FJORDIN CROSSIN | JUNE 13

Fjordin Crossin embraces an old world Scandinavian tradition of the spirit “aquavit”, with a series of unique events at the beach in Hoodsport, WA – a nordic parade, a barrel crossing, a family-friendly paddle race, drinks, vendors and food and, after the tide pushes the celebration back to the shore, the after-party continues on the streets of Hoodsport.

When explorer George Vancouver charted the area in 1792, he mistakenly labeled it a canal. What he had actually encountered was something far rarer: the only true fjord in the contiguous United States. Carved by glaciers thousands of years ago, Hood Canal plunges to depths exceeding 600' in places, its steep forested walls and saltwater currents giving it the same geological features as the famed fjords of Norway and Alaska.

And every summer, the waterfront town of Hoodsport leans into Nordic connection with one of the Pacific Northwest’s most delightfully eccentric celebrations: Fjordin Crossin.

Part kayak festival, part Scandinavian homage, and part small-town beach party, the event has evolved into a beloved tradition where aquavit barrels sail across the fjord, paddlers skim over cold saltwater, and accordion music drifts through town alongside the scent of grilling oysters.

At the center of it all is The Hardware Distillery, the craft distillery founded by Jan and Chuck Morris. Over the lat two decades the distillery has become known for its small-batch spirits crafted with Washington-grown ingredients and glacier-fed water flowing from the nearby Olympic Mountains.

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Seven years ago, inspired by the centuries-old Scandinavian tradition of Linie aquavit — a spirit historically aged during long sea voyages —  Chuck and Jan decided Hood Canal deserved its own version of the ritual. In Norway, barrels of aquavit famously cross the equator and return transformed by months of rolling ocean travel. In Hoodsport, the journey is shorter but no less spirited: a barrel of dill aquavit is ceremoniously launched across Hood Canal from Hoodsport toward Tahuya and back again. What began as a playful nod to Nordic heritage has grown into one of the canal’s signature summer gatherings.Today, Fjordin Crossin transforms Hoodsport’s marina waterfront park into a lively festival layered with Scandinavian flair and Northwest charm.

The centerpiece is the Paddle the Canal Challenge, hosted by Hood Canal Events, where kayakers, paddleboarders, canoes, and small sailboats follow the aquavit barrel across the fjord in a colorful flotilla of non-motorized craft. Some competitors arrive in sleek touring kayaks; others paddle in costume, leaning fully into the event’s Viking spirit.

Participants can bring their own boats or rent kayaks from local outfitter Hood Canal Adventures right at the beach. This year’s timed paddle includes a knit cap for racers, with reasonable early-bird registration rates for families and casual adventurers alike.

But Fjordin Crossin is as much about gathering on shore as it is crossing the water. By late morning, the marina fills with local artisans, oyster vendors, craft booths, and families wandering between beach games and live music. A walking parade heralds the beginning of the ceremonies as fiddlers, accordion players, and participants dressed in Scandinavian attire escort the barrel toward the dock.

the launch

As the barrel begins its symbolic voyage across Hood Canal, spectators line the waterfront cheering paddlers into the water. Nearby, the Aquavit Garden pours cocktails featuring herbaceous aquavit, local wines, and craft beer. The salty air smells faintly of smoked seafood, evergreen forests, and citrus peels crushed into summer drinks.

after-Tide gathering

Eventually, as the tide come in, the celebration shifts inland. The party migrates naturally into Hoodsport where tasting rooms, galleries, breweries, and restaurants keep festivities rolling into the evening. The festival carries the easy authenticity of a community celebrating the place it loves most — equal parts quirky, maritime, and deeply rooted in local identity. And while the aquavit barrel may be symbolic, the pride behind it is not.

For one weekend each year, Hood Canal embraces its identity as America’s hidden fjord — a place where Nordic traditions feel surprisingly at home beneath Douglas firs. In Hoodsport, Fjordin Crossin isn’t simply a festival. It’s a love letter to the fjord itself.

Bluegrass from the Forest celebrates 21 years!

Florida-based Remedy Tree brings an Americana sound rooted in bluegrass, indie folk, and Appalachian old-time traditzions.

Bluegrass From the Forest returns for its 21st year this  summer, bringing another long weekend of high-lonesome harmonies,  campground picking circles, late-night jams, and community celebration to Shelton’s South Mason Youth Soccer Park. What began as a grassroots gathering has become one of the Pacific Northwest’s most beloved bluegrass traditions — equal parts music festival, family reunion, and all-night jam session beneath the fir trees.

Powered entirely by volunteers, the festival raises funds for the philanthropic efforts of Kristmas Town Kiwanis while drawing musicians and fans from across the country to the Hood Canal region. Alongside nationally touring acts, the festival continues its tradition of spotlighting Northwest talent, hands-on workshops, youth programs, open mics, and impromptu collaborations that often become the heart of the weekend.

The 2026 lineup promises a rich mix of tradition and forward-thinking string music. Florida-based Remedy Tree brings an Americana sound rooted in bluegrass, indie folk, and Appalachian old-time traditzions. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Gabriel and Abigail Acevedo, the band has evolved into one of the more distinctive young voices in modern bluegrass. Gabriel’s Puerto Rican heritage and rural Florida upbringing lend the music an outsider’s perspective, while Abigail’s roots in folk and old-time circles anchor the band in tradition. Together with Isaac Taylor and Nathan Beaumont, Remedy Tree delivers emotionally rich songwriting, driving instrumentation, and a fresh vision for where bluegrass can go next.

From North Carolina, Unspoken Tradition channels the spirit of Appalachian storytelling through hard-driving newgrass energy and deeply felt harmonies. Their sound balances nostalgia and momentum, blending reverence for traditional roots music with a contemporary edge that has made them a standout on the national bluegrass scene.

Unspoken Tradition sound balances nostalgia and momentum, blending reverence for traditional roots music with a contemporary edge.

Representing the South Puget Sound and Hood Canal region, Union City Council Band draws from old-time mountain music, blues, jazz, gospel, and folk traditions to create a lively, high-energy bluegrass experience. Featuring Guy Demartino, Greg Linder, Donald Strand, Martin Strand, and Gwendolyn Taylor, the quintet combines virtuosic instrumentation with rich vocal harmonies and a deep appreciation for traditional forms.

Seattle-based Hemlock Revival arrives as one of the Pacific Northwest’s most exciting emerging bluegrass acts. Formed through late-night jam sessions among friends, the six-piece group blends progressive influences from bands like Mighty Poplar and East Nash Grass with the timeless drive of classic bluegrass pioneers. Their dynamic performances and mountain-high harmonies have already earned attention at venues across the region, including Wintergrass showcases.

Like strong traditional bluegrass with an edge to it? Then you'll like Runaway Train Bluegrass! This band is known for tight harmonies and clean pickin'. A Pacific Northwest mainstay, they are the host band for Bluegrass from the Forest festival and they also play an important role in helping to get the festival going every year.

The Host Band for the Saturday Night Country Dance, The Bar-K Buckaroos play traditional western swing dance music in the style of Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. They bring their love of Bluegrass, Country and Swing, Jazz, Blues and Raggae' to form a great evening of western swing and 20-40's era swing music.

Beyond the performances, Bluegrass From the Forest remains deeply rooted in participation and community. The Chick Rose School of Bluegrass returns Saturday morning with an intensive youth workshop led by Stacey Harnew, Jered Wildman, and crew. Designed for kids eager to learn bluegrass music in a supportive setting, the program has become one of the festival’s most cherished traditions.

The popular Band Scramble returns Saturday afternoon, giving attendees the chance to sign up, form impromptu bands, and perform together after just 30 minutes of rehearsal time — often resulting in some of the festival’s most memorable moments. And for those inspired by the campground jams and collaborative spirit of the weekend, the Open Mic offers a welcoming stage for original songs, spontaneous arrangements, and shared musical discoveries.

More than two decades in, Bluegrass From the Forest continues to embody what makes roots music festivals special: world-class musicianship paired with generosity, spontaneity, and a deep sense of belonging. Whether you come for the headline acts, the late-night picking circles, the kids’ programs, or simply the feeling of hearing banjos echo through the trees, the festival remains one of the Pacific Northwest’s most heartfelt summer traditions.

For additional details on band bios, ticket and camping reservations, visit bluegrassfromtheforest.com.

Early Bird ticket pricing is available until June 20.