the 2nd annual Mosquito Fleet Fest on the Port Orchard waterfront, Saturday and Sunday, 9am-5pm.

thank you!

Love Kitsap created this wonderful Mosquito Fleet Fest Guide!

  • Meet the 'mosquito fleet' vessels

  • watch the seagull calling contest

  • listen to live music

  • experience a story sail

  • Explore artists alley

  • shop local makers

  • experience the farmers market

2024 schedule of events

  • Sailing Option Story Sails Carlisle II

    Sail with narrator Josh Farley and hear tales of the Kitsap Mosquito Fleet

    More details below, tickets on sale now.

  • Self-Guided Tour 'Tarry Not'

    Hop on board an old Mosquito Fleet mail carrier and wander around at your own pace.

    10am-4pm
    SATURDAY ONLY

  • Farmers Market Schedule

    Waterfront Park
    The oldest and longest-running farmers market in Kitsap!

    9am-2pm
    SATURDAY ONLY

  • Maritime Themed Vendor Market

    Curated vendors and food trucks line the marina entrance with crafts and mementos.

  • Gigantic book sale

    Kitsap Regional Library

    Friends of the Library book sale (inside and outside) at the Library. Fill a bag of books for $5!

    10am – 3pm

  • Family Fun zone

    Polaris Backstage Alley

    Knot tying, music, art, bubble machine & more!

    12-4pm

  • Historical banners

    Foot Ferry Terminal

    If you miss the story sailings, you can still learn about Mosquito Fleet History here.

  • Coloring Contest

    Pick up Carlisle II coloring sheets all over town and return to the Kitsap Regional Library.

  • Artists Alley

    Alley between the Public Market and Myrhes

    Artist market with interactive painting activities.

    Sponsored by the SK Artists Association in the

  • Pirates of Penzance

    WWCA (624 Bay Street)

    Enjoy songs from Pirates of Penzance at our local performance theater.

    3pm-6pm
    SATURDAY ONLY

  • Historic Storywalk

    Waterfront Park
    Guided Tour through downtown Port Orchard learning about historic buildings and landmarks.

    2pm
    SUNDAY ONLY

  • Scavenger Hunt

    30 participating businesses have play sheets available all month long, download and print at home, or pick up at POWA info booth during event.

    One lucky player will win a prize basket.

    May 3-25

  • Seagull Calling Contest

    Waterfront Gazebo

    Port Orchard’s famous Seagull Calling Contest! Sponsored by the SK Chamber.

    Registration: 12:30pm
    Contest: 1pm


    SUNDAY ONLY

  • Kitsap Ferries Panel

    ‘Past, Present & Future’
    Gathered by Josephine’s

    Panel presentation on the history & future of ferries in the Puget Sound

    Katie Walters
    County Commissioner
    John Clauson
    CEO, Kitsap Transit
    Steve Sego
    Friends of the Fast Ferry Coordinator
    Carla Sawyer
    Passenger Ferry Consultant
    Josh Farley
    Moderator

    4pm
    SATURDAY ONLY

Carlisle II

StorySailings

* $10 per person *
Ticket sales are open NOW

A guided tour experience, learning about Kitsap’s Mosquito Fleet history with guest narrator and local historian Josh Farley.

Tickets are purchased on this site through the Port Orchard Bay Street Association.

Hosted by: Love Kitsap

Narrated by: Josh Farley

Starting Location: Foot Ferry Terminal

Buy tickets now!

  • Carlisle ii

    SATURDAY | 11am
    Route: East to Waterman area

  • Carlisle II

    SATURDAY | 1pm
    Route: West towards Gorst

  • Carlisle II

    SUNDAY | 11am
    Route: East to Waterman area

  • Carlisle II

    SUNDAY | 1pm
    Route: West towards Gorst

Please Note:

The Carlisle II is an historic vessels and as such, is not ADA compliant. Accommodations for those with limited mobility and special needs might be possible, but there are stairs, confined restroom spaces, and noisy environment.

The only seagull calling contest in America!

Meet the ‘Mosquito Fleet’

‘carlisle ii’

Meet the ‘Carlisle II’ during the Mosquito Fleet Fest!

Carlisle II was built in Bellingham in 1917 by Lummi Island Navigation Company, and first carried freight and passengers between Bellingham and the Carlisle Packing Company's salmon cannery on Lummi Island.

Story Sailings on May 24 & 25 at 11am & 1pm are available to purchase through the link below.

Tarry Not II

Explore the ‘Tarry Not’ during Mosquito Fleet Fest, Saturday only!

Built in 1924 for Joe Bucan by the Bucan Brothers.  It is said that Joe could navigate her through dense fog, aided only by a pocket watch and a compass. While moored and working in Olympia for much of her career, Tarry Not II also served as the Sea Blossom Seafood’s company boat. She was originally used as a freight and passenger steamer, often calling at Arcadia, Mason County.

‘Virginia v’

The Virginia V is currently dry-docked in Seattle for repairs.

The S.S. VIRGINIA V sailed her maiden voyage on June 11, 1922, as part of the Puget Sound Mosquito Fleet. Her original route was between the cities of Tacoma and Seattle, along the West Pass (also known as Colvos Passage) between Vashon Island and the Kitsap Peninsula.

‘colby’

The area known as South Colby was named after the Colby, a member of the Mosquito Fleet that regularly stopped there. The small community depended on the Colby for transportation by water since roads were almost non-existent. It was a small (really small!) steamboat built in Seattle in 1902.

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