Boating Safety Day and PetsWALK! come to downtown Poulsbo Saturday

By Ken Park • June 21, 2019 8:30 am
Craig Brown, administrative officer with U.S. Power Squadrons District 16 instructs participants in the proper use of a fire extinguisher during the Boating Safety Day event in Poulsbo on June 9, 2018. Courtesy Steve Erickson.
Craig Brown, administrative officer with U.S. Power Squadrons District 16 instructs participants in the proper use of a fire extinguisher during the Boating Safety Day event in Poulsbo on June 9, 2018. Courtesy Steve Erickson.

There will be plenty going on in downtown Poulsbo this Saturday, June 22.

For dog lovers, the Poulsbo Animal Clinic is sponsoring PetsWALK! A fun and family friendly charity 5K walk (or run) supporting the Kitsap Humane Society.

This year’s goal is to raise $30,000 for the care of shelter pets, as of June 19 the clinic has just $10,000 left to meet its goal. Proceeds from the event will go directly to the Kitsap Humane Society, this will allow them to rescue more animals, spay and neuter more pets, and place more animals in loving homes.

The Kitsap Humane Society admits nearly 7,000 pets a year into its system. In 2018 it recorded a 97 percent lifesaving rate for pets.

Participants can register at qgiv.com/event/petswalk2019/register/ or may register on Saturday from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Lions Park. The walk begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park, where the Pet Expo begins.

If dogs aren’t your thing, the Port of Poulsbo and the Poulsbo Marina will be hosting the annual Poulsbo Boating Safety Day.

This free event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will offer visitors to the Port of Poulsbo an opportunity to learn about docking, navigation rules, knot tying, fire extinguisher use, flare demos, and most importantly how to handle emergencies on the water.

For boat owners, there will be free vessel safety checks, ensuring that each vessel has all the required safety equipment on board and are in good working condition. Vessels that have all required equipment will receive a current Marine Safety Inspection decal.

The safety day allows a chance for boaters and their families to brush up on their sea-skills as well, from learning how to make emergency radio calls to performing “man overboard” drills.

There will be plenty of activities for kids such as a youth poster contest, tours of police and fire patrol boats, and boating safety for kids program with the PFD Seagulls.

To close out the event the United States Coast Guard will conduct a flyby and rescue demonstration. Keep in mind though that the flyby is subject to weather conditions and availability.