcene cheerleaders and the East Jefferson Beekeepers, plus log trucks and trailers, classic cars and, yes, even the alpacas.

Wilkerson also touted this year’s crop of parade dignitaries, with one notable absence.

Robert Gray, who hails from the Brinnon Fire Department, was also named Washington State’s Firefighter of the Year, by the Washington State Firefighters Association, to recognize his “outstanding service and dedication.”

He was set to serve as the parade’s grand marshal, but Wilkerson sadly confirmed that he would be unable to take part in that role.

Elizabeth and Bob Bindschadler were crowned the parade’s king and queen for what Wilkerson summed up as “all their local volunteer work and leadership.”

Also set to be honored during the parade are the Quilcene School District’s Teacher of the Year Trey Beathard, PEARL Teacher of the Year Ruth Mandelbaum and Staff Person of the Year Justin Lake.

Bruce Munn, of Munn Bros Hood Canal Properties in Quilcene, will return as the master of ceremonies, announcing the parade entries. 

After the parade, Wikerson recommended that folks stick around for the “Community Photo” in the street, and reiterated that they should visit with the Cape George Highland Alpacas, behind the “Pearl of the Peninsula” oyster sign, at the intersection of Bowen Street and U.S. Highway 101.

The fair takes place on and around the Quilcene School grounds at 294715 U.S. Highway 101 on Saturday, Sept. 21, with the gates to the car show opening at 8 a.m. for $20 day-of registration, and free day-of registration for the 11 a.m. parade starting at 9 a.m.

After the parade kicks off at 11 a.m., the Burnout Contest is set to start at about 11:45 a.m. behind the football field, while the Kids Carnival offers games with prizes and a free outdoor play area — albeit with no unsupervised kids under the age of 7 allowed — with a hoop-shoot, football-toss and hatchet-throw.

Wilkerson expressed enthusiasm over Strait Up Foam Fun and Kitsap Magic being on site, while all ages are invited to bring their radio-controlled vehicles and run them through the new outside “RC World” for free.

“Look for the family rest area under the canopy near the outside games, too,” Wilkerson said.

The school’s multipurpose room will host the “QuilScenery” photo contest, as well as a number of other community crafts and contests.

To drop off your handmade items, to be displayed and judged for possible ribbons, bring them to the multipurpose room on Friday, Sept. 20, between 4-8 p.m.

“We’re looking for amateur items completed in the last year,” said Wilkerson, who added that contestants can enter adult and youth categories. “All items can be picked up immediately after the fair.”

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, more than 50 vendors for retailers, nonprofits and businesses will be inside the multipurpose room and outside on the school lawn, as Jefferson County PUD hosts hosting a fiber internet kick-off at their booth, while the Quilcene Booster tie-dyes various items.

From 12:30-3 p.m., the Buck Ellard Band will perform outside near the food court, which will include A&H Curbside Grill, the Halfway House Restaurant, the Quilcene Lions, Get Smoked BBQ, Funnel of Love, His Ohana Shave Ice and Coffee, Little O’s Mini Donuts and NW Cold Treats.

A raffle boasting donations from businesses throughout Jefferson County is but one of the ways the Quilcene Fair and Parade raises funds, which Wilkerson explained are donated in turn to nonprofit organizations focused on young people in Quilcene and Brinnon.

Recipients of those event proceeds have included the Weekend Nutrition Program, the Quilcene Masonic Lodge’s “Bikes for Books” and the Quilcene skate park project, the latter being spearheaded by Brady MacDonald, of Catkin Coffee in Quilcene.