Cedar Cove organizers deserve SK’s gratitude

By now, Port Orchard is more than a day into Cedar Cove Days — and hopefully you’ve noticed.

A lot.

The four-day celebration of best-selling author Debbie Macomber’s fictional town based on Port Orchard is expected to bring hundreds of devotees to town, where it’s assumed they’ll buy souvenirs, dine in local restaurants, stay in hotels and generally give the economy a much-needed boost.

Cedar Cove Days — the brainchild of Port Orchard City Councilman Jerry Childs and Cindy Lucarelli — has been in the works for two years, and by all indications visitors are in for a memorable production.

The weekend includes an old-fashioned sock hop, a car show, a character parade, guided tours and a boat ride with the author herself, among other attractions.

But the town itself will be the star this week.

It remains to be seen whether Cedar Cove Days lives up to expectations, or whether Port Orchard resembles the images readers have conjured up for themselves of its literary alter-ego. But in any case, we think the event’s organizers are due an enormous debt of gratitude from the community.

Where others may be content to curse the economic gods and simply hope things get better, the volunteers of the Cedar Cove Association rolled up their sleeves and managed to create something out of nothing.

In the face of long odds and criticism even from local residents the festival is intended to benefit, Childs, Lucarelli and a determined band of believers plugged away. And this week marks the culmination of their efforts.

From where we sit, it’s a success story that worthy of Macomber herself.

Well done Port Orchard ... or, for this week at least, Cedar Cove

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.