Quilcene's Worthington Park Draws Record Summer Crowds by Brian Cullin Quilcene’s Worthington Park hosted three very popular public events this summer that set attendance records for the park. The events represented a range of activities that demonstrated the Park’s full potential to the community and region.
In June, the gravel bicycle race, Bon Jon Pedal Bender, drew 175 participants braving record high temperatures. In partnership with Peninsula Adventure Sports, the Quilcene Historical Museum hosted this largest of three Olympic Peninsula Gravel Races - drawing 98% of its registrants from outside Jefferson County. The bikers had the option to ride three different courses up into the eastern Olympics National Forest and wilderness areas - starting and finishing at Worthington Park. Three weeks later the Park hosted its first event. Skokomish tribe representatives began the day with a land acknowledgement ceremony, song and prayer. Then the crowd enjoyed a circus performance by Up, Up, Up, and wrapped up the evening under the stars with an outdoor movie, Up. Families spread blankets and camp chairs over the meadow with free popcorn as they enjoyed the movie. This event attracted close to 500 visitors - a record for the park since it’s beginning in 2015. Most recently, the Quilcene Historical Museum hosted its annual Tasting Gala at the Park also drawing a record number of attendees, vendors, regional vintners and distillers. The theme was Beach Party and included a steel drum performer. Visitors were able to escape the heat in the cool park setting as they sat under a broad tree canopy alongside the historic mansion and pond.
Photos: Jeff Childs
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