The weather may remain hit or miss in Bremerton, but the calendar says it’s summer. This summer’s calendar is chocked full of the best events this city has to offer throughout the year. Many city events are the end result of hours of time and commitment from local business owners and involved residents.

If you missed it, this past weekend was the Chris Craft boat rendezvous at the Port Orchard Marina.

These boats are restored and polished floating palaces of history that were beautifully crafted in another time. Many of the boats were open for visits during various times of the day. Jason and I had a great time strolling down the dock taking it all in. Be sure to mark it on your calendar for next year.

This coming weekend is the 2nd annual Bremerton Brewfest – a fantastic-time event last year. It was packed, the weather was perfect and most people still managed to have fun standing in some rather long lines for nearly every single booth. The first time any group or organization does something new, it’s always an experience and an opportunity to learn and improve. I am excited to see what those improvements are this year. Come downtown, have some fun, but be responsible in your consumption and please do not drink and drive.

Another event this weekend is the Manette Edible Gardens and Tour de Coop 2012, organized by the Manette Neighborhood Coalition. I have to hand it to Manette, they have really set the bar and the pace at which many of the other and more recently added Bremerton neighborhood groups base their own activities and involvements on.

For this event, 11 unique organic gardens will be opened up by their owners for public tours, which include examples of techniques and methods for growing food in urban spaces. The group of people behind the program have become very successful at urban farming. A map of the event is available on the group’s Facebook page that includes additional information regarding tour times and options.

Returning in August is the Union Hill Block Party held each year on Veneta Avenue between 11th and 8th Streets. With great neighborhood pride, I have watched this event grow during the past couple of years. Food, music, vendors, a car show and kid’s games and activities including the opportunity to get wet on a hot summer day.

If everything goes as planned with the crosstown pipeline project, we may be able to celebrate the completion of the project and the re-opening of 11th Street to traffic at the Union Hill Block Party. Community fingers are crossed that this wish will come true.

Don’t let this summer pass you by without attending some of the local events that are happening all over Bremerton and the surrounding Kitsap County area. Celebrate and embrace the great things that your community and fellow citizens have to offer.