Neighbour across the strait needs our help

Port Angeles, our Washington neighbours across the Juan de Fuca Strait, is one of two places still in the running in a contest called Best Town Ever.

Port Angeles and Chattanooga, Tennessee, are the finalists in Outside magazine’s fifth annual contest, which started with 64 American towns and cities. The winner will be featured in Outside’s September issue.

“It would be a huge honour and also a great way to promote the Port Angeles tourist economy,” says Ryan Malane, vicepresident of marketing for Black Ball Ferry Line. “What’s especially exciting is seeing how involved the town is getting. Almost every business in Port Angeles is advertising it.”

The contest is looking to find towns with “top-notch restaurants, vibrant farmers’ markets, friendly neighbourhoods and unparalleled access to hiking and biking trails,” according to an Outside statement.

“In short, the perfect jumping-off point for adventure,” Malane said.

So, what makes Port Angeles the Best Town Ever?

Malane said if you live in the Pacific Northwest, you know the beauty of the mountains, forests, ocean, lakes and beaches that abound in the area. Port Angeles is the gateway to Olympic National Park — not to mention a quick ferry trip on the Coho to Victoria.

Black Ball, which operates the Coho, is asking residents to show support for Port Angeles at outsideonline.com/vote until Friday.

Although Chattanooga has a population of about 170,000 and Port Angeles has just 20,000, Malane said it’s expected to be a close race.