While now known for being a tourist destination, the town of Coupeville was once a transfer point for goods heading north to Alaska.

To recognize that tradition, vintage steamships and other antique vessels will be on display in Penn Cove as part of WharfFest, which takes place June 28 and 29 in historic downtown Coupeville.

“We’re really excited we have four, possibly five, steamships coming down,” said Mary Alice Sterling of the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association. She added that the owners really have a passion for maintaining the vintage vessels.

“The boilers are just fabulous to look at,” Sterling said of the steamships.

She said the festival is a way to celebrate Coupeville’s seafaring history. The Coupeville Wharf, which was built in 1905, is the longest continually-active wharf in the state. She said that Coupeville, during the early 20th Century, was a commerce hub for grain and other goods bound for Alaska during its gold rush days.

In addition to the steamships, there will also be a vintage tugboat, an antique fire boat, and the Colin Archer, a vintage sailboat coming out of Oak Harbor.

The Colin Archer is owned by Coupeville resident Bob Beegle, who purchased the vessel in 1993 and restored it. It’s presently moored at the Oak Harbor Marina.

Rick Castellano, director of the Island County Historical Society, said the event is designed as a family-friendly, maritime festival, that kicks off the summer season.

WharfFest takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

In addition to the vintage ships, there will be a host of other activities festival goers will enjoy over the weekend.

The museum, located on Alexander Street next to the Coupeville Wharf, will be open to the public with admission by donation. It will feature model ships and antique sailing and navigation tools.

There will also be a collection of works created by the late Don McCune, known as Captain Puget, whose TV show aired from 1957 to 1966. He was also the narrator and writer for Exploration Northwest that appeared on KOMO TV for 21 years.

“The Captain Puget Show was different from the other children’s shows of that era,” said Linda McCune, Don’s widow and director off the Don McCune Library. “KOMO TV wanted Captain Puget to educate the children as well as entertain them.”

There will be bands of pirates roving the streets of downtown and performances by an old fashioned brass band.

Children will enjoy face painting and a variety of other activities in the Coupeville Recreation Hall parking lot. Vintage cars will be parked next to the children’s activities and hay rides will take place between downtown Coupeville and the Farmers Market that takes place Saturday. An art show is also scheduled to take place in the Coupeville Recreation Hall.

While now known for being a tourist destination, the town of Coupeville was once a transfer point for goods heading north to Alaska.

To recognize that tradition, vintage steamships and other antique vessels will be on display in Penn Cove as part of WharfFest, which takes place June 28 and 29 in historic downtown Coupeville.

“We’re really excited we have four, possibly five, steamships coming down,” said Mary Alice Sterling of the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association. She added that the owners really have a passion for maintaining the vintage vessels.

“The boilers are just fabulous to look at,” Sterling said of the steamships.

She said the festival is a way to celebrate Coupeville’s seafaring history. The Coupeville Wharf, which was built in 1905, is the longest continually-active wharf in the state. She said that Coupeville, during the early 20th Century, was a commerce hub for grain and other goods bound for Alaska during its gold rush days.

In addition to the steamships, there will also be a vintage tugboat, an antique fire boat, and the Colin Archer, a vintage sailboat coming out of Oak Harbor.

The Colin Archer is owned by Coupeville resident Bob Beegle, who purchased the vessel in 1993 and restored it. It’s presently moored at the Oak Harbor Marina.

Rick Castellano, director of the Island County Historical Society, said the event is designed as a family-friendly, maritime festival, that kicks off the summer season.

WharfFest takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

In addition to the vintage ships, there will be a host of other activities festival goers will enjoy over the weekend.

The museum, located on Alexander Street next to the Coupeville Wharf, will be open to the public with admission by donation. It will feature model ships and antique sailing and navigation tools.

There will also be a collection of works created by the late Don McCune, known as Captain Puget, whose TV show aired from 1957 to 1966. He was also the narrator and writer for Exploration Northwest that appeared on KOMO TV for 21 years.

“The Captain Puget Show was different from the other children’s shows of that era,” said Linda McCune, Don’s widow and director off the Don McCune Library. “KOMO TV wanted Captain Puget to educate the children as well as entertain them.”

There will be bands of pirates roving the streets of downtown and performances by an old fashioned brass band.

Children will enjoy face painting and a variety of other activities in the Coupeville Recreation Hall parking lot. Vintage cars will be parked next to the children’s activities and hay rides will take place between downtown Coupeville and the Farmers Market that takes place Saturday. An art show is also scheduled to take place in the Coupeville Recreation Hall.