Enjoy PT

As April showers give way to May flowers, nothing takes center stage as eloquently here in Port Townsend as the Rhododendron, which you’ll see blooming prolifically around town. It’s not only Washington’s state flower, but it’s the star of the show this month as we celebrate our 83^rd Rhododendron Festival, with activities and fun for the whole family…even your pet! Mark your calendars to join us May 16-20!

But that’s not all that’s coming your way in May. Read on to learn about more exciting events and activities for you to enjoy in Port Townsend this month!

Art Wave, May 1-31
You’ll be inspired by this colorful month-long exhibit of over 400 pieces of children’s artwork displayed in businesses in Uptown and Downtown, created by grades K-12 in the Port Townsend School District. Come to the historic districts for Art Walk on Saturday, May 5, from 5:30-7:30 pm and see the creativity of our children.

New this year, tap into your creativity at the ArtZone—a Paint n’ Sip Party on May 24 from 5-7 pm for adults 21+ to benefit Arts in the Port Townsend Public Schools. The class will be led by Jesse Watson, an award-winning local artist who’s known for his colorful landscapes and portraits. The $50 fee includes materials and refreshments. The art party will be held in the Kuhn Building at 1044 Water Street. Sponsored by the Port Townsend Main Street Program. http://ptmainstreet.org/may-is-art-wave/

Opening Day on the Bay, Saturday, May 5
Opening Day of the 2018 boating season is cause for celebration as the Port Townsend Yacht Club invites the public to view the waterfront parade. Watch the boats sail by from the Northwest Maritime Center Pier, Pope Marine Park or any other convenient location along Water Street. The parade will begin after the departure of the 12:30 pm ferry to Coupeville. Following the parade, there will be the traditional Blessing of the Fleet. www.PTYC.net

Gemboree, Saturday, May 5

The Port Townsend Rock Club is hosting their annual Gemboree showcase, including local experts demonstrating contemporary beading, jewelry bezel setting, stone sculpting and much more. The organization has been active for over 50 years in Port Townsend. Located at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, the clubhouse hosts a complete studio, library and a cavalcade of people who love to work on and learn about gems, minerals and geology. Explore the possibilities at the Gemboree from 10 am to 2 pm. Free to the public. For more info, email porttownsendrockclub@gmail.com.

83^rd Annual Rhododendron Festival and Rhody Run, May 16-20
Talk like a local and call it “Rhody!” For those of us in Port Townsend, this term encompasses anything going on during the week of the festival. We simply call all of it “Rhody.” Feel free to do so, too. Make plans to join us this year for Rhody and celebrate our Port Townsend “community holiday” with us. Here’s the scoop:

Wednesday, May 16
6pm Trike Race begins
Thursday, May 17
4:30pm Pet Parade begins and the Funtastic Carnival opens at Memorial Field
Friday, May 18
3:30pm Kiddies Parade begins and the Carnival is ongoing through the evening
6:30pm Bed Races begin
Saturday, May 19
1pm Rhody Festival Grand Parade with a Cake Picnic to follow
Sunday, May 20
11am 40^th Annual Rhody Run begins
www.RhodyFestival.org or www.RhodyRun.com

The 5th Annual Artisan Food Festival is May 26 in Uptown Port Townsend with 70+ local farms, live music, artisan foods, craft beer, cider, wine, and arts and craft vendors including cheese pairings with Mt. Townsend Creamery and Port Townsend Vineyards. Chef demonstrations by Jefferson Healthcare’s Executive Chef, Arran Stark; Finistere’s Executive Chef and Co-owner Deborah Taylor; Jess Rose, Silverwater Café’s Executive Chef; and Denise Joy from Mountain Spirit Herbal Company. For a schedule of events, go to http://jcfmarkets.org/ptaff/.

Save the date for upcoming events in June:

June 1-3
Classic Mariners’ Regatta
Watch beautiful wooden boats and high-caliber sailors racing their hearts out.
www.nwmaritime.org/classic-mariners-regatta/

June 7
Port Townsend Main Street’s Taste of Port townsend
Sample. Sip. Mingle. It’s going to be delicious!
www.ptmainstreet.org/tastes-of-port-townsend-2/

June 8-10
The Brass Screw Confederacy – Steampunk Festival
Join us somewhere between 1891 and a time that yet may be…
www.brass-screw.org

June 13 and 14
Pre-Race Ruckus and Race to Alaska
No motor, no support, all the way to Alaska. Watch the race start in Port Townsend!
www.r2ak.com

June 17
Centrum’s Chamber Music Series
An afternoon concert by the Pacifica Quartet
www.centrum.org/port-townsend-chamber-music-festival/

June 27, 28 and 29
Centrum’s Voice Works Performances
Vocal Showcase #1 of music and dances, June 27, 7:30 pm
Boogie at the Honky Tonk Polka Dot Dance, June 28, 8 pm
Vocal Showcase #2 of music and dances, June 27, 7:30 pm

We can’t wait to welcome you to Port Townsend this month!

