There will be no shortage of fun and exciting events this summer in and around Bremerton.

Between the Armed Forces Day parade and festival, the Kitsap County Fair and Stampede, the Blackberry Festival and ongoing art walks, there’s sure to be a little something for everybody this summer.

First up, will be the 64th annual Bremerton Central Lions Charitable Foundation Armed Forces Day Parade. Bremerton has long had the distinction of coordinating the nation’s largest and longest-running Armed Forces Day Parade on the third Saturday of May. The parade began in 1948 – two years before Armed Forces Day became a federally recognized holiday.

People from all over the Puget Sound region come out every year to enjoy more than 100 marching units, dozens of military entries and several marching bands. Stop by the Lions and Masonic Temple Pancake Breakfasts before the parade and the Puget Sound Energy Hero’s Barbeque during  and after the parade. Other major events include the Armed Forces Festival Ambassadors Scholarship Program, Wells Fargo Bank Military Culinary Arts Competition at Olympic College, the Pepsi Armed Forces Golf Tournament at Gold Mountain Golf Complex and Kitsap HydroFest on Kitsap Lake.

The Kitsap County Fair and Stampede is the community’s five-day fair at the end of August. Attendees are treated to dozens of toe-tapping musical acts, farm animals galore and plenty of food. Organizers say that cowboys consistently rate the Stampede Rodeo, as one of the best rodeos in the nation.

The Bremerton Blackberry Festival, coordinated by Bremerton Main Stream Association, signals the last celebration of the summer on Labor Day Weekend. Thousands of people come to the Boardwalk to take advantage of great weather, fun activities, live music and games for kids. And they, of course, sample all kinds of various blackberry goodies for sale.

In addition, throughout the summer there is a series of First Friday Art Walks every month. Galleries, museums and businesses in downtown Bremerton and Manette stay open late to provide ample opportunity to enjoy Bremerton’s culture and unique shops.