THING Festival Returns to Fort Worden

Seattle Theater Group’s THING Fest is the Northwest’s best all-ages festival. Located at Fort Worden (a historical state park in Washington state’s Port Townsend), THING Fest is as quaint as the town it resides in. Festivalgoers can expect a sense of seclusion, all the while maintaining access to locally owned markets, diners, and cafes.

The origin of the name “THING” derives from the medieval term “ting,” referring to an assembly of free people. Tings took place at regular intervals, offering opportunities for socializing and trade. One could certainly consider THING Fest a gathering of this nature, offering music, shopping, interactive art, and community.

THING offers an array of activities including the other-worldly illuminarium, comedy shows, and crafts – but it is music that exists at the core. With headliners Father John Misty, Modest Mouse, and Jungle – THING brings with it a noticeably calmer audience of families, teens, and young adults.

Festival favorites include blues-rock group Reignwolf, the experimental Yves Tumor, and art-pop duo Sparks, fronted by the legendary Mael brothers. THING offered an eclectic variety of music with space for cultural exploration, such as Lido Pimienta who moved the crowd with their Afro-Colombian musical style. Terror/Cactus opened the festival, featuring the psychedelic electro-cumbia project of Martin Selasco, and festivalgoers later enjoyed the works of Mdou Moctar, a West African modern-rock artist inspired by Tuareg guitar.

THING included indie-rock favorites Wet Leg and Illuminati Hotties — drawing youthful crowds for these mainstream “it” groups. The up and coming Enumclaw inspired just about the most laidback mosh pit I’ve ever seen – lighthearted, polite, and dare I say, wholesome? This was a theme carried throughout the weekend.

THING felt different from mainstream festivals – multidisciplinary, relaxed, and homely. It was a feel-good weekend, appropriate for exploration, culture, and community. Go by yourself, take the kids, or maybe bring your grandma – after all, the crowds are calm and the mosh-pits — friendly.

Words and pictures: Brittne Lunniss