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Discover Poulsbo


A look back at 2016~


This was a great year here in Poulsbo!
As we say goodbye to 2016 and welcome in 2017, we think of the many community celebrations throughout the year!

 Here’s a look back at some of our 2016 highlights:

January 2016

Lutefisk and Meatball Dinner – Sons of Norway
Always a treat -authentic Norwegian meal in our Sons of Norway Hall

West Sound Wedding Show
A large expo featuring local venues, caterers, and more- for all wedding-planning needs

 February 2016

North Kitsap Daddy/Daughter Dance
Dads and their daughters dancing the night away – an event through the Parks and Rec

Winter Rendezvous Ménage a Trois!
Excellent time had by all – boaters, tourists, and locals!  Games, food, drink, music, and laughter

March 2016

Easter Egg Hunts
Several community-held Easter egg hunts for the little ones

Photo by P5 Photography

 April 2016

Poulsbo Farmers Market starts back up
At a new location this year.  We love the spring, bringing in all the local goodies through our Farmers Market

Roots Rock Run -Lumberjack Run
An endurance run through Port Gamble Trails.  There are always several mile options available.

Save KPLU in Historic Downtown Poulsbo
Shops, restaurants, and locals all came together to raise money to save KPLU – food, drinks, prizes, games, and live music

May 2016

Girls Night Out in Historic Downtown Poulsbo
A win-win event; specials, drawings, drink and food, all for a great cause – to help victims of domestic violence

Stottlemeyer 30/60 mile Bike Race
A fast-paced race through the Stottlemeyer trails

Viking Fest
Poulsbo’s most famous event – a fun weekend of races, runs, rides, games, food, and VIKINGS!

Photos by P5 Photography

June 2016

CF Walk
Our 4-mile walk to raise awareness and money for CF…they hit 91% of their goal this year!

Kiana Brew Fest
Kiana Lodge – one of the area’s most stunning venues: add in local beers from all over the Seattle area, live music, good food, and games.  A yearly tradition not to be missed

Poulsbo Twilight Criterium
Think fast bike racing around hot corners- looping through Historic Downtown Poulsbo…add in local beer and shopping.  This race was the first of (hopefully) many to come- they’ve already begun planning 2017!

Water Trails Festival
A weekend filled with paddling through our Kitsap Water Trails.  Whatever boat you paddle – tours started in Silverdale and stretching out through Brownsville, Poulsbo, Keyport, Bremerton, and Allyn

July 2016

Summer Nights at the Bay
July and August’s concert series, at the Poulsbo Marina and Park, overlooking Liberty Bay.  Family fun event for sure -nothing like a summer evening with music in the air

3rd of July Fireworks on the Fjord
Each year, Poulsbo puts on an amazing display of professional fireworks.  Boaters and visitors from everywhere visit us to see them!

Photos by P5 Photography

Performances at the Passage begin
Thursday evenings don’t get better than this.  Clearwater’s concert series in 2016 was spectacular!  Sitting on the grassy lawn, overlooking the waterway, listening to FREE live music each week was a treat

August 2016

Poulsbo Uncorked
An evening enjoying local beer, wine, ciders, distilleries, as well as caterers and restaurants’ fare was as fun as last year!  This yearly tradition grows each year and is a chance to catch up with friends and meet new ones


Photos by P5 Photography

Poulsbo Street Dance
Another annual treat – friends and neighbors gather in the closed-off streets of Historic Downtown Poulsbo to enjoy some live music and dancing into the late hours!


Photos by P5 Photography

Port Gamble ½ Marathon
Challenging route through the Port Gamble Trails for sure!  But at the end, there’s food, beer, and soda…so that run was worth it!

 September 2016

Biketoberfest
If you love biking, this is the area to be in!  Bringing the family was an excellent choice – night bike riding, campfires, games, and then more biking the next day

October 2016

Port Gamble’s Ghost Walks begin
Port Gamble has some history – and some of it is still around.  Touring these haunted sites at least once is a must.  If ghosts are your passion – there is even a convention!

Kitsap Wedding Tour
4 staged wedding venues through Kitsap County,  a perfect opportunity to get some wedding planning started…and finished!

Spirits and Spirits – Boos and Booze
Days of fun events leading up to Halloween 2016!  These celebrations weren’t just for adults either – there was a fun kids glow-in-the-dark treasure hunt through Kingston.  You’ll want to get your pass to enjoy the 2017 festivities!

Trick or Treating through Historic Downtown Poulsbo
Historic Downtown Poulsbo is a great place to take the little ones and even the older ones!  The haunted house, located in the old Police Station, was definitely a good scare for the kids

November 2016

Art in the Woods Studio Tour
A fun time – grab a map and take a self-guided tour through Kitsap County, to all the great studios!

GEMS Night Out – WWU
GEMS is a girls-only event at our SEA Discovery Center.  Girls explore hands-on science, watch a movie, tour the aquarium and enjoy some art activities.  A must for any inquisitive young lady.

Big Valley Christmas begins
Beautifully decorated, Big Valley shows off its holiday spirit, and we love that it is open past Christmas!

The Poulsbo Tree Lighting Ceremony on Viking Way with afterparty
This magical night did not disappoint!  If you want to get into that holiday spirit…or just enjoy everything Christmas, this is the event not to miss!  Santa on the Fire Engine, lights, cider and an after-party filled with art, more Santa, and family-fun was a fantastic time!


Tree Lighting Ceremony, Photos by Robbi Perez
 After-party at Hudson Auto, Photos by P5 Photography

Horse Drawn Carriage Rides and Meet Father Christmas in Historic Downtown Poulsbo
You can’t miss out on a horse-drawn carriage ride and a visit with Father Christmas in Historic Downtown Poulsbo.  Skipping the large lines in town to visit him, as well as get some local shopping done was a great treat!

December 2016

Jule Fest and Holiday Bazaar
If you missed our Viking Fest and needed your Scandinavian fix – Jule Fest was the one to hit!  The day began with the Scandinavian Bazaar at the Sons of Norway.  We then made our way to the waterfront for a bonfire, Lucia Bride, music, and dancing around the tree.

Holiday Concert – Poulsbo Community Orchestra
What brings more cheer than beautiful music performed by our very own Poulsbo Community Orchestra!  Amazing!

Breakfast with Santa at Sons of Norway
Enjoyed a delicious breakfast and watched as the kiddos lit-up at seeing Santa!

Yule Cup and Lighted Boat Parade
An evening watching the lighted boats pass by in Liberty Bay.  Enjoying from a boat is great – but we love joining everyone at the waterfront park, enjoying cider and the bonfire.


Christmas In Poulsbo

Photos by P5 Photography

With all these events in and around Poulsbo, there’s always a good time to visit us.

Our monthly Art Walks, Wine Dinners, and Plays are not to be missed!


Thank you to all those who have submitted events to Visit Poulsbo

Top 10 Things to Do in and around Poulsbo this Weekend

It’s Halloween weekend…and there are many frightful things to do!

We’ve compiled some pretty fun stuff, to help you along your way…

  1. Kitsap Haunted – the area’s best haunted house. Lights on for kids from 5-6p and full scare from 6-11p: Fri, Sat, and Halloween

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  1. Poulsbo Farmer’s Market – enjoy the outdoor market, filled with local farmers and crafters, live music, and on many weekends, enjoy special events! The market happens from 9a – 2p every Saturday through December 17.

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  1. It’s that time of year- join us at the Poulsbo Fish Park for the viewing of the salmon returning upstream. Activities and information for kids of all ages.

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  1. Plants from the Dark Side (part of the Spirits and Spirits Fest event series) – Dan Hinkley, founder of local botanical garden Heronswood, will introduce you to plants that evoke the spirit of Halloween. Prior to the lecture, take a self-guided tour at the Garden.  This all happens Saturday.

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  1. A few costume contests and family fun events are taking place this weekend: Saturday morning join the fun at the Halloween Extravaganza, at the Kingston Crossing Complex. Join in for some face painting, massages, music, and more! Then, ON Halloween evening, Café Cocina in Poulsbo, will host a family evening with an opportunity to get a family photo and a costume contest.

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  1. Poulsbo’s Liberty Bay Books will be hosting George Lakey, an Author Event. Stop in at the store to listen to him, as he will be talking about his new book, Viking Economics, How the Scandinavians Got it Right and How We Can, Too.

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  1. Saturday evening brings more Spirits and Spirits fun – in Kingston! The Halloween Glow in the Dark Treasure Hunt is sure to be a blast!  Kiddos from ages 5 – 12 should dress up and head into Downtown Kingston for glow in the dark fun!
  1. Finish out your Saturday with the Spirits and Spirits Adult Costume and Dance Party! From 7-11p at the Clearwater Casino; music, dancing, prizes… all adult fun!
  1. If that dancing didn’t do you in for Sunday – then get your run on! At the Roots, Rock Run Spooky 12k – there is a kids 1-mile run too!  Everyone dress in their best and get ready for some fun through the Port Gamble Trails!

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  1. Monday’s Halloween – and that means there are so many great places to go for some Trick or Treating. Historic Downtown Poulsbo’s merchants will be waiting with lots of treats for your kiddos from 4-6p!

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  1. BONUS event! If you are 16+ and haven’t had enough of a scare, join in on one of Port Gamble’s Ghost Walks.  Begin at the Port Gamble Museum; learn highlights of the town’s history, hear about the paranormal activities, and tour some haunted buildings in town!

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Why Everyone Should Visit Poulsbo – by Only In Your State

Looking for a great day trip or a weekend getaway? Look no further~ Poulsbo has it all. Beaches, hiking, biking, water trails for SUPs and kayaking…fabulous breweries, restaurants, as well as many shops. And don’t forget our Viking Flare!

But if you need convincing, ‘Only In Your State’ has an outline of why you should Visit Poulsbo.

http://bit.ly/21HnKpy

Silverwood School Open House

“Where Children are Challenged and Cherished” Program and Admissions Information, take a tour, meet teachers and head of school. Find out what a difference Silverwood can make for your child. At Silverwood School, we challenge our students to become confident, compassionate citizens and skilled, life-long learners – literate, motivated, and intellectually adventurous.

Ages: K – 6th grade

Winter Rendezvous – Menage a Trois!

**UPDATE 1/14/2016** Port of Poulsbo is sold out of slips for boats with a beam greater than 11′. Please call them before purchasing your tickets if your beam is over 11′ to confirm they can squeeze you in! There are already a few boats anchoring out in Liberty Bay so that is always an option also. Tickets are almost sold out BTW!!**

Presented by Boat Insurance Agency! Welcome to Winter Rendezvous – Menage a Trois! Chip “The Boat Guy” Hanauer started it all with the 2014 Winter Rendezvous. Neither he nor the good Vikings of Poulsbo were about to let that success stop smashing. This year will be bigger and better than ever before. Join us for 2 days of celebrating winter, boating, and life in the PNW! Follow us on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/thewinterrendezvous

FREE MOORAGE!!! The Seattle Boat Show and Port of Poulsbo have once again generously contributed to the Winter Rendezvous by picking up Friday AND Saturday nights moorage fees! Moorage has sold out both years, buy your tickets early to secure your spot! Call the Port of Poulsbo immediately after buying your tickets and reserve your moorage. Remember, there is no moorage available without purchase of a WR3 ticket.

Schedule

Friday: Check-In and Official Welcome Party

Saturday: Check-in, Opening ceremony (Viking fire lighting), Lovers and Liquors (local brews, ciders, wines, and spirits), Gloggfest, Art Walk, Poulsbo poker run, and last but not least… the big Saturday night Winter Rendezvous Deux Party!

Ticket purchase required to receive free moorage. If the weather report looks bad…. come earlier! The party is on and we will be in Poulsbo no mater what the weather does. There are no refunds on Winter Rendezvous tickets. Moorage full? Come by land and stay at Poulsbo Inn and Suites or Guesthouse Inn and Suites. Tell them your with the Rendezvous Menage a Trois. See you soon!

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