Dignitaries, a program and ribbon cutting, tours, music and great food will all be part of the Peninsula College grand opening celebration of its new Forks Extension Site at 481 S. Forks Ave. on Thursday, Aug. 28. The public is invited.

The festivities will begin at 5 p.m. Deborah Scannell, Peninsula College’s West End coordinator, will welcome community residents and guests, and Peninsula College President Dr. Luke Robins will be the master of ceremonies.

Guest speakers include U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer of Washington’s 6th Congressional District; speakers from the Hoh, Quileute and Makah tribes; Forks Mayor Bryon Monohon; Forks City Attorney Rod Fleck; and Bill Cole, managing director for Community Capital Facilities of the Washington State Department of Commerce.

A special presentation will be given by Manuela, Elena and Francisca Velasquez, who will be representing the Hispanic Family Association of Forks. All of them are former students at Peninsula College in Forks.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Therapy Session, a West End band specializing in an eclectic mix of blues, country, gospel, folk and rock.

The opening marks the transformation of the old Bank of America building into a modern educational facility dedicated to serving the communities on the west end of the Olympic Peninsula.

The 12,452-square-foot facility boasts five classrooms, a learning center with study space, a student gathering space, reception and advising and faculty office spaces. The new site also includes a multi-use space available as a resource for community and cultural events for the region.

For more information on the grand opening, see the college website at www.pencol.edu.