West Sound Communities

So much to do and all within an hour drive, the West Sound will never leave you bored. You can go mountain biking, head to a museum or go scuba diving, just to name a few. If you are hungry you can find just about any type of food you'd like. There are German, Italian, and Thai restaurants, and even a locally owned brewery. If shopping is what you like, you will find outlet stores, major chains, and locally owned shops as well. One of the West Sounds greatest assets is the wildlife and scenery. Make sure to contact the local chamber of commerce to find out what you are missing.

Silverdale
The once rural "Old Town" Silverdale, created as a small agricultural community on the muddy shores of Dyes Inlet, has blossomed and now boasts myriad shopping opportunities, recreation and leisure activities, an outstanding school district and residential opportunities in single- and multi-family units.

Dyes Inlet was named for John W.M. Dyes, the assistant taxidermist of an 1841 expedition. The first settlers arrived in Silverdale 10 years later from London, England.

On Jan.16, 1857, a petition to form a new county, Slaughter County, was passed and later the name was changed to Kitsap (after Chief Kitsap of the Suquamish Tribe).

A still famous aspect of Silverdale is the poplar trees, which tower over parts of this once rural area. They are the same majestic poplars, the Lombardy Poplar that Napoleon had planted on the Isle of St. Helena. The first bank, located on the corners of Washington Avenue and Byron Street, still stands and now houses a floral shop.

Kitsap County is one of the most temperate places in the world. The average temperatures are 73 degrees in summer and 42 degrees in winter. Kitsap County boasts the distinction of having the most salt water coast line of any county in the U.S. Yearly rainfall averages 44 inches. Winters are mild and significant snowfall rare.

Kitsap County's population is nearly 240,000. Silverdale is located in the heart of Kitsap County and is a modern-day boom town. Its rapid growth was prompted in part by the Navy's decision to build a base for Trident nuclear submarines at Bangor and subsequently by its own economic and geographic attractions. Silverdale's population is now over 16,000.

Silverdale has been the site of rapid development and expansion of retail, business, recreational and housing sectors in Kitsap County. It is home to Kitsap Mall, a large regional shopping center with nearly 850,000 square feet of retail space. The mall is anchored by Sears, JCPenney, Macys, Kohls, Barnes & Noble and Cost Plus World Market, as well as another 110 specialty retailers to meet a wide variety of shopping needs. Kitsap mall also features two restaurants: Red Robin and Hale's Alehouse Restaurant (opening summer 2010), and Periscope Place, a large play area for children. Other retail developments, including Ross Plaza, Kitsap Place and Towne Center, provide a top-rated shopping experience to an estimated 5.8 million shopping visitors annually. Silverdale is the retail hub of three counties.

The Silverdale/Central Kitsap housing market has seen an abundance of new construction and controlled residential development in recent years. Many homes have water frontage and mountain and marine views. Most housing is no more than 25 minutes away from shopping, educational and employment facilities.

Many of Central Kitsap's most beautiful areas have been captured and preserved in the abundance of parks available for public use. The Silverdale Waterfront Park in "Old Town" Silverdale, where locals eat lunch or snooze away a summer afternoon, offers picnicking areas, a playground, marina and a boat ramp. The park and Old Town is the site of both the annual Silverdale Whaling Days festival and hydroplane races. The festival has nothing to do with whaling, but the idea is to attend and have a "whale of a good time."

On the other side of town is another attraction: the Rotarians Gateway Skateboard Park. A conglomeration of concrete ramps and pipes, the park hosts regional competitions sponsored by skate stores and other groups.

East of Silverdale is the Kitsap County Fairgrounds, home base for all kinds of festivals and conventions and meetings throughout the year. The County fair held at the end of August is well known for its rodeo. The Kitsap County Stampede, held on the Fairgrounds in Thunderbird Stadium, has been recognized by the PRCA as a top ten rodeo at National Finals for the last several years.

Silverdale has a branch of the Kitsap County Library located in Old Town on Carlton Street. Central Stage Theatre of Kitsap County, (C-STOCK) inside the Silverdale Community Center, presents plays throughout the year featuring local talent. There are 14 elementary schools, three junior high schools, two high schools and a junior/senior high school. For information on the Central Kitsap School District call 662-1610, or visit the website http://www.cksd.wednet.edu.

For any further information please call the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce at 692-6800 or stop in. They are located at 3100 Bucklin Hill Road, Suite 100, Silverdale, WA 98383.

Mailing Address
3100 Bucklin Hill Road, Suite 100
P.O. Box 1218
Silverdale, WA 98383
Phone: 692-6800
Fax: 692-1379

Bremerton
Surrounded by water on three sides, with a view of both the Olympic and Cascade Mountain Ranges, Bremerton, located on one of Puget Sound's beautiful protected harbors, has one of the most picturesque settings of any city in the Northwest. A one-hour ferry ride gets you to Seattle and Tacoma is only 32 miles via the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

Bremerton is a "Navy Town" and has been ever since Puget Sound Naval Shipyard began its operations in the 1890s. Military installations play an important part in Bremerton's economy. Bremerton School District includes seven elementary, two middle, one junior high and one high school. Visit their website at htp://www. bremertonschools.org.

