PORT TOWNSEND — The 39th annual Wooden Boat Festival, which begins today and lasts through the weekend, is a community gala anticipated by both residents and out-of-towners.
“It’s a great thing for the community every year. It’s a giant party,” said Chris Chase, a member of the Shipwrights Co-op of Port Townsend.
“It’s at the end of the sailing season, and it allows us all to come together and talk about our love of boats,” Chase said.
“As someone who’s lived here a long time, I can walk around and run into literally hundreds of people that I know.”
An estimated 300 wooden boats of all shapes and sizes are expected at the festival, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in and around Point Hudson and the Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water St.
Some 78 speakers are scheduled to give a total of 120 presentations on maritime topics.
Demonstrations, entertainment and live music until midnight today and Saturday also are planned.
Adult tickets cost $15 for one day or $30 for all three days. Admission for teens, seniors and active military is $10 for one day and $20 for all three days.
Those ages 12 and younger are admitted free. Admission to the festival grounds also is free after “closing,” during which time food and music continue.
Tickets can be purchased online at http://tinyurl.com/PDN-woodenboatfesttickets or at the gate.
The expected crowd of about 35,000 people will pump about $1.2 million into the economy, according to Team Jefferson CEO Peter Quinn, who said the money is multiplied as it circulates throughout the community.
“The Wooden Boat Festival shines a light on the gem of our maritime history and shows everyone how beautiful the region is,” said Teresa Verraes, Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce executive director.
“It’s our brand, and many people come here early so they can explore the Peninsula.”
Here are some featured events:
■ The Western Flyer, a vessel that was chartered by the late author John Steinbeck and oceanographer Ed Ricketts, will be featured in two locations.
The Pope Marine Building, at the end of Madison Street downtown, will host a curated exhibit about the history of the 76-foot, 1937 wooden Pacific purse seiner, while the vessel itself will be on display at the Shipwrights Co-op in the Boat Haven.
Access to the vessel, which is under repair, will correspond with festival hours, with visitors allowed to get close to the boat, although not on board, according to Chase.
There will be a “pop-up museum” with information about the vessel, which is usually only viewable from behind a rope boundary.
Chase said he hopes the tours of the boat will lead to local schools scheduling field trips where they can see the vessel up close.
A festival wristband is required for both Western Flyer events.
■ The schooner Adventuress also will have high visibility at the festival, with free 9 a.m. dockside tours of the vessel today and Saturday.
It is also hosting author Angela Day for a public reading and book-signing of Red Light to Starboard from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Pope Marine Building.
The book provides an account of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, which dovetails with the Adventuress’ environmental mission.
■ A first this year is a paddleboard pool located at the end of Point Hudson.
This allows participants to try paddleboarding in a controlled environment, along with demonstrations and activities.
■ The Race to Alaska Blazer Party will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. today in the Northwest Maritime Center meeting rooms.
Details of next year’s Race to Alaska will be disclosed.
Guests include participants in the inaugural race this year. They will be admitted free. All others pay $25.
■ A Fisherpoets Presentation takes place at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Olympic Room. Men and women in the commercial fishing industry who create poetry from their work will share original poems and tell maritime stories.
■ Michael J. Tougias, co-author of Rescue of the Bounty, will give a visual presentation about the sinking of the ship at noon Sunday at the maritime center.
The tall ship Bounty sank during Superstorm Sandy in 2012 after Capt. Robin Walbridge decided to sail the ship from New London, Conn., to St. Petersburg, Fla., despite the hurricane forecast.
Walbridge and a crew member died, but the Coast Guard rescued 14 others.
Some rules and guidelines apply during the festival.
Dogs are not allowed on the festival grounds for safety and health reasons.
Parking can be a challenge, with local attendees encouraged to walk or ride their bicycles to the event.
Free parking is available at Safeway, 442 W. Sims Way, and the Haines Place Park and Ride, 440 12th St., with a shuttle running to the festival today and Saturday.
The shuttle costs $1 for an all-day pass.
Paid parking is available at Memorial Field from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. today ($10), 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday ($20 all day, $10 after 4 p.m.) and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday ($10).
For more information, go to http://tinyurl.com/PDN-39th-annual.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
