Community Newsletter
May 2026
| | Chamber Events & Programs | | |
Visit Bainbridge Island Launches
New Official App
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Visit Bainbridge Island is pleased to announce
the launch of a new app on June 1st
Explore Bainbridge Island
Explore Bainbridge Island is a free web app that helps visitors plan their trip, find where to eat and shop, get around on local transit, and discover what makes Bainbridge so worth the ferry ride. No download required, just open and go!
Call for Volunteers!
Before we launch June 1, we're looking for a handful of local Island experts to help us kick the tires. Join us over Memorial Day weekend (5/22-25) for a brief orientation, then play Tourist in Our Own Town as we put the app through its final paces. It's a fun way to see your own community through fresh eyes and make sure our summer visitors get the real Bainbridge experience.
Interested? Contact Director of Tourism Justin Reichman at:
visitbainbridge@bainbridgechamber.com
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Cranes for Peace Project Continues
Join the Chamber in a Community Art Project for Peace
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In partnership with Asian Arts & Heritage Festival, Sonoji Sakai Elementary School, and the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association
Thank you to everyone in the community and visitors from abroad who have stopped by the Chamber to help us fold 1,000 paper cranes! It has been incredible to see so many faces and hear so many compelling stories about all of your connections to Senbazuru, the art of folding 1,000 paper cranes. We are still working towards our goal, so if you need a break from your work or are taking a stroll down Winslow, stop by the Chamber office for a visit. We’ll have origami paper, folding instructions and an open invitation to fold a paper crane (or two, or ten) for the collection. 5th and 6th grade students from Sakai will be contributing several hundred cranes to the project, and folding tables will also be available to visitors at the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial when the weather allows.
The cranes will be displayed at the Chamber as part of the island-wide Asian Arts & Heritage Festival in May and donated to the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial following this summer’s renovation and expansion. We look forward to promoting peace, sharing beauty and honoring the community together.
| | See You at the Grand Old Fourth! | | Parade, Street Fair, Family Fun Zone, & Car Show | | |
The Grand Old Fourth of July festival is a beloved Bainbridge Island tradition dating back almost 60 years. It is the largest single-day event on the Island, drawing more than 15,000 attendees each year. The Bainbridge Chamber hosts and produces the Grand Old Fourth every year, thanks to logistical support from the City of Bainbridge Island, personnel support from 75+ community volunteers, and financial support from our generous local sponsors. All your favorite events for 2026 - Pancake Breakfast, Classic Car Show, Street Fair, Family Fun Zone, Pie Eating Contest, Mile-Long Parade, and MORE. Don't forget to register your business, nonprofit or community organization early to ensure you don't miss the fun.
Interested in volunteering for the big event? Yes, please!
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| STARS AND STRIPES TIE DYE EVENT | | |
The Bainbridge Chamber and Licensing Office will be
closed on Monday, May 25th for Memorial Day
| | Renew Your Boat Registrations! | | |
Boat Registration is Coming Up!
Got a boat?
Get ahead of the lines by renewing your boat registrations TODAY!
Boat registrations officially expire:
June 30th 2026
Visit DOL.WA.gov to get started.
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Vehicle Licensing Desk
Tuesday - Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Closed Mondays*
- Vehicle Registration & Renewals (also an online service)
- Pick up your online renewals (available next business day)
- Title Transfers
- Replacement Titles
- Name Changes & other administrative updates
- New Vehicle Registration
- Specialty License Plates
- Disabled Placards and License Plates
When renewing online, make sure to choose "Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce" Online renewals can be picked up next business day
from the Bainbridge Chamber office or mailed directly to your home.
*Note* Monday pick up is available for renewals completed by 4:00pm the previous Friday.
Visit DOL.WA.gov to get started.
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BECU is now open on Bainbridge Island!
Bainbridge Island has a new neighbor! Local Washington credit union BECU recently
opened its newest Neighborhood Financial Center (NFC) right here on Bainbridge.
The Bainbridge Island NFC brings a team of friendly and knowledgeable member
consultants who are ready to help with financial needs big and small. Members can also
schedule appointments with specialists in business services, mortgages, investments,
and trust advising.
As a not-for-profit credit union, BECU returns profits to its members in the form of great
rates, few fees, and a multitude of financial services. This includes unique benefits such
as free, personalized Financial Health Checks, member-only discounts, and more.
For BECU, opening on Bainbridge Island is also about deepening its longtime
commitment to community. With more than 90 years of history in the region, BECU has
a strong focus on giving back to the communities it serves. Just last year, BECU
invested $8.1 million in nonprofits working to advance financial well-being. Here on
Bainbridge, the credit union is proud to partner with organizations like Helpline House
who are providing vital services to neighbors in need.
