Exterior of The Line

Real Twin Peaks 2024 – Official Proclamation for Twin Peaks Day

As part of the Real Twin Peaks 2024 event, fans from around the world recently gathered on this day at the “Welcome to Twin Peaks” sign spot along Reinig Road in Snoqualmie to hear Washington state elected officials from King County and North Bend recognize February 24 as Twin Peaks Day. One of the few specific points in time mentioned in the series, the significance of this day is important to Snoqualmie Valley and fans alike.

WHY IS FEBRUARY 24 IMPORTANT TO TWIN PEAKS?

Collage of Finding Laura Palmer, Ronette on train tracks and Agent Cooper driving
Pilot

February 24 is an important day in the wonderful and strange world of Twin Peaks. On that day, Laura Palmer was found dead, wrapped in plastic. Her classmate Ronette Pulaski wandered across state lines which prompted the involvement of FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper. His drive into the small town of Twin Peaks at 11:30 a.m. marks the start of a decades long journey that eventually leads him to standing in front of the Chalfont / Palmer house asking “What year is this?”

Camera crew in North Bend, WA on February 21
The Mauve Zone

From a Snoqualmie Valley perspective, February 21, 1989 is the first time cameras rolled on David Lynch and Mark Frost’s backdoor pilot episode then titled, “Northwest Passage.” The crew would capture footage in Washington state until around mid-March at Kiana Lodge on Bainbridge Island in Poulsbo, Washington.

Newspaper article
Associated Press, May 21, 1991

Once the show aired on the ABC Television Network beginning in April 1990, countless number of Twin Peaks  fans began making the pilgrimage to see the Real Twin Peaks locations and enjoy a heavenly slice of cherry pie and a damn, fine cup of coffee. More than 35 years later, the show continues playing an important part of Snoqualmie Valley history and the history of film and television production in Washington state.

TWIN PEAKS DAY PROCLAMATIONS

Long-time Twin Peaks fan Karl Reinsch first approached the towns of North Bend and Snoqualmie in 2018 about celebrating Twin Peaks Day.

Marisa and Karl Reinsch celebrating Twin Peaks Day in Snoqualmie with a 2020 Proclamation from the City of Snoqualmie.
Marisa and Karl Reinsch celebrating Twin Peaks Day in Snoqualmie with a 2020 Proclamation from the City of Snoqualmie.

Karl has continued drafting proclamations for the cities of North Bend and Snoqualmie, which has evolved into the Real Twin Peaks event thanks to the partnership of the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce and North Bend Downtown Foundation. In 2023, the town of Carnation also joined in the Twin Peaks Day fun as several scenes from the Pilot were shot in the town. Carnation’s downtown is also seen outside the Double R Diner windows throughout Season 2. For the first time this year, the King County government also proclaimed February 24 as Twin Peaks Day thanks to Karl’s draft proposal.

TWIN PEAKS DAY 2024 PROCLAMATION FOR NORTH BEND, WA

Facebook post about proclamation
Facebook | City of North Bend Government, February 21, 2024

Proclamation

TWIN PEAKS DAY 2024 PROCLAMATION FOR SNOQUALMIE, WA

Facebook post about proclamation
Facebook | City of Snoqualmie Government, February 13, 2024
Graphic for Twin Peaks Day
February 13, 2024
Two people holding paper
February 13, 2024

Proclamation

TWIN PEAKS DAY 2024 PROCLAMATION FOR CARNATION, WA

Facebook post about proclamation
Facebook | City of Carnation, February 20, 2024
People lined up holding a piece of paper
February 20, 2024

Proclamation

TWIN PEAKS DAY 2024 PROCLAMATION FOR KING COUNTY, WA

Facebook post about King County Proclamation
Facebook | Councilmember Sarah Perry, February 20, 2024
Councilmember Perry reading from a podium
February 20, 2024
People standing in a line
February 20, 2024

Proclamation

READING OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION AT THE WELCOME TO TWIN PEAKS SIGN SPOT

After enjoying doughnuts and coffee at Snoqualmie Valley Eagles, fans drove out to the Welcome to Twin Peaks sign spot around 11:15 a.m.

