Summer ‘23 Bucket List

Pacific Northwesterners look towards warmer and brighter days and the activities that come with them

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Rebekah Gaines

Solenn Gendreau pictured jumping off of the dock into Dyes Inlet at the Silverdale Waterfront.

by Rebekah Gaines, Reporter

Summer is right around the corner so here’s a list of things to do right here in Kitsap County.

Whaling Days

Whaling Days is a fun-filled street fair that takes place at the Silverdale Waterfront between the dates of July 28th and 30th. Activities that can be enjoyed here include non-profit booths, food vendors, live music, and plenty of fair rides to choose from. 

Furthermore, taking place on July 29th at dusk, a firework show is held for spectators preceding the “Whale of a Run” 4 mile race on July 30th, that anyone can participate in for free.

4th of July

In the city of Bremerton, a celebratory 4th of July parade will be hosted, starting at noon. After the parade, spectators can further seek out food vendors, booths, crafts, and live music that begins at 5 p.m..

The city of Bainbridge Island hosts the “Grand Old Fourth” parade, in celebration of the holiday. This parade starts at 1 p.m. and continues for an entire mile. Before the parade, one can enjoy a pancake breakfast starting at 7 a.m. that benefits the Bainbridge High School Boosters Club. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. there is also a street fair that hosts crafts, booths from non-profit organizations, and plenty of food.

Kitsap County Fair

The Kitsap County Fair takes place from August 23rd to the 27th at the Kitsap Fairgrounds in Bremerton. Fair admission is free, but one will have to pay for tickets to go on the rides. Along with this, a rodeo takes place every day of the fair with an admission fee that costs $15-$20. 

On top of the rides and the rodeo, the Kitsap Fair also shows off farm animals such as horses, bunnies, llamas, and much more in their barns. Furthermore, in the Kitsap Sun Pavilion, the fair shows off art created by the 4-H program.

Bremerton Blackberry Festival

The Bremerton Blackberry Festival takes place between the dates of September 2nd and 4th at the Bremerton Boardwalk. This event also acts as a fundraiser for the Bremerton Rotary Foundation. Amenities that can be enjoyed include vendors, entertainment, food, and of course, different varieties of treats made from blackberries.

Bremerton Vintage Flea Market

This amazing local vintage flea market is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. A food truck with burgers, hot dogs, and soda can also be found there every week. The flea market has 8,000 square feet of vintage vendors for anyone to browse. These vendors sell clothes, bags, vinyls, CDs, shoes, furniture, and much more.

Downtown Poulsbo

Many different types of shops can be found in Downtown Poulsbo. 

The world-renowned Sluys Bakery has amazing donuts, cookies, and freshly made bread.  

The Dancing Brush offers time and supplies to make your own plates, bowls, mugs, and even garden gnomes. 

Poulsbo Woodfired Pizza has amazing pizza that one has to try at least once. 

And of course, just walking around is also an option while also checking out any of the small shops that catch your eye.

SEA Discovery Center

The SEA Discovery Center is a small aquarium in Poulsbo that’s educational and fun for all ages. The aquarium has interactive tidal pools that allow sightseers to observe and touch various sea life creatures. Admission to the aquarium is completely free, but donations are always encouraged to help keep this amazing experience alive.

Puget Sound Navy Museum

This Naval museum is located in Bremerton and is completely free. The museum collects, preserves, and displays naval culture of the Pacific Northwest. 

Bug and Reptile Museum

The Bremerton Bug Museum is free and open to the public. The museum has bugs and reptiles that are both live or preserved, on display for those interested to check out as well as a small gift shop.

Movie Theaters and Drive-In Theaters

Go catch a new movie at AMC, Tracyton Movie House, or Rodeo Drive-In Theater. 

Movies that are coming out this summer include, but are not limited to, the following titles: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, The Boogeyman, Stray, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, The Flash, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Insidious: The Red Door, and Barbie

Pair one of these movies with some buttery popcorn and sweet candy and you’ve got yourself a night of movie entertainment.