Take Me to the Water: A New Exhibit Profiling Black Mariners

In Festival Highlights on July 8, 2024
We are thrilled to welcome “Take Me to the Water: Histories of the Black Pacific”* to the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival as a special exhibition this year. The exhibit
Featured image for “Take Me to the Water: A New Exhibit Profiling Black Mariners”

Dive into Marine Science at This Year’s Wooden Boat Festival!

In Festival Highlights on July 1, 2024
We are thrilled to announce another exciting new addition to this year’s Wooden Boat Festival: the Marine Science & Stewardship Stage! This stage is a must-visit for anyone passionate about
Featured image for “Dive into Marine Science at This Year’s Wooden Boat Festival!”

What’s New in 2024!

In Festival Highlights on May 31, 2024
This year’s festival promises to be one of the most exciting yet, with a range of new exhibits and activities designed to captivate and inspire visitors of all generations. Here’s
Featured image for “What’s New in 2024!”

Half-Day Workshops with Nigel Calder

In Festival Highlights on May 20, 2024
Renowned boat systems expert Nigel Calder, celebrated for his bestselling books like “Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual,” is returning to the Wooden Boat Festival this year to present his invaluable
Featured image for “Half-Day Workshops with Nigel Calder”

Meet the 2024 Poster Artist: Hannah Spencer

In Festival Highlights on May 2, 2024
As a child, Spencer spent her summers with her family sailing around Lake George, NY, picking berries, camping, fishing, and bird watching. She remembers fondly, “I have always been in
Featured image for “Meet the 2024 Poster Artist: Hannah Spencer”

The Future of Maritime Tent

In Festival Highlights on September 1, 2023
Sponsored in part by Northwest Maritime Center and Dovetail Workwear, the Future of Maritime tent at this year’s Wooden Boat Festival will showcase the inspiring movements taking place to connect
Featured image for “The Future of Maritime Tent”

The Harbormaster’s Picks

In Festival Highlights on August 24, 2023
Harbormaster Daniel Evans has scoured over every boat application to fill this year’s harbor with beautiful wooden boats from near and far. There are so many amazing boats coming to this year’s
Featured image for “The Harbormaster’s Picks”

Admire the Beauty of Handcrafted Boats

In Festival Highlights on August 24, 2023
In the last few years, we’ve seen a wonderful resurgence of craftsmanship. More and more people are building small handmade boats—putting their love and care into creating something beautiful with
Featured image for “Admire the Beauty of Handcrafted Boats”

Historic Thunderbird Sailboats #1 and #2

In Festival Highlights on August 1, 2023
By Guy Hoppen Thunderbird #1, launched in November of 1958 and known as Number 1 or Thunderbird, and Thunderbird #2, named Pirouette and launched in August of 1959, will be
Featured image for “Historic Thunderbird Sailboats #1 and #2”

First time at Festival?

In Festival Highlights on July 26, 2023
The Wooden Boat Festival is a celebration of boatbuilding skills, craft, education, and adventure. There are hundreds of wooden boats of all shapes and varieties, hands-on demonstrations and presentations, activities for kids,
Featured image for “First time at Festival?”

Get all the Festival News

We will send you our latest insights from the festival as they are released.