You don't need to look far to find visual and performing arts in Kitsap County, which provides stages and galleries for its own talent and imports acts from throughout the world. The restored Admiral Theatre in downtown Bremerton showcases local entertainers and brings to town popular national singers and groups, as well as acrobats and other acts.

Bremerton supports a symphony orchestra and a concert chorale as well.

Bremerton also maintains cultural expressions with plays, concerts, jazz festivals and art shows, often through Olympic College. Bremerton also has its own community theater, Bremerton Community Theatre, which stages comedies, dramas and musicals.

The growing arts district in downtown Bremerton has monthly exhibits hosted by the local art galleries. Bremerton is home to several annual events, Armed Forces Week, Harbor Fest, Wine Festival, Bremerton Boat Show and The Blackberry Festival, are featured events for all. Armed Forces Week has been honoring the men and women of the military for 63 years. This week includes a variety of activities, including a golf tournament, an Armed Forces Ambassadors Program, Military Culinary Arts Competition and a Motorcycle Poker-Run. The week ends with a parade. The Kitsap Peninsula Visitor and Convention Bureau is available to provide information on local and statewide events and attractions. Visit their website at http://www.visitkitsap.com. Bremerton is served by air, water and bus transportation facilities. Kitsap Transit offers routed bus service in Bremerton, Silverdale, Port Orchard, Southworth, Poulsbo, Kingston and Bainbridge Island. Service is also available between Kitsap communities. Worker/Driver buses and vanpools operate from locations across Kitsap County to Bangor, Keyport and PSNS. Paratransit service is available to eligible elderly and disabled passengers. For information on Kitsap Transit services, routes and fares, call the Kitsap Transit customer service office at 373-2877. It is a fast and economical way to move between points throughout Kitsap County. Bus schedules are available at the Shipyard through the Public Works Department and at Bangor through the Transportation Department in Building 1101.

The ferries in the Kitsap County area have both commercial and transportation value. The four cross-sound ferry terminals are at Bremerton, Southworth, Bainbridge Island and Kingston. Some use the ferries out of necessity. Others refer to them as the "world's biggest amusement ride."

Whether you choose to just watch the scenery or to venture around and explore the decks, you'll find a ride on a Washington State Ferry a delight. There is a foot ferry that makes a 10-minute run between Bremerton and Port Orchard and offers the best view of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The boat runs every half-hour daily except Sunday.

Bremerton National Airport is the largest of the three airfields located in the county. It's located on State Highway 3 south of Bremerton. The two other air fields are Port Orchard Airport on Sidney Road and Apex Airport in Central Kitsap near Silverdale.

Lions Community Playfield, located on 15 acres, offers lighted ball fields, lighted tennis courts, a fishing pier, a small boat launch, playground equipment and restrooms. It's located on the east side of the Port Washington narrows Bridge along Lebo Boulevard.

Evergreen Park offers six acres of good picnicking and access to the waterfront. There is plenty of parking and a small boat launch, a playground and a rose garden. It's located on the west side of the Port Washington Narrows at the north end of Park Avenue.

Bachman Park provides a good view of Port Orchard Bay and the passing ferry boats. Located on one-half acre, the park offers beach access and a covered veranda. It's located at Shore Drive and Trenton Avenue on Manette Peninsula.

The newest attraction to Bremerton is the Bremerton Ice Arena. The year-round facility boasts a National Hockey League 85x200 foot indoor ice rink. The arena features sports for both kids and adults, an Ice Cafe with a 1950's style soda fountain, skate shop and fireplace. Programs include youth and adult hockey, figure skating with fundamental skating lessons available, short track speedskating, synchronized skating, women's hockey, home school skating, special needs programs, broomball, private ice bookings and summer skating camps. Visit http://www. BremertonIceArena.com for more information.

Gold Mountain golf course and park offers 190 acres with two 18-hole golf courses, a restaurant and a pro-shop. Stephenson Canyon is a heavily wooded natural park on 28 acres and includes a canyon and a small creek. There are many trails for exploring and easy walking. It's located west of Warren Avenue between Sheridan Road and Lebo Boulevard.

The Kitsap Family YMCA, which has been a resource for sailors and their families in the Bremerton area since 1911, is located on Homer Jones Drive in Bremerton, not far from Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton. It offers reduced rates for Active Military individuals and families who want the family oriented atmosphere of a traditional YMCA—check out the website at http://www. kitsapfamilyymca.org/Military_Programs.htm.

For any further information, contact the Bremerton Area Chamber of Commerce at 286 Fourth Street, Bremerton, WA, 98337, or call them at (360) 479-3579. You may also visit their website at http://www.bremertonchamber.org.

Poulsbo

Only poor handwriting and the interpretation of the Postmaster General kept the spelling from actually being "Paulsbo." Originally called "Paul's Bo" meaning Paul's Place, the town of more than 7,000 residents retains a Norwegian flavor. "Velkommen til Poulsbo," the public greeting in Norwegian, is easily translated into a sincere "Welcome to Poulsbo."

Poulsbo was settled in the late 1880s by fishermen, loggers and farmers who likened Dogfish Bay (later renamed Liberty Bay) and its surroundings to the fjords of Norway and adjoining Scandinavian countries. Transportation in Poulsbo's early years was by boat, horseback and foot. Major buying and selling was done via boat to Seattle's Pike Place Market.

