Kitsap County Summer Events

Most of the main festivals and fairs in Kitsap County, Washington take place at the end of the summer, but there are regular farmers' markets and art festivals to keep visitors and residents entertained in the meantime.

Residents of Port Orchard can visit the Port Orchard Farmers Market (http://pofarmersmarket.org/) on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. from the first of May until the end of September. Located on Harrison Avenue, near the marina and behind the Peninsula Feed store, the market offers local produce, flowers, fish, wine and crafts. A gardening clinic is held every Saturday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Uptown Gig Harbor is host to the Gig Harbor Farmers Market (http://www.gigharborfarmersmarket.com/index.html) every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. throughout the summer. Music and entertainment are provided by local artists. The last Saturday of every month is known as Cruise-In Saturday and special parking spots are reserved for those who want to bring and show off their classic cars.

Bainbridge Island also hosts a farmers market on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. from April through October. Held in the town square at City Hall Park, the festival offers approximately forty vendors selling local produce, flowers, art and crafts. Live music is also provided.

For those who like art, Bremerton and Gig Harbor each offer monthly art walks during the summer. On the first Saturday of every month, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m., visitors can pick up an art walk passport at the Waters Edge Gallery in downtown Gig Harbor and participate in the art walk. On the first Friday of every month from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., Bremerton residents can visit 4th Street and Pacific Avenue downtown to participate in the city's First Friday Art Walk.

Kitsap County is home to two major festivals near the end of the summer. The Bremerton Blackberry Festival (http://www.blackberryfestival.org/) is held during Labor Day weekend. The event includes music and traditional festival food along with blackberry dishes and blackberry wine that is only available for purchase at the festival. Also held in Kitsap County, the Kitsap County Fair & Stampede (http://www.kitsapstampede.com/) takes place annually at the end of August. The fair includes rides, animals and fair food along with concerts, rodeo and bull-riding performances.