Haida Sails Resurgence Project

In Festival Highlights on August 19, 2025
Reviving ancient Haida cedar sailsโ€”a powerful journey of cultural resurgence and maritime heritage Weโ€™re thrilled to welcome the Haida Sails Resurgence Project back to Port Townsend for their second year
Featured image for โ€œHaida Sails Resurgence Projectโ€

Women at the Helm: A Reflection from the Director

In Festival Highlights on August 19, 2025
By Barb Trailer, Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival Director Every year, the Wooden Boat Festival brings together an extraordinary community, and every year, Iโ€™m reminded of the vital role women
Featured image for โ€œWomen at the Helm: A Reflection from the Directorโ€

Must-See Small Boats at the Wooden Boat Festival

In Festival Highlights on August 12, 2025
By Marty Loken, Associate Editor at Small Craft Advisor Magazine For those like me who canโ€™t resist small boats, there are many to savor at this yearโ€™s Wooden Boat Festival.
Featured image for โ€œMust-See Small Boats at the Wooden Boat Festivalโ€

A Gathering of Maritime Legends: Celebrating Shipwrights

In Festival Highlights on August 4, 2025
This year, the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival brings together shipwrights from some of the worldโ€™s most iconic maritime institutionsโ€”craftspeople who keep the art of wooden boatbuilding alive with skill,
Featured image for โ€œA Gathering of Maritime Legends: Celebrating Shipwrightsโ€

From Mother to Son: Lorraineโ€™s Story

In Festival Highlights on August 4, 2025
By Carol Hasse I found my beloved Nordic Folkboat for sale in Pt. Hudson in 1979. With a loan co-signed by my dad, she became mine. After her first refit
Featured image for โ€œFrom Mother to Son: Lorraineโ€™s Storyโ€

Explore the Blue: Marine Science at Wooden Boat Festival

In Festival Highlights on July 28, 2025
The Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival isnโ€™t just about beautiful boatsโ€”itโ€™s also a deep dive into the wonders of our marine world! From deep-sea exploration to hands-on citizen science, youโ€™ll
Featured image for โ€œExplore the Blue: Marine Science at Wooden Boat Festivalโ€

Masters of Craft: Meet a Few of the Authors Who Build, Repair, and Inspire

In Festival Highlights on July 22, 2025
This yearโ€™s Wooden Boat Festival brings together authors whose work has shaped the world of wooden boats and maritime craftsmanship. Marine systems guru Nigel Calder returns with his famous hands-on
Featured image for โ€œMasters of Craft: Meet a Few of the Authors Who Build, Repair, and Inspireโ€

Traditional Ropemaking Returns!

In Festival Highlights on July 22, 2025
Weโ€™re thrilled to welcome back one of our favorite keepers of traditional ropemakingโ€”Hardanger Maritime Centre from Norway. As one of only two places in the country still preserving the art
Featured image for โ€œTraditional Ropemaking Returns!โ€

Set Sail for Crabby Paddyโ€™s Pirate Parade

In Festival Highlights on July 17, 2025
Sunday at the Wooden Boat Festival is your chance to join the fun of Crabby Paddyโ€™s Pirate Parade! Line-up begins at 11 AM at the end of Water Street by
Featured image for โ€œSet Sail for Crabby Paddyโ€™s Pirate Paradeโ€

76 Days Adrift:ย A Powerful New Documentary About One of Festivalโ€™s Favorite Stories!

In Festival Highlights on July 8, 2025
In the dead of night, hundreds of miles from land, Steven Callahan watched as his boat slipped beneath the waves. Directed by Joe Wein and narrated by Callahan himself, 76
Featured image for โ€œ76 Days Adrift:ย A Powerful New Documentary About One of Festivalโ€™s Favorite Stories!โ€

Get all the Festival News

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