Tall ship helps launch Wooden Boat Festival in PT

PORT TOWNSEND — Wooden boats from untold numbers of ports of call are beginning to arrive in Port Townsend for the 28th annual Wooden Boat Festival.

The three-day event officially opens on Friday, but there is plenty of pre-festival activity today to keep sailors and landlubbers busy.

The historic Virginia V “Mosquito Fleet” steamer is scheduled to arrive at the Northwest Maritime Center dock this afternoon.

It will share space with the Lady Washington, the Aberdeen-based tall ship that was sailed by Johnny Depp’s rogue crew in “The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.”

A day-long symposium, “Celebrating Ingenuity” is being held today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rose Theatre, 235 Taylor St.

Speaking are Herb and Nancy Payson, Brian Toss and Pat Henry.

Afterward, Henry will talk about a woman’s solo circumnavigation of the globe from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Marina Room at Point Hudson Marina.

Tours and trips

The crew of the Lady Washington was offering free tours of the ship on Wednesday but will begin charging today.

The Lady Washington will be open for tours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

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