On the heels of the Medieval Faire, Port Gamble is jumping back into it’s town-sized time machine, zipping into the heyday of its history and revving up another festival celebration this weekend.
It’s Old Mill Days time, feting the town’s logging heritage with three days of music, food, fireworks and a carnival fun for kids of all ages.
Last year’s event drew about 20,000 people organizers said, this year’s fun kicks off at 3 p.m. Friday and runs through 7 p.m. Sunday in downtown Port Gamble. Parking costs $5, admission to the event is free.
Once inside, a plethora of excitement awaits.
As hay rides, food vendors and the carnival get started at 3 p.m. Friday, the Northwest Country Boys will be providing Western musical ambience from the main stage, which will be adjacent to the centrally located beer garden.
Later that evening, counting it off at 6 p.m., local funk and R&B band Cold Note will keep the main stage hopping, setting it up for the Saqra belly dancers (7 p.m.) followed by a variety magic show from Louie Foxx (7:30 p.m.).
And if those acts aren’t enough to evoke audience’s “Oohs and Ahs,” fireworks will follow. Not one, but two rounds are set to blast off.
A short display at 8 p.m. will prelude the main band of the evening — the Warren Brothers, a group that mixes covers from country to rock and roll, however, not the famed American country duo.
The granddaddy of Old Mill Days fireworks over the Sound will follow at 10 p.m.
If you happen to miss Friday night’s fireworks, not to worry, there will be another display at 10 p.m. on Saturday. Also on the evening of June 9, Cold Note and the Northwest Country Boys will be performing again. So will the Saqra Belly Dancers, who will be dancing this time to the dark, but energetic gypsy jazz of Bainbridge’s own Ranger and the Re-arrangers, while Hit Sensation — a funk, rock and Top 40 cover band — will be the main stage main attraction, starting at 8 p.m.
Saturday, as a whole, looks to be the quintessential Old Mill Day. Starting a 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast and poker run, the day will also include the aesthetically driving first annual lumberjack show from 2-5 p.m., also the first annual classic car and bike show from 1-5 p.m. and the Dirty Dozen (Mountain) Bike Race at 9 a.m. — see www.ridgeracing.com for more details.
Family Day June 10 will wind down the festivities with special markets, cloggers, wild birds, another magician and more. For exact schedules, locations and sponsors check out Old Mill Days Online at www.oldmilldays.com.
