When you think of summer events in Kitsap County, two things come to mind: the Kitsap County Fair and Stampede (first held 1923), and Whaling Days Festival (inaugurated in 1974).

The origin of the fair seems somewhat intuitive, given that the same kinds of events are held all over the country, every year, and in similar fashion.

But Whaling Days? Where did that come from? Did Silverdale have a historic connection to whaling? Research says no.

Brenda Kelley, Whaling Days board of directors treasurer, provided some answers.

Just prior to 1974, several local event organizers decided to combine efforts to put on a single, consolidated, charitable and community event. In doing so, they solicited suggestions for the name.

Connie Cummings (Kelley’s grandmother) submitted “Whaling Days,” inspired by Silver Whale Furniture, her business on what is now Silverdale Way. Kelley has memories of being on the store’s float as a child.

Kelley shared some other tidbits, too.

The board expects to collect around $150,000 in revenue, after having a couple of down years due to flooding, and, of course, COVID. Money from the nonprofit goes to pay to put the event on, to local organizations like the Boy Scouts and charitable contributions.

The future of the event looks bright as for its 50th anniversary, the board intends to grow the event. Their hope is that increasing the size of the event will create more opportunities to provide philanthropic support to the community.

The 49th annual was held in Silverdale last weekend with the opening of the street vending booths, several food vendors, and one of the largest fireworks shows the event has ever put on.

Saturday’s itinerary followed with A Whale of a Run starting at the Kitsap Mall, and the traditional Kiwanis Parade. Sunday started bright and early with another run, the Dyes Inlet Dash, and also hosted a cornhole tournament, in the 21+ Beer and Wine Garden.

Over the weekend the Main Stage hosted nine musical acts, such as Sweet Justice Band, playing a range of styles. The east end of the park was arranged as a Family Stage/Fun Area where multiple kid-friendly acts performed.

One of the signature Whaling Days events, the Silverdale Rotary Duck Race, was held Sunday afternoon. Crowds lined the waterfront to watch as roughly two cubic yards of small, very yellow, rubber ducks were dumped over the side of a Suquamish Seafoods vessel (from a custom-made holding pen built decades ago for the purpose). The ducks rode the tide into a small chute, forcing them into a singe-file, to be counted as the winning floaters.

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Nice weather led to a well-attended Whaling Days in Silverdale last weekend.

Many of the Whaling Days participants enjoyed playing cornhole.

Music by the water was a feature of this year’s Whaling Days in Silverdale.

Any time there is music there is bound to be a few people dancing.

Kids activities like a fish pond for prizes were another popular attraction at Whaling Days.