Not a BECU member? Anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Washington is
eligible for membership. Come see what the credit union difference is all about at BECU
Bainbridge Island at 275 High School Road Northeast, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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What started as a home for a family and a dream, became a space for people to grow and connect with the beauty of the land on Bainbridge Island. Shortly after moving into the space, the Shou family opened up Joyland Farm. This farm is a space where people of all experiences and all abilities congregate to work side by side and share their strengths. It is more than a place; it is a living, breathing component of the community full of orchards and herb gardens. Joyland Farm strives to be the bridge that connects resources, training, and real-world-employment to people across an array of neurodiverse and disability experiences. One way they do this is through their Joylander Program.
The Joylander Program
The Joylander Program provides a transitional space from schooling to the workforce for young adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. Through hands-on experience and mentorship, and unique workshops Joylanders have the opportunity to grow, find their strengths, and feel confident about future employment.
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Bainbridge Play Cafe
Grand Opening on May 2nd
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The moment you’ve all been waiting for has arrived! Bainbridge Play Cafe opens officially on May 2nd! Play reservations open on May 1st at 12:00pm, and the cafe opens from 7:00am to 4:00pm.
Follow Bainbridge Play Cafe on Instagram for more information and visit their website!
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Looking Glass Chiropractic
New Bainbridge Location Opens with an
Open House & Ribbon Cutting Celebration
| | Looking Glass Chiropractic (LGC) opened its second location on Bainbridge Island in April, and is now ready to celebrate with the Bainbridge Community! On May 6th, LGC is hosting an open house and ribbon cutting event full of fun. Join LGC and Bainbridge Chamber staff in welcoming the growing doctor team with fun activities and open tours for everyone to enjoy. | | | |
Bainbridge Brewing
Earlier Hours for the Spring Sunshine
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The sun is making its return for the Spring season and so is Bainbridge Brewing’s earlier hours! The Alehouse on Winslow Way will open on Fridays at 12:00pm throughout the Spring and Summer months. Stop by to enjoy some sun while sipping local beer on their beautiful patio space! Pets are welcome on the patio space!
Photos starring the lovely Bainbridge Brewing staff member, Kotomi, and her beautiful dog, Koji!
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Fletcher Bay Winery
Rooftop Wine Garden Opens for the Spring Season
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Fletcher Bay Winery’s rooftop space on Winslow opens May 1st!
Stop by to enjoy the warm sunshine on their beautiful patio with a view of Eagle Harbor and Winslow Way. Check their website to see the music line up for the sunshine seasons!
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Exotic Aquatics Scuba & Kayaking
Kayak Rentals Open for the Season on May 5th!
| | With the sun shining down on Bainbridge more and more, it’s time to get out on the water and explore! Exotic Aquatics will be opening their kayak rentals for the sunshine seasons on May 5th. Starting this weekend, they will be open for limited hours on weekends only until May 5th arrives. See you out on the water! | | | |
Eleven Winery
Eleven Winery Opens a New Location in Bremerton
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Eleven Winery expanded its reach across Kitsap County! Congratulations to their team on opening a new location, the Manette Wine Bar, in Bremerton. This new location brings the full Bainbridge Eleven Winery experience with their full wine lineup. Additionally, this new location had small bites, such as a build-your-own charcuterie board. If you’re in Bremerton, stop on by to give them a warm welcome to their new home!
Location
2204 East 11th Street, Bremerton, WA 98310
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Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA)
BRAVA Award Applications are NOW OPEN!
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Applications are now open for the 2026 BRAVA Awards!
The BIMA Recognizes Achievement in the Visual Arts (BRAVA) Awards honor four exceptional contemporary artists, craftspeople, or makers whose work demonstrates artistic excellence, technical mastery, and meaningful contributions to the arts community. The awards will be presented in four categories, recognizing individual achievement and the broader impact these artists have had on the arts landscape. Each artist selected in one of four categories will receive an unrestricted award of $15,000, and recognition of their achievement through a short video, promotion, and live award program.
The awards are designed to make a direct and significant difference in the lives of contemporary working artists and craftspeople, as well as a lasting impact on the arts landscape of our region and beyond.
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Bainbridge Island School District
New Bainbridge High School President Selected
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The Bainbridge Island School District Board announced April 3 that Dan Novick has been selected as the next principal of Bainbridge High School (BHS). Novick’s extensive history working in the education system includes 16 years as a high school teacher, 13 years in secondary administration, a strategist for AVID, and more.
