The Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce and the town of Coupeville will hold a community celebration Thursday, June 30, in honor of the newest Washington state ferry, the Salish.

The event will take place at 11 a.m. on the car deck of the Salish, which will be in the second slip at the Port Townsend ferry dock.

Those interested in attending the celebration are invited to join the regular sailing of the Chetzemoka, which will leave Coupeville at 10:15 a.m.; walk on passengers will ride for free and availability is on a first come, first served basis.

The celebration will include remarks from dignitaries, followed by a tribal ceremony, an open house and a birthday cake celebrating the 60th birthday of the state ferry system.

The event is scheduled to end at 1 p.m. and the return trip on board the Chetzemoka will once again be free for walk on passengers on a first-come, first-served basis.

State ferry officials are hoping to have the Salish in service for the Fourth of July weekend, although they are making no guarantees. Once the 64-car Salish is operational, it will be the first time since 2007 there will be once again be two ferries running between Coupeville and Port Townsend.