SUQUAMISH — Nearing a century of celebration and commemoration, this year’s Chief Seattle Days opened the enduring Suquamish culture and history to visitors from all walks of life. The 96th annual festival offered a display of the long-standing traditions which have flourished with the tribe since it came into existence epochs ago.

The weekend events included a graveside memorial service in honor of Chief Seattle, a pageant, a parade, dance groups, a Powwow and a salmon bake. Residents were welcomed with drumming, canoe racing and dancing, and were invited by the tribe to join the festivities.

“The grave site service was really nice,” said Suquamish resident Craig Jacob-Brown. “(Seattle) Mayor (Greg) Nickels showed up, and he was really moved by the service.”

Since 1911, the celebration of Chief Seattle’s legacy has drawn throngs of people together in his honor to learn about the culture of the Suquamish people or simply to be outdoors with good food and entertainment. During its lengthy tenure it has also helped people of all heritages find common ground.

“I haven’t been to this festival before,” said Edmonds resident Cherie Harndern, who has attended other tribal celebrations. “I’m having a great time. The (wood) carving is my favorite part.”

After visiting the rest of the festival, Harndern camped out at a vendor’s booth to watch the intricate carvings be created. She said above all, she appreciated that cultural aspect the most.

“I’ll definitely be back next year,” Harndern said.

Along with vendors’ booths, dance troupes from all areas of the Pacific Northwest delighted thousands of onlookers during their performances.

“The entertainment that came was excellent,” said Chief Seattle Days organizer Ed Midkiff, adding a myriad of groups, including a Hawaiian dance group, an Aztec dance group, the Katia Dance Group, the Le-La-La Dance Group and Suquamish’s own Suquamish Canoe Family Singers was on hand. “Everybody seemed like they had a good time. It was a big weekend full of events.”

“Our performance went really well,” said Le-La-La Dance Troupe member George Taylor. The dancers came from the Kwakwaka’wakw Tribe hailing from northern Vancouver Island, Canada. “A lot of people waited for us to perform.”

This was the group’s second performance at Chief Seattle Days, and Taylor said the dancers seemed to enjoy it even more this year.

For last weekend’s event, Suquamish residents and visitors had more room to move around in as well, adding to the general feel of the festival, Midkiff said.

“With all the new space, (Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman) said this was the most relaxed Chief Seattle Days we’ve had,” Midkiff said. “The community and visitors had more room. It was just a more relaxed event.”

“Oh yeah, I’m enjoy it,” said Bremerton resident Taneika Sadewasser. “I’ve been here many times.”

“It seemed well attended this year,” Midkiff said, adding that every year visitors come to learn about tribal heritage, and the event is an excellent starting place.

“Everyone’s got a culture,” Taylor said. “We take a lot of pride in our history, as do the people who live here in Suquamish. This (celebration) is proof of that.”