Port Townsend Farmers Market

We’re celebrating spring in Port Townsend and invite you to join us! It’s a beautiful season of new beginnings, fresh buds in bloom, animals birthing new offspring and the earth seemingly coming alive again. With farmers and gardeners planting seeds and harvesting early products, we’re excited to welcome back the Farmers Market after its winter hiatus!

Where else can you enjoy a goat parade with kids—both four-legged and two—as they wend their way along Taylor Street in Uptown Port Townsend through an array of farmers, bakers, crafters, shellfish growers, cider and wine makers and more?

It all begins with the opening of the Port Townsend Farmers Market on Saturday, April 7, with a ribbon cutting at 9 am followed by the baby goat parade. (Come in an animal costume for a chance to win a $20 Flora Market token!) Delight in the 70+ vendors that spring into the freshness of the season with a wide array of products for your enjoyment. A chef’s demo and live music will add to the day’s festivities. The Farmers Market invites you to celebrate 26 years of nurturing and sustaining local farms and entrepreneurs. For more info about the market, go to www.jcfmarkets.org.

Key City Public Theatre presents Wolf at the Door, April 12-28, with evening shows at 7:30 pm and Sunday matinees at 2:30 pm. A tenant’s rights association built on shaky alliances comes to loggerheads in the face of a gentrifying block in this hilarious world premier by acclaimed playwright, Richard Dresser. The play utilizes double roles for each actor, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

There’s a new landlord in town promising to make the building better, safer and more modern, but what about the people in rent-controlled apartments who have started to disappear. And isn’t building security just a little over the top? Character Tina thinks it’s time to form a Tenant’s Association and fight back before it’s too late. Will they hang together or hang separately? Find out the answer at the play! For more info or to purchase tickets, go to www.keycitypublicthreatre.org or call 360.385.5278.

The Port Townsend Film Festival’s Women & Film weekend includes your choice of 16 films, and two special events. In this #TimesUp, #MeToo year, women filmmakers break the “rules” without apology at the “Women Speak Out” symposium, Saturday, April 14, at 10:30 am, at the Cotton Building in downtown Port Townsend with coffee and pastries. Saturday night’s special event begins with a gathering at Taps at the Guardhouse at Fort Worden, followed by a 7:30 pm screening of Catching Sight of Thelma & Louise, with director Jennifer Townsend, at the Wheeler Theatre at Fort Worden. Passes are $75 and all include concierge service. Only 250 passes are available. To purchase, go to www.ptfilmfest.com.

If you love to cook and dream about your ideal kitchen, come to the 21^st Annual AAUW/UWF Kitchen Tour, Saturday, April 28 from 10 am to 4 pm. Nine unique homes in Uptown and North Beach will be featured. Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com and on the day of the event at the Hospitality Center at the First Presbyterian Church at 1111 Franklin Street.

Join Centrum for one of the most uplifting and memorable events of the year, the Centrum Choro Faculty Concert on Saturday, April 28 at 7:30 pm in the Wheeler Theater at Fort Worden. With an all-start cast of performances, this concert traditionally sells out was the talk of the town for the entire spring and summer season last year, so don’t delay and buy your tickets today at www.centrum.org/choro-performance/

Make Port Townsend your home base for the weekend and tour nine award-winning wineries and cideries across the Olympic Peninsula for the annual Wine, Cider and Cheese Tour, April 28-29, from 11 am to 5 pm. This wine and cider trail is one to be envied with each location offering a unique and diverse variety of wine and cider paired lovingly with local, hand-crafted cheeses. For more info and ticket details, go to www.olympicpeninsulawineries.org.

Save the date for upcoming events in May:

May 5
Opening Day on the Bay for Boating Season
Boat parade begins at 12:30 pm at the Northwest Maritime Center
www.ptyc.net

May 16-20
83^rd Annual Rhododendron Festival
Enjoy the Pet Parade, Bed Races, Grand Parade and Rhody Run
www.rhodyfestival.org

May 26
Port Townsend Artisan Food Festival
www.jcfmarkets.org

We look forward to welcoming you to Port Townsend in April!

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Enjoy May in Port Townsend

Enjoy PT

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