The Bay Street Playhouse (820 Bay St., 360/876-6610) is home to the Performing Arts Guild of South Kitsap, a group that puts on plays, musicals, and children’s shows throughout the year.

Port Orchard’s most peculiar event is the Seagull Calling Contest, held on the Saturday before Easter. Contestants in goofy costumes attempt to see who can call in the most gulls.

The Fathoms O' Fun Carnival—Port Orchard’s premier summer festival and one of the state’s oldest—is held from the last Saturday in June through the 4th of July. Highlights include a big parade, carnival, fun run, fireworks, and various contests.

Then comes the Chris Craft Rendezvous, which attracts more than a hundred vintage boats in mid-July.

The Peninsula Jazz Festival (360/846-1979) is a two-day event at the end of July.

The Cruz comes to Port Orchard on the first Sunday of August, and Bay Street is closed off to display more than 1,000 custom cars and hot rods, plus juried arts and crafts, food booths, live music, dancing, and games.