It’s that time of year again. The time of year when Orcas Island travels back in time to celebrate the life and works of English playwright William Shakespeare.

“The chamber is proud to coordinate this event because it’s enriching for our community and draws visitors from the mainland during what is traditionally a quiet time,” said Festival Committee Chair Colleen Smith Armstrong. “And it’s an opportunity to wear beautiful costumes and celebrate enduring works of literature.”

A parade in Eastsound, live theatre, costumed performers and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” await attendees of this year’s Shakespeare Festival, March 29 to April 2.

The festivities begin with Black and White Night, an evening of dinner and formal readings on March 29 at Random Howse from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The celebration continues on the following night with a Festive Feast. Gather at Odd Fellows Hall on Wednesday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m. for a potluck, more musical performances and a costume contest. The winner will receive $100. On Thursday, March 31, watch islanders present their favorite Shakespeare pieces during Community Night at 6:30 p.m. at Random Howse.

Unexpected Productions, an improv troupe from Seattle, will entertain audiences at Random Howse starting at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 1.

On Saturday, it is the culmination of a week’s worth of festivities. It all begins at 11 a.m. with a medieval street fair and entertainment on the Village Green until 3 p.m. A parade will go through town starting at noon.

The festival concludes with a modern interpretation of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” presented by the high school drama class.

The performance will be held at Orcas Center at 7:30 p.m. and features five adult actors, and 16 local high school student actors.

For tickets and event information, visit http://orcasislandchamber.com/shakespeare-festival. To get involved with the festival, email info@orcasislandchamber.com.

“For an actor – and director for that matter – Shakespeare is the holy grail,” said Festival Artistic Director Robert Hall. “It’s beautiful. It’s poetic. His use of metaphor, his imagery is unsurpassed. He’s dramatic and theatrical, magical and funny. He’s visceral and trite, muscular and weak, vulnerable and sting. It’s all there in the text – everything. It’s always a challenge and always rewarding. That’s why I like the Shakespeare festival.”