This year’s Whaling Days, July 24-27 on the Silverdale waterfront, could be the biggest and best yet.

Started in Old Town in 1972, the Whaling Days festival has evolved into one of Kitsap County’s largest and most popular events. Put on entirely by community volunteers, the festival has raised thousands of dollars over the last 42 years for local charities and causes.

The festival began on July 24, but will really get under way on July 25, with a 21-and-older club and a beer and wine garden opening at 5 p.m., and a fireworks show over Dyes Inlet capping off the night.

Concerts that night on the main stage will feature Ben Union at 6 p.m. and Hells Belles at 8:15 p.m. The beer garden will be open from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The Hospice of Kitsap County Whale of a Run four-mile race will get under way at the Silverdale Community Center at 8:30 a.m. on July 26. The one-mile run starts at 8:45 a.m. and the kids’ dash will start at 9:15 a.m.

The First Federal Grand Parade on Silverdale Way will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the start of a street fair on Byron and Lowell at 11 a.m. Performances on the main stage and Kitsap Credit Union Family Stage get going by noon and continue to the end of the night.

The Silverdale Rotary Duck Race is slated for 3 p.m. on July 26.

Registration for this year’s Tour De Kitsap Bike Ride will run from 7-10:30 a.m. on July 27, at the Silverdale Beach Hotel. The bike ride is set to start at 10:30 a.m. Registration for the Dyes Inlet Dash on July 27 begins at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday at the park gazebo and the canoe races get under way at 9 a.m.

For a full list of performers and much more information about this year’s Whaling Days, visit www.whalingdays.com.