American Roots Music Series returns to Deception Pass State Park

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Folk Arts in the Parks Program invites the public to the Sixth Annual American Roots Music Series at Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey Island.

The series of outdoor concerts begin 7 p.m. Saturdays starting July 7 and run through Aug. 4 at Deception Pass State Park, 41020 State Route 20 at North Whidbey Island near Oak Harbor. To celebrate the roots of American music, local artists perform a variety of music styles, including traditional folk music from the Pacific Northwest. Admission is free to the performances. The Discover Pass is required to attend the concerts.

All performances are in the West Beach amphitheater on the Whidbey Island side of the park, unless raining. If raining, performances will move to the East Cranberry Lake picnic shelter, also on the Whidbey Island side of the park.

Performances are scheduled as follows:

• July 7: DW Groethe, original cowboy songs and poems from a real Montana ranch hand

• July 14: Phil and Vivian Williams, traditional fiddle tunes and string music from the Northwest and Oregon Trail

• July 21: La Famille Léger, Acadien and Quebecois house music from eastern Canada

• July 28: A Moment in Time, Seattle African-American a capella gospel quartet

• Aug. 4: Hank Nelson and Bob and Mike Antone, music and stories from the Northwest timber communities

The series is accessible to persons with disabilities. If special accommodations are required in order to attend the event, please call (360) 675-3767 or the Washington Telecommunications Relay Service (800) 833-6388. Requests must be made in advance.

The American Roots music series is part of a broader series of events celebrating Washington’s diverse cultures and presented by the Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program. The program is a partnership between the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington State Arts Commission and Northwest Heritage Resources with funding provided by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Washington State Arts Commission, and the Washington State Parks Foundation. For a full schedule of Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program events, visit www.parks.wa.gov/events.

Deception Pass State Park is a 4,134-acre marine and camping park with 77,000 feet of saltwater of shoreline, and 33,900 feet of freshwater shoreline on three lakes. The park is best known for views of Deception Pass and Bowman Bay, old-growth forests, abundant wildlife and the historic Deception Pass Bridge.

Stay connected to your state parks by following Washington State Parks at www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks, www.twitter.com/WaStatePks_NEWS and www.youtube.com/WashingtonStateParks.

The Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. The 99-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.

Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.