By Bill Reynolds
La Conner Community News
Hot on the heels of the Canoe Journey wrapping up in Nisqually, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is set to begin another major event on its calendar.
Swinomish Days, an annual, four-day gathering featuring traditional canoe races, stick games, a three-on-three basketball tournament and Coastal Jam, opens Aug. 6 — the day after the Paddle to Nisqually ends.
Swinomish served as the July 25 leg of the Canoe Journey and hosted 37 crews, making for a quick turnaround to host the Swinomish Days festival.
The celebration gets under way with a Coastal Jam — a combination of singing, drumming and dancing modeled after time-honored potlatch protocols — at the Swinomish Smokehouse on Thursday evening.
Stick Games, a game that traditionally employs strategy and elements of chance, will be held at John K. Bob Ballpark Aug. 7-9.
The always popular canoe races are tentatively set to start on Swinomish Channel Friday afternoon with times to be determined. They will continue through the weekend with race orders subject to change based on pending tides.
Michael Vendiola will again serve as announcer for the races. Multiple age groups — boys and girls, men and women — will compete in singles, doubles, six-man, and 11-man divisions.
There will be basketball brackets for players 12 and under, 15 and under, 18 and under, and 19 and older. The games take place Aug. 8 and 9 on the outdoor First Street Courts, at 17650 Snee-Oosh Road, starting at 11 a.m each day. In the past, when it has rained, the tourney has shifted indoors to the Swinomish gymnasium.
Tournament registration deadline is Thursday (Aug. 6) at 6 p.m. Players must be able to prove their ages on game day.
As always, Native arts and crafts and food vendors will be on scene throughout the weekend.
Swinomish Days is preceded on Aug. 5 (12:45 p.m.) by the annual March Against Addiction. The 2026 march, starting at John K. Bob Ballpark, will honor this year’s Inspirational Sobriety Award recipients.
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
