35th West Coast Estonian Days
July 16th to July 18th 2021
Seattle is excited to share the extraordinary and breathtaking beauty of our home in the Pacific Northwest as we join our hands, hearts, and voices to celebrate Estonian culture at the Seattle LEP2021.
Since 1953, West Coast Estonians have met to sing, dance, and reconnect with old and make new friends.
Lääneranniku Eesti Päevad or LEP, is our festival of everything Estonian.
The West Coast Estonian League, (WCEL/EOLL) formed in 1954 with the main purpose of preparing and carrying out the West Coast Estonian Days and has grown from 13 founding member organizations to the current 22.
The presidency and board of the league rotates on a two year basis among the five West Coast population centers (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle and Vancouver, BC).
The first of such festivals occurred in San Francisco over Labor Day weekend bringing together over 600 participants, and in 2019 the leadership was passed on from Portland to Seattle.
During LEP2021 we will call the Suquamish Clearwater Resort and Casino our home.
The Clearwater, located on the shores of the Agate Passage, is just a short, scenic ferry ride from Seattle.
The ferry crosses Puget Sound and you arrive on the traditional lands of the Suquamish Tribe.
The beautiful setting will create a unique backdrop for the festival events, from formal programming to casual activities.
Events include a Folk Party beginning with a Song and Dance Festival that continues with the audience joining their voices to sing old folk songs and joining their hands to twirl through well-loved folk dances.
Whether participating in the Sports Day festivities, or dressing up and dancing the night away at the Ball there will be something for everyone- perhaps even a travelling sauna – stay tuned!
MAKE YOUR MARK
Throughout the many years of LEP, strong logos have been featured as a symbol of the individual festivals.
We are calling on all creative people to make their mark on the 35th LEP festivities through our Logo Contest with a chance to become part of history and win an example of Estonian ingenuity along with a ticket to LEP 2021.
The Estonian company Click and Grow has generously donated one of their Smart Gardens as a prize, along with cornflower pods to bring a small piece of Estonia to your own home.
Find more information and submission guidelines on the logo contest webpage at www.lep2021.com/logo-contest. The deadline has been extended to June 28th, 2020.
Further information and updates as they become available can be found on the LEP 2021 website www.lep2021.com and on the “West Coast Estonian Days- LEP 2021 Seattle” Facebook Page.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
The Seattle LEP2021
Organizing Committee