An evening in white illuminates downtown Camas

Friends and family enjoy food and drinks at the Camas in White event. Tables and chairs were set up on Northeast Fourth Avenue, between Adams and Birch streets.

Before dinner, party-goers dined on appetizers and cocktails. The meal began with a traditional napkin wave at 7 p.m. The "diner en blanc" concept was first made famous in Paris. Similar events are now held throughout Europe, and in U.S. cities including New York, Chicago and New Orleans.

At the Camas-Washougal Soroptimists' table, refreshments with hints of lemon and herbs were poured into delicate glass pitchers. The group's other table decorations included white flowers, teddy bears and candles.

Camas resident Colleen Brundage tries to stay cool with her feathered fan.

Participants got creative with their table decorations, including paying homage to the city's paper mill history with centerpieces made of rolls of toilet paper, accented with feathers and flowers.

Camas resident Cindy Ontkean puts the finishing touches on her table setting by lighting the white candlesticks of a silver candelabra.

A table setting created by friends and neighbors of the Lacamas Shores neighborhood included menus printed with the Julia Child quote: "Dining with one's friends and beloved family is certainly one of life's primal and most innocent delights, one that is both soul-satisfying and eternal." Sarah Bang said each of the 16 seats at the table included a place card printed with a fictional name reflecting the "white" theme of the evening. The Lacamas Shores group won the table decorating contest.