PORT TOWNSEND — Along with “Dude Looks Like a Lady,” the 38th annual Rhododendron Arts and Crafts Fair will start the drumroll for this year’s Port Townsend Rhododendron Festival, which culminates in a grand parade and other activities next weekend.
The fair continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Sunday, at Madison Street and City Civic Plaza.
Watercolors and other types of paintings, knives, garden art and handmade clothing ranging from knitted sweaters to fleece-wear to sari skirts will be available.
Also on sale will be lamp-work beads, silver and gold jewelry, flutes, a wide variety of pottery and metal sculptures.
Proceeds go toward Port Townsend Arts Guild scholarships.
For more information about the fair, visit www.porttownsendartsguild.org.
The theme of the 79th annual Rhododendron Festival, which organizers describe as an authentic small-town event with a charm specific to Port Townsend, is “Roaring Rhody.”
The 1920s theme will be highlighted in the parade May 17.
Reigning over the festival will be Queen Addison Richert, Princess Kaycee McGuire, Prince Shiloh Lanphear-Ramirez and Princess Lane Hill.
This week’s events
Events confirmed so far are:
■ Trike Race, 6 p.m. Wednesday — The race will begin at the corner of Washington and Adams streets.
■ Funtastic Carnival, Thursday evening — The carnival is planned at Memorial Field every evening through May 17. Hours were not available this week.
■ Pet Parade, 4:30 p.m. Thursday — Pets and their owners will line up on Lawrence Street between East Jefferson Fire-Rescue’s Port Townsend station at 701 Harrison St. and Aldrich’s Market at 940 Lawrence St.
■ Kiddie Parade, 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 16 — The parade will begin in front of the Port Townsend Recreation Center at the corner of Lawrence and Tyler streets.
Registration will be from 2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Judging in several categories will be at 3 p.m.
The parade will proceed down Lawrence Street, turn right on Monroe Street, turn right on Water Street and end at Pope Marine Park.
■ Navy Band Northwest, following Kiddie Parade — Pope Marine Park.
■ Hair and Beard Contest, 5:30 p.m. May 16 — Judging will be in front of the American Legion at 209 Monroe St.
■ Bed Races, 6:30 p.m. May 16 — Registration is at 5 p.m., or entry forms can be downloaded at www.rhodyfestival.org. Pre-registration is recommended.
Staging will be at the corner of Monroe and Water streets at 6 p.m.
The race will be on Water Street.
■ Running of the Balls fundraiser, about 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 17 — For $5, people can sponsor a numbered golf ball, with all of the balls rolled down the hill on Monroe Street where it intersects Lawrence Street.
The sponsors of the first three balls to pass the finish line will win cash prizes.
The fundraiser is sponsored by the Port Townsend Sunrise Rotary Club,
Proceeds will fund free kids dictionary program for all Jefferson County third-graders as well as support the “Backpack” supplemental food program for children.
Tickets are available at the farmers market, Henery’s Hardware, Safeway and the starting gate at Lawrence and Monroe streets on Parade Day from noon until the race begins.
■ Grand Parade, 1 p.m. Saturday, May 17 — The parade will begin at the fire station, head on Lawrence Street to Monroe Street, turn right and then turn right again on Water Street and Quincy Street.
The sign-up period has been extended for the parade. Those who wish to participate can do so as late as today. Applications are at www.rhodyfestival.org.
Volunteers are sought to help with the parade. Those who want to help can email rhodygrandparade@outlook.com.
■ Cake Picnic, following Grand Parade — Some 4,000 servings of cake will be given free to those in Pope Marine Park.
■ 36th annual Rhody Run, 11 a.m. Sunday, May 18 — The mini-marathon is 12 kilometers, or 7.45 miles, beginning at Fort Worden State Park at 11 a.m.
Sponsored by Jefferson Healthcare, the event raises money to support programs that encourage runners of all ages.
Registration until May 17 is $30 for adults and $12 for those younger 15.
Those registering at the race itself will be charged $45 for adults and $15 for those younger than 15.
Jefferson Healthcare will host an early packet pickup for the Rhody Run from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 17 in the auditorium of the hospital at 834 Sheridan St., which will offer a $10 “dine and dash” spaghetti dinner prepared by chef Aaron Stark.
Jefferson Healthcare also will sponsor a free Kids Sprint for Health for children 9 and younger before the race.
Online registration for the Rhody Run will end May 16.
For more information about the run, visit www.rhodyrun.com.
For more information about the festival, visit www.rhodyfestival.org or http://tinyurl.com/PDN-Rhody.
