PORT TOWNSEND — Preparations for the 34th annual Wooden Boat Festival, which starts on Friday, are taking over downtown.
Port Townsend Bay, always littered with a variety of sailboats, is hosting more as the first day of the festival approaches.
Already in residence are the schooners Adventuress and Merrie Ellen. The Lady Washington, which is based in Aberdeen, was on display at full sail Tuesday afternoon.
Tents will begin to go up today around the Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water St., which is headquarters for the three-day celebration that will run from Friday through Sunday.
Festival director Kaci Cronkhite, who has run the event for nine years, said it is unique because of the educational aspect that complements the standard festival elements of food and fun.
“People come here to learn about wooden boats,” Cronkhite said.
“There are more conversations than noise, and more questions than answers.”
The festival consists of five presentation areas, each hosting an hourly seminar for its duration.
Those who work with or around wooden boats can go historical, learning about the past, or get educated about the newest technology available.
Just because a boat is wood, Cronkhite said, doesn’t mean that it’s rustic.
Attendees will be able to discuss fine points about these floating pieces of art, in as much detail as any connoisseur .
“You will hear from people why they chose mahogany over teak, or why white teak is different from dark teak,” she said.
Cronkhite, who plans year-round for the festival, is attending planning sessions and getting ready for the crowds, which she estimates will be 35,000 strong.
This is one time when all entrances to Port Townsend are jammed, and the only time of year when the walk-on traffic for the ferry is pushed to capacity, Cronkhite said.
“I really wish we had the new boats right now,” she said, referring to the Chetzemoka, which is expected to begin plying the Port Townsend-Coupeville route within a couple of months, and the Salish, which is scheduled to go into service sometime next summer.
Cronkhite often sends people to the Port Townsend Visitor Information Center, 2437 East Sims Way.
“This is a weekend where everyone does well,” said visitor center volunteer Dave Harrah.
Cronkhite said the town pulls together to support the festival, and that enough volunteers have already been recruited to handle the load.
“If people want to come down and help they can,” she said.
“But we already have 400 people committed and everything’s covered.”
The admission price collected at the gate for one day tickets is $15 or $10 for senior over 65 and teens.
Three-day tickets cost are $30 or $20 for seniors and teens.
Advance tickets are available at the Northwest Maritime Center or online at the Wooden Boat Festival website at www.woodenboat.org/festival.
For more information, see the website or phone 360-385-3628.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.