Novkick officially starts as acting principal of BHS on July 1, 2026.
| | Photo from Bainbridge Island Review | | Non Profit News & Resources | | |
Arts & Humanities Bainbridge & Bainbridge Creative District
The 3rd Annual Asian Arts & Heritage Festival
Call for Volunteers & Sponsors
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The Asian Arts and Heritage Festival and Arts & Humanities Bainbridge would like to invite businesses on Bainbridge Island to participate in our month-long festival as we celebrate Asian American Hawaiian Pacific Islander month-May!
AAHF & AHB are looking for sponsors in the form of gift cards or in kind donations for their event raffle, or just participation in offering something Asian-themed for the month that they can promote on their website to send festival event attendees to your businesses.
They are also always looking for volunteers and the opportunity to promote their events with flyers in windows and word of mouth to customers.
In partnership with the chamber we hope all will participate in folding paper cranes for peace that will be displayed at the chamber, the exclusion memorial and at the Asian Arts & Heritage Festival May 31st at Waterfront Park 11-5.
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Bainbridge History Museum
New Exhibit: Dearly Departed, Opens in May!
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Bainbridge History Museum’s newest exhibit explores life, illness, and death on Bainbridge Island between 1900 and 1950. From discussion of early pioneer doctors to the establishment of clinics and medical plans, Dearly Departed documents 50 years of changing conditions on our Island that affected residents throughout their lives.
The exhibit opens May 14th from 5:00pm to 6:30pm
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Marge Williams Center Celebrates its
Quarter-Century Anniversary
| | Image source: Marge Williams Center Facebook page | | |
On May 16th, 2026, the Marge Williams Center, a place many nonprofits have called home over the past quarter-century, will celebrate its 25th anniversary with an open house event. All community members and past nonprofit tenants are invited to attend the celebration, which will include brief acknowledgements, displays and refreshments.

When: May 16th, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Where: Marge Williams Center
221 Winslow Way W.
Read more about the Marge William Center on page 50 of Tideland Magazine Spring 2026 Issue and visit their website to learn more!
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Local Community &
Government News
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City of Bainbridge Island & Bainbridge Public Library
B.I. Reads: Help Us Select the 2026 Read
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BI Reads is back and it’s time to VOTE! Today is the LAST DAY! Voting ends on APRIL 30th. Help choose Bainbridge Island’s 2026 community read!
Since 2022, BI Reads has brought our community together through one shared story sparking conversation, connection, and a love of reading across Bainbridge Island. In partnership with Bainbridge Public Library.
This year’s finalists are in:
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Rights Remembered by Pauline R. Hillaire
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Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot
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Storybook Ending by Moira McDonald
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Little Island Artisan Gifts
2026 is the 55th Anniversary of Frog Rock
Let’s Celebrate!
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Meet and greet the “rock stars” of Frog Rock, artists Bob and Ellen Green, who created the beloved icon in 1971, at Island Life Artisan Gifts—the home of official Frog Rock merchandise.
During the First Friday Art Walk, the Greens will be at the shop to chat, share stories, and even autograph your merchandise, whether vintage or brand new from the shop. Drop in for a ribbiting time!
When: May 1st, from 5:00pm -7:00pm
Where: Island Life Artisan Gifts, 488 Winslow Way E
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Bainbridge Arts & Crafts
Annual School Shows
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Bainbridge Arts & Crafts is proud to present its annual showcase of Bainbridge Island student art. We're thrilled to celebrate the creative spirit of our local student community, and we hope you'll join us to experience the inspiring work featured in this year's exhibition.
Middle Schools Opening Reception
When: First Friday Artwalk
May 1st, 4:30 pm - closing
Where: Bainbridge Arts and Crafts on Winslow
High School Opening Reception
When: May 28th 4:30pm - closing
Where: Bainbridge Arts and Crafts on Winslow
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Bainbridge Parks & Recreation
2026 Spring Carnvial
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Bainbridge Island Parks & Recreation presents a new special event filled with fun for all ages. At the Spring Carnival, you can learn circus tricks from Cirque Cadia, enjoy live music from our mobile stage, participate in Rec Program demonstrations, visit a petting zoo, and eat from local food vendors. Bring the whole family and welcome the return of spring with a day of entertainment, play, and community fun!
This event is FREE to attend!
When: May 2nd, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Where: North End of Battle Point Park
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Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (BARN)
Spring Bazaar
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It’s the heart of the Spring season, which means BARN’s Spring Bazaar is just around the corner! On May 2nd, join community members at BARN to embrace the opportunity to connect and buy directly from local artisans showcasing their creations. Shop unique items from exquisite jewelry and captivating wood arts to intricate basketry and weaving made by artists at BARN!
