Holiday bazaars and crafts fairs, a cruise and a film are among events planned across the North Olympic Peninsula this weekend.
For more about arts and entertainment events, see Peninsula Spotlight, the Peninsula Daily News’ weekly entertainment guide, appearing in this edition.
Other weekend events are in the “Things to Do” calendar, available online at www.peninsuladailynews.com.
Here are some of this weekend’s other highlights:
SEQUIM
Lavender bazaar
SEQUIM — The Sequim Lavender Growers Association will hold its ninth annual Lavender Holiday Bazaar at Carrie Blake Park, 202 N. Blake Ave., from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Raffle tickets will be sold for a chance to win two decorated Christmas trees and exquisite gift baskets filled with Sequim lavender products.
There will be another raffle for a quilt.
Proceeds from the raffle will be donated to the Sequim Community Fund.
An assortment of cake slices and beverages will be available for purchase.
Lippert’s Restaurant will offer soups and sandwiches.
More than 40 pieces of artwork for the 2012 Sequim Lavender Festival will be on display, and visitors can cast their vote for their favorites.
For more information, phone 360-582-1345.
Pool family day
SEQUIM — The Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center will host a Family Fun Day from noon to 8 p.m. today.
The family drop-in price will be $20 for a family of two adults and up to four children.
For more information, phone 360-683-3344.
Down-home bazaar
SEQUIM — The Down Home Holiday bazaar, a fundraiser for the Sequim High School Band Boosters, will be held Saturday.
The event will be held in the Sequim High School cafeteria, 601 N. Sequim Ave., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It will include more than 40 vendors with locally handcrafted clothing, jewelry, hats, bags, musical instruments, wooden toys, artwork, home decor, baked goods and more.
Sequim High School’s wolf mascot will be on hand for photos with children.
This event raises funds that directly support participation and travel fees for Sequim High School Band events throughout the year.
Proceeds help the band perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in Seattle, Husky Band Day at the University of Washington and other events in Victoria and every other year at the Heritage Festival in Anaheim, Calif., and at Disneyland.
Annual tree sale
SEQUIM — The Sequim Kiwanis Club will begin its annual Christmas tree sale at Sequim Village Plaza, 609 W. Washington St., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today.
Sales will continue daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until all trees are sold.
There also will be envelopes provided for an after-hours honor system: Customers can take a tree, remove the tag and mail the tag with their check to Kiwanis.
Proceeds will fund Kiwanis projects assisting with youth activities and other charitable organizations.
Wreath-making
SEQUIM SEmD McComb Gardens is opening its greenhouse for winter wreath-making Wednesdays through Saturdays through Dec. 24.
Each customer will receive individual hands-on instruction.
The greenhouse has four wreath-making machines, a limited quantity of greens, accent stems, fronds, glue and preservatives to use.
Customers are asked to bring greens and nongreens from their gardens; a wreath uses about one garbage can full of greens.
There is a $10 fee per wreath.
It usually takes two hours to create a wreath.
Music and refreshments make this “a very fun family and friends occasion,” the event announcement said.
Reservations are required; phone 360-681-2827.
McComb Gardens is at 751 McComb Road, Sequim.
PORT ANGELES
Festival of Trees
PORT ANGELES — The 21st annual Festival of Trees gala is tonight, and decorated trees will be on display throughout Saturday and Sunday.
The festival, a fundraiser for the foundation and the Port Angeles Exchange Club, features dozens of elaborately decorated Christmas trees and scores of wreaths, all created by area designers from businesses, organizations and community members.
It will be held tonight through Sunday at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St.
Although today’s Teddy Bear Tea is sold out, tickets are on sale for other events.
Today’s Festival of Trees gala is at 5:30 p.m.
Decorated trees will be auctioned off during a gourmet buffet dinner and dance.
Tickets are $95.
A few tickets are still available for the senior breakfast at 8 a.m. Saturday.
The meal for seniors 55 and older or those with limited mobility costs $10.
Family Days on Saturday and Sunday will offer viewing of decorated trees along with musical entertainment and children’s activity areas.
Tickets are $5, free for children younger than 8.
Family Days will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets can be purchased at the Olympic Medical Center Foundation, 928 Caroline St., across from OMC; by phoning 360-417-7144; or by emailing contact@omhf.org.
Family Days tickets will be available at the door, as will be a limited number of tickets for the senior breakfast.
