If you’re a ferry commuter, possibly reading this as the Seattle skyline looms closer, don’t let the cat out of the bag.

Ferry passenger greeter Bill Cowing will be feted Jan. 28 at Sing Out!, a daylong event on Bainbridge Island honoring the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., featuring the Total Experience Gospel Choir from Seattle.

Organizer Jerry Elfendahl said Cowing has accepted an invitation to attend the day of singing, but doesn’t know he’s the guest of honor.

Cowing is the friendly Washington State Ferries worker whose official job is to raise and lower the ramp on the passenger walkway at the Coleman dock, but to thousands of ferry riders he is a daily dose of sunshine, greeting each and every passenger with a heartfelt “Good morning” or “How are you?”

Regular riders have developed closer ties to Cowing, and are greeted with handshakes or hugs.

As he told a Seattle reporter: “You forget your own problems for a while when you’re friendly,” he said. “I may make their day, but they may make mine, too.”

“Bill’s touched so many lives,” Elfendahl said. He noted that one day when Cowing was absent from his post the ferry captain announced over the public address system that Cowing was OK, and would be back the next day.

This is the sixth time the Sing Out! celebration has been held on Bainbridge — last year’s event was canceled at the last minute when choir leader Pat Wright fell ill.

Drummer Simone LaDrumma, from Seattle, will signal the start of each portion of the day with African, Cuban and American rhythms.

“She’s too humble to be called a master drummer, but I would call her that,” Elfendahl said.

Wright has led the Total Experience Gospel Choir since its inception 32 years ago. The group has toured worldwide, was the first African-American choir to sing in the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, and performed for Pres. Bill Clinton in Seattle in 1996.

The choir recently celebrated its 32nd anniversary with the release of a double CD, “Total Experience Gospel Choir Sings Old School with Joy!”

The day begins with a choir workshop at 1 p.m., followed by a soul food dinner at 5 p.m. and an evening concert at 7 p.m. with the Total Experience Gospel Choir and the MLK Memorial Choir, consisting of singers from the afternoon workshop.

Sing Out! takes place Jan. 28 at the Filipino-American Community Hall, 7566 High School Rd., Bainbridge Island.

The 1 p.m. workshop is open to singers age 10 and older, and ticket sales will be limited to 100. No prior experience or music reading skill is needed.

Tickets are $30 adults, $20 students to age 17, for the workshop, dinner and concert package; $12 all ages for the dinner only; and $12 adults, $6 students for the concert. Dinner or combination tickets must be purchased by 6 p.m. Jan. 25 so organizers know how much food to buy.

Advance tickets are available at Winslow Drugs or by phone at (206) 842-2200. wu