Fishermen from the Bering Sea brought their catch of codfish here to one of the largest processing plants in the Northwest for salting and preserving. It was also there that lutefisk was processed. You can still eat lutefisk at the First Lutheran Church's annual lutefisk dinner on the third Saturday of each October. The Forde-fjord Lutheran Church was founded by those early Norwegian settlers.

A "mosquito fleet" of steamers sailed from Seattle to Poulsbo for some 60 years, carrying passengers and freight. Poulsbo's strong ties to the water are still evident today, with the presence of three marinas on the shores of Liberty Bay.

The downtown waterfront area of Poulsbo was at one time part of Liberty Bay. In the 1950s the community worked together to fill part of the bay to form Liberty Bay Waterfront Park and Anderson Parkway. Some of the buildings you see today were once on pilings. The Kvelstad Pavilion, a popular spot for summer weddings and family gatherings, was added to the waterfront park later. Within a span of five generations, Poulsbo has changed from a rowboat on an untouched shore to a thriving community with "small town" charm. Poulsbo's rich Scandinavian heritage is proudly retained and displayed in the unique storefronts, outside murals such as the one depicting dancers in traditional Norwegian costume, annual events such as Viking Fest, Scandia Midsummer Fest and Yule Fest and Norwegian streets with such names as Lindvig Way, Moe Street and Jensen Way.

The Jewel Box Theatre, close to the downtown shopping area, offers a gallery that's open two afternoons a week, as well as entertaining plays for young and old. After performing for years in different venues, the Poulsbo Players have made the Jewel Box their home.

The Central Market offers fresh produce, local farmers' goods, excellent cheeses, diverse beer and wine and above all a friendly staff. Their high quality destination market draws customers not only from Poulsbo but from many surrounding communities. It is located a block east of State Route 305, between Lincoln and Bond Roads.

Activities for all ages can be found at the Poulsbo Marine Science Center at the south end of the downtown area. Visit the center's giant Pacific octopus, play around with the many interactive exhibits highlighting the Puget Sound and even get close with a few Liberty Bay natives in the many touch tanks. North Kitsap School District's administration offices are in Poulsbo. The school district has seven elementary schools, two junior high schools and one high school in North Kitsap County. Visit their website at http:// www.nkschools.org.

Located on the water in the heart of the Kitsap Peninsula, Poulsbo is just a 12-mile drive from the Seattle/Bainbridge Island ferry or the Edmonds/ Kingston ferry. From Tacoma, follow the signs to Bremerton and Poulsbo on Highways 16 and 3. For further information call the Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce at 779-4848 or visit them at 8th and Lincoln Streets, Poulsbo, WA 98370. Visit their website at http://www. poulsbo.net/gpcc.

Suquamish
Suquamish is a very rewarding historic site, popular with bicyclists and sightseers. It is located on the Port Madison Indian Reservation, where you can visit the grave of Chief Seattle, the famous Indian Leader for whom Seattle is named and Seattle's former home at Old Man House Park. During the third full weekend in August, Suquamish hosts Chief Seattle Days, a festival to celebrate this great leader.

The Suquamish descend from peoples who lived in the Puget Sound area for thousands of years. Suquamish ancestors were expert basket makers, fishermen and canoe builders. Many of these skills are still practiced today.

The Suquamish are one of the several indigenous Native American tribes, bands and clans living on Puget Sound area before Anglo-Europeans arrived in 1792. For more information, please call the Suquamish Tribal Center at 598-3311, the Suquamish Museum at 394-8496, or stop by the Center at 15838 Sandy Hook Road, Suquamish, WA 98392.

Port Madison
The Port Madison Indian Reservation is one of two Indian Reservations located in northeastern Kitsap County. The Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe resides on their reservation near Kingston. They were also great fishermen and depended on the sea for most of their livelihood. The Port Gamble S'Klallam descends from one of many S'Klallam Bands who lived in villages and camps in rivers, coves and bays from Port Ludlow to beyond Port Angeles. Today there are three S'Klallam bands: the Lower Elwha band, the Port Gamble band and the Jamestown band. They are all members of the greater S'Klallam Nation today, as it was long ago. For more information, call the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribal Center at 297-2646, or stop by the Center at 31912 Little Boston Road, Kingston, WA 98346.

Port Townsend
Port Townsend, one of only three Victorian Seaport towns on the National Historic Registry, is situated on the Quimper Peninsula, on the Olympic Peninsula. In 2001, it celebrated its sesquicentennial. From its early days, Port Townsend has been a town of dreamers with creative ideas in commerce as well as the arts. Port Townsend Bay, recognized as a protected and safe harbor by the native tribes of the northwest long before early Euro-American settlers arrived, was named by Captain George Vancouver who sailed into the bay in 1792 and named it for his friend, the Marquis of Townsend.