Santa at Swain’s
PORT ANGELES — Children and families can pose with Santa at Swain’s General Store this weekend — and the first photo is free.
Santa will be at the store at 602 E. First St. from noon to 6 p.m. today and Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in the fundraiser for the Olympic Medical Center Foundation.
The next three weeks — Wednesday through Dec. 18 — he will be available for photos Wednesdays through Sundays.
Hours on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays will be from noon to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Swain’s will buy one 4-inch-by-6-inch photo from the Olympic Medical Center Foundation and provide it free to the family.
Visitors also will be able to instantly view their image and purchase additional photographs and Christmas cards with their personalized photo, said Bruce Skinner, executive director of the foundation, which provides funds for equipment and patient services at Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles.
Wreath-making
PORT ANGELES — A free wreath-making demonstration will be part of the Port Angeles Farmers Market at Front and Lincoln streets from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday.
“This will be the third annual demonstration of making wreaths ‘on the cheap,’” said Cynthia Warne, demonstrator and manager of the market.
For her wreaths, she uses fresh and dried plant materials collected from the wild, plus a few things from around the house.
“I will be teaching using materials for holiday wreaths; however, these techniques can be adopted to use items collected throughout the year,” Warne added.
The farmers market, which is open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. each Saturday year round, also features fresh vegetables, grass-fed beef, local cheeses, seafood, eggs, herbs and other goods from North Olympic Peninsula farmers and producers.
For more details, phone Warne at 360-460-0361 or visit www.FarmersMarketPortAngeles.com.
Cats adopted for $5
PORT ANGELES — The Olympic Peninsula Humane Society is holding a “$5 Feline” adoption event.
Cats and adolescent kittens 5 months or older will be available for a $5 fee from Saturday to Dec. 3.
The “$5 Feline” event is part of a nationwide promotion by the nonprofit animal welfare society the Best Friends Animal Society.
The shelter is open to the public Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, phone the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society at 360-457-8206.
PORT TOWNSEND/JEFFERSON COUNTY
Cruises on tap
PORT TOWNSEND — Late fall/early winter bird migration cruises to Protection Island will be offered by the Port Townsend Marine Science Center on Saturday and Dec. 31.
The trips leave from Port Townsend’s Point Hudson Marina at 1 p.m. and return at 4 p.m.
These special boat expeditions, in collaboration with Puget Sound Express, will give participants an opportunity to see and learn about numerous bird species as well as other wildlife on the Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge at the mouth of Discovery Bay.
Cruises are aboard an enclosed motor-yacht.
Tickets are $55 for the general public or $50 for members of the marine science center, Burke Museum, Audubon or the Washington Ornithological Society.
Trips may include an additional stop at the Kilisut Harbor/Mystery Bay area between Marrowstone and Indian islands.
Onboard refreshments will be available.
For reservations, phone the Port Townsend Marine Science Center at 360-385-5582 or 800-566-3932, or email cruises@ptmsc.org.
Center hosts sale
PORT TOWNSEND — The Port Townsend Marine Science Center will hold a holiday sale in the Natural History exhibit at Fort Worden State Park from noon to 4 p.m. today through Sunday.
Discounts will be offered on such items as books, field guides, clothing, jewelry, games and toys — including many small stocking-stuffers that haven’t been carried before.
Gift certificates will be available for the gift shop as well as memberships for the center.
All proceeds support marine science center educational programs.
For more information, phone 360-385-5582 or 800-566-3932.
Benefit screening
PORT TOWNSEND — The Uptown Theatre, 1120 Lawrence St., will a host a special benefit screening of the animated children’s film “Happy Feet Two” on Saturday.
All tickets will be $6 with the donation of a nonperishable food item to the Port Townsend Food Bank.
The box office opens at 12:30 p.m., with the movie set for 1 p.m.
The event will include drawings and prizes for kids and a visit from a very special guest.
For more information, phone 360-385-3883.
WEST END
Lions hold breakfast
JOYCE — The Crescent Bay Lions Club, 118 Holly Hill Road, continues its Sunday breakfast program this weekend with a meal from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Meals will be held Sundays, except for holidays, into late spring.
The menu includes eggs made to order, hashbrown potatoes, sausage patties, ham, pancakes, french toast and biscuits and gravy.
Orange juice and coffee will also be served.
Cost is $6 for adults, $3.50 for children younger than 12.
For more information, phone 360-928-2056.