PORT ORCHARD — Bay Street soon will be awash in the colors of springtime, thanks to dozens of May Day baskets that downtown businesses will exhibit outside their stores as part of an inaugural spring event sponsored by the Port Orchard Bay Street Association.

Coreen Haydock, co-owner of The Dock Bar and Eatery in the Port Orchard Public Market, said she got the idea for the event when she was in Annapolis, Md., in 1993, and saw hundreds of May Day baskets hung in front of businesses at on residential doorsteps.

“This event in Annapolis has been happening every year since 1956 and I have wanted to do it in Port Orchard ever since 1993,” Haydock said. “This year, I decided to go for it!”

Haydock said that, like in Annapolis, the May Day basket event will also be a competition among businesses. She said Port Orchard businesses were invited to register and make a May Day basket display. Those participating have been included in a walking map leading up to the start of judging on May 1. People’s Choice voting will take place through May 4.

Close to 20 businesses have signed up, she said. Residents and visitors are encouraged to come downtown to view the baskets and vote. The walking maps are available at participating May Day Basket businesses.

The event also is a tie-in to downtown’s Bay Street in Bloom event on Saturday, April 27, when the planters in the downtown area will be filled with a variety of plants. Shopping vendors and groups such as My Sustainable City and Kitsap Harvest will be on site at the market downtown, and merchants will offer shoppers sales and promotions.

For more information, visit the POBSA website at pobsa.com/bay-street-in-bloom/.