NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, March 20.

PORT TOWNSEND — The three-day Victorian Heritage Festival, which begins today, commemorates tradition and history while adding a dimension of understanding to the appreciation of this bygone era.

“We are celebrating the Victorian history and the maritime along with the fun costumes,” said Dottie Nelson, who has participated in the past five festivals.

“There is a lot of history put in a package that makes us feel that we are part of it.”

Among the festivities today through Sunday will be a Shanty Sing and Pub Crawl, presentations, a fashion show, the always-popular Victorian Ball, Victorian teas, museums and walking tours.

A general pass, which costs $25, provides access to all lectures, demonstrations and exhibitions Saturday. Children 18 and younger and students with school identification are admitted free.

The Victorian Ball, tours and teas require additional tickets. Reservations are necessary for Victorian Teas.

Once known for teas and doilies, the festival is reaching out to a younger crowd that has an interest in Victorian history and architecture, providing the other side of the coin of the more science fiction-oriented steampunk trend.

“There are people around the country who love this,” said Nathan Barnett, who with his wife, Cindy Madsen, is organizing the 18th annual event, the second to include a theme, demonstrating a progression.

Last year, the military theme focused on forts and military costumes.

Maritime flavor

This year, many of the seminars have a maritime flavor.

Next year’s theme is already decided.

“Last year was forts, this year was maritime, and they’re all kind of a rough and tumble part of the history,” Madsen said.

“Next year, it should be hearth and home, and we can have presentations about how to manage some of these old houses, what you need to do with the paneling and how you fix the windows.”

Barnett said next year will be special because it will be the 20th anniversary, which will provide an opportunity for introspection.

“We will be looking back at the history of the town, but we’ll also be looking back at the history of the festival,” he said.

“It started off as an effort to preserve our houses and businesses, but now it’s known and now it’s solid.”

Madsen said one growth indicator was a call from back East asking to purchase advertising in the festival program.

“The program wasn’t big enough to have advertising in it, but it’s something that we’ll do next year,” she said.

The teas and doilies are still in evidence and could be more so next year with the hearth and home theme — but that hasn’t been hammered out.

“Next year, we will be doing little old ladies again,” Barnett said.

“No, there will be young, strong women,” Madsen said.

“I have no problem with little old ladies. My mom’s a little old lady,” Barnett said.

Festival organizers work with the Jefferson Museum of Art and History, which conducts walking tours.

Tickets can be purchased at the American Legion Hall at 209 Monroe St. on Saturday or in advance online at www.vicfest.org. Advance tickets can be picked up at the American Legion Hall between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday.

For more information and to purchase tickets, see www.vicfest.org.

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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.