SAMANTHA THUMMA SMITH LOOKS FOR the day that Port Orchard is a destination for exciting and memorable events. This isn’t just a dream; she’s been working towards it for years, running shops and events that create gathering places for the community.
Growing up in Port Orchard, Sam Thumma found there wasn’t really a lot to do. Hanging out with friends on the dock, going bowling or skating were about it. So, during her junior and senior high school years, she organized “Back to School Bash” youth events. She remembers the first brought 25,000 people to a free concert at South Kitsap High School. The next raised $45K… which went to pay for the first event!
Last February, Sam filled the Kitsap Fairgrounds with The Found Market, an annual two-day sale of eclectic vintage and artisan items. She also started Port Orchard’s Night Market, a popular summer months’ waterfront market of local artisans, food, music and other stuff to do. That passion combined with her love for local history led to envisioning this summer’s inaugural Mosquito Fleet Fest which featured rides aboard the Virginia V and Carlisle II, the last remaining ferry vessels from Washington’s early 1900’s ‘Mosquito Fleet.’ And Sam said she wants to go bigger next year.
Heads up! In 2025 there will be two days of the fest, with more water activities and more of just about everything. But for the last several months, Sam has been focusing on Port Orchard’s new ‘Holiday On The Bay’ celebration, happening December 7th, which replaces the former ‘Chimes and Lights’ festival.
Last year, between City Hall renovations and Bay Street area reconstruction, the discombobulated celebration disappointed pretty much everyone. Mayor Ron Putaansuu declared, “The city is not an event planner.” The city would support, but not run, the event.
In the past, the Port Orchard Bay Street Association (of which Sam is a board member) contributed to holiday festivities, but this year with plenty of big ideas from Sam, they knew they needed help. They formed a coalition with government, businesses and business organizations, service clubs, schools, social clubs and have signed up as many volunteers as they could catch.
It’s should be BIG. How big?
Port Orchard’s Bay Street will be shut down starting at 2pm. (Insider’s note: since Bay Street is a State of Washington route, that ain’t easy to do!) There will be a parade which will include the traditional pets, dancers, bands, car clubs, and Santa in a convertible. There will be musical performances on a large stage. A holiday market. Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Whoville karaoke? A community sing-along? An elf scavenger hunt?? Hot drinks and snacks. Heated areas to sit. Decorated trees and shop windows. A gingerbread house village. Brand new lights up and down Bay. A shuttle running from parking at Port Orchard Ford to the Totem. And of course, the tree lighting… Alright!
Surprisingly, Sam is heading up all of this in her spare time. She is the owner of three downtown Port Orchard businesses: Revival, Josephine’s and Merchant Coffee (inside Jo’s). These stores carry unique, high-quality housewares, clothing, and new and vintage gifts. Revival hosts occasional craft workshops.
The Mercantile coffee shop has an excellent baker (whose scones are really tender, btw.)
At the heart everything is Sam’s family. Her store is named after her grandma Josephine, whose house of vintage treasures motivated her to start a business with her husband’s support. Sam’s mom is involved with the store. And Sam’s quest to build community events is driven by her daughter, for whom she hopes to make Port Orchard a place worth coming home to… wherever her daughter should roam. // LORI BIER
CHECK OUT ‘HOLIDAY BY THE BAY’ 3-8 p.m. Dec. 7 on Bay Street in Port Orchard. Find a full schedule and list of events at pobsa.com/holiday-on-the-bay
AND CHECK OUT SAM’S SHOPS Josephine’s Mercantile and Revival, also on Bay Street, open every day. More at josephinesmerc.com, revivalpnw.com and on the socials.