Hoping to capitalize on the reputation of Port Townsend Bay as a good harbor, early settlers had dreams of Port Townsend being the major port of commerce on the northwest coast. For a brief time the town grew and became the busy port early settlers had imagined. As the young town grew the downtown area was a rough and tumble seaport town with a culture of brothels and saloons. Hard working men, far from home with money in their pockets, did not seek the same lifestyle and entertainment as those raising their families and trying to live the proper Victorian lifestyle. Two distinctive areas of the town developed. To this day people refer to the area where the residential family homes were built, many of them now splendid bed and breakfasts, as Uptown Port Townsend. Here, where the small commercial area of yesterday allowed "proper" ladies to do their shopping without having to expose themselves to the roughness of the downtown port district, one finds restaurants and shops with a neighborhood ambiance. Downtown Port Townsend, which had the old shops, taverns, boarding houses and brothels (now restored to fine hotels), offers art galleries, theater, a variety of retail stores, fine restaurants and coffee houses, as well as professional businesses.

Port Townsend thrived along with the sailing vessels that plied the west coast with trade goods. Sailboats were eventually replaced by steamboats which could go further into Puget Sound's protected waters and then by trains, which began to transport goods over land.

The promised train tracks never made it to town and the town was quickly abandoned by many of its citizens. It would be decades before Port Townsend's original splendor would reemerge and new "settlers" would see the potential of the "City of Dreams." Port Townsend's resurgence as a town with beautifully restored residential and commercial buildings has made it a major destination for people looking for a place to live or visit. People come to enjoy the blend of seaside living and elegant architecture as well as the rich maritime culture and arts community the town has become.

The location of Port Townsend that made it ideal for early settlement and commerce also made it a strategic site for a military fort. Fort Wilson, built in 1855 to protect the new settlement, was used for only one year. The location is marked by the Point Wilson Lighthouse.

Steam powered ships with powerful cannons presented a new threat to the Puget Sound area late in the 19th century. To combat this threat, three forts were built between 1897 and 1911—Fort Casey on Whidbey Island, Fort Flagler on Marrowstone Island and Fort Worden in Port Townsend. Fort Worden, named for Admiral John L. Worden, the commander of a Northern Civil War battleship, had a military presence from 1902 to 1955. From 1958 to 1971, the fort became a state juvenile treatment center. In 1971, Washington State Parks acquired the fort and opened it as a state park in 1973.

The restoration efforts by private citizens throughout the community of residential homes and commercial buildings have been matched by the restoration of buildings at Fort Worden. The park offers visitors camping areas, residential homes to stay in and full conference facilities. The park is an ideal setting for meetings, retreats, reunions, weddings and other group activities. The park is home to Centrum, a center for arts and creativity which sponsors a Jazz Festival, Country Blues Festival, Fiddle Tunes Festival, as well as writers' workshops, dance and chamber music events. Within the park grounds visitors will find the Marine Science Center and Natural History Exhibit, the Coast Artillery Museum and the Commanding Officer's Quarters, a restored residential museum.

The history of Port Townsend is one of commercial dreams, growth, abandonment and rebirth. It is celebrated annually during the Victorian Festival, held in March. The Wooden Boat Festival, held every September, is the largest festival on the west coast celebrating and honoring the tradition and culture of wooden boats. Boat building is part of Port Townsend's thriving maritime trades. During the Wooden Festival, Port Townsend Bay is once again filled with wooden sailing vessels from far and near.

For more information on Port Townsend, contact the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center at 440 12th St., Port Townsend, WA 98368, 385-2722. Their e-mail address is info@ptchamber.org. Information can also be obtained online at http:// www.enjoypt.com.

Kingston
Kingston is located on a bay called Appletree Cove, on the northeastern tip of the Kitsap Peninsula. The Cove is surrounded by lush evergreens and homes that respect the beauty of the natural landscape.

Kingston's greatest asset is its proximity to the water. It is the western termination point for the ferry that makes a 35-minute crossing to Edmonds, a town on the east side of the Puget Sound about 20 minutes north of Seattle. The ferry ride effectively separates Kingston from the bottleneck pace of Seattle's half-million people. Yet, all the resources of Seattle are readily accessible to the people of Kingston.

Kingston has a 300-plus boat marina with all the facilities available for happy boating.

This little town's population swells from 2,450 or so to over 10,000 for the 4th of July celebration, which offers a parade, slug races, the Tiny Town Children's Fair (a hands-on experience for children), booths and a fireworks display that runs longer than Seattle's.

The second Saturday in December is The Kingston Country Christmas. Kiwanis has Santa and free pictures, an arts and crafts fair at the community center, merchants have goodies available in their stores and a hometown band plays at the marina before the tree-lighting ceremony.

Kingston is known for its Kingston Farmer's Market, open every Saturday from May to October, selling homegrown, homemade products and giving customers a slice of local flavor through produce, plants and hand-crafted creations.

The Kingston Art Gallery, a co-op of local artists, is open downtown for locals and tourists alike to enjoy. Kingston on the Cove invites you to come spend a day shopping and dine in one of the many restaurants. For more information, call the Kingston Chamber of Commerce at 297-3813 or stop in to the office at 11201 Highway 104, on the corner of State Highway 104 and West Kingston Road, just two blocks up from the ferry dock. Visit their website at http:// www.KingstonChamber.com.