When: May 2nd, 10:00am to 3:00pm
Where: BARN
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Bainbridge Arts and Crafts
BAC Sumi Exhibition and Workshop
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Bainbridge Arts & Crafts is participating in the Bainbridge Island Asian Art & Heritage Festival with an exhibition and workshop on the Asian sumi art tradition.
PSSA artist Lois Toshida will teach a free Introduction to Sumi Painting for ages 12 and up in the BAC gallery on Winslow. Materials will be provided.
When: May 9th, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Where: Bainbridge Arts and Crafts
Contact BAC at 206-842-3132 or visit the BAC website to register for this workshop!
Puget Sound Sumi Artists will also exhibit sumi art, both traditional and contemporary, at BAC from May 1 – 31
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Bloedel Reserve
Mother’s Day Celebration
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Join Bloedel Reserve on Mother’s Day for a fun, family-friendly celebration. Bring those who nurture you to stroll the gardens, enjoy local food vendors and live music, visit the Ikebana Open House, build a mason jar bouquet, or browse permanent jewelry and small-batch botanical goods. With nature-inspired crafts and lawn games, it’s a perfect day to spend together
When: May 10th, 9:00am - 6:00pm
Where: Bloedel Reserve
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Arts & Humanities Bainbridge
The 3rd Annual Asian Arts & Heritage Festival
The Asian Monologues
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The Asian Monologues is a show that shares true stories of the Asian American experience, including stories from our Island. Told theatrically with music, visuals and acting and performed by incredible talents as well as people who wrote them.

This event is also a fundraiser for the launch of the Asian Monologues U.S. and global tour. Be a part of history and help local Bainbridge stories from our own Asian community hit stages across the U.S. with your attendance and support!

When: May 10th, from 9:00am - 6:00pm
Where: Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
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Bainbridge History Museum
History Huddle: Crystal Springs Memories
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Join the Bainbridge History Museum to learn about one of the island’s beloved neighborhoods with guest speakers Penny Lamping and Becky Fox Marshall. Hear stories of growing up on Bainbridge Island and life in beautiful Crystal Springs.
When: May 21st, 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Where: Bainbridge History Museum
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Bainbridge History Museum
Island Center Cemetery Cleanup Day
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Help the Bainbridge History Museum restore and care for our community’s history by joining the Island Center Cemetery Cleanup Day. They’ll be clearing debris, cleaning headstones, and ensuring the cemetery remains a respectful resting place.
When: May 23rd, from 10:00am - 12:00pm
Where: Island Center Cemetery
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Sustainable Bainbridge & Rotary Club on Bainbridge Island
Rotary Auction Green Team Open House
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Come learn about the Rotary Auction Green Team: the Lawn of Opportunity, Recycle Team, Mealtime Monitors, Cardboard & Box Team, and the Green Desk. There's a fun fit for everyone!
When: May 28th, from 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Where: Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (BARN)
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Island Volunteer Caregivers
IVC 30th Anniversary Gala
Tickets Available NOW!
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Island Volunteer Caregivers (IVC) invites the Bainbridge community to celebrate 30 years of neighbors helping neighbors through care, connection, and community. Enjoy an evening of fine wine and dining, live music by the Rangers & the "Re-Arrangers", inspirational speakers, bidding on fabulous auction packages, and raising a paddle to support islanders facing aging, disability, and adversity.
Every dollar raised supports IVC’s free, volunteer-powered programs - ensuring no one in our community faces life’s challenges alone.
When: June 4th, 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Where: Kiana Lodge
$175 per gala ticket
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Bainbridge Island Friends of the Library
May Friends of the Library Sales
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Sale of thousands of gently used books, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, and magazines. Sales are at the Bainbridge Public Library and all proceeds support the library. All sales are 12:00pm - 4:00 pm. Cash or check only.
Sunday, May 3rd
Thursday, May 21st
Sunday, May 31st
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Eagle Harbor Congregational Church
Community Dinners & Super Suppers
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Join your fellow community members for a warm and tasty meal! No matter what you’re looking for, everyone is welcome at the table. These meals are offered at no charge and are prepared with care by local volunteers.
FREE/Pay What You Can
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Super Suppers
(5:00pm to 7:00pm)
Eagle Harbor Congregational Church
- Thursday, April 30th
- Monday, May 25th
- Tuesday, May 26th
- Thursday, May 28th
- Friday, May 29th
- Sunday, May 31st
Community Dinners
(6:00pm to 8:00pm)
Eagle Harbor Congregational Church
| | Looking For More events on Bainbridge? | | Want to see a full calendar of upcoming events on Bainbridge Island? Check out CURRENTS by Arts & Humanities Bainbridge and BainbridgeIsland.com for more! | | |
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- Profile in our public-facing online business directory
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- Opportunities hosting monthly networking events
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- Sponsorship opportunities
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