PORT TOWNSEND — Prior to its scheduled inauguration Sunday, the MV Chetzemoka has been visible this week as it conducts its final test runs between Port Townsend and Coupeville.
Community members are busy planning Sunday’s schedule, which is a combination of private and public events to celebrate the arrival of the state’s first new ferry of the 21st century.
“We are ecstatic that this boat is finally on line,” said Port Townsend Marketing Director Christine Pivarnik.
“This will give us reliable transportation between Port Townsend and Coupeville and provide a needed link between our two communities.”
The value of having a reliable ferry, Pivarnik said, is the continuation of state Highway 20 and its establishment as a reliable transportation route.
After an all-day celebration of its inaugural sailing, the 64-car Chetzemoka will take over route Monday, while the 50-car Steilacoom II — which was leased by the state for three years — will be returned to Pierce County.
Christening at onset
The celebration will begin at the ferry terminal at Keystone Harbor on Whidbey Island.
The boat christening at 10:30 a.m. in Coupeville is by invitation only, though sound will be piped into a public area in Keystone Harbor, from which there will be limited sight lines.
The inaugural sailing to Port Townsend is scheduled for 11:20 a.m. and will take about an hour, twice the normal crossing time.
Gov. Chris Gregoire, who is presiding over the ceremony, will be on board, along with statewide dignitaries, including legislators from all the districts in which ferries operate.
Additionally, Port Townsend and Coupeville officials were each given 150 tickets for distribution to the local population.
Arrival in PT
Once the Chetzemoka arrives in Port Townsend at about 12:20 p.m., events become public.
A tribal ceremony orchestrated by the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe, of which Chief Chetzemoka — for whom the ferry was named — was a member, will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
This will be followed by an open house from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., at which time the public will be invited onto the boat for a look around.
In case of inclement weather, the christening ceremony will take place at noon in Port Townsend, with invitation-only access, with the tribal ceremony and the open house occurring as planned.
At 2:45 p.m., those who wish to participate in the Port Townsend Community Portrait should begin assembling at the ferry dock.
The portrait, which was last taken in 2007 to coincide with the reopening of the refurbished Port Townsend City Hall, will feature the Chetzemoka in the background.
The picture will be taken by Port Townsend photographer David Conklin from a ladder truck borrowed from East Jefferson Fire-Rescue.
The picture will be turned into a poster that will be available the next day for $10 at the Printery/Star Copy, 631 Tyler St.
The portrait is sponsored by the Port Townsend Main Street Program and Puget Sound Energy, with the Elevated Ice Cream and Candy Co. providing treats for the assembled multitudes.
Main Street Director Mari Mullen said that anyone can appear in the picture and should wear bright colors for the occasion.
Mullen suggested that participants park at the Haines Place Park and Ride near Safeway and take a shuttle to the photo site, as parking is limited.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.