Kelly Coughlin by sign spot

Kelly Coughlin, Executive Director of the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce, welcomed everyone gathered for the special moment.

People gathered by side of the road

Can I tell you just how great it was to see this many people at the sign spot?

Councilmember Perry by sign spot

Kelly welcomed King County District 3 Councilmember Sarah Perry who discussed the official “Twin Peaks Day” proclamation for King County. 

Mayor Miller reading by sign spot

North Bend Mayor Mary Miller followed Councilmember Perry by reading the official proclamation for the town of North Bend.

Three people by sign spot Councilmember Perry and Mayor Miller by Sign Spot

I love how the county and cities have embraced Twin Peaks. This made my entire weekend!

Welcome to Twin Peaks Sign on side of road

A SPECIAL AGENT DRIVES BY

People waiting by side of the road

At 11:30, fans were treated to a special surprise as Kyle MacLachlan drove past the sign spot, recreating a scene captured 35 years ago.

People lined up along the side of the road

People lined up along the side of the road

Numerous fans lined Reinig Road waiting for the arrival of the Special Agent.

Car passes people lined on sign of the road

Car driving on road

I was stationed on the sign spot side as I was hopeful to recreate the scene from the pilot. So close.

Kyle MacLachlan driving with hand out the window
Photo by: John Thorne | Twitter

Thankfully, John Thorne was on the opposite side of the road and captured this shot of Kyle driving.

John Thorne pointing to sign spot

John had never had his photo taken with the “Welcome to Twin Peaks” sign. The entire Twin Peaks community wouldn’t be the same without his years of incredible insight and passion for this wonderful and strange world. Thank you, John!

Car driving by Welcome to Twin Peaks sign
Pilot

Interestingly, MacLachlan later shared he didn’t actually drive the 1981 Dodge Diplomat in that scene from the “Twin Peaks” pilot. A crew member drove the car past the “Welcome to Twin Peaks” sign in the show. So his drive by moment on February 24, 2024 was the first time he passed the iconic film location in Snoqualmie. Most of MacLachlan’s driving scene in the pilot took place along 396th Drive SE in Snoqualmie, near the former Snoqualmie Mill and now home to Dirtfish Rally School.

WE’RE A WHOLE DAMN TOWN!

Group gathered by sign spot on Reinig Road
February 24, 2024

To paraphrase Deputy Andy, “We’re a whole damn town!”

Group of people gathered around sign along side of the road
February 24, 2024

Truly wonderful to see everyone gathered along Reinig Road. Twin Peaks fans are the best people.

Aerial shot of people gathered by sign
Photo by Twin Peaks Townie

I love this drone shot captured by the talented Twin Peaks Townie. I’m rarely in these group shot photos so this makes me so happy.

Steven giving thumbs up by sign spot

I did grab a quick selfie as the crowd waved to the drone flying overhead.

Steven with Mayor Mary Miller

I also took a photo with Mayor Miller, especially since we share the same last name and we are both photographers.

Four people standing together
Facebook | Councilmember Sarah Perry, February 24, 2024

Thank you to Councilmember Perry, Mayor Miller, Kyle MacLachlan and Kelly Coughlin for creating such an unforgettable moment on Twin Peaks Day. It’s one for the history books!

Steven with Welcome to Twin Peaks Sign
Thank you Jeff Powell for this photo!

IMAGE GALLERY ON FLICKR

Image Gallery on Flickr

More images from this special moment are found on my Flickr account. They are mostly licensed Creative Commons, so only attribution – Sam Howzit – is needed for usage.

Author

  • Steven Miller at Twede's Cafe enjoying cherry pie and coffee

    A "Twin Peaks" fan since October 1993, Steven Miller launched Twin Peaks Blog in February 2018 to document his decades-long fascination with David Lynch and Mark Frost's wonderful and strange show. With his Canon camera in hand, he's visited numerous film locations, attended Twin Peaks events and conducted extensive historical research about this groundbreaking series. Along with fellow Bookhouse Boys, he dreams of creating a complete Twin Peaks Archive of the series and feature film. Steven currently resides in Central Florida.

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