The KCARC Annual Hamfest 2026 event page lists a four-hour community meetup and marketplace for amateur-radio operators, electronics hobbyists, families, and anyone interested in radio or computer gear. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the West Side Improvement Club in Bremerton.
Whether you are searching for components, clearing equipment from your radio shack, meeting other operators, or introducing a young family member to electronics, this concise guide explains the organizer-published details and the questions worth checking before you go.
KCARC Annual Hamfest 2026 at a glance
- Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
- Public hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Venue: West Side Improvement Club
- Address: 4109 W E St., Bremerton, WA 98312
- Listed admission: $5 per person
- Children: Ages 5 and younger are listed as free
- Parking: The organizer lists free parking
- Accessibility: The organizer describes the venue as “Handicap Accessible”
The organizer also lists more than 40 vendor tables, refreshments, a door raffle, and a selection of amateur-radio, electronics, and computer equipment. Exact inventory will depend on participating sellers, so visitors should not assume that a particular radio, component, cable, computer part, or accessory will be available.
Who may enjoy this Bremerton hamfest?
A hamfest is part marketplace and part social gathering. Licensed amateur-radio operators can compare equipment, discuss projects, and reconnect with other enthusiasts. Newcomers can see the range of gear used in the hobby without committing to a major purchase. Electronics tinkerers may find used components or computer hardware, while families can use the morning as a low-pressure introduction to radio technology.
Visitors do not need to arrive with a shopping list. Meeting local operators and asking informed questions may be as useful as buying equipment. If you are new to amateur radio, consider asking sellers what an item does, whether it has been tested, what else is needed to operate it, and whether documentation is included.
Practical shopping tips for used radio and computer gear
Hamfest merchandise may include equipment in a wide range of ages and conditions. A handwritten label or brief conversation is not a substitute for inspecting an item carefully. Before paying, ask whether the equipment is working, untested, incomplete, or being sold for parts.
- Write down the model numbers of equipment you already own.
- Bring measurements if a radio, power supply, antenna component, or computer part must fit a particular space.
- Check whether cables, manuals, mounting brackets, microphones, power adapters, or other accessories are included.
- Ask permission before connecting, opening, or testing anything on a vendor’s table.
- Confirm the seller’s accepted payment method before completing a purchase.
- Understand the seller’s terms, because the organizer page does not publish a general return or warranty policy for marketplace purchases.
Parents may want to remind children that table displays can contain delicate controls, exposed components, and small parts. Ask vendors before handling equipment and keep food or drinks away from electronics.
Raffles, refreshments, and on-site timing
KCARC lists a door raffle for which participants must be present to win. The page also says annual raffle tickets may be available for $20 each, with that drawing listed for noon. Because the organizer uses conditional language, prospective attendees should confirm ticket availability, eligibility rules, payment options, prizes, and drawing terms directly with KCARC.
A snack bar and refreshments are also listed. No menu, prices, dietary accommodations, or payment methods were published on the checked event page, so attendees with specific dietary needs may wish to plan accordingly.
Doors are listed to open to attendees at 9 a.m. The public event ends at 1 p.m., giving visitors a relatively compact window in which to browse. Shoppers seeking the broadest initial selection may prefer arriving near opening, while people primarily interested in conversations can choose the portion of the morning that works best for them. Merchandise selection and crowd levels cannot be guaranteed.
Information for prospective vendors
The organizer advertises more than 40 tables measuring 6 feet by 3 feet. Power is described as available by request at a limited number of tables, and assignments are listed as first-come, first-served based on when payment is received. Vendor setup is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m.
The organizer currently lists early registration before October 1 at $20 for the first table and $15 for each additional table. It lists a regular or day-of rate of $30 per table beginning October 1, with day-of or online registration dependent on availability.
Prospective sellers should contact KCARC before mailing payment or making travel plans. At the time of review, the event page still displayed an unfinished online payment reference, and the research artifact reported that a separate registration path passed through a Facebook redirect. Neither establishes dependable real-time table availability. Sellers should confirm the registration method, remaining space, power access, load-in instructions, cancellation terms, prohibited merchandise, and whether their payment has been received.
Parking, accessibility, and regional travel planning
The organizer lists free parking and describes the venue as accessible. However, the page does not provide details about accessible parking spaces, entrance routes, door widths, restroom features, seating, service animals, or accommodation contacts. Anyone who needs a specific accommodation should contact the organizer or venue before attending rather than relying on the brief website description.
Drivers coming from Silverdale, Poulsbo, Port Orchard, Seabeck, Keyport, Suquamish, Manchester, Southworth, Olalla, Kingston, or Bainbridge Island should check navigation and road conditions shortly before departure. The event address is in Bremerton, but travel time can vary across Kitsap County.
Seattle-area visitors can review the official Washington State Ferries schedules and alerts for the Seattle–Bremerton route. Ferry schedules and loading conditions can change, and the venue is not at the terminal, so travelers should plan the complete trip rather than treating ferry arrival time as event arrival time. Visitors connecting through Bainbridge Island, Kingston, or Southworth should likewise check their applicable ferry route and onward driving plan.
Frequently asked questions
When is the KCARC Annual Hamfest 2026?
It is listed for Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Bremerton.
How much is admission?
The organizer lists general admission at $5 per person, with children age 5 and younger admitted free. Recheck the live event page before attending.
Can people who are new to amateur radio attend?
The event is presented as a community meetup and marketplace for radio enthusiasts, electronics hobbyists, and families. The organizer page does not state that visitors must hold an amateur-radio license.
Will a particular radio or computer component be available?
There is no guaranteed inventory. Offerings depend on the vendors and what remains available when you arrive.
Are vendor tables still available?
Current availability was not established during this review. Prospective vendors should confirm availability and obtain working payment instructions directly from KCARC.
Check the organizer page before leaving home
Because October event details can change, review the official KCARC Annual Hamfest information for Bremerton shortly before attending. Confirm the date, hours, admission, raffle terms, vendor status, accessibility arrangements, parking instructions, cancellation notices, and any venue restrictions.
For more community listings, visitor information, and regional planning ideas, use our website for all the latest news and events in the greater Kitsap County area.
