By Christi Baron
Forks Forum Editor
Once upon a time, there was a little town. It was full of really great people, but it was sort of on the way to other things — the beach, fishing and Olympic National Park — so nobody really took the time to discover what a great community it was. They were all on their way to somewhere else.
It was around 2005 that a travel writer drove through Forks. The writer didn’t bother to stop and meet these nice people, and then had the nerve to describe the community as “a festering boil on the peninsula” … or something close to that. It was also that summer that a book came out, it was called “Twilight.” Those in Forks were oblivious; we just kept being our nice selves.
Soon, something strange happened. People began showing up to see Forks.
What was this strange change?
These people were just happy to be in Forks! They didn’t care if it was raining! They didn’t see us as a festering boil. They didn’t judge. They came and they came. Sometimes it was hard to even get through downtown, sometimes making the usually nice people of Forks cranky (we are sort of spoiled that way).
I remember being in the bakery department at Forks Outfitters when a young girl on her phone was trying to contain her excitement as she exclaimed to the person she was talking to, “I am in Forks!”
I also remember making phone calls to order something in other parts of the country and the customer service people saying, “Forks is a real place?” and “So, how is that ‘Twilight’ thing going?”
At the Forever Twilight in Forks Collection ribbon-cutting ceremony last May, Mayor Bryon Monohon thanked the community for “playing along” with the “Twilight” phenomenon, adding that for many fans this is the town that they wish was their hometown.
Some locals still are not too sure about “Twilight” and some downright don’t like it. And that is just the way it is. But for the most part, locals are okay with it and are still a little mystified by it all.
This week we are welcoming hundreds of “Twilight” fans to the Forever Twilight in Forks Festival. Many events are limited capacity and have pre-sold tickets, but other events are open to those that want to experience a little “Twilight” fandom.
The Forks Community Hospital United Way committee is sponsoring a hike/run/walk through the woods on a brand new Department of Natural Resources trail that features four types of forest stands and beautiful scenery. The trail is located behind the Forks Visitors Center and takes place on Friday, Sept. 15. You can register on Friday (race day), at the event site from 1-2 p.m. Registration is $10, with all proceeds going to United Way of Clallam County.
This event is a fun family-friendly run, hike or walk.
On Saturday, Sept. 16, Amber Hoagland and Savanah Norbisrath will be hosting a blood drive from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Forks High School for their senior project. They need at least 57 donors to contact them and make appointments in order for the blood drive to be a success. Contact Amber Hoagland at amberhoagland2322@gmail.com or by texting/calling (360)-640-3979. Or, contact Savanah Norbisrath at savanah.norbisrath@hotmail.com, or calling/texting (360)-640-1408.
It has been a busy summer! You may not even notice that we have several hundred extra people in town this week and then again you might. My advice is to take the back roads and go to the store early and … welcome “Twilight” fans!
