The sixth annual Pocket Yacht Palooza, a celebration of small boats in the 6- to 22-foot range, is set for Saturday, July 22 at the Northwest Maritime Center (NWMC) in Port Townsend.

The Yacht Palooza bills itself as the largest festival dedicated to small boats – whether wood, fiberglass or skin-on-frame – on the West Coast, drawing participants from as far away as Minnesota and Texas, and as close as Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia.

Spotlighting from 60 to 75 interesting sailboats, rowing and paddling boats, and traditional camp-cruising powerboats, the Pocket Yacht Palooza is free to the public.

The event takes place at the NWMC at 431 Water St. in Port Townsend, according to a press release.

Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Most of the small boats are slated to be displayed on the First Federal Commons, next to the NWMC boat shop, with additional boats on the nearby beach, and a few anchored just offshore.

At 7 p.m. that Saturday, upstairs in a NWMC meeting room, the public has a chance to hear from the first team of rowers to ever finish the Race to Alaska, 750 miles from Port Townsend to Ketchikan.

Ian Graeme and Janice Mason successfully completed this summer’s R2AK as Team Oaracle aboard a 22-foot rowing boat.

The couple described their participation in R2AK as “the longest first date” in memory.

They plan to share photos and stories from their historic run as the first human-powered team to finish the Race to Alaska – no sails, no paddles or pedals, just sliding seats and two sets of oars.

The Pocket Yacht Palooza is organized by the Port Townsend Pocket Yachters.

Full details of the event are on the club’s website at: pocketyachters.com.

Sponsors include Sage Marine, the Puget Sound chapter of the Traditional Small Craft Association, the Northwest Maritime Center, Small Craft Advisor magazine, the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding and the Salish Sea Small Boat Society.

Questions can be directed to event coordinator Marty Loken at:

norseboater22@gmail.com.