The Anacortes Waterfront Festival, (www.anacortes.org) held at Cap Sante Boat Haven the weekend before Memorial Day each May, celebrates the city’s maritime heritage with a food court and beer garden, craft booths, farmers and seafood markets, boat show and regatta, and art show.

Anacortes, like every other town in America, has a parade and fireworks on the 4th of July. The last weekend in July brings the self-explanatory An-O-Chords Annual Barbershop Concert and Salmon Barbecue (360/293-1282).

The Anacortes Arts and Crafts Festival (360/293-6211, www.anacortesartsfestival.com), held the first weekend of August, attracts more than 50,000 people and includes a juried fine-art show, high-quality arts and crafts booths, a children’s fair, ethnic foods, antique cars, and plenty of live music and entertainment. If you miss this one, shoot for the World’s Largest King Salmon Barbecue on the third weekend of August.

Oyster Run (360/757-1515) on the last weekend of September brings more than 6,000 motorcyclists to Anacortes; it’s a great place for leather lovers. You'll also find stunt motorcyclists, a beer garden, and oysters on the half shell.

Catch the holiday spirit, Puget-sound style: Watch for the annual Lighted Ships of Christmas Boat Parade, held the second Saturday in December.