Rick and I had an overnighter to catch up with family and visit the largest wooden boat festival in North America a short few weeks ago.
If you haven’t heard of it, then here is a summary of what to expect for next year’s festivities!
What began as a wild idea in 1978—a dream of community and a lifestyle centered around wooden boats and the sea—has grown into one of the most iconic maritime events in the U.S.: The Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend, Washington.
Back in its first year, over 2,000 people, including wooden boat enthusiasts from all corners of the U.S. and Canada, gathered in this small town with their vessels and tools, ready to share their passion. They represented a national movement, part of the wooden boat revival that was just beginning to take hold. This event sparked conversations and fueled a growing appreciation for maritime traditions and craftsmanship.
Hosted by Northwest Maritime, the Wooden Boat Festival carries the mission of engaging and educating people of all generations in both traditional and modern maritime life. It’s more than just a festival—it’s an opportunity for adventure, discovery, and hands-on learning. Every year, participants and visitors get to immerse themselves in a vibrant maritime culture, explore historic vessels, and even pick up some nautical skills of their own.
Whether you’re a boat enthusiast or simply looking for a unique coastal experience, this festival is an unforgettable way to connect with the rich maritime heritage of the Pacific Northwest.
Over the past six years, the Wooden Boat Festival has made tremendous strides in its mission to eliminate single-use plastics. This initiative has been a significant part of our commitment to sustainability and protecting our precious marine environment. As part of this effort, we’ve phased out plastic bottles, cups, straws, and utensils from the festival, replacing them with more eco-friendly options. Additionally, we’ve established a robust multi-stream recycling program to ensure that waste is properly sorted and recycled.
This year, we’re taking our sustainability mission a step further by collaborating with Sailors for the Sea in pursuit of a Platinum Certification in their Clean Regattas program. This prestigious certification is the highest standard for environmentally responsible boating events and will highlight our dedication to minimizing waste and pollution. With this initiative, we aim to further reduce our environmental footprint and inspire festival-goers to join us in making positive changes.
A Team Effort: Local Students and Community Partners We’re not doing this alone. The Sea Plastic Free initiative is a collaborative effort between several key players:
How You Can Help You can play a vital role in making the Wooden Boat Festival Sea Plastic Free. Here are a few simple ways to get involved:
Together, we can protect our oceans and keep the Wooden Boat Festival a fun, plastic-free event! For more information on our green initiatives, visit the Wooden Boat Festival’s Green Festival page.
