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PORT TOWNSEND — Homeowners, school children and business leaders will open their doors and hearts to a delegation from Ichikawa, Japan, during the upcoming Rhododendron Festival.
The ongoing social and cultural exchange between the two cities has become a regular part of the festival. This year, Ichikawa Mayor Youichi Matsushita leads a 13-member delegation to Port Townsend — half of them will be staying in private homes — on May 18 and 19.
Port Townsend Public Works Department employee Catherine McNabb is coordinating the visit. She said the relationship has become more person-to-person than city-to-city over recent years.
She said the Port Townsend School District, Port Townsend Main Street Program and the Port Townsend Lodging Tax Advisory Committee continue to support the ongoing visits. Residents have also offered to host delegation members who wish to stay in private homes.
For the complete story see Thursday’s Peninsula Daily News, on sale in Jefferson County.