Inaugural Anacortes Walk Fest Draws 230 Participants, 370 Walk Bookings, Fills 92% of Available Walk Reservations
Anacortes Walk Fest exceeded expectations in its debut run May 1-4, 2026, attracting 230 registered participants. Of the 400 available bookings across 29 guided walks and hikes, nearly 370 were filled. The four-day event featured 29 volunteer-led outings on Fidalgo Island and surrounding parks, with options ranging from easy strolls to challenging treks, with Anacortes Rotary members playing key roles every “step” of the way.
Rotary Role:
29 Walks—11 led by Rotarians
13 Steering Committee members—8 of whom are Rotarians
10 Super Walkers (completed 3 or more walks) 2 Rotarians (Mike McClintock, Joe Cohen)
Key early start-up financial support--$3000 from Anacortes Rotary
Primary source of many of our more than 70 volunteers in the first ever Walk Fest
Stats:
230 walkers registered for 367 reservations slots. more than 90 percent full
48.2 percent from Anacortes
51.8 percent visitors from outside Anacortes
(Seattle area-8.2%, Bellingham 8.3%)
Keys to Success: In four remarkable days. Walk Fest worked because of:
• Extraordinary walk leaders and sweeps helped everyone soak in the beauty of Fidalgo Island (Many Rotarians)
• A superb behind-the-scenes team kept registration, trail support, and logistics running smoothly (Even More Rotarians and spouses)
• Our walkers/hikers showed up curious, energetic and genuinely fun to be around (A bunch more Rotarians)
Rotary Role:
29 Walks—11 led by Rotarians
13 Steering Committee members—8 of whom are Rotarians
10 Super Walkers (completed 3 or more walks) 2 Rotarians (Mike McClintock, Joe Cohen)
Key early start-up financial support--$3000 from Anacortes Rotary
Primary source of many of our more than 70 volunteers in the first ever Walk Fest
Stats:
230 walkers registered for 367 reservations slots. more than 90 percent full
48.2 percent from Anacortes
51.8 percent visitors from outside Anacortes
(Seattle area-8.2%, Bellingham 8.3%)
Keys to Success: In four remarkable days. Walk Fest worked because of:
• Extraordinary walk leaders and sweeps helped everyone soak in the beauty of Fidalgo Island (Many Rotarians)
• A superb behind-the-scenes team kept registration, trail support, and logistics running smoothly (Even More Rotarians and spouses)
• Our walkers/hikers showed up curious, energetic and genuinely fun to be around (A bunch more Rotarians)
• Our Key Rotarian Walk Volunteers
Walk Leader Rotarians
Melissa Turnage (Mt. Erie Summit)
Bonnie Bowers (3 walks, Working Waterfront)
Mary Trester (2 walks, Working Waterfront)
Jim & Stephanie Renfro (2 walks, Deception Pass)
Ron Litzinger (the 12-mile classic)
Jerry Ladd (12-miler with Ron)
Mary Staley (Tommy Thompson Trail)
Vicki Stasch (Cap Sante Summit)
Barb Matheson (spouse of Mike)
Peggy Flynn (Guemes Channel)
Tom Decker (Cap Sante Summit)
Betty Kuehn (Old Growth Forest hike)
Steering Committee Members
Treva King (Volunteer recruiter)
Vicki Stasch (Funding)
Jesica Kiser (Administration)
Bonnie Bowers (Logistics/Safety)
Peggy Flynn
Jordan Hay
Mary Trester
Mark Lione
Tom Decker (Coordinator)
Nancy Wong (spouse of Tom)
Volunteers
Lindy Reno and John Reno
Rick Star
Janie Crane
Jeremy Graham
David Jackson (former club member)
Chris Hansen (former club member)
Jeannette Papadakis (morning Rotary member)
Walk Leader Rotarians
Melissa Turnage (Mt. Erie Summit)
Bonnie Bowers (3 walks, Working Waterfront)
Mary Trester (2 walks, Working Waterfront)
Jim & Stephanie Renfro (2 walks, Deception Pass)
Ron Litzinger (the 12-mile classic)
Jerry Ladd (12-miler with Ron)
Mary Staley (Tommy Thompson Trail)
Vicki Stasch (Cap Sante Summit)
Barb Matheson (spouse of Mike)
Peggy Flynn (Guemes Channel)
Tom Decker (Cap Sante Summit)
Betty Kuehn (Old Growth Forest hike)
Steering Committee Members
Treva King (Volunteer recruiter)
Vicki Stasch (Funding)
Jesica Kiser (Administration)
Bonnie Bowers (Logistics/Safety)
Peggy Flynn
Jordan Hay
Mary Trester
Mark Lione
Tom Decker (Coordinator)
Nancy Wong (spouse of Tom)
Volunteers
Lindy Reno and John Reno
Rick Star
Janie Crane
Jeremy Graham
David Jackson (former club member)
Chris Hansen (former club member)
Jeannette Papadakis (morning Rotary member)