Belfair, Washington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Belfair
Census-designated place (CDP)
State Route 3 through Belfair
Belfair Location in Washington (state)
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Mason
Area
• Total	44.9 sq mi (116 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	4,279
• Density	95.30/sq mi (36.80/km2)
Time zone	Pacific (PST) (UTC-8)
ZIP code	98528
Area code(s)	360
GNIS feature ID	1516383

Belfair is a small community in Mason County, Washington, United States. It sits right where the Union River meets the beautiful Hood Canal. Belfair is like the main shopping and business area for the northern part of Mason County. Many people visit in the summer because the Hood Canal and the Olympic Peninsula are great for tourists. In 2020, about 4,279 people lived there.

History of Belfair

Belfair used to be called Clifton. But there were many towns named Clifton in Washington! So, in 1925, the local postmaster, Mrs. Murray, decided to give it a new name. She found the name "Belfair" in a book she was reading, and that's how the town got its unique name.

Geography and Location

Belfair is located on a narrow strip of land that connects the Kitsap Peninsula and the Olympic Peninsula. It gets about 60 inches of rain every year. The growing season for plants lasts about 212 days, usually ending around April 20th when the last spring frost happens. Mason Lake is a lake located about 8 miles southwest of Belfair.

Fun Things to Do in Belfair

Belfair is a great starting point for exploring the Hood Canal region. It's the last town where you can find services before heading into the Tahuya State Forest.

Theler Wetlands

The Theler Wetlands offer awesome walking trails. You can explore 135 acres of tidal wetlands. There are boardwalks and well-kept paths that give you amazing views of Hood Canal, the Union River, and a tidal estuary. You can also find other nature trails near Belfair Elementary School.

Arts and Culture in Belfair

Belfair hosts a special event called "The Taste of Hood Canal" every year. This festival happens on the second Saturday in August.

Taste of Hood Canal Festival

The festival features local artists who show off their work. You can also try delicious local foods. There's even a classic car show where you can see cool old cars! The North Mason Rotary Club helps to put on this fun event.

Mary E. Theler Community Center

Belfair is also home to the Mary E. Theler Community Center. This is a place where people can gather for different activities and events.

Getting Around Belfair

Belfair has important roads that connect it to other towns.

Main Roads

Washington State Route 3 is the main road that leads into Belfair. It connects Belfair to Bremerton and Gorst to the north. It also connects to Allyn to the south. Washington State Route 106 starts at the south end of Belfair. It goes towards Union, which is the next town along the south shore of Hood Canal. Washington State Route 300 also begins in Belfair. This road runs along the north shore of Hood Canal, giving you access to Tahuya and Dewatto Bay.

Schools in Belfair

Belfair has several schools for students of all ages.

Local Schools

There are two high schools: North Mason High School and James A. Taylor High School, which is an alternative school. For middle schoolers, there's Hawkins Middle School. Younger students attend one of two elementary schools: Sand Hill Elementary or Belfair Elementary. There is also a co-op preschool.

Famous People from Belfair

Some notable people have connections to Belfair.

Well-Known Individuals

• Noah Ashenhurst: He used to be an English teacher at North Mason High School. He is also an award-winning author of the novel Comfort Food.
• Norm Dicks: He is a politician who used to be a member of the United States House of Representatives.

See also

In Spanish: Belfair (Washington) para niños