Paddle Kitsap, a two-day, fully supported paddle Aug. 1-2 along 36.5 nautical miles of shoreline beginning in Port Gamble and ending in Poulsbo has the Downtown Kingston Association and Port of Kingston working together to create a three-day festival.
Events get underway Thursday, July 30 when paddle participants arrive in Kingston to register, get their gear ready at the staging area on Ed Moon Field in Kola Kole Park and attend a paddlers’ evening meeting.
The DKA and port are using the event as the heart of a three-day festival in hopes of pumping up the community and bringing folks down to the waterfront to support the event and downtown businesses and at the same time, have a good time. They are working with Paddle Kitsap organizers John Kuntz of Olympic Outdoor Center in Poulsbo and Katie Savage of Savage Body Works to coordinate evening activities and entertainment on Thursday, Aug. 30 after paddlers check in at Mike Wallace Park.
DKA will also provide breakfast for participants on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 1-2, and help to gather up to 80 volunteers needed to assist with set-up, registration, security, shuttles, meals, radio operations and rest stops.
Ed Moon Field at Kola Kole Park will serve as the staging area for paddlers from beginning to end, with portable showers and restrooms on trailers set up, and information packets provided with directions and details on local businesses and service providers.
On Friday morning, paddlers will be shuttled up to Port Gamble to begin the day’s 18 nautical-mile, shoreline journey with a lunch break at Norwegian Point Park and rest stop in Eglon. That afternoon, the port will coordinate ongoing local music and entertainment at the park and later after paddlers come ashore, a salmon barbeque, live band and beer garden will get into full swing with the public invited to stick around and join in.
Paddlers will stay overnight in Kingston and head out Saturday for the second day of the event along a 15.5 nautical-mile route that ends in Poulsbo with a rest stop at Camp Indianola, lunch stop in Suquamish and rest stop in Keyport. The Kingston Farmers’ Market will keep Mike Wallace Park bustling for a third day, and that evening, the port’s new summer concert series debuts.
Those interested in volunteering for any aspect of Paddle Kitsap can contact Nancy Martin of the Downtown Kingston Association at (360) 297-6640 or John Kuntz at (360) 697-6095.
The deadline for Paddle Kitsap registration is July 25. Cost is $225, which includes support services and meals (kayak rental not included). A portion of the proceeds benefits the North Kitsap Trails Association. For complete details, go to www.paddlekitsap.com, e-mail kayakooc@silverlink.net or call (360) 697-6095.
