There are so many wonderful things to do and events to attend in Kitsap County. One of the iconic events is the Bremerton Blackberry Festival. Held on Labor Day weekend every year, the festival is just steps from the Seattle–
Bremerton ferry landing and set against the stunning backdrop of Sinclair Inlet.

This waterfront event is filled with over 150 vendors featuring blackberry everything: cobblers, pies, donuts, ice cream, wine, jams, sauces, handmade goods, and berry-themed merchandise. According to Sunny Saunders, producer of the event and owner of Sunny Jack Events, “Over the years, the event has evolved and grown. The three-day event features a lot of kid’s entertainment and focuses on helping small businesses thrive and nonprofits gain exposure.”

The Saturday, Sunday and Monday festival is filled with nonstop live entertainment on the main stage and is presented by the Bremerton Rotary Foundation. As one of their two biggest fund raisers each year, the event helps the Bremerton Rotary with scholarships, their dictionary giveaway and numerous local community projects and programs they support throughout the year.

Karen Bevers, Director of Communication & Community Engagement at the Bremerton School District, is also a Bremerton Rotarian. She believes attendance at the Blackberry Festival should be on everyone’s bucket list.

“This event offers three days; each filled with something different plus it’s a special tradition that is part of the culture here in Kitsap County.” The event also offers a lot of opportunities for young people to volunteer, a major part of the educational process in Bremerton.

While there is plenty of parking around the downtown core of the event, Saunders handed out this juicy tip: “Catch the foot ferry from Port Orchard and you step right off the boat into the heart of the festival.”

The Blackberry Festival has a kid’s stage with jugglers, magicians and other kid friendly entertainment. There’s a Chalk Plaza with tons of kids’ activities and the opportunity for kids and adults alike to add their artistic talents to the surrounding area with free chalk handed out to attendees. 2nd Street hosts Berry Way with makers filling the street with their wares, including Berry Central where you can pick up souvenirs of the event and berry wine, mead, and cider.

Bremerton Blackberry Festival
blackberryfestival.org

BY LYNN CASTLE