Frequently Asked Questions about the Festival

Can I bring my dog to festival?

No dogs are allowed inside the gates or on the docks during the official hours of the festival: 9:00am -7:00pm Friday and Saturday; 9:00am - 5:00pm Sunday. While we're a dog-friendly, dog-loving harbor all the rest of the year, we leave our dogs at home or onboard boats during the event.

Where do I find accommodations?

Many folks book a place to stay one year in advance and most local accommodations are booked by June, so plan early for overnight reservations. Start by visiting the top two City of Port Townsend websites:

www.enjoypt.com
www.ptguide.com

Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce
Visitor Information (brochure available)
www.ptchamber.org  / (360) 385-2722 or toll free (888) ENJOYPT

Where can I camp or park an RV?

A few RV spaces are available at the Port of Port Townsend Point Hudson marina, however, these are usually booked by April. Email info@woodenboat.org for information about 4-day Festival RV package starting November 1st.

You may also contact the following local resources:

Fort Worden State Park  Year round home of Centrum for the Arts, PT School of Woodworking, PT Marine Science Center and many walking trails.  One mile beach walk from festival.  Spaces usually fill by May. Book early!
www.parks.wa.gov/fortworden/camping.aspx

Jefferson County Fairgrounds  Home of our county fair and community events. A quiet, park-like, low cost option.  Showers, quiet, access to bus transit. Will always find room for you! Last minute van, RV or tent campers welcome.
www.jeffcofairgrounds.com/camping.htm

Can I anchor on the waterfront?

Yes. All anchored boats are asked to stay seaward of the eelgrass protection buoys and leave clearance for the large Wooden Boat Festival boats moored on the City, Union and NW Maritime Center docks. Pay close attention to marine forecasts as the waterfront is exposed if winds kick up from the south. Bring your dinghy to the NWMC beach and tie off above the tide line. Main Gate tickets and entrance is located nearby.

Is there another marina in Port Townsend during festival?

The Port of Port Townsend Point Hudson Marina is completely reserved for festival wooden boats. However, the larger Boat Haven marina is available. Call the moorage office as you approach the entrance: (360) 385-2355. Shuttle buses run to/from the Main Gate every 10 minutes from the Jefferson Transit Park n Ride.

Where is handicapped parking?

The 500 block of Water Street, near Pope Marine Park and within one block of the Main Gate is reserved for handicap parking. Load and unload zone is available in Washington Street parking lot near the Volunteer Tent. Due to heavy traffic during the festival, take care to pull completely out of roadway when loading or inquiring from PTPD Traffic Volunteers.

Is the festival ever cancelled?

No. Boats and exhibitors prepare all year for this event. Everyone is prepared for fun come rain, shine, ferry cancellations and wind! Get the latest ferry information from Washington State Ferry website (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/schedules/current/).

How do I get to the festival by ferry from Whidbey Island?

The Keystone Ferry (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/schedules/current/) runs daily to/from Fort Casey State Park to downtown Port Townsend. Visitors arriving from Whidbey, North Seattle, Canada and the northwest corner of Washington, can opt to park on the Whidbey Island side of Admiralty Inlet and walk-on the ferry. Main Gate of festival is approximately 6 blocks from the ferry terminal and shuttle buses run every 10 minutes.

Do I receive a paper ticket when I purchase festival tickets online?

No. Print the last screen of your online purchase and bring it with you to the Main Gate entrance. Follow the signs for Will Call and Online Tickets. Bring photo ID and simply tell us your name. You will receive a Hand Stamp (1-day ticket) or Wooden Nickel (3-day ticket) and can immediately proceed into the Festival. Avoid the lines by purchasing online (http://shop.woodenboat.org/s-9-festival-tickets.aspx).

When and where is Commercial Exhibitor Check in?

Exhibitor check in is Thursday from 12:00-7:00pm. In August, Booth and Land Boat Exhibitors will be mailed a Parking Pass and map to the Jefferson Street (Skateboard Lot) entrance.  A Traffic Volunteer will greet you in your car, then you will receive your Registration packet and receive directions how to proceed to your tent location.  Cars are not allowed inside the grounds after 5:00pm on Thursday, so plan to unpack quickly then move your car to Exibitor Parking.  Festival music, food and Bar Harbor open at 5:30pm. Hundreds of boat crews, locals and volunteers are on the grounds that evening, so take advantage of the opportunity to open your booth early!  Official festival start time is 9:00am Friday.

Where do I park my vehicle?

Limited general public parking is available early mornings in downtown and uptown Port Townsend within walking distance of the Festival, however, we highly recommend everyone park at the Jefferson County Park & Ride, ((turn left at Safeway) then ride the biodiesel Jefferson Transit bus.  Shuttles run every 10 minutes daily.  Bicycle racks and handicap parking are available on Water Street, within one block of Main Gate.  Limited Exhibitor-Only parking is available on the grounds.