Port Gamble
First called "Teekalet" by the Indians, meaning "Brightness of the Noonday Sun," Port Gamble is a town whose past, present and future blend in harmony. The entire town is owned by the Pope & Talbot Lumber Company, which built its first mill there in 1853.

Restoration of its old New England style homes began in 1971. One of the most beautiful of the restored homes is the Walker-Ames House, a three-story Victorian giant next to the General Store. A pioneer cemetery overlooks the town and St. Paul's Episcopal Church, still in use after 109 years, rises over the rooftops. Since Port Gamble became a National Historic Site in 1966, it has become an enjoyable tourist attraction. It is a peaceful community tucked away on the Kitsap Peninsula

. For more information, call the Port Gamble Chamber of Commerce at 297-3341 or stop by the office on Main Street next to the General Store. Visit their website at http://www. ptgamble.com.

Bainbridge Island
The community of Bainbridge Island is sought by families who desire a nurturing environment and great schools for their children, young professionals and active retired persons. They come for the rural solitude, the community feeling, the excellence in education and the parks and water views. The population of the island is 21,760. The annual growth rate has historically been about one percent per year, but the current growth rate is about four percent.

In 1990, the city of Winslow annexed the entire island into its city limits. By vote of the residents, the City's name was officially changed to the City of Bainbridge Island. The City of Bainbridge Island is the newest city in the state and the only rural city with farms and two state parks. The city is governed by a City Manager and an elected City Council filled by a mayor and seven members.

Pristine forests and parks abound on the island. The beaches, walking and bicycle trails, picnic areas and boat launches are heavily used by the outdoor-oriented population. Camping facilities are available at Fay Bainbridge State Park from May 30 through Labor Day. Eagle Harbor offers visitors a passing parade of world-cruising yachts.

For the sports-minded, the park and recreation district offers 259 acres of parks and facilities. Soccer and softball fields, a public swimming pool, nature preserves, equestrian trails, tennis courts, picnic areas and play areas are just the start. The park district offers programs for team sports in softball, soccer, Little League and gymnastics. There are also numerous programs for outdoor hikes and nature study. The Bloedel Reserve, a 150-acre preserve open to the public, combines natural woodlands and developed gardens. A walk through the quiet elegance of nature at its finest is a special treat.

Bainbridge Island is also home of Bainbridge Performing Arts, a well-known community theater group. Many contemporary plays are performed each year. Outstanding children's performances are the culmination of many workshops designed to teach children the working of the theater. The Bainbridge Performing Arts shares its performing arts theater with other popular performers such as the Bainbridge Orchestra and the Chorale, who also perform regularly for delighted audiences.

Many special events occur on the island throughout the year. A street fair, fun run and parade add to the celebration of Grand Old Fourth on July 4. In the spring there is an eco tour of green buildings, and in early summer there is a garden tour of the island. There is a popular summer festival of the arts, as well. Bainbridge Island School District includes one high school, one intermediate and one middle school and three elementary schools. Visit their website at http://www.bainbridge.wednet.edu.

For more information, call the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce at (206) 842-3700 or visit their office at 590 Winslow Way East, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110. E-mail: info@bain bridgechamber.com. The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce website is http://www.bainbridge chamber.com.

Port Orchard
Port Orchard, the county seat of Kitsap County, is located in the southern portion of Kitsap County on Sinclair Inlet, west of Seattle. Port Orchard was platted in 1886 and was originally called Sidney—lumber, pottery and terra cotta, shingle mills were the first industries. In 1892, residents voted to change the name to Port Orchard after Henry Masterson Orchard, a navigator under Capt. Vancouver. The town was the first in Kitsap to be incorporated.

It is located approximately 17 miles from Bangor's main gate and is a 10 minute ferry ride from Bremerton on an historic passenger ferry. Port Orchard is located directly south of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. State Highway 16 links Port Orchard to Tacoma on the south and Bremerton on the north.

In Port Orchard you will find a warm and friendly, small town atmosphere with most of the big town amenities. Located on the Sinclair Inlet of the Puget Sound—Port Orchard is a beautiful waterfront community Port Orchard is known for its very popular Marina, shops filled with antiques and crafts, art galleries, museums, golf courses (including McCormick Woods, voted fourth best in the Northwest by Golf Digest) and casual to fine dining restaurants.

Port Orchard Fathoms O'Fun Festival is one of the oldest festivals in the state. The end of June, early July event includes a carnival, vendor/craft booths, a parade, fireworks and more! In 2009, a new festival will be introduced: Cedar Cove Days. The four day event centers around the popular Cedar Cove series of books written by Debbie Macomber and based on the town of Port Orchard. For more information go to http://www.cedarcoveassociation.com. The Port Orchard Farmers Market is one of the oldest and largest Saturday Farmers Markets in Western Washington. It takes place in downtown Port Orchard on Saturdays, April thru October. For more information, visit http://www.pofarmers market.org. The Chamber hosts the internationally known Seagull Calling Festival in May. Participants (many in costume) mimic the call of the seagull, coaxing them to shore with cheetos and are 'judged' on their success. The Chris Craft Rendezvous in July draws many boat owners and dreamers. Long Lake Daze takes place at the beginning of each August at Long Lake. The second Sunday in August brings tens of thousands to Port Orchard for The Cruz custom/classic car show and Festival by the Bay.

The Chamber also coordinates a pirate themed Murder Mystery Weekend each September offering a dinghy derby race, pirate costume contest and an opportunity to solve the Murder! In December, Port Orchard kicks off the holiday season with The Festival of Lights and Chimes, the tree is lit, Santa arrives by boat and a pet holiday costume contest takes place! The Port Orchard Yacht Club also sponsors the Lighted Boat Parade in mid-December, as a caravan of lighted boats cruise along the South Kitsap shoreline calling out greetings to those on shore.

In Port Orchard live community theatre productions are presented by the Western Washington Center for the Arts. Each summer residents and visitors swarm to the Waterfront Marina Park in downtown Port Orchard for the free Concerts by the Bay series. A downtown 1920s art deco movie house shows independent, art and classic films.

With more than 200 miles of shoreline in Kitsap County, water activities are important in our community. Recreational water activities are limitless, fresh water lake fishing, saltwater fishing and shell fishing. Boating activities include: water-skiing, personal watercraft, kayaking, sailing, yachting, beachcombing, swimming and the opportunity to view salmon returning to spawn. Eagles, osprey, heron, seals and occasionally Orcas can also be seen.

The City of Port Orchard has a number of neighborhood parks including some with lighted tennis courts, children's play equipment and picnic areas. South Kitsap is home to Manchester State Park, which is situated on the shores of Puget Sound. Covering 111 acres with 3,400 feet of waterfront it has 50 standard campsites, a group RV camp area and picnic shelters. Several county parks are located in South Kitsap. Long Lake County Park and Horseshoe Lake County Park offer swimming, boat launch, picnic and play areas. South Kitsap Regional Park, a 200-acre park, offers free miniature train rides, ball fields, horseshoe pits, trails, batting cages and picnic area and will be further developed and enhanced in the future. Youth soccer and baseball are very popular in South Kitsap. Drag racing is nearby at the Bremerton Raceway. The 635 acre Banner Forest Park is a haven of mountain biking, hiking and horse riding. Equestrian activities are very popular in Kitsap County with several horse boarding facilities and the Kitsap Saddle Club located in South Kitsap. The Howe Farm in rural South Kitsap offers a popular dog park and walking trails.

The South Kitsap School District with an enrollment of 10,981 students, operates 16 learning centers in SKSD. SKSD offers an excellent educational opportunity for each student. Community pride is evident throughout the district. Each year parents, businesses, and community members volunteer hundreds of hours in the schools and Donate thousands of dollars in resources. For more information on the South Kitsap School District go to http://www.skitsap. wednet.edu. South Kitsap also has a strong home schooling population and also offers at least 6 private church operated schools.

On the outskirts of Port Orchard is the Washington Veterans Home. Built to care for Civil War veterans, it has been part of the Port Orchard community since 1910. The Veterans Home is a state facility providing long-term health care for disabled war-time veterans and spouses. Visitors are always welcome at the home, which is located on Beach Drive one mile east of Port Orchard.

For more information, call the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce at 876-3505 or toll-free at (800) 982 8139 or stop by: 1014 Bay St., Port Orchard, WA 98366. Visit their website http://www.portorchard.com.

Surrounding Areas
San Juan Islands and Whidbey Island
A few years before the American Revolution, Spaniards, probably hunting for the Northwest Passage, furs and gold, discovered the 750 islands and islets now known as the San Juan Archipelago. Native people of the Coast Salish tribes were already established throughout the islands.

A Washington State Ferry ride through the San Juans from Anacortes is one of the most breathtaking trips in the Pacific Northwest. The Blockhouse at Coupeville on Whidbey Island revives echoes of the past. Several of the islands offer beautiful parks and campgrounds.

History abounds at San Juan Island Historical Park's American and English camps on San Juan Island and a 6,000-acre state park on Orcas Island is near some of the finest accommodations in the state. Many different types of lodging dot Lopez, Orcas, San Juan and Whidbey Islands. Here you can experience the thrill of salmon fishing, sea kayaking, golfing across the ocean front, clam digging or fishing for trout in crystal-clear lakes.

Olympic Peninsula
An arch of snow-capped peaks sawtooth across the horizon, topped by the crags and glaciers of 7,695 foot Mount Olympus. Here are some of the most remote wilderness areas in the entire continental United States. Just off Highway 101, the rain forests of the Hoh and Bogachiel Rivers beckon with Douglas firs that stretched skyward when Columbus discovered America. Go beachcomb along miles of uncluttered Pacific Ocean beaches. Relax in superb resort and motel accommodations or in national, state or private campgrounds and trailer parks.

Fine fishing, comfortable resorts and magnificent scenery abound at Crescent, Sutherland, Ozette, Cushman and Quinault Lakes, as well as the Sol Duc Hot Springs.

Olympic National Park covers 1,400 square miles and boasts a 60-mile strip of wilderness beach. It is 95 percent wilderness, crossed by 600 miles of trail. To reach the park's year-round playground, head to Hurricane Ridge. You can hike in the summer or ski and snowshoe in the winter.

