Editing Forks, Washington (section)

==Community events==

Rainfest, a celebration of the arts sponsored by the West Olympic Council for the Arts, occurs in April. It includes a combination of arts and craft related events. In recent years quilt classes and a quilt show have been sponsored by the Piece Makers Quilt Club.

In March of every year, the Quillayute Valley Scholarship Auction occurs. This annual fundraising event raises tens of thousands of dollars for scholarships. Since the first scholarship award in 1964, to Robert Henry (now D.D.S.), the committee has awarded over US$1m in scholarships to Forks students.

In the summer, Forks hosts its traditional "Old Fashioned Fourth of July" celebration with a Grand Fourth of July Parade. The numerous events include a demolition derby and fireworks display. July is also the month for [[Quileute]] Days at [[La Push, Washington|La Push]] with its parade, traditional salmon bake, bone games, softball tournament, canoe races, and street fair. In August, the Forks Family Festival combines arts and crafts vendors with children activities.

In late September, the Forks Chamber of Commerce partners with the [[Quileute people|Quileute Tribe]] and the City of Forks to host the Last Chance Fishing Derby at La Push; cash prizes are offered to those wanting to fish for salmon on the Pacific Ocean. The first week in October is when the community celebrates its heritage during Heritage Days. One of the more celebrated events during this week-long festival is the "Old Timers Round Table;" this is a moderated conversation broadcast live via the local radio station, featuring longtime residents of the region talking about days long past.

The Forks City Council passed a resolution in 2007 celebrating [[Stephenie Meyer]] Day in honor of the ''[[Twilight (novel series)|Twilight]]'' young adult novels and film series, set for September 13, the day of the fictional [[Bella Swan|Bella's]] birthday.<ref>{{Citation |url= http://www.historylink.org/File/8396 |title= Forks celebrates Stephenie Meyer Day on September 13, 2007 |first=Julie |last= Van Pelt |date= December 11, 2007 |website=[[HistoryLink]] }}</ref> In 2015 the event was still driving tourism, with visitor numbers peaking in 2010, then settling to 50% more than before the ''Twilight'' phenomenon.<ref>{{Citation |url= http://nwpr.org/post/ten-years-after-twilight-dawned-forks-still-mecca-vampire-fans |title=  Ten Years After 'Twilight' Dawned, Forks Still Mecca For Vampire Fans |first= Tom |last= Banse |date=September 14, 2015 |publisher=[[Northwest Public Radio]] }}</ref>
Stephenie Meyer Day has been replaced with the Forever Twilight in Forks Festival which is still celebrated annually on the week of September 13.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/entertainment/twilight-fans-gather-in-forks-this-weekend/ | title=Twilight fans gather in Forks this weekend | date=September 9, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/collection-adds-more-to-upcoming-forever-twilight-in-forks-festival/ | title=Collection adds more to upcoming Forever Twilight in Forks festival | date=May 23, 2017 }}</ref> The festival includes a movie marathon, a blood drive, and dance lessons.<ref>[http://forkswa.com/ftffestival/ Forever Twilight in Forks Festival official website http://forkswa.com/ftffestival/]</ref>