Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

Let's plan on a Wooden Boat Festival!

by Barb Trailer - Wooden Boat Festival 29 Mar 2021 10:07 PDT 10-12 September 2021
Wooden Boat Festival © Tom Hall

Vaccinations are up and cases are down, we are moving into Phase 3 and there is talk of normalcy by July 4th. The sun even came out. We are not in the clear yet, but things are looking better and better. If the pandemic takes a turn for the worse we'll alter our course, but we are going to lead with optimism and community spirit. Let's plan on a Festival!

Big boats, small boats, demonstrations, presentations, products for sale, kids building toy boats, longboats going out, sailboats coming in, races, music, food... I can almost hear the kids hammering on toy boats and the sound of sea shanties. Let's plan to get together and celebrate all the best things about wooden boats and our community this September.

There is no crystal ball to tell us what things will look like in September, but after a year of living with a pandemic, we know that the wooden boat community and Port Townsend need something to look forward to, something to celebrate. We believe the Wooden Boat Festival can be that thing.

We have talked to Public Health, City officials, County officials, the Police Department, the Port of Port Townsend, my astrologist and psychic—no one knows for sure what the future holds, but everyone hopes we can have the Wooden Boat Festival.

We have to be prepared for anything, so we will be. We will have a COVID safety plan to meet the guidelines in September. We have contingency plans for things we don't know about yet, and strategies to meet the unknowns. There are several months for more vaccinations to be administered, and for things to evolve and continue to improve. And if we need to cancel the Festival again, we will—your safety is our first priority.

Wooden Boat Festival is the biggest celebration in the country and has been the signature Northwest Maritime Center event for 45 years. The weekend draws more visitors to the region than any other time of year, and is the busiest time for most businesses, restaurants, and hotels in town. In addition, it is the showcase of everything that Port Townsend and the NWMC represent: craftsmanship, education, adventure, bringing people together, and getting people on the water. People come to be inspired, to get away, to dream, and to celebrate together.

We believe that this year, we all need this more than ever.

We are looking forward to working with our community of volunteers, sponsors, boaters, exhibitors, presenters, musicians, food vendors; each and every one of you is an important ingredient that makes the Wooden Boat Festival so magical.

I look forward to seeing you at the Wooden Boat Festival - September 10th, 11th and 12th, 2021.

Participant applications will open April 21, and the volunteer application is open now!

woodenboat.org

Related Articles

18th Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona day 1
Opening victories and nautical splendor This week, Barcelona once again takes center stage in the world of classic sailing as the 18th edition of the Puig Vela Clàssica gets under way. The opening day delivered ideal conditions for a spectacular display on the water. Posted today at 12:28 pm
Rolex Fastnet Race: IRC Two Preview
With 73 entries in IRC Two, the Rolex Fastnet Race is set to deliver a striking display. Could two new JPK 1050s upset the apple cart in IRC Two? Jean-Pierre Kelbert has a habit of breaking the mould in IRC racing, and his new 34-footer may well be a game changer in this competitive division with 73 entries. Posted today at 10:36 am
Dragon Edinburgh Cup in Torbay overall
Tight Racing and Tactical Brilliance The final day of the 2025 Edinburgh Cup brought sunshine, shifting breeze, and two exciting races that kept the championship wide open until the very last run. Posted today at 8:13 am
Seldén Rodkicker 50 - manual rigid vang
Specifically sized for yachts between 50 and 55 feet A Rodkicker rigid vang is designed to enhance sail handling during reefing and allows for greater sail trim control. Posted today at 8:00 am
WASZP Games 2025: Talent & fun descend on Weymouth
Poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history The 2025 International WASZP Games, set to take place from July 19–25 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, are poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history. Posted today at 7:23 am
Transpac 2025 Update: Moon River Tonight!
The magic of offshore racing in the 2025 Transpac A vast ocean separates Los Angeles, California, from Honolulu, Hawaii, but the boats racing in this year's Transpac have now crossed the halfway mark. Race leaders are in the tradewinds and making their approach to the Aloha State. Posted today at 12:26 am
20 Canadians set for Long Beach Grand Slam Event
The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta will be held July 12-20 20 Canadian sailors will take part in the fourth and next-to-last event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series, the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta, to be held July 12-20 at one of the two Olympic venues for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 10 Jul
All smiles among first finishers of the AEGEAN 600
The fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion As the fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion and made their way to the harbour at Olympic Marine, there were exhausted smiles all around. Posted on 10 Jul
British Classic Week day 4
It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for the OneSails inshore race It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for day 4 of British Classic Week with hot temperatures, sunshine and no breeze in the morning before the sea breeze kicked in from the west and it was time to go racing. Posted on 10 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 5
Finalists locked in for new Medal Series format With the sea breeze stubbornly refusing to make an appearance, Day 5 of the iQFOiL World Championship turned into a long waiting game both ashore and on the water. Posted on 10 Jul
Switch One DesignPalm Beach Motor YachtsRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTER