In many ways Little Norway could be considered a boater’s paradise considering it’s quaintness, location and waterways. This weekend it will become a nationwide mecca as Trawler Fest anchors down in Liberty Bay June 7-9.

Several hundred participants are expected for the event which matches boating education with cruising camaraderie and celebration. And this year, it will be larger than ever with 40 different exhibitor boats for folks to tour according to a press release from Passagemaker Magazine — sponsor of the event.

Trawler Fest has been a staple on the Poulsbo waterfront since 1995, while the event makes four other stops on America’s shores throughout the year, all are on the East Coast.

“It’s all about cruising on motorboats — the boats, the people and the lifestyle,” said event coordinator Katie Walsh.

During the morning hours — 8:30 a.m. to noon — a cadre of specialists will be giving educational boating seminars while the waterfront boat show will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Additionally special events such as cocktail parties, tool talks and kayak clinics will be taking place throughout.

Ticket packages range from a $390 three-day package to a seminar and half-seminar packages — $100 per day/$50 per halfday — to a general admission tickets — $15 per day for the boat show, shoreside expo and demonstrations without seminars.

More information is available along with a full schedule and seminar instructors Online at www.trawlerfest.com.

The schedule of seminars for the weekend is as follows:

June 7

8:30-10 a.m.

• Boat Buying Basics

• Situational Awareness

• Updating Your Marine Electronics

10:30 a.m. to noon

• Finding Your Weather Window

• Cruising Mexico and Central America

• Diesel Engine Basics

• Women Only: Keep Your Diesel Engine Healthy

June 8

8:30-10 a.m.

• Medical Emergencies at Sea

• Boating Green: Living Lightly on the Water

• From Dream to Reality: The Journey of Building Your Own Boat

10:30 a.m. to noon

• Running Gear Demystified

• Be Creative While Cruising, Digital Scrapbooking

• A Beginner’s Guide to Electronic Navigation and Charting

June 9

8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.

• Emergency Situations: Preparation and Reaction

• To Refit or to Sink It?

• Passagemaking to Alaska by Wooden Boat

10:30 a.m. to noon

• British Columbia’s Secluded Midcoast Inlets

• Get To Know Your Charts

• Using NMEA 2000 to Interconnect Your Systems and Electronics