Annual Bangorfest riding high in the cowboy’s saddle

The word of the day Saturday around Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor is “yee haw” for the annual Bangorfest celebration.

This year’s theme is “Country and Western” and promises to be a great day of entertainment for all, according to Capt. Douglass Biesel, Naval Base Kitsap’s commanding officer.

“Bangorfest is for you, the sailors, Marines, government employees, retirees and especially your families,” Biesel said. “It is another opportunity for us to say ‘thank you’ to our Navy-Marine Corps community for their hard work and dedication to duty. That commitment is demonstrated every day from the deckplates at the waterfront to every person on the base supporting our mission.”

Admission is limited to those with base access and their families. It’s from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the base’s central core area near the Commissary and Exchange.

There’s plenty of entertainment on tap from the country and western sounds of $5 Fine and Kleer Cut, Neveready’s mix of alternative rock and the rock ‘n’ roll sounds of the Navy Band.

Over on the Family Stage are Rick “The Teaching Toymaker” Hartman showing kids of all ages how to make their own toys, Chef Herman from Community Programs firing up the grill at 11 a.m. for a grilled salmon demonstration and, at 12:15 p.m. and 2 p.m., go toe-to-toe with the potbellied “Valentine Performing Pigs.”

There also are pony rides, trackless choo-choo train, happy horse bouncer, mechanical bull, cow milking contest, hayrides, rodeo roper, western shooting gallery, cowboy obstacle, inflatables, a climbing wall and wild west shows. There also are plenty of food vendors and sponsor booths throughout the area.

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