About Us

The Great Peninsula Future Festival has its roots in a Kitsap community workshop last October sponsored by West Sound Conservation Council and led by Larry Seaquist (State Representative from the 26th District). Some 60 Kitsap community leaders gathered to develop a vision for a sustainable Kitsap. Their assignment was to come up with a few workable strategies and to put them into action. Larry has used his innovative CoLab (Community Laboratory) format in workshops around the country and abroad.

Impressed with the level of enthusiasm and interest in sustainability, Kitsap County Commissioner Steve Bauer talked with his sister, Sandra Bauer, an experienced event planner. She was one of the original organizers of the hugely popular Oregon County Fair.

By the end of the conversation, they had come up with the idea of an annual sustainability festival that would bring community leaders, environmental educators, green entrepreneurs and citizens together in a festival atmosphere. They believed that with the right mix of music, entertainment, food, crafts and engaging displays, families would come for the fun and stay to learn. They would take away practical ideas they could apply in their own homes and neighborhoods.

Dozens of Kitsap community leaders soon joined in to form a planning council. Jon Rose of Olympic Property Group generously offered Port Gamble as the host site on a prime summer weekend, August 2-3.

As word has spread, the nonprofit event has taken on a life of its own, attracting major sponsors, exhibitors, vendors and volunteers throughout the region. You can learn more about these opportunities by clicking on such menu titles as Sponsor, Program Partner or Volunteer.