Washington State Ferries Is Turning 75, and the Party Is Already Underway

If you've ever hopped a ferry to Bainbridge on a sunny afternoon and thought, "this is why I live here," then you already know how special Washington State Ferries is to life in the Pacific Northwest. This month, WSF is turning 75, and they're marking the milestone with a celebration that's very much worth joining.

The festivities kicked off Monday, June 2nd, with some seriously fun touches around the city. A custom WSF anniversary flag flew from the top of the Space Needle, the Seattle Great Wheel lit up for the occasion, and the Highway 520 floating bridge joined in with special lighting as well. Ferries across the system will be flying special anniversary flags all June long.

Free Goodies? Yes, Please.

If you were anywhere near Colman Dock on Monday afternoon, ORCA set up an interactive station from 3 to 5 p.m. with games and prizes. Ferry riders can also pick up free anniversary stickers, and throughout Monday, any galley purchase came with a free popcorn or coffee. Small things, but they add up to a pretty great commute.

Live DJs on the Sun Deck

Here's the part that might surprise you: WSF is hosting live DJ sets on the sun decks of four ferries throughout June, in partnership with KNHC-FM C89.5 Public Radio. If you can swing it, these are the sailings to catch:

June 5 | Seattle/Bainbridge Island, 3:00 to 5:35 p.m.

June 12 | Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth, 3:30 to 4:40 p.m.

June 18 | Edmonds/Kingston, 2:25 to 4:40 p.m.

June 30 | Seattle/Bremerton, 2:50 to 4:15 p.m.

And if live music is more your speed, the Bainbridge Youth Orchestra will perform aboard the Seattle/Bainbridge Island route on June 7. KISW-FM 99.9 "The Rock" already kicked things off earlier this week with a live morning show broadcast on the Edmonds/Kingston route.

Why This Matters Beyond the Party

The ferry system isn't just a mode of transportation around here, it's genuinely part of what makes Seattle and its surrounding communities feel connected. Whether you're commuting to work, exploring a new neighborhood, or just taking a sunset ride for the view, the ferries are woven into the fabric of life across the Sound. Communities like Bainbridge Island, Vashon, Kingston, Bremerton, and Southworth exist the way they do in large part because of this system.

So if you've been meaning to take a ferry day, this is your sign. Grab a coffee, catch a DJ set, and celebrate 75 years of one of the things that makes living here so good.

This post was based on information found on The Seattle Times. Details are subject to change; check with Washington State Ferries directly for the most up-to-date schedule information.