After THING — a three-day music and arts festival to be held at Fort Worden Historical State Park this August — was first announced in late February, reservations for lodging and camping in Port Townsend have skyrocketed.

Most hotels, campsites, and other lodging options are fully booked for the weekend of the event, according to an informal survey of overnight accommodations by The Leader.

Port Townsend Police Chief Thomas Olson said multiple groups involved with THING met last week. Mason Sherry, theatre manager for Seattle Theatre Group, told those at the meeting that, as of now, around 5,000 tickets had been sold.

Although Seattle Theatre Group would not officially confirm the amount of tickets sold, officials said they’ve been delighted with sales so far.

“We are happy with sales and the response has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Nadia Quitslund, booking and sales manager for Seattle Theatre Group.

As for camping and lodging for the weekend of THING, from Aug. 26 to Aug. 28, most spots in the Port Townsend area are sold out.

The Port Townsend Inn on Washington Street is out of hotel rooms for THING weekend. The same goes for Harborside Inn on Benedict Street, and the hotel has started a waiting list for people hoping to find a place to stay.

Both hotels are still getting calls every week, with people hoping to find accommodations.

Both Fort Worden and Fort Townsend Historical State Park are completely reserved for all tent, RV, and other camping sites from Aug. 26 to Aug. 28.

According to Natalie Maitland, managing director of operations for Fort Worden Hospitality, the lack of space to stay isn’t a surprise, considering that the campsites were already sold out before THING Festival was even announced.

“The camping here at the park goes on sale nine months in advance … those campgrounds sold out before THING,” Maitland said of the Fort Worden campsites. “That is pretty typical, during the summer, it’s pretty booked up.”

“Definitely this summer we’re getting closer to a full slate of activities now that we’ve been in pandemic mode for the last two years,” Maitland added. “Lots of other programs are coming back. We’re looking forward to THING.”

At Fort Worden, the Officer’s Row buildings near the front of the state park are available for rent, but Maitland said those units have already been booked by Seattle Theatre Group for organizers and talent.

“Most of those houses were booked up by Seattle Theatre Group, who are using them for artists and other people related to putting on the festival,” she said. “[Seattle Theatre Group] has until April to either make a reservation or release them. We are doing a waiting list.”

Although the lodging and camping situation may seem bleak for those seeking a spot to stay for the music festival, there is one additional campsite zone available.

Festival organizers are using the Jefferson County Fairgrounds as a camping spot, along with parking, which can be purchased with tickets on THING’s website at thingnw.org.