A new event planned in September will combine Coupeville’s maritime, musical and artistic heritage.

The historic town will make room for all sorts of sea-faring vessels, artists’ works and musical groups as part of the first Art of the Boat festival on Sept. 14.

Organizer Claire Acord said she got the idea while attending the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival, where she had designed art for the event’s promotional poster. She thought Coupeville should have something similar.

She described Art of the Boat as a combination art, boat and music festival.

Boats will be scattered at businesses and organizations throughout Coupeville. Artists, authors, musical groups and solo acts will be placed alongside  boats throughout the course of the festival.

Acord started organizing the art event in March. She rounded up sponsors and looked for artists and musicians.

Her efforts paid off and she held a kickoff party July 11 at Ryan and Friends Fine Art located at the corner of Front and Center streets.

“The community response has been phenomenal,” Acord said.

Art of the Boat is the newest festival for Central Whidbey Island. It comes a month after the Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival and a month before Coupeville’s Harvest Festival.

For more information about Art of the Boat, go to www.coupevilleartoftheboat.blogspot.com