Weippe CAMAS Festival

May 25-26

Birds Along the Trail -Accepting Photo Entrys Now!

 Click on the Events Link (May) for Schedule, details and registration. 

Print Photo Contest Entry Form
Print Dutch Oven Contest Entry Form
Print Schedule of Events
Retreat Walk/Run Registration

Weippe Public Library awarded
2011 National Medal for Museum and Library Services
at Ceremony in Washington DC

http://www.imls.gov/news/2011_medals_weippe_public_library.aspx

In earlier days the Weippe area was frequented by the Nez Perce Indians, who enjoyed the summer climate and profitable hunting grounds. They erected lodges, fished, hunted and dug the camas root in the surrounding area. In 1805, Lewis and Clark had their first encounter with the Nez Perce Indians on the Weippe Prairie, not far from the present townsite.

The word Weippe was originally spelled “Oy-ipe” by General Oliver Otis Howard, in his journals during the campaign against the Nez Perce and negotiations with Chief Joseph in 1877. Other spellings included Oy-iap and Wyap-p. Harry Wheeler, Nez Perce historian, believed that Weippe means a "very old place," "oy" means "all" in the Nez Perce language, but no meaning has been found for "iap". The Nez Perce also say it may have something to do with a spring of water or camas ground. The meaning of the name is still greatly debated.

Soon after the Corps of Discovery’s expedition through the region, the fur trading industry came to Idaho. Then gold was discovered in 1860 by E.D. Pierce bringing a rush to the area in 1861. The Homestead Act brought many families to the region and Weippe grew and thrived.

Weippe was incorporated in December of 1964 and is located on the Gold Rush Historic Byway, Idaho Highway 11. The Weippe Prairie is one of eight registered national landmarks in the State of Idaho and is part of the National Lewis & Clark Historic Trail. It is a level meadow fringed by forest, and through it runs Jim Ford’s Creek, named after a pioneer wood dealer from Lewiston. Come visit our Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center at the Weippe Discovery Center. Also visit our neighboring city-Pierce at pierce-weippechamber.com.

 We are seeking entries for the photo contest from now until May 18, 2012.  Entries will be judged by the photo that uses the theme, and also Festival participants will vote for their favorite. 

 See attached entry form for details, or call 208-435-4362.

Schedule Print Schedule

Retreat Run/Walk Registration

Weippe Mini Park and Community Hall
 

Friday - May 25 -      

Dutch Oven Cook-Off – Cooks start at 3:00 pm – Mini Park    Print Entry Form

Dutch Oven Dinner at 5:00 pm at Park

Melodrama “Lost in Tumblerock” – 7:00 pm – Community Hall – Hilltop Theatre Group

Saturday - May 26  -     

Retreat to Weippe Fun Run/Walk  sign up 7:00 to 8:20 am -Start - 8:30 am

Breakfast  7:00 am - 10:30 am

Silent Auction   7:00 am - 3:00 pm

Favorite Photo Contest   7:00 am – 3:00 pm

Live Raptor Programs 10:00 am– 2:00 pm

Horseshoe Tournament   sign-up 11:00 am – play all day

Craft and Food Vendors  9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Activities “Along the Trail” – at the Mini Park

Building Bird Houses – Birding Information

Jewelry/Craft Making - Deerhides to Buckskins - Quill Work and Beading  

Games – Nickel Dig  - Idaho Spud Toss -  Atlatl Throw -

Music in the Park – 1:00 am – 3:30 pm

Programs in Community Hall –

11:30 am -    The Great Migration -- Kathleen Cameron

  1:00 pm  -   Birds of Lewis & Clark -- Roger and Janice Inghram  

  3:00 pm  -   Silent Auction & Photo Contest Winners Announced 

  4:30 pm - Melodrama –  Hilltop Theatre Group

“Lost in Tumblerock or “They Took the Wrong Road to the Right Place”   

  Sponsors –Idaho Humanities Council 

Nez Perce National Historical Park

Weippe Community Club