Mari F. Mullen

March always makes me think of St. Patrick’s Day and spring greenery as plants wake up after hibernating all winter. 

It is an optimistic time, with beautiful sunsets, boats getting back out on the water, and events starting up again. 

It reinforces the many reasons we are lucky to call Port Townsend home. Lately, we have been watching eagles perch on top of the Hastings Building flagpole right outside our office window. After growing up in the Chicago area, I feel very lucky I can now glance out the window and enjoy both nature and beautiful landmark buildings on a daily basis.

April is National Volunteer Month — it is dedicated to recognizing the importance of volunteering and honoring the significant contributions volunteers make by giving their time and talents to worthy causes.

My first encounter with Main Street was as an Earth Day volunteer a long, long time ago when my daughter was young. We were new to town and we planted pansies outside the Jefferson Museum of Art and History. We met some great community-minded people there and some of those relationships have continued to this day. 

In addition to PT Main Street, I was also fortunate to meet committed people volunteering with Centrum, the Schooner Adventuress, the Victorian Festival, the Port Townsend Film Festival, and KPTZ 91.9 FM. These are just a few of the hardworking nonprofits contributing so much to the quality of life in Port Townsend. 

Our Main Street Program is fueled by the energy of our volunteers. We are fortunate to have a dedicated crew working in the four committees of Main Street: Organization, Design, Promotion, and Economics. 

Our Board Organization Committee supervises the staff, budget, fundraising, sponsorships and interacts with partners on our strategic plan goals. The Design Committee and its volunteers help maintain Adams Street Park, designed the new Adams Street parklet, contribute ideas on grants, engage in Open Streets concepts and the streetscape. Our Promotion team brings an eclectic mix of fun events to life and are excited to be back in action after the pandemic hiatus. 

Main Street volunteers help make it happen at Concerts on the Dock, the Uptown Street Fair, Girls’ Night Out, the Haunted Histories and Mysteries “Ghost” event, the Downtown Trick or Treat, and the Holiday promotions. 

Our Economics volunteers participate on the HUD Loan and LENT Microloan subcommittee to review applications for historic preservation efforts and business assistance. 

The Creative District subcommittee falls under Economics and its members are implementing the project’s strategic plan as funding allows. Others are reinventing the Soundcheck arts festival to showcase local artists and benefit the Creative District. Soundcheck will kick off with the 30th Uptown Street Fair on Aug. 20 and run for a week prior to the THING festival. 

The success of these events depends on volunteer power — please join us! We appreciate our volunteers and their efforts on behalf of our nonprofit which is dedicated to the prosperity of Uptown and Downtown. All these efforts weave together to support a prosperous and vibrant community. 

Our next volunteer-driven event is the Main Street annual Earth Day Spring Clean-Up, from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 16. This would be a great day to dip your toe into the volunteer pool and see how it feels. 

We will tidy up at Adams Street Park, weed, plant, and do some painting touch up projects. 

I’m hoping my daughter will come back and volunteer with us, for old times’ sake. She has a green thumb.  

Please contact our office if you can join us. Thanks for your community spirit. 

Keep in touch and subscribe to our e-news at ptmainstreet.org and follow us on social media.

Mari F. Mullen is the executive director of the Port Townsend Main Street Program, a nonprofit organization founded in 1985. Its mission is to preserve, promote and enhance the historic business districts—Uptown and Downtown. The Port Townsend Main Street Program is one of 36 Main Street Programs across Washington state.