It was a weekend of wonderment for attendees of the Victorian Heritage Festival in Port Townsend, perhaps highlighted best by Saturday’s Victorian Fashion Show.

Held at the American Legion Hall, the program consisted of a wide array of fashionable finery, displaying multiple eras of Victorian fashion from the 1850s to the early 1900s.

The fashion show and festival were organized by the Port Townsend Heritage Association.

A sold-out crowd of 100-plus guests lined the rows inside the hall and excitedly awaited a lineup of around 20 models to exhibit a wide range of Edwardian and Victorian outfits, from garments for a summer afternoon to a 1893 bicycling costume.

Agnes Gawne emcee’d the event, providing vivid descriptions of the models’ clothing as they strutted across the room.

“There were costumers and novices, Bainbridge Island Girls Scouts and Quilcene High School students, as well as many Port Townsend residents, walking the runway for the very first time,” said Kathy Knoblock of the Port Townsend Heritage Association.

“Many of the garments were authentic antiques, including the Edwardian dresses worn by the Scouts,” Knoblock said.

Beyond the fashion show, hundreds of visitors to the Victorian Heritage Festival were able to enjoy Port Townsend through the festival, whether it was touring the iconic Victorian homes lining many streets in Uptown or wandering downtown to take part in a multitude of different activities.

“What a wonderful weekend it was, and that is a direct reflection on our community,” Tracy Wirta of the Port Townsend Heritage Association said after the festival concluded.

She offered gratitude to many involved: “From our volunteers and presenters to my festival co-chairs, Scott Rovanpera and Kathy Knoblock to our sponsors, and, of course, the festival-goers themselves.”

“Everyone was delightful, supportive, and happy. Our town should be so proud of our festival heritage, that includes all the celebrations we as a community bring to fruition with our hard work and unique Port Townsend culture.”

The festival was a big success for the Port Townsend Heritage Association, especially considering it was the first time the organization had set it up.

The organizers were “extremely gratified with the turnout, quality of the presentations, and overall enjoyment we saw from everyone involved,” Knoblock said. “We would like to thank all our volunteers and presenters for helping us show off Port Townsend’s historic homes and history.”