Despite lack of funding all the way around, Kitsap communities rally to offer free outdoor movies and concerts this summer.
Last year, when budget constraints forced the Kitsap County Parks Department to no longer fund and organize a slate of free outdoor concerts in communities around the county, some the communities rose up.
In Port Orchard, a group of business owners combined forces with the Port Orchard Chamber, the Port Orchard Marina, the City of Port Orchard and the chairing group of Fathoms O’ Fun to not only continue the series but to expand the schedule this year.
The effort goes to show how important free communit events can be.
Last year in Bremerton, when out of town developers Ron Sher and Company wanted a way to introduce themselves to the community and help revive the image of downtown, they set up a slate of free movies atop the old JC Penney building — which they’ll be doing again.
Similarily, longing for free family entertainment, Liberty Bay Books owner Suzanne Droppert is again organizing a month of free outdoor movies in downtown Poulsbo.
Here’s a list of just some of the free happenings in Kitsap communities:
FREE OUTDOOR MOVIES
Rooftop Movies in Bremerton
July 17 — “Groundhog Day”
Jly 24 — “Independence Day”
July 31 — “Back to the Future”
August 7 — Bremerton’s Choice
Live music starts at 8:30 p.m., beer & wine garden and more. Movies start at dark. hosted by developer Ron Sher and Co. atop the Old JC Penney building.
Free Family Films in Poulsbo
July 8 — “Wall-E”
July 15th — “Sound of Music” (with sing along led by Sound of Music Ensemble, fundraiser for Fishline)
July 22nd — Poulsbo’s Pick
July 29th — Poulsbo’s Pick
E-mail ideas for the Poulsbo’s picks to libertybaybooks@embarqmail.com.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Bainbridge Island’s outdoor movies at Waterfront Park coming up in August.
FREE OUTDOOR MUSIC
Concerts on the Boardwalk
Bremerton, 6-8 p.m Fridays
July 10th — Jr. Cadillac
July 17th — Soul Purpose
July 24th — Spirit of Ojah
July 31st — Navy Band NW Cascade
Info: www. bremertonmsa.org
Summer nights on the Bay
Poulsbo, 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays
July 14 — One Shot Molly
July 21 — Tres Hombres
August 4 — Four Plus Band
August 11 — The Blues Counselors
Info: Poulsbo P&R (360) 779-9898
Concerts by the Bay
Port Orchard, 6:30 p.m. Thursdays
July 4 at noon — Solid Rock Jam Band
July 4 at 8:30 p.m. — Usual Suspects
July 9 — Classic Ride
July 16 — Trombanga
July 23 — Ranger and the Rearrangers
July 30 — michael Anthony Pratt Band
Aug 6 — Silverport Sound
Aug. 13 — Dew Grass
Aug. 20 — Usual Suspects
Aug. 27 — The Illusion of Elvis Danny Vernon
Aug. 29 — Cedar Cove Days Sock Hop with Jr. Cadillac.
Info: www.portorchard.com
Concerts on the Cove
Kingston, 7-9 p.m. Saturdays
(Harbor Days Weekend)
July 30 — KHS Jazz Ensemble
July 31 — Julie Holt and the Crazy Family Band
Aug. 1 — House of Cards
(Summer Concert Series)
Aug. 8 — locust Street Taxi
Aug. 15 — Blues Counselors
Aug. 22 — Elvis, Memories of a King
Aug. 29 — Buz Whitely Band w/ the KHS jazz ensemble
Beer & wine garden, food vendors and more every Tuesday at Mike Wallace Park.
ALSO CHECK OUT: The Clearwater Casino’s fourth season of Performances at the Passage at 7 p.m. every Thursday. Most are free shows, see www.clearwatercasino.com for a full list.
