Warm weather is around the corner, so for all the people who have been cooped up too long, the start of festival season is a reason to rejoice and blow a few horns.
Viking Fest – Poulsbo
Take off your coats, put on your animal skins and grab your helmet for a wild weekend at Viking Fest in Poulsbo. Proud of their Norwegian heritage, every year Poulsbo hosts a festival to remember that includes a street carnival, arts and crafts booths, parades and dancing. Lots and lots of dancing. And eating.
Don’t have any Norwegian blood in you? Doesn’t matter, there is more than enough to go around. You’ll enjoy watching those dressed in traditional garb showing off their dancing skills as the bands proudly displaying their chops. It’s enough to drive Norwegian blood through your veins.
If you still have pent-up energy after listening to the music, there’s a bike ride to help you displace your excess energy. The Viking Tour is designed to accommodate most riders. Choose from a relaxing 15-mile ride to an extensive 58-mile ride that covers 4,000 feet of climbing. A middle-of-the-road ride covers 31 miles and is fairly flat.
In addition to music, carnivals and bike riding, there are strong man competitions that bring out the beast in everyone, and the crowning of the royal court. Other events include a marathon for the whole family.
More information on Viking Fest can be found at. http://www.vikingfest.org/
Whaling Days – Silverdale
Mark your calendar for three days in July. That’s when Silverdale hosts their annual Silverdale Whaling Days Festival.
This community event dates back to 1974 and is free to the public with an emphasis on being family-friendly. It features a family fun area where kids are the creators. Combining hands-on learning with excitement is a great way to get kids interested in robotics, electronics and computing. Kitsap CREATE gives kids a chance to see real robots in action while stimulating their curiosity about how things work.
The adults can enjoy the beer garden while the kids create robots.
The entertainment starts on Friday night and runs through to the close of the festival on Sunday.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a festival without racing. Bicycle and foot racing are featured parts of this festival.
Check the website for more information on times, dates, entertainment and parking at https://whalingdays.com/
All profits go back to the community and will help with future scholarships.
Summerfest – Kirkland
Competing with the Whaling Days Festival in July is the Kirkland Summerfest where wine tasting is the star of the show. Enjoy a day of tasting wines or sampling beers while reveling in the sounds of live music resonating over the water. Boasting over 70 wines, there is sure to be a sample for the most discerning sommelier.
Not a fan of wine? No problem, sign up for the Sails and Ales event where you can explore tropical treasures and avoid the forbidden tiki. Part scavenger hunt, part beer tasting and mostly good fun, this beer fest combines all of the laid-back fun of the tropics with the great tasting brews of the PNW. It includes live entertainment; grass skirts are optional.
If you have a favorite brewery or winery, this is the must-do festival to show them your undying support.
Looking for the musical lineup? Click here to see the entertainment schedule. https://kirklandsummerfest.com/
Blackberry Festival – Bremerton
Who doesn’t love blackberries? In pie. In jam. In ice cream. In wine; all things blackberry is at the core of this fest every fall in downtown Bremerton. Also, you’ll find vendors, music and more. All proceeds go back into the community. For more information on the Blackberry Fest and upcoming dates, check out their website at http://www.blackberryfestival.org/
Get Your Car Ready for Warm Weather
Just because you’re anxious to get from winter to warm weather, doesn’t mean you can run out of the house without ensuring that your vehicle is ready for the new season. Here are some things you should do or have done before taking to the roads.
Check the belts, hoses and lines for winter damage
Belts and hoses are susceptible to heating up in the summer, but did you know that extreme temperatures can cause them to break? When you’re driving, the belts and hoses get hot, but when you stop, the cold winter air causes a quick cooldown that can be detrimental to them. Check them for cracks and leaks.
Do an oil change if your car has been sitting for a long period
Oil changes are usually determined by how many miles you drive or how many months between changes. If your vehicle has been garaged all winter, do an oil and filter change before you head out on any long trip. Oil gets sluggish in the cold weather, and it can be hard on your engine.
Tire Pressure Check
Make sure that your tires are up to warm weather driving. Underinflated tires cause the inside and outside edges to wear faster because the center is bowed in. Uneven wear means you’ll need new tires faster than if they’re properly inflated. If your tire pressure or TMPS light is on, come see us. We’ll get your tires ready for all the festival hopping you want.
Check Your Fluids
All fluid levels should be checked as you get ready to go into warmer weather, including your antifreeze. Unless you have a sealed transmission, most fluids are easy to check. If you have the owner’s manual, it will tell you where and how to check the fluids. Don’t forget the brake and windshield wiper fluids, too.
Here at Kitsap Auto Outlet, we know your time is very valuable, so if you would like our ASE Certified technicians to perform these and other safety checks for you, give us a call or make an appointment online.
Our service department wants you to go out and enjoy all of the festivals this year, so get your vehicle ready and hit the road.