Visit the Market for locally grown produce, freshly caught seafood, farm-raised meat, and beautiful flower bouquets. Skansie Brothers Park, June through August, every Thursday, 3pm-7pm.

Here are just some of the amazing vendors that will be at the Market on opening day: BG's Gourmet BBQ Sauce, Butterfusion, Chef Melinda's Home Made Crimson Cove Smoked Specialties, Fishgirl, Fox Island Trading Co., Hayton Farms, Purdy Organics, Bill Fold Family Farm, Smith Brothers Farms, RC Almonds, Steepers Artisan Teas, Europa Bistro, and the Harbor General Store & Cafe.
 

June 3rd & 4th is right around the corner. You don't want to miss out on the fun! The Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce organizes the Maritime Gig Festival annually. This event is the business communities way of saying thank you for the continual support of the community. On Saturday you can enjoy the family fun run, grande parade, business booths, children's festival, live entertainment and music, and a yacht festival. On Sunday you can take in the beautiful view of the harbor during the Blessing of the Fleet and the amazing showcase of cars at the Wheel's on the Water car show. Enjoy live music, entertainment, delicious food,  and a