Fidalgo Island Rotary has two fundraisers a year, one of which is the Shipwreck Festival. The event technically starts at 8 am, but there are usually some businesses and booths that get started right at first light, just like the old time fishermen used to. This year was no different. We were setting up at 4 a.m. and the first shoppers showed up at 4:45 a.m. even though it officially starts at 8.
Although everyone in the club helps makes this event happen, leading the effort is Val Tibbetts. She works tirelessly to ensure a successful event. She works with the vendors to get them signed up and ready to participate. She organizes the participation and duties of FIR club members to set the event up, support it and take it down.
The event started forty years ago when our commercial fishermen sold their used gear as yard art on Commercial Ave. "Shipwreck" has evolved into a massive community garage sale including flea market and antique vendors.
This event features over 200 vendors set up in booths along Commercial Ave.; each booth brings something new and usually very eclectic, and you are sure to find something that you can’t live without.
Lots more pictures here: 2023 Shipwreck Festival
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