Applications for sponsors, exhibitors and vendors are now being accepted for the second annual Great Peninsula Future Festival, Aug. 1-2 in Port Gamble.

Kitsap County and a coalition of Kitsap community organizations hosts the nonprofit sustainability festival.

Last year’s Future Festival attracted about 5,000 attendees and included more than 110 exhibitors and 38 speakers, including U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Bainbridge Island), State Sen. Phil Rockefeller (D-Bainbridge Island) and State Rep. Larry Seaquist (D-26th District). Dozens of Kitsap businesses and community service organizations sponsored the effort.

The Future Festival mixes headline entertainment, live music and crafts with exhibits, speakers and workshops organized around the theme of sustainability.

“The festival brings citizens together with community leaders, public officials, environmental educators and green entrepreneurs in a festival atmosphere,” said Kitsap County Commissioner Steve Bauer. “We have lots of fun stuff for the kids, including clowns, magic shows, puppet shows, story tellers, jugglers, mask making, Fin the walk-in mobile salmon, and a trash art contest. Folks come for the fun and leave with a better understanding of how we can all help create a more sustainable future for our community.”

The Great Peninsula Future Festival’s roots lie in a 2007 Kitsap community workshop Seaquist led. Some 60 community leaders gathered to brainstorm on ways to achieve a sustainable Kitsap.

The group included two mayors, three state legislators and two Kitsap County commissioners.

Enthusiasm from the workshop spurred the community to think about sustainability in a fun-filled festival atmosphere.

From there, dozens of Kitsap community leaders worked in cohesion to organize the event.

For details on the festival and information on how to participate as a sponsor, exhibitor, vendor or volunteer, visit the Future Festival Web site at www.GreatPeninsulaFutureFestival.org or call (425) 844-2748.