Like many of you we have been waiting for spring to get here and we are not sure if it will happen or we will jump straight into summer!  We are excited about 2 new businesses in Port Gamble Orbea Sign Company and WISH (I will have more information on WISH in my next article).

May 2 is opening day for Orbea Sign Company, which has moved into House No. 9 (previously the home of Best Friends Antiques), from their Poulsbo location on Bond Road.  Owners Mollie and Pete Orbea have been in the sign industry for many years, venturing out on their own in December of 2008 to create Orbea Sign Company.

Orbea Sign Company is a custom sign shop that offers many solutions for commercial, residential, interior/exterior signage. As well as being a custom sign shop that prides itself on great customer service and high quality products, they also have plans to roll out an exciting new line of retail items. Make sure to stop by to see Orbea Sign Company producing signs of success.

‘Unleash the Beast’

For those of you that come to Port Gamble for the festivals, we start the season out with the Northwest Adventure Sport Expo, better known as “Unleash the Beast”.

Now in its second year, the Northwest Adventure Sports Festival was created by Olympic Outdoor Center and Kayak Proshop to bring the beginner or advanced, young or old adventurer together with experts from the sports of kayaking, mountain biking, trial running and stand-up paddle boarding for the purpose of education, sport and play.

All ages are welcome and no experience is necessary for this seriously fun event, so grab the kids, your friends and your sense of adventure and head to Port Gamble.

There is no better place to host this event than Port Gamble. Port Gamble is surrounded by 4,000 acres of mountain bike and running trails and the endless waterways of Puget Sound. Kayaking, mountain biking, stand-up paddle boarding and trail running are natural fits for this area. This is an opportunity for the curious to ask questions and try things out in a safe environment, and for enthusiasts to ask experts about the latest and greatest equipment and techniques.

Here are a few of of the events scheduled:

• Kayaking — demo the latest kayak models, attend classes on kayaking, enter a kayak race, and purchase kayaking gear from our vendors.

• Mountain Biking — demo the latest mountain bikes, attend a class or enter the mountain bike race, Twisted Sister Mountain Bike Race, a 14 mile race from Port Gamble.

• Stand-up Paddleboards — demo the latest craze, attend a class and purchase gear from vendors.

• Paddle the Dragon — a 6 mile paddler race for kayaks, outrigger canoes and any other human powered craft.

There will also be food, entertainment and an auction.

Check out their website — www.unleashthebeastnw.com — for additional information and sign ups, and we will see you in Port Gamble.

Port Gamble online

Port Gamble has also launched a brand-new social media campaign. Follow us on Twitter or “Like” us on Facebook and receive daily updates on events in Port Gamble, specials from our local businesses, news updates and even some special give-aways!

Follow us on Twitter at @PortGamble or follow our weddings at @PortGambleWed and Facebook us at Port Gamble or Port Gamble Weddings.

Keep an eye out for big changes to our website — www.portgamble.com — coming soon. See you online!

May events

Roots Rock Forest Race:

A 5K race through the trails surrounding Port Gamble on May 1. Contact Chris at (360) 779-8757 for more information.

Adventure Sports Expo:

The Northwest Adventure Sports Expo runs May 7 and 8. See  www.unleashthebeastnw.com for more information or call (360) 297-4659.

Cruz Port Gamble:

Relax and enjoy cool cars, friendly people and good food each Thursday, beginning May 5. Classic cars and hot rods welcome. The show takes place behind Gamble Bay Coffee and Mike’s 4Star BBQ. Cars begin arriving at 4 p.m.

Upcoming events

• Medieval Faire:    June 3-5

• Quilt Shop Hop: June 22-26

• Civil War Re-enactment: June 24-26

• Timber Town 10K: July 10

• Muddy Paw Dog Agility: July 15-17

• Paddle Kitsap: Aug. 5-6

• Garage Sale: Aug. 6

• Maritime Music Festival: Aug.13

• Port Gamble Half Marathon: Aug.14

• Roots Rock Trail Race 50K/25K: Sept. 4

• Forest Festival/Old Mill Days: Sept. 30 – Oct. 2

• Port Gamble Fall Festival: Oct. 8

• Ghost Walks: Saturdays in October and Halloween

• Port Gamble Ghost Conference:    Oct. 28-29

Roots Rock Trail Race “Spooky” 12K            October 30

Port Gamble Halloween Celebration            October 31

Roots Rock Trail Race “Doppler” 50K            November 20

Port Gamble Country Christmas & Fruitcake Contest    December 10-11