QUILCENE — Quilcene will be the epicenter of three events converging for the Quilcene Festival Weekend — the 10th annual Quilcene Oyster Races, the Quilcene Fair and Parade and the 20th Annual Jefferson County Farm Tour.
All three organizations are coordinating this year to create a continuous weekend celebration that spans Jefferson County.
The Jefferson County Farm Tour, presented by The Production Alliance in partnership with the WSU Jefferson County Extension, will offer self-guided tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The tour is free, but a $10 donation is suggested per car. The donations can be paid at the farms or the Farm Tour Central at the Chimacum Corner Farmstand at 9122 Rhody Drive the weekend of the event. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds.
A map of participating farms can be found online at GetOnTheFarm.org or the Chimacum Corner Farmstand, The Food Co-op, and Jefferson County Farmers Markets.
Most farms will be open both days for tours, but there are a few open only on Saturday or Sunday. For updated information about farms open on certain days, check the website or check in at Farm Tour Central.
A Barn Dance is planned from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at White Lotus Farm & Inn, 3723 Beaver Valley Road in Port Ludlow. Tickets of $10 will be available at the door. Organizers urge attendees to carpool since parking is limited.
Jefferson County Farm Tour is made possible through public donations and the support of its sponsors.
In addition to GetOnTheFarm.org, more information about the farm tour can be found at https://theproductionalliance.org/, https://www.facebook.com/jeffcofarmtour/, https://www.instagram.com/jeffcofarmtour/ and https://youtu.be/09GXuBit_hE
An outdoor movie will kick off the weekend at 7 p.m. Friday at Worthington Park in Quilcene.
The movie, sponsored by Jefferson County Farm Tour, will be “Charlotte’s Web.”
Quilcene Fair
The annual Quilcene Fair and Parade is Saturday.
The parade is the unofficial kickoff to the fair. Dignitaries, floats, classic cars, logging trucks and others are expected to participate.
It will start at 11 a.m. on U.S. Highway 101 from the U.S. Post Office to US Bank. Check-in for the parade will begin at 9 a.m.
Vendors will be outside on the Quilcene School grounds from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with music from noon to 2 p.m.
Clothing, crafts and handmade goods such as soap, jewelry, home decor, treats and pet items will be available as well artwork and photography. Informational booths are expected for local businesses, organizations and politicians.
The Arts and Crafts Show and the Quilcene Brinnon Garden Club contests — including for best flower arrangement and vegetable — will be outside in a tent.
The Fair and Parade Association will host this year’s annual car show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The entry fee is $10.
Three trophies will be awarded based on public judging. The award categories will be Best in Show, Best Hot Rod and Best Classic Car. Check-in for participants starts at 9 a.m.
Oyster races
The 10th anniversary of the Quilcene Oyster Half-Marathon, 10K and 5K races is Sunday.
The event is presented by Pacific Seafood and hosted by the Quilcene Historical Museum.
The Oyster Races feature commemorative medals and race shirts, as well as grilled oysters from Pacific Seafood. There are additional refreshments available, as well as a beer garden.
The races raise funds for Quilcene/Brinnon Dollars for Scholars.
Registration, which includes fees, is at QuilRaces.com.
Races begin at Worthington Park.
The Quilcene Oyster Half Marathon and the Quilcene Oyster 10K are USATF certified and sanctioned events.
The half-marathon covers 13.11 miles and features views overlooking Hood Canal and Quilcene Bay, plus a peek at the Olympic Mountains, if the clouds permit.
The start time is 9 a.m. Walkers can start at 8 a.m.
The 10K is 6.17 miles. The course has hilly portions and features views of Quilcene Bay, farms and forests. Start time is 10 a.m.
The Quilcene Oyster 5K Race, formerly known as the Ranger Run, is a 3.11-mile “out and back” course along Quilcene Bay. It starts at 10:10 a.m.
The free Kids’ Sprint, sponsored by Jefferson Healthcare, is a short-distance race held on the field at Worthington Park. The race may be divided into multiple heats based on the number and ages of participants. The start time is 9:15 a.m.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will be an open house at Worthington Mansion. At 11 a.m., oysters will served to participants and the Craft Beer Garden will open.
The awards ceremony will be at 11:30 a.m.
