South King County middle and high school students will welcome an ocean going canoe from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 24 at the O’Dell Education Center.

They’ve traveled to Taholah on weekends since the spring to help construct the canoe under the direction of Quinault master carver, Guy Capoeman.

This Saturday families, youth, community members and leaders, the Kent Fire Department and elected officials gather to welcome the canoe to Kent.

The 32 foot strip canoe is built from a windfall cedar tree over 1,000 years old. A carved eagle crests the canoe’s bow.

This Saturday teams under Capoeman’s direction will paint the eagle onto the sides of the canoe. A barbeque will be offered, as well as Indian fry bread and organic baked potatoes and fresh vegetables from the youth and families’ O’Dell Center gardens.

Young children will participate in painting projects.

Tours will be offered throughout the O’Dell Center’s 20 acres of gardens, pond, forest, and salmon bearing streams.

The Center is located at 24833 180th Ave. SE, Kent, WA 98042.

Capoeman, master carver from the Quinault Tribe, has been directing the project with Kent area youth from the Institute for Community Leadership and youth from Taholah. The canoe is named “R.S. Capoeman” in honor of Randy Capoeman, Guy’s uncle.

Randy carved the totem that the Institute for Community Leadership also stewards at its O’Dell Education Center in Kent.

For more information, contact Nyla Rosen at 253-508-3250 or Karen Bohlke at 206-755-3677.