Port Townsend-ites have early 20th century media sensationalism and Clive Buttermere to thank for Rhody Fest (with help from William Randolph Hearst of Hearst Metrotone News).

In 1935, Buttermere convinced the Hearst media giant to turn an eye on Port Townsend as part of the “short subjects” series, which was a collection of mini movies screened in theaters, just as previews are now.

The draw for Port Townsend’s short was the famed rhododendron and its wild spring bloom.

A BUDDING EVENT

The Rhody Queen competition came about from the recruitment process to select the lucky young woman who would star in the Hearst feature. Myrtle Olsen was elected out of 13 candidates. Her flower-covered car ride was the first float.

The American Legion noticed how excited the town was and decided the event ought to be annual. So, 1936 brought the first official Rhody Festival, which would grow a little more every year and become a proud tradition.

Local historian Tom Camfield remembers fondly coming in second to Billie Cooper in the foot race for kids at one of the very first festivals in the ’30s. He won a 50-cent piece and Billie Cooper got a silver dollar.

The festival has flourished for 86 years, typically in the third weekend of May, with the exception of a three year suspension during World War II and COVID-19 cancellations.

The 1950s saw the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce take over the festival and brought particular growth with the additions of the boat race, golf tournament, baseball tournament, cow chip throwing contest, bed race, trike race, beard growing contest, kiddie parade, and more. 

By the 1980s, the festival became a nonprofit corporation. Since then, volunteers have chaired the festival and support comes from Rhody Queen button sales and community contributions.

Barring further pandemics or World Wars, Rhody festival should continue to signal the beginning of summer fun for years to come.

THE RUNDOWN

The festival has fluctuated some over the years but, with the exception of the carnival, all the favorites will return for 2022.

One of the first events to kick off the week will be the Trike Race, coordinated by Sunrise Rotary, at Port Townsend City Hall at 5 p.m. Wednesay for kids ages 1 through 6 on tricycles, push bikes, or two-wheeled bikes with training wheels. (Anything with at least three wheels is permitted.)

In the Pet Parade, registration begins at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at Van Buren and Lawrence streets. The parade begins at 4:30 p.m. Children (6 and older without an adult present) and adults are encouraged to dress up and walk with their horses, cats, fish, dogs, even llamas (each animal must be contained or leashed) to compete for first-, second-, and third-place awards from a team of judges.

Kiddies should stay in costume for the Kiddie Parade beginning at 3:30 p.m. (with registration at 2 p.m.) by the Rec Center on Lawrence and Tyler streets.

Do you have the longest beard or coolest braid? Show it off in the Hair and Beard Contest. Registration begins at 5:15 p.m. with judging at
5:30 p.m. Contestants and judges will gather outside the American Legion.

Crowds are sure to come out for a particular favorite, the Bed Race, set to begin at 6:30 p.m. from Monroe to Madison streets (registration at 5:30 p.m.). Contestants must provide their own beds, with something resembling a headboard and footboard, with a mattress, wheels 12 inches or smaller, and 3 inches in width. Other rules: The rider must weigh at least 100 pounds and there must be four pushers. Bribing the judges is highly encouraged.

The Rhody Open - Jim Caldwell Memorial Golf Classic will be Saturday and Sunday (shotgun starts at 8 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday) at the Port Townsend Golf Course.

The Running of the Balls will roll down Monroe from Lawrence to Water streets at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

THE GRAND PARADE

The line-up for the Grand Parade is from the fire station on Lawrence down Monroe and Water streets, with participants assembling between 10:30 a.m. to noon Uptown for the 1 p.m. start time. To apply to be in the parade, email rhodyfest@gmail.com for information.

For folks who have worked up an appetite at the parade, logical next stops include the Cake Picnic then the spaghetti dinner. The Cake Picnic will be at Pope Marine Park at 2:30 p.m. with free cake for all in hopes of building a sense of community. The event is in collaboration with the New Old Time Chautauqua performance and education group.

Visit the Elks Lodge for its annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday; the lodge is at
555 Otto St.

The Jefferson Healthcare Rhody Run will get people moving Sunday, with a 9 a.m. start at the county fairgrounds. Register at rhodyrun.com or, for day-of registration, go to the Fort Worden Commons at 8:45 a.m.