From historic wooden boats, to with farm-fresh foods, historic re-enactments, and films for every taste, Port Townsend has it all this month. We look forward to welcoming you here!
This month at the Port Townsend Farmers Market you can find an abundance of tomatoes large and small; slicers, saucers and salad toppers, ranging from burgundy to bright red and golden to green. Have you ever wondered which varieties you like most? The Tomato Taste Off on September 2 from 9 am to 2 pm, is your chance to answer the age-old question of which tomato most strikes your fancy. Farmers Market food vendors will serve up dishes featuring local tomatoes from paella to tomato basil hand pies. Learn more at: jcfmarkets.org.
Photo by Bryan Peterson
Experience the American Civil War Living History & Skirmish at Fort Worden, September 2-4, 9 am to 5 pm. The 4th US Infantry Company C is committed to education about the Civil War through living history displays and performances. They portray the life of a soldier and civilian from both the North and South during the American Civil War. They will be setting up camp on the Parade Ground Saturday, Sunday and Monday over this coming Labor Day Weekend. An 1800s Contra Dance will be held in the USO Building on Saturday, September 2 from 8 – 11:30 pm. Sponsored by the Coast Artillery Museum. Donations are appreciated. For more information, http://www.civilwareventfortworden.org/
A week later, America’s largest Wooden Boat Festival celebrates its 41st year and opens Friday, September 8 at 9 am with tall ships, paddleboards, kayaks, tug boats, a fleet of wooden boats and everything in between. Demonstrations, presentations, plays, music, dancing, and great food provide a weekend of fun for all ages. Running through Sunday, September 10, the annual Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival is open until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday.
Organized and presented by the Northwest Maritime Center, the festival features over 250 boats, 100 presenters from around the world sharing their adventures, talents, and expertise on four indoor and four outdoor stages, plus live music all weekend on the main stage. Find quaint bars, great food and unbelievable scenery at this festival on the Salish Sea.
The festival features free boat rides for all ages and a paddleboard pool that kids will love! For those more daring and adventurous, try paddleboarding and kayaking off the beach. And for a more relaxed way to get on the water, rowboats and launch tours are available. For those who want some nostalgia, try a longboat ride, or sail and row in a historic replica of George Vancouver’s 1792 ship!
The weekend concludes with the awe-inspiring “Sail-By” at 3 pm on Sunday where hundreds of wooden vessels of all sizes and shapes pour out of the harbor and sail along the waterfront in full sail celebration. “If you are into wooden boats or just looking for a great party, Port Townsend is the place to be the second weekend of September,” said Northwest Maritime Center Executive Director Jake Beattie.
Highlights of the 2017 festival include tall ships Pacific Grace, Pacific Swift and Schooners Zodiac and Adventuress which will be available for touring and charter. Matt Rutherford’s presentations and movie of his incredible solo-circumnavigation of the Americas will entertain and amaze. And head to the Author’s Tent to meet the authors of the latest cruising, adventure and technical books. For the weekend’s full schedule of events, presentations, and activities during the festival, visit www.woodenboat.org.
If you’re eager to experience a working farm and connect with local farmers, don’t miss the 15th Annual Jefferson County Farm Tour, September 16 and 17, from 10 am to 4 pm. With many Jefferson County farms participating in the tour you’ll meet many of the people that are part of the county’s thriving food and fiber systems. Experience farm tours, live music, educational demonstrations and kid’s activities. Included in the weekend of events are 18 local farms which highlight food, fiber, cider, oysters and more.
The Farm Tour Pie Party is Saturday, September 16 with a pie walk, pie eating contest, whole pies, pies by the slice and local berry pies! This is a fundraiser, which will be held at Finnriver Cider Garden in Chimacum, with live music by Joy In Mudville and some of the county’s best pies. Suggested donation is $5. For a full listing of events go to tinyurl.com/getonthefarm or call 360-379-5610.
The 18th Annual Port Townsend Film Festival will screen 89 new indie films, most with personal appearances by filmmakers and stars, over three days, from September 15 to 17, in venues throughout town, including the restored vaudeville-era Rose Theatre and crystal-chandeliered “Starlight Room.”
Special guests this year include Academy Award-winning director Morgan Neville, who has interviewed, on camera, icons of both pop music (such as Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell and Bette Midler) and classical music (such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma and his Silk Road Ensemble). Both films will be screened. Neville has made over 50 films, most of them shown worldwide.
Also appearing is an expert in coral reefs with Chasing Coral, an astronaut in training with The Mars Generation, a traditional Inupiat (Bering Sea) dance group with Angry Inuk, and an insect chef with Bugs on the Menu, along with over 80 filmmakers.
An entire block of Taylor Street is closed for mingling all three days. And each night is a free outdoor movie projected on a giant screen under the stars. This year, see Chicken Run, Morgan Neville’s 20 Feet from Stardom and the always-popular Princess Bride.
To see the entire 2017 lineup of 89 films (including an interview with Morgan Neville) go to www.ptfilmfest.com. Buy your pass online, or call the box office at 360-379-1333.
Save the date for upcoming events in October!
October 7-8
Port Townsend Kinetic Skupture Race
www.PTKineticRace.org
October 5-21
Key City Public Theatre’s “The Book Club Play”
www.keycitypublictheatre.org
October 13-15
Olympic Peninsula Apple & Cider Festival
October 31
Port Townsend Main Street Downtown Trick or Treat
www.ptmainstreet.org
Visit us in September and enjoy everything Port Townsend!