Thousands flock to expanded Port Ludlow Festival by the Bay

  • By Philip L. Watness For Peninsula Daily News
  • Monday, August 1, 2011 12:01am
  • News

By Philip L. Watness For Peninsula Daily News

PORT LUDLOW — Because of the fun, the sun, the songs, the friends, the family, the place, the life, there was no better place to be for the thousands of residents and visitors who participated in the Festival by the Bay over the weekend.

Festival-goers at the three-day festival, which ran from Friday through Sunday, expressed appreciation for the various foods by restaurateurs as well as for the goods of crafts vendors.

They watched appreciatively as the Coast Guard demonstrated its sea-to-air rescue techniques.

They watched and listened attentively to hula dancers as well as big bands.

The festival once known as Port Ludlow Days was expanded this year into an event that “brings Port Ludlow into the greater community,” according to chairman Robert Olybrych.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

As part of that expansion, last year, organizers decided to become a nonprofit organization that could donate proceeds to help programs in Jefferson County.

The festival appeared likely to provide plenty of donations to this year’s chosen beneficiaries — Chimacum Schools Foundation and Olympic Community Action Programs, better known as OlyCAP.

Spirit of giving

That spirit of giving seemed everywhere Saturday.

The organizers fed breakfast Saturday to the seven members of U.S. Marine Corps Security Force Battalion out of Bangor.

They were on duty with their Humvee and Bear Cat and also had graciously provided security overnight.

Other volunteers circulated the booths to assist them with most any need from watching their goods for a few minutes to bringing them food.

One vendor said she helped another vendor set up her new tent.

It was that kind of festival. Something for everyone and everyone having a good time.

Festival volunteer Gene Carmody said the attendance appeared to grow ever stronger as more people came to taste the food, listen to the music, buy the wares and meet their friends.

“This far exceeds what it’s been for many years,” he said.

Exceptional food

The food was exceptional, said two craftspeople selling wares.

Boyd Bakken of Tahuya, said he had one of the best oyster and clam linguine meals he had ever had, while Bridget Hunt of Port Townsend said the pulled pork was the best.

“And I’m from Augusta, Ga.,” she added.

Music, golf tournaments, tennis matches, art displays, a car show, a biplane flyover, a sailing regatta and lots of live music kept festival-goers entertained for $7 each at the gate.

The families, friends, residents and visitors at the festival Saturday enjoyed the Na Hula O Kauhale No Nahele Kai and Naki‘i hula dancers telling tales of love and loss through dance, the Port Townsend Summer Band playing a medley of Rodgers and Hammerstein show tunes, and, headlining Saturday night, the Freddy Pink Band led by Cape George resident Gordon Yancey.

Changes this year

The festival this year offered more area for food booths, the addition of a second stage and other changes.

Bakken said he liked it better last year, admitting being selfish, because the performance stage was right next to his booth then.

But the impressive volume of shoppers to his and his wife Joanie’s Tahuya River Woodworks booth helped dim his disappointment.

Those perusing her wares were so eager Friday, said Hunt, the Port Townsend jewelry maker, that she sold items as she unpacked them.

“I sold a piece at 1:30 p.m. yesterday, long before they opened,” she said Saturday.

Hunt said she also was impressed by the volunteer effort to help vendors.

Carmody said good weather helped attendance.

“Great advertising through our local papers and all the pieces have fit together well.”

________

Philip L. Watness is a freelance writer and photographer who is leaving Port Townsend to become the editor and reporter for the Skamania County Pioneer in Stevenson,Wash. He can be reached at whatnews@olypen.com.

More in News

The ferry MV Coho backs into its landing after returning to Port Angeles on Tuesday following annual dry dock and maintenance in Anacortes. During the maintenance period, extensive work was performed on the dock, including replacement of a wing wall used to steer and secure the vessel during loading and unloading of cars and passengers. The ferry is scheduled to resume daily service between Port Angeles and Victoria on Thursday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Coho returns

The ferry MV Coho backs into its landing after returning to Port… Continue reading

Building association calls for city to cease utility charges

Association says charges unconstitutional

Jefferson Land Trust considering conservation burial ground

Funds from plot sales could fund habitat improvements

Port Angeles artist Bob Stokes sits in his studio and music venue on Wednesday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Art community mourns Bob Stokes’ passing

Legacy includes statues, concerts, gatherings

Clallam PUD
Cindy Kimble, Clallam PUD’s customer and community outreach programs coordinator, can help residents navigate the utility district’s revamped low-income energy assistance program.
Clallam PUD hires staff to help low-income customers

Clallam County Public Utility District has overhauled its low-income energy… Continue reading

Jen Colmore, left, and June Nichols of the Sequim Food Bank serve a sample of chili to Monica Dixon of Sequim during Saturday’s Community Chili Cookoff at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club. The event, organized by the club and Boy Scout Troop 90, showcased the culinary skills of six community organizations with each group receiving a share of the proceeds and the winner taking a $500 prize. The food bank’s chili recipe took top honors in the competition. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Chili cookoff

Jen Colmore, left, and June Nichols of the Sequim Food Bank serve… Continue reading

Port Townsend to test sewer system with smoke, dye

The city of Port Townsend will test its sewer… Continue reading

JUMP! Playground to close for renovations

Jefferson County Parks and Recreation will close the JUMP! Playground… Continue reading

Barcy Fisher, left, and Patti Buckland have been selected as the 2024 Marrowstone Island Citizens of the Year.
Fisher, Buckland honored as Marrowstone Island citizens of year

Barcy Fisher and Patty Buckland were named Marrowstone Island’s 2024… Continue reading

About 800 people from Jefferson and Clallam counties spill out from the steps of the Jefferson County Courthouse onto Jefferson Street in Port Townsend on Monday to take part in a National Day of Protest organized by the 50501 Movement, which stands for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement.” (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Hundreds protest actions of Trump administration

Activists cite USAID, worry about Treasury, impacts of immigration

Peninsula to welcome Canadian visitors

Celebration of Coho passengers planned

Fish barrier removal to impact highway traffic

Portions of roadway to have long-term closures