Mari F. Mullen

Weekends have been getting busier in town, the streeteries are often full of diners, and the weather is warming up. Outdoor hanging flower baskets are ordered so expect cheerful spring colors in May.  And watch for children’s artwork in store windows once again as part of Main Street’s Art Wave in May. This is a collaboration with PT Artscape and participating businesses. 

In Port Townsend, you’ll find some extra fun in town with more music on the street this spring. We have rolled out “Buskers on the Block,” as part of our “Love Where You Live—Port Townsend” marketing campaign. 

We have scheduled 20 performances with talented performing artists who are ready to get back out in our corner of the world and play for you. It’s been rewarding to reach out to so many musicians who have really missed playing in public. 

Weather permitting, they will play at 2 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays in April and May at various locations including Tyler Plaza, Haller Fountain and Taylor Street, Pope Marine Park and Uptown.  

Additional details at iLovePortTownsend.com; follow Port Townsend Main Street on social media.

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Don’t forget to experience “Port Townsend Treasures,” a fun self-guided trivia hunt tour shares stories about our town. Download the free Actionbound app and scan the QR code to participate. Go to iLovePortTownsend.com and choose the “Experiences” tab for more details.

In the future file, small-scale events are being planned for later this spring and summer:

PT Hidden History Tours are connected to the new historic signage project (self-guiding plus limited personally guided tours with Key City Public Theatre actors).

Passport to Port Townsend are self-guided culinary tours. 

Taste of Heaven Sweets Stroll is April 23 through May 1; Viva La Vino–Wine Walk is May 14 through May 23; PT EATS restaurant focus is June 11 through June 20; and the Hoppy Takeover–Beer Crawl is July 16 through July 25.

This campaign is coordinated by the Port Townsend Main Street Program and is funded by an economic development grant from the First Federal Community Foundation, the Port of Port Townsend, Windermere Real Estate and in-kind media support from KPTZ. 91.9 FM and The Port Townsend Leader.

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Work progresses on the Creative District Wayfinding Project. 

Local artist Jonah Trople is creating five large cedar sculptures or “art markers” to be placed throughout town to signal that you have arrived in the Port Townsend Creative District. 

Trail signs will connect Uptown to Fort Worden for pedestrians and bicyclists. QR codes on the sculptures and signs will link to the project website which is being created by RFG Creative. 

This project is funded by a grant from ArtsWA through the Washington State Legislature. Matching donor funds were provided by The Port Townsend Main Street Program, Centrum for the Arts, Friends of the Port Townsend Library, 1st Security Bank, Northwind Art, the Port Townsend Food Coop, The Kuhn Building, KPTZ 91.9 FM, and Key City Public Theatre. Special thanks to the city of Port Townsend for generous in-kind support.

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Low-interest micro loans for business owners in the commercial Uptown and Downtown historic districts are available on a quarterly basis. The spring deadline April 15. Future deadlines: July 15, Oct. 15. Find the application at ptmainstreet.org (click under “Resources”).

Thank you for supporting our community as we emerge from the challenges of the past year.

Visit ptmainstreet.org for more information.

(Mari F. Mullen is the executive director of the Port Townsend Main Street Program.)