PORT TOWNSEND — Taste of Port Townsend, an annual event celebrating area food and drink, is coming up Thursday and this year, the Port Townsend Main Street Program is offering early entry to those who purchase their tickets by today.
Those advance ticket holders will be able to sample vendors’ wares an hour early, being admitted at 5 p.m. to the Northwest Maritime Center at 431 Water St.
Those buying tickets at the door — available as space allows — will be admitted at 6 p.m. It all will wrap up at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $50 to taste both food and alcohol and $35 for those there only for the food.
Advance tickets are on sale online at www.eventbrite.com and also can be purchased at Safeway at 442 W. Sims Way, Aldrich’s Market at 940 Lawrence St. and Glow Natural Skincare at 244 Monroe St.
Twenty-two vendors will offer samples of wine, beer, cider and plenty of food, including dessert, at the fundraiser for the Port Townsend Main Street Program.
“You won’t leave hungry,” said Mari Mullen, executive director of the nonprofit.
“Having it in the maritime center, it’s all under one roof so you don’t have to worry about walking or the weather, and you can’t beat the view.”
This is the second year the Taste of Port Townsend will be at the Northwest Maritime Center.
The event started in 1991 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. It then became a walking tour in downtown and uptown Port Townsend before moving to the maritime center in 2016, according to Port Townsend Main Street Program Executive Director Mari Mullen.
In Thursday, Aldrich’s Market will offer samples of sushi and fruit juices, according to new co-owner Scott Rogers.
“We’re just trying to feature the eclectic nature of Aldrich’s and of Port Townsend,” Rogers said.
Roger’s has participated in past Taste of Port Townsend events as the owner of Dogs-A-Foot hot dogs, but this will be his first year also representing Aldrich’s since he and his wife took over the grocery store in the winter.
“It has the atmosphere of a block party,” Rogers said.
There will be some new faces at this year’s event.
Jane Dough Shortbread will participate for the first time this year and will bring shortbread samples.
Pane d’Amore Artisan Bakery will hand out samples of Giacometti and Danish bites. Alpenfire Cider, participating for the first time, will offer hard cider and vinegar samples.
Other food vendors are Sirens Seafood Bar, the Old Whiskey Mill, Port Townsend Fudge Company, Silverwater Café, The Belmont, Taps at The Guardhouse, the Tin Brick, Cable House Beach Canteen and The Boiler Room.
Other vendors offering sips will be Finnriver Cider, Eaglemount Wine and Cider, Marrowstone Winery, FairWinds Winery, Port Townsend Brewing Co., Propolis Brewing, Sunrise Coffee Co. and the Spice and Tea Exchange.
A raffle of “a big beautiful basket” full of gift cards and other goodies from local vendors is planned, Mullen said.
It is necessary to be at the event to win.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.
