The Jefferson County Fairgrounds have been bustling in August.

Grace Love, founder and executive director of the inaugural Jubilee Love Festival on Friday, Aug. 23, and Saturday, Aug. 24, reported an encouraging start to what she hopes can become an annual event.

“We had eight bands play, and made 40 pounds of chicken and 100 pounds of seafood boil,” Love said. “Kids playing in the rain, and just being at the fairgrounds, created such a magical atmosphere!”

Love noted that the “vibe of safety and inclusion” she had sought was accomplished even with equipment setbacks and inclement weather.

“Our Port Townsend and regional communities came together to love and celebrate with us,” Love said. “I learned a lot from this year’s festival, and I’m excited for year two. We’ll make sure this event is not to be missed!”

Danny Milholland, director of operations for The Production Alliance, was equally effusive about the “huge success” of the 12th annual All-County Picnic on Sunday, Aug. 18, which welcomed an estimated 384 event attendees, with an additional 100 volunteers and organization leaders representing 35 partner groups, for a total of slightly fewer than 500 total participants.

“We gave away 200 cookies and 275 servings of 100% local ratatouille,” Milholland said. “About 100 people participated in the earthquake simulation exercise, entitled ‘Are You Ready?’”

Milholland touted “lots of high-quality conversation and information-sharing among partner groups and the community” at the picnic, which he said led his fellow event organizers to agree it constituted a significant success.