October is spectacular in Port Townsend as fall foliage offers a riot of glorious shades of amber, pumpkin and russet. The air is crisp with chilly nights, and if you catch a clear day, the sky seems bluer, with slanted sunlight gracing neighborhoods, marinas and trails. But it’s also a month of exciting events. Check out what’s happening around town, making this a favorite time of year to visit.
Port Townsend will sparkle on Thursday, October 5 at Port Townsend Main Street’s Girls’ Night Out. It’s a day and night of female camaraderie and shopping fun. This year’s theme is “You Sparkle!” so be sure to wear sparkles! Start the fun early with the “Tiara Trot,” a free, early morning run/walk. Meet at the Cotton Building, 607 Water Street, to register for this 1.47-mile walk/jog/run which starts at 7 am and jump start your day.
Downtown stores are hosting special events, in-store promotions and refreshments from 11 am to 8 pm at Girls’ Night Out. Raffle tickets are on sale in advance for $5 at participating merchants. The prize is valued at over $800. Must be 18 years old to enter. The evening ends with the popular Wrap Party at 8 pm at The Belmont, with a $10 suggested donation at door.
New this year–Girls’ Night Out Headquarters will be at the Cotton Building. Get your goodie bags here ($20 while they last!) and pick up your Girls’ Night Out schedule of events to plan your fun. Goodie bags are filled with gifts from local downtown businesses with coupon books and more. The Jefferson Healthcare Pop-Up features a photo booth, refreshments and drawings. Enter to win a portrait session by Deja View Photography.
Ride in style with PTeRider at Girl’s Night Out from 4-8 pm. Let PTeRider chauffeur you during the event with free rides downtown for Girls’ Night Out customers. Proceeds from Girls’ Night Out benefit Jefferson Healthcare Foundation to help provide breast and cervical cancer screenings, care and treatment for low income Jefferson County residents, as well as the Port Townsend Main Street Program, a 501c3 non-profit.
Comedy returns to the Key City Public Theatre’s main stage with October’s production of “The Book Club Play,” opening October 5 and running through October 21, Thursdays through Sundays at 7:30 pm, with 2:30 pm performances on Sundays.
This hit comedy about books and the people who love them is “Lord of the Flies with Wine and Dip.” When members of a devoted book club become the subjects of a documentary filmmaker and accept a provocative new member, their club meetings take a hilarious turn. Sprinkled with wit, joy and novels galore, “The Book Club Play” is a dangerous comedy about community, loving books, high and low culture, and the absolute terror of group dynamics.
Tickets are $20 Thursdays and Sundays, $24 on Fridays and Saturdays. There will be Pay-What-You-Wish performances on October 8 and 12. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to www.keycitypublictheatre.org.
And be sure to join the KCPT crew for the Halloween Dance Party on Saturday, October 28 at 7 pm at the KCPT Playhouse. $8 at the door. Too much fun to miss!
The 35th Annual Great Port Townsend Bay Kinetic Sculpture Race launches Saturday, October 7, with thrills, chills, songs, and, of course, there will be glory! This year Kinetic Goes Kosmik beginning Saturday with the Parade, Sculpture safety test and Water Kourse starting at low noon in downtown Port Townsend. The Kween’s Koronation Kostume Ball is from 8 pm-12:30 am at the American Legion Hall, where you can dance the night away and bring in the new Rose Hips Kween. Sunday, October 8, the Sculpture, Sand and Mud Kourse Race begins at low noon, concluding with the Survivor’s Post Party and Awards Ceremony at 6 pm where everyone will bask in the Glory! For more info, go to www.ptkineticrace.org.
Celebrate the season and taste the region at the Olympic Peninsula Apple and Cider Festival, October 13-15. Hosted by East Jefferson County cider makers, this three-day event features a Firestarter five-course feast from beloved Chef Deborah Taylor (formerly executive sous chef at Canlis), a robust farmers market, hard cider tastings, an all-ages World Apple Day celebration at Finnriver Cidery, educational seminars including a Home Brew Q&A, and much more.
The weekend festivities are centered around Saturday’s Tasting Festival, which features a spread of northwest cideries and special guest producers presenting traditional and innovative ciders. Guests of the festival will enjoy over 40 regional ciders, live music, cider pressing, apple tastings and pairings, and a lively atmosphere of networking and celebration. The event’s Tasting Festival After Party at Propolis Brewing, features a fire show and dance party. For a truly authentic Pacific Northwest, tree-to-glass experience, go to www.AppleandCiderFest.com.
And for the kiddos, don’t miss the Port Townsend Main Street’s 22nd Annual Downtown Trick or Treat, October 31 beginning at 4 pm with a parade down Water Street. Our merchants will be offering treats for the kids…and, you never know, maybe some tricks too!
Save the date for upcoming events in November and early December:
November 4-5
Jefferson County Holiday Craft Fair
www.jeffcofairgrounds.com/events/hoiday-fair/
November 24-25
Port Townsend Arts Guild Holiday Craft Sale
www.porttownsendartsguild.org/events.html
November 25
Main Street’s Merchants’ Open House and Small Business Saturday
www.ptmainstreet.org
December 1-23
Key City Public Theatre’s “Spirit of the Yule”
www.keycitypublictheatre.org
December 2
Main Street’s Community Treelighting and Santa’s Visit
www.ptmainstreet.org
Visit us in October and enjoy everything Port Townsend!