Point Reyes National Seashore mourns the loss of former Park Ranger, Lanny Pinola, who passed away on April 21. Pinola served as a Park Ranger for over fifteen years, and was scheduled to be the Master of Ceremonies at Strawberry Festival. In memory of all that Pinola provided to the public, this year’s Strawberry Festival, originally scheduled for Saturday, April 26, will be cancelled.
During his career, Lanny Pinola educated tens of thousands of school children and park visitors about Native Californian culture and tradition, and he breathed life into Kule Loklo, a cultural exhibit at Point Reyes National Seashore that illustrates a Coast Miwok community prior to European contact.
Strawberry Festival is a traditional celebration and blessing of the first fruits of spring, normally accompanied with ceremonies, dancing, demonstrations, and games. The Native American community, the Miwok Archaeological Preserve of Marin, and the National Park Service have decided to cancel the Strawberry Festival out of respect to Pinola, his family, and friends. Park Superintendent, Don Neubacher, stated, “Lanny Pinola was a special teacher and friend to many of us at Point Reyes. His inspiration and wonderful spirit will be greatly missed."
-NPS-
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
