PORT TOWNSEND — February is the month for lovers.
Port Townsend’s marketing strategy for the offseason for tourism from November through February has focused on a specific theme for each month, with promotion shared by the city and Port Townsend Main Street.
Events for February highlight some of Port Townsend and Jefferson County’s particularly romantic venues.
The city, in cooperation with the Port Townsend Main Street Program and a number of local wineries, will help promote the annual Red Wine and Chocolate tours around the North Olympic Peninsula.
On Feb. 11, 12, 18, 19 and 20 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., visitors and residents of the Peninsula can visit nine wineries in Port Angeles, Sequim, Port Townsend, Chimacum and Nordland on Marrowstone Island to taste boutique wine, chocolate and cider.
Finnriver Farm & Cidery, Alpenfire Cider, Eaglemount Wine and Cider, FairWinds Winery, Wind Rose Cellars, Yvonne’s Chocolates, Olympic Cellars, Camaraderie Cellars and Harbinger Winery will participate.
For ticket information and more details, see www.olympicpeninsulawineries.org.
Key City Public Theatre is also getting into the spirit of Valentine’s Day by hosting its second annual ball — this year a masquerade — as well as dinner theater later in the month.
The Wonderland Masquerade Ball, the first of the month’s themed events, will be Saturday, Feb. 11.
The ball is a cooperative effort among the theater, Fort Worden and a few local businesses.
While Key City is responsible for organizing and decorating, the Fort Worden Public Development Authority is not only providing the location at Fort Worden Commons but also the optional four-course dinner and special accommodation packages for people coming from out of town.
Wandering Wardrobe in Port Townsend is offering discounts to ball attendees who are in need of some formal wear.
“It’s kind of a town event, and people get excited about it,” said Denise Winters, the artistic director for Key City Public Theatre.
Ballgowns aren’t a requirement, according to Winters.
“We really want people to see it as an opportunity to dress up, whatever that means,” she said.
Winters said they’re encouraging people to wear their best outfits, which can include ballgowns, Victorian dress, costumes from the steampunk festival or wearable art pieces.
The dinner will start at the Fort Worden Commons at 6 p.m. For those who want to attend only the ball, music will start at 7 p.m.
This year’s entertainment is Freddy Pink, a band headed by Port Townsend native Gordon Yancey, and is a Peninsula favorite, according to Winters.
“They don’t play out here very often,” Winters said, “but it’s music you just have to dance to.”
Key City Public Theater also will host a dinner theater Feb. 19-20.
For ticket information on the two Key City events, see www.keycitypublictheatre.org.
In November, the city and Main Street promoted events for “foodies,” including the annual farm tour, while December was taken up by holiday events.
January was for adventurers — emphasizing such events as Strange Brewfest.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.
