PORT TOWNSEND — The ninth annual Festival of Lights will brighten holiday shopping tonight, Saturday and Sunday at Unity Spiritual Enrichment Center.
The fair will be open at the center at 3918 San Juan Ave., from noon to 6 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission will be free.
The seasonal event offers a holiday atmosphere where locally made gifts, crafts and cookies can be purchased for holiday giving. Offerings from merchants — both local and further afield — can be won in a silent auction.
Handmade items being offered this year include wool dryer balls, waxed fabric wraps for leftovers, cloth produce bags, crocheted dish scrubbies, stuffed woolen owls, mosaic labyrinths, wool mittens, yard art, a Christmas store collection of toys, games and ornaments and other gifts.
Always the highlight of the festival, there will be an abundant array of freshly baked cookies for sale by the dozen — or by the piece to enjoy on the spot with hot coffee.
To sustain shoppers, a variety of homemade soups and hot beverages will be available for purchase to chase away the winter chill.
A silent auction will offer an eclectic selection of items to bid on for gift-giving or for personal enjoyment.
The list includes acupuncture visits; wine tasting for 10; a pizza every month for a year or a bag of coffee a month for six months; psychic readings or mani-pedis and facials; a night in North Beach or a banana split at Don’s; vintage jewelry or RV detailing.
Psychic readers will be available throughout the weekend.
Joanne Clarkson palm and tarot readings will be available all three days of the fair, as will Pamela Douglas Smith, Wisdom of Avalon Oracle Deck readings, Zylpha Elliot, card readings, and Suzanne Rodgers, tarot and crystal readings.
On Saturday only, Daphne White Rose will give psychic energy readings, and on Sunday only, Sarah Nash will offer tarot and other oracle readings.
The cost for readings is $40 for half an hour and $60 for an hour. Sign-ups for reading appointments will be available at the fair. Advance reservations are not available.
As in years past, the Festival of Lights will donate 10 percent of all sales — including proceeds from the silent auction — to Port Townsend’s Winter Shelter.
For information, visit www.unitypt.org or call 360-385-6519.
