Harbor Days celebrates South Sound’s maritime heritage, focusing on the tugboats.

The 36th annual festival, beginning Friday, will offer a generous helping of ships this year: 27 were registered last week.

“I think we have more tugboats registered than we have in three or four years,” said Nancy “Siggy” Sigafoos, who organizes the event. “That is significant given the economy and the expense that the tugboat captains go to to come down.”

But it’s about people as much as about boats, with plenty of opportunities for people-watching and the chance to meet the captains of the old tugs, such colorful figures as Andie McDonald, captain of the Excaliber, who fondly calls the ship her “big old wife.”

Then there are the many musicians and dancers who entertain at the festival. This year, the 56th Army Band from Fort Lewis will play at Percival Landing at 2 p.m. Sunday, during the tugboat races.

“People can bring their lawn chairs and blankets,” said Sigafoos.

But an unexpected highlight could be meeting the vendors who sell crafts and food at the celebration.

One example this year is Ward Wells, who makes three-tiered wood planters that can hold up to 12 pots each.

Wells of Thorp began making the hanging planters seven years ago after a brain tumor left him blind.

He credits his venture’s success to friends who gave him the saws needed to create the planters and to the Washington State Services for the Blind.

The agency has a variety of devices to help people with limited vision, as well as grants to help them start their own businesses, he said.

“I think it’s amazing that somebody figured out how to keep going after he lost his sight,” Sigafoos said. “That’s no small thing.”

Wells has since regained partial sight but not enough to go back to his former profession of driving a truck.

That’s fine with him, though; he is working on ideas for other variations on his design, and he said demand for the planters remains strong.

“More and more people are staying home and doing stuff around their home or in their yard,” he said. “I was a little nervous this year – everybody’s nervous about the economy – but I’ve done all right. I can’t complain.”

Also on the water at Harbor Days

The tugboats – 27 of which are registered this year – are the main attraction, but there will be other watercraft afloat.

Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain

Walk-on tours are offered from 4 to 6 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Monday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Battle sails at 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Monday; www.historicalseaport.org

Steamship Virginia V

Scheduled to arrive at 5 p.m. today; tours from 10 to noon Saturday and 10 to 11 a.m. Sunday; cruises at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday and 11:30 a.m. Sunday during the tug races; www.virginiav.org

Dragon boats

Washington Dragon Boat Association exhibition race at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; free tryouts and rides (for those 13 and older only) at 2 and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; www.washingtondragonboat.com Harbor Days

What: The 36th annual celebration of South Sound’s maritime history features tugboat races, entertainment, crafts, food, shopping and children’s activities.

When: 5 to 8 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

Where: Percival Landing and Port Plaza, downtown Olympia

Cost: Free

More information: 360-556-0498 or www.harbordays.com

Races: From noon to 4 p.m. Sunday