It has been a very busy year and to think the year is half over and only 5 more months til the annual Fruitcake Contest. In July we just wrapped up the Muddy Paw and we want to congratulate them on a very successful show, with their largest attendance to date, and we look forward to having you next year.

August and September will both be busy months in Port Gamble as we gear up for Paddle Kitsap, Great Peninsula Future Festival and Old Mill Days. Plus we have two new events which are sure to draw the crowds: Port Gamble Anthology on Aug. 22 and Port Gamble Car Show on Aug. 29 which benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Thanks to everyone who supports local businesses and lives and works in Port Gamble and the surrounding communities. Also keep your eye out for the ZMD Zombies of Mass Destruction Premier date. The movie has had many great reviews at the various film festivals. To see more on the reviews and trailer of the movie, check out our website at www.portgamble.com.

Business updates:

Hood Canal Vista Pavilion. Our new wedding, conference and event facility is now open in Port Gamble. The 2,900-square-foot facility is located on the site of the former Hotel Puget overlooking Hood Canal. The site is a popular wedding destination on the Kitsap Peninsula. The Hood Canal Vista Pavilion is the first significant structure to be built in the town since 1920.

We could not have completed the new building without the guidance, experience and organization of Tom Daley, construction and maintenance superintendent at Olympic Property Group who was our general contractor. Daley worked with many local contractors and companies and we would like to shout out a huge thank you to all of them:

Hoshide Williams Architect

Hood Canal Heating & Cooling

Whitworth Excavating

Kingston Lumber

JB Concrete

Home Depot

Rice Plumbing & Mechanical

American Acoustics & Insulation

Henden Electric

KG & Sons

Altenburg Plumbing

Davis Masonry

Whittles Construction

Novaks Gutters

Hanley Construction

Sabelhaus West

Snow Construction

Pro Vision

Cleaver Construction

Great Floors

Peninsula Concrete

Kings Mobile Lock Shop

Fred Hill Materials

Verns Topsoil

Northwest Rock

Valley Nursery

After more than 20 years in Poulsbo, Olympic Outdoor Center is moving to Port Gamble in the old Fire Hall. You may start to see John Kuntz and his crew moving into the building over the next month or so. Look for a grand opening in September. Besides the retail shop, Olympic Outdoor Center will be renting kayaks down on the waterfront on the old mill site.

Olympic Outdoor Center is a main point for rentals, kids’ camps, adult classes, tours and retail for anything dealing with the outdoors. We all welcome John and his team to Port Gamble. For more information: www.olympicoutdoorcenter.com or www.kayakproshop.com.

Mike’s Four Star BBQ is proud to announce that it will be opening a restaurant this summer in Port Gamble in the historic gas station along State Route 104. Mike’s Four Star BBQ will still be found at the Kingston Farmers Market on Saturdays and the Port Gamble Sunday Market on Sundays. For more information visit their website at: www.mikesfourstarbbq.com.

Have you thought of owning your own business or living in historic Port Gamble? If you or anyone you know of is interested, please contact ssmith@orminc.com or (360) 297-7251.

Upcoming events:

Great Peninsula Future Festival from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. , 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 1-2.

Adults $7; children under 12, free; under 18, $5. Free parking.

This event will have educationally based interactive exhibits based on a central theme of sustainability in a festival atmosphere that includes great local food, juried crafts, entertainment, and a children’s interactive play area.

For more information contact: Sandra Bauer; sanbauer@aol.com.

Port Gamble Night on the Town

Every First Friday

Next Art Walk: 4-8 p.m., Aug. 7.

Businesses in downtown Port Gamble, along Rainier Avenue, will feature local artists monthly and music.

Red Hat Riot Day, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Aug. 8, 2009.

It’s a hoot! The Tea Room at Port Gamble, as well as all the other local Merchants, invite all Red & Pink Hatters to join in a fun filled day. Visit the lovely Tea Room at Port Gamble and enter for a chance to win a gift certificate for eight Chocolate High Teas. To reserve vendor space at the event (or more information) call Janis Kelley at (360) 297-4225 or email tearoom@centurytel.net. You will not want to miss this one. For more info: tearoomatportgamble.com.