Fort Flagler on Marrowstone Island and Fort Worden in Port Townsend are former military bases that sport old gun emplacements and other memorabilia. At Fort Worden, you can visit the Coast Artillery Museum and the historic Commanding Officer's Quarters furnished in 1910 style. Fort Flagler, established in 1899 at the northern tip of Marrowstone Island, has its own museum.

Plan your trip to discover the Olympic Peninsula. Plenty of information is available at the Family Service Center and Recreational Complex.

Tacoma
The city of Tacoma is the third largest city in the state. The metropolitan area, second largest in the Puget Sound area, has a population reaching nearly 200,000.

More than 100 county and municipal recreation areas may be found in and near Tacoma. They offer such diversified activities as hiking, swimming, horseback riding, lawn bowling and boating to mention a few. Tacoma's location on Puget Sound offers additional opportunities for participating in many salt-water activities such as sailing, water skiing, scuba diving and salmon fishing. The area offers snow skiing, salt and fresh water fishing, boating, camping, snowmobiling, beachcombing and bird and big-game hunting.

A totem pole, located at 9th and "A" Streets, was carved by Alaskan Indians in 1903. At 105 feet, it is the tallest totem pole in the U.S. carved from a single tree.

Old City Hall, located at 7th Street and Pacific Avenue, was completed in 1893. Its clock and chimes were a gift to the people of Tacoma. The chimes have tolled the time on the quarter hour, day and night, for more than 75 years.

Stadium High School, located on 111 N. E St., was built in French chateau style. It was intended as a Northern Pacific Railroad hotel but was damaged by fire. Subsequently, it was purchased by the Tacoma School District and graduated its first class as Tacoma High School in 1906.

One of Tacoma's finest parks is Point Defiance Park. This park consists of 638 acres. The park contains many features, including a zoo, children's farm zoo, aquarium, boat rentals and rose gardens. Fort Lewis Army base opened in 1919 during World War I. Comprising 104 square miles, it is the largest military reservation in the U.S. It was once known as Camp Lewis, named after Captain Meriwether B. Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame. Today the post is the home of I Corps; First Brigade, 25th Infantry Division; the 1st Special Forces Group (airborne); the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment; the 4th ROTC Region Headquarters; and the Madigan Army Medical Center.

Nearby is McChord Air Force Base, home to the 62nd Airlift Wing, the 446th Airlift Wing, Air Force Sector Headquarters and more than 50 tenant and direct support commands.

The Tacoma Narrows Bridge was built to replace the original Narrows Bridge or "Galloping Gertie" as it came to be called. "Gertie" fell into the Narrows during the windy morning of Nov. 7, 1940. The new bridge was opened some 10 years later at a cost of $18 million and is one of the longest suspension bridges in the United States. A second parallel bridge is now open, with tolls collected east-bound.

For more information on Tacoma, stop by their office at 950 Pacific Ave., Suite 300, Tacoma, WA 98402, call the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber at (253) 627-2175 or visit http://www.tacomachamber.org. For further information about Tacoma Regional Convention and Visitor Bureau please contact (253) 627 2836 or visit http://www. traveltacoma.com.

Olympia
Olympia, the capital of Washington State, may surprise you with its wealth of cultural and historic venues, family activities and recreation opportunities.

In the Olympia area, your family will find plenty of fun activities for the young at heart. Olympia's Hands on Children's Museum, founded in 1987 to stimulate curiosity, creativity and learning for kids, is now the most visited children's museum of its size in the region. At the Olympic Flight Museum in Tumwater, you will find World War II-era aircraft, along with more than 300 scale models of aircraft, piston and jet engine displays, and aviation memorabilia. See wolves up close in their natural habitat and learn about them on guided public tours at the Wolf Haven International sanctuary south of Olympia.

Be sure to bring your walking shoes and binoculars to the 3,000 acre Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge just north of Lacey where you will find more than 200 species of migratory waterfowl, songbirds, raptors and wading birds, plus many small mammals that share the saltwater marsh and forest habitat. Stroll Olympia's mile-long, waterfront Percival Landing Boardwalk, and splash in the Heritage Park Fountain. Pack your picnic lunch for a stop at Olympia's 312 acre Priest Point Park which features 1,000 feet of saltwater shorelines, a rose garden, nature trails, playground equipment, and picnic areas.

The Farmers Market in historic downtown Olympia, open weekends from April thru December, offers fresh, locally-grown produce and handcrafted items—fun to explore as well as shop. A bead-dazzling experience awaits you at family-owned Shipwreck Beads in Lacey, which boasts "the world's largest selection of beads with more than 8.3 billion beads in stock."

No visit to Olympia is complete without a stop at the State Capitol Campus and a tour of the Legislative Building, a monumental landmark of columns and hand-carved friezes. Six cast-bronze doors weighing five tons apiece, each one bearing a different scene from Washington's past, open into a sumptuous world of polished marble and plaster ceilings.

For more information, call the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitor and Convention Bureau at 704-7544, or visit the VCB website, http://www.visitolympia.com.

Seattle
Seattle is the water and air gateway to Alaska and the Orient. A year-round deepwater port, this city is the cultural, business, educational, commercial, manufacturing and distributing hub of Washington. Seattle offers much of its cultural interest at the Seattle Center, site of the 1962 World's Fair. The sparkle of show business comes alive in the Marion Oliver McCaw Hall and Bagley Wright Theatre. Also included are the Pacific Science Center, Pacific Northwest Craft Center and Gallery, restaurants, Quest Field (home of the Seattle Seahawks), the Space Needle with its sky-high revolving restaurant, the Experience Music Project and the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame.

Pike Place Market bustles with morning market activity seven days a week and includes many shops, boutiques and restaurants. The Market shops offer fresh meat, fish, fruits, vegetables and flowers. Pioneer Square, the only survivor of the rip-roaring, pre-fire days of the Alaska Gold Rush, has come to new life with music, galleries and shops. Seattle's waterfront is another must see. On a casual stroll, one can savor the sights and sounds of one of the world's greatest deepwater ports. Along the waterfront you will find a number of import shops, restaurants, bakeries, fast-food specialties, curio shops and art and craft stores, including Pier 57, a development that combines Old World charm with New World sophistication.

Seattle is the home of the University of Washington, one of the nation's great public universities. The University of Washington Arboretum is a 230-acre green interlude in the city's pattern.

Located at Pier 59 at the foot of Pike Street, the Seattle Marine Aquarium contains fish and aquatic mammals native to the Northwest. Two of the main features are the salmon ladder and the outdoor exhibition. The Space Needle is 605 feet high and offers a revolving restaurant and platform deck for panoramic viewing of Seattle. An elevator travels to the lower observation deck and to the top floor for a nominal fee.

Also, Seattle has its own zoo and gardens, the Woodland Park Zoo, which contains approximately 1,100 animals and the Woodland Park Rose Garden located at Phinney Avenue and North 50th and North 59th Street. Seafair, a month-long special that begins July 1, includes mid-summer pageantry, spectator and participant sports and parades and is highlighted by championship unlimited hydro-plane races on Lake Washington and an exhilarating air show performance by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Seafair offers a sparkling array of parades, including the Chinatown Seafair Parade, the Seafair Parade and a Milk Carton Derby on Greenlake. Seafair information can be obtained at http://www.seafair.com.



Further information on the city may be obtained from Seattle's Visitor Bureau at (206) 461-5840, or the Seattle Chamber of Commerce at (206) 389-7200. The Chamber of Commerce is located at 1301 5th Ave., Suite 2400, Seattle, WA 98101.

For information on attractions and festivals, Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau can be reached via mail at 701 Pike St., Suite 800, Seattle, WA 98101, the Web at http://www.see seattle.org, or by calling the Citywide Concierge Center at (206) 461-5840.

Washington State Ferry System
The Washington State Ferry (WSF) is the largest ferry system in the United States, serving eight counties within Washington and the Province of British Columbia in Canada. WSF's existing system has 10 routes and 20 terminals that are served by 28 vessels that travel around the Puget Sound and its inland waterways, carrying over 26 million passengers to 20 different ports of call which include Pierce, King, Snohomish, Kitsap, Skagit, Island, San Juan and Jefferson Counties. They travel up and down the Sound, acting as a marine highway for commercial users, tourists and daily commuters alike. There are more than 1,800 dedicated employees who have made Washington State Ferries the most popular tourist attraction in the Country.

Ferries can be a challenge and intimidating if you have never ridden a ferry before. Here are a few tips to make it easier: Wait Times are available online for a specific terminal. Letting you know how early to arrive for a ferry might cut down on the stress of waiting in line. Directions to terminals are available online with specific step-by-step instructions.

Generally, terminals are set up such that you drive up to a tollbooth and ticket sellers will collect your fare. You'll then be directed to a holding lane and wait there until the vessel is ready to load. On board, the Mates and Able Body seamen will direct you where to park. Follow their directions closely, as some of the car decks may feel tight and other passengers are getting out of their cars. Set your parking break and enjoy the ride.

For more information about the Washington State Ferry system, visit http://www.wsdot. wa.gov/ferries.

Washington State and National Park Regulation
s Washington has many state parks offering many different outdoor activities. Hike, ski, bike, boat camp, or even go rock climbing. Park passes are required. For move information visit http://www.parks.wa.gov.

Washington State Hunting and Fishing Regulations
For information on hunting or fishing, regulations or seasons, or to purchase licenses visit https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.

Canada
The western Canadian province of British Columbia provides a lavish world of variety. Traversing glen or valley, ascending to the snow-enthroned mountain-top or just riding a river or lake is an exciting experience. Alberta-Banff and Jasper National parks in Alberta are two of Canada's mountain playgrounds. Calgary is world famous as the home of the Calgary Stampede each July. Vancouver, British Columbia, home of one of the largest Chinatowns on the continent, is also famous because in spring it offers golfing in the valleys and skiing in the mountains, all on the same day. Across the Strait of Georgia is Victoria, the provincial capitol, located on Vancouver Island.

Vancouver Island is the largest island on the Pacific coast of North America. One can fish, hunt, swim and snow ski or explore until your heart's content and never run out of things to do. Accommodations are first class and range from well-kept camping grounds and comfortable cottages to luxurious hotels. Just minutes from your hotel, you'll find century-old forests and streams filled with trout or salmon.  read more...

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