OrcaFest 2010 was a lively event held Nov. 7 at the Alki Bathhouse co-sponsored by the theWhaletrail.org and Killer Whale Tales to celebrate the return of the southern resident orcas to this part of Puget Sound.

The event was also cause for celebration since the City of Seattle provided a matching grant for $20,000 to establish viewing locations and orca stewardship programs in West Seattle.

There were displays from NOAA, People for Puget Sound, The Seattle Aquarium, the Port Townsend Marine Science Center, the American Cetacean Society and other participants. The Whale Trail also had people on hand to videotape people's orca memories which will be compiled and presented on the organization's website in the coming weeks.The walls were lined with art created by local school children and kids were given the opportunity to color in line drawings and learn more about whales in a slideshow presentation.

Also taking part were members of local Native American tribes which included a performance by the Duwamish Tribe’s dance group, T’ilibshudub, or “Singing Feet." Leading the singing of tribal songs for the dancers were Mike Evans of the Snohomish Tribe and Tom Speer from the board of directors for Duwamish Tribal services. Tribal members wore traditional articles of clothing including some cedar bark hats, a vest, and other ceremonial garb.

The Whale Trail project's goal is to establish a series of sites around the region where the public can view orcas and other marine mammals from shore. Part of its mission is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of whales and the marine environment.

Killer Whale Tales is an educational organization that has taught more than 40,000 elementary school children and their families since 2000 about the impacts on the Puget Sound environment and gotten them involved in reducing these impacts. Jeff Hogan is the Director and during the event he performed some orca calls to the delight of the children attending.

They now reach nearly 10,000 children annually in Washington, Oregon and California.

Coming next Wednesday, Nov. 10 is a research update called "In search of Spew, Poo and Go- Learning about Orcas from what they eat" to be presented by Brad Hanson of NOAA Fisheries. The event is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Duwamish Longhouse at 4705 W. Marginal Way s.w.