It’s not too early to begin planning for “Silverdale Whaling Days” — a local festival that generates crowds of more than 50,000 people every summer on the last weekend of July.

The annual festival brings a weekend of free and affordable family fun including musical entertainment, a variety of food concessions, arts and crafts for sale, the beer garden with craft beers, and an incredible fireworks display at 10 p.m. Friday night in Old Town.

The Rotary Pancake Breakfast is Saturday beginning at 6:30 a.m. followed by the Doctor’s Clinic ‘Whale of a Run’ to benefit Hospice at 8:45 a.m.

The Whaling Days Lions Grand Parade will begin at 10 a.m. organized by the Silverdale Lions Club. Throughout the day there is a kids’ area with Davis Amusement Carnival rides that actually begin running on Thursday.

Wander around anytime Friday through Saturday and check out the variety of craft and information booths.

On Sunday morning, the ‘Tour de Kitsap’ Bike Ride begins at 7 a.m. and a chance to compete in outrigger canoe races happens at 8 a.m. The exciting “Great Kitsap Duck Race” is at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Silverdale Whaling Days has been a Seafair sanctioned event for more than 20 years. For more information check out www.whalingdays.com.