PORT TOWNSEND — The Northwest Maritime Center will celebrate the start of construction of two buildings with songs of the sea, speeches from the powerful, and gratitude all around during a “Port Townsend style celebration” on Thursday.
U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks won’t miss it, said George Behan, spokesman.
The longtime Democratic congressman from Belfair has juggled other commitments to attend the ceremony for the $8.2 million center, a project that Dicks helped fund, Behan said.
The festivities will start at 3 p.m. at Pope Marine Park, Water and Madison streets, The event will be hosted by Jim Whittaker, the first American to climb Mount Everest. The master of ceremonies will be Port Townsend Mayor Michelle Sandoval.
State Reps. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, and Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, and Steve Oliver, the president of the maritime center’s board, will address those attending.
The celebration will include an appearance by the Shifty Sailors, a Whidbey Island-based seafaring singing group.
