PORT TOWNSEND — The Uptown Street Fair and Parade will support Port Townsend’s reputation as a laid-back, anything-goes place.
It will offer vendors and activities on Lawrence and Tyler streets from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
“This is very low-key, very ‘neighborhood,'” said Potpourri Northwest Interiors owner Jeanne Moore, one of the organizers.
“The community loves it.”
The Port Townsend Arts Guild Arts and Crafts Fair will take over Tyler Street — pushing the farmers market, open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., to Polk Street.
The arts and crafts fair “is one of the best of the season,” Moore said.
Activities for children will include a collage hat sculpture and the chance to create shaky egg rattles and sidewalk chalk works of art.
Pastel still life sketching will be available for all ages.
The parade will begin at 1 p.m.
There are no official parade entries.
People will just show up and join in, lining up before the event at the Port Townsend Library, 1220 Lawrence St.
“This is the only parade I’ve ever heard of where people don’t have to preregister,” Moore said.
A float could be elaborately choreographed or feature just one person twirling a baton and whistling, Moore said.
Twenty-five trophies in such unconventional categories as “Best Texture” and “Most Synergy” will be awarded.
Entertainment — everything from a student violin band to original folk rock — on the Edensaw Stage on Lawrence Street, will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Groups set to perform include Sam Hobart, Port Townsend Summer Band, Cal’s Beach Band, Middle East Out West, Low Ones, Plastic Cactus and Solvents.
An open mic will be available at the 15 Minutes of Fame stage at the corner of Lawrence and Polk.
Musicians, comedians, poets and speechmakers can perform on the stage.
Busking — performing for tips — is allowed within the 15-minute limit.
In keeping with the “Art a la Carte” art focus, the theme for this year’s event is “Texture,” celebrating all that is fuzzy, bumpy or spiky.
Also included are performances by local belly dancers and contra dance lessons.
The belly dancers will perform from the time the parade ends to when winners are announced, Moore said.
Dancing in the street and an outdoor beer garden will turn the event into a memorable day in the Uptown neighborhood, organizers said.
The 2010 poster was created by Port Townsend artist Michael Biskup and printed by The Printery.
The event is sponsored by participating businesses and the Port Townsend Main Street Program.
For more information, see www.ptmainstreet.org.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
