It hasn’t hit newsstands yet, but word has it that after a near 80-year hiatus, prohibition is back on.

Unconfirmed reports from the White House stated that in a drastic move, President Bush has taken the step to expunge alcohol from the country at a point when most of us need a drink most.

Luckily for those thirsty folks, a local theatre on Pacific Avenue in downtown Bremerton — one which must remain unnamed for obvious reasons — will soon be converting itself from a high-brow song and dance venue to a high-class, low-profile speakeasy.

“In fact, the Admiral will be blacked out, and people will need to have their secret password to enter,” said Anita Williams, small-time bootlegger and fund-raising chair for the Kitsap County Historical Society.

OK, the cat’s out of the bag.

Rest easy Kitsap, prohibition isn’t likely making a comeback anytime soon due to a few adverse reactions that came about the last time we tried that — like the rise of the Mafia, corrupt cops and so forth. However, the Kitsap County Historical Society will be figuratively taking Bremerton back to that time period, on the level, on the evening of Sept. 7 with it’s annual fund raiser — the Step Back in Time Gala.

The third annual affair will start off with a 5 p.m. social hour at the KCHS museum on 4th St. That’s where the wise guys, cool cats, Janes, dames and flappers all styled up in their era glad rags will gather for some pre-shindig vintage cocktails. Complementary dry martinis, Manhattans and fuzzy navels are on the menu, Williams said, along with the secret password that will get one into the juice joint up the street about an hour later.

“We will have a 1920s firetruck and 1920s sedan at the Gala, provided by Dick Vlist of Port Orchard … in addition to Dick Golden’s 1920s Roadster,” Williams said. “The vehicles will be driving people to the Admiral from the Museum and then parked in front of the theater for the evening.”

Once inside, the Admiral speakeasy should be hoppin’ with pictures being taken in the lobby and dinner cooking up in the kitchen while a silent 1920s picture “The Affairs of Anatol” will be playing in the background.

“What’s interesting is (that movie) stars a lady named Wanda Hawley, and she is a Bremerton gal,” Williams said.

Hawley was born in Scranton, Penn. but moved with her family to Western Washington when she was a child in the early 1900s. She became a veteran of the era’s silent film scene, starring in a number of Cecil B. DeMille and director Sam Wood’s films.

Likely, more than a few of Hawley’s films would’ve been the talk of the town, showing at the 1920s-vintage Rialto Theatre in Bremerton in those days.

“There was a lot happening downtown back then,” Williams said noting many community events at hot spots like the Rialto and the Elk’s Club ballroom.

Historic tidbits, facts and figures along those lines will be included with vintage photos in the KCHS’ 2008-2009 calendar which will be unveiled at the gala. Anyone who donates during the “raise the paddle” fund-raising portion of the evening will get a copy of the calendar free.

For a brief period in the evening, local dignitaries like Mayor Cary Bozeman and former Secretary of State Ralph Munro will lead the crowd in asking for donations for KCHS. Patrons will raise their paddles for any amount which they feel comfortable donating, then they can drop of the check before the end of the night. By design, that portion of the evening will only be about 15 minutes, said KCHS executive assistant Prudence McCabe.

The remainder will be spent puttin’ on the Ritz.

A group of local dancers will be performing followed by a group of exhibition dancers coming from Seattle, while the Savoy Nights band, back by popular demand, will be playing from a 1920s score.

“It’s the flappers and the bathtub gin, the whole thing will be a very secret hideaway,” Williams said.

“It is a dressy affair,” McCabe said. “Period costume is not required, but it is a lot of fun.”

And how.

Bremerton businesses — Ish Clothing on 4th Street and Pacific Northwest Costume on Riddell — should be able to help with costume needs.

Reservations for the Step Back in Time Gala are required by calling the KCHS at (360) 479-6226 before Sept. 1. Tickets are $70 per person which includes admission, entertainment, a dinner choice of steak, chicken or vegetarian catered by Augustino’s Cafe and complementary vintage cocktails at the 5 p.m. social hour at the 4th St. Museum. Info: www.kitsaphistory.org

or call (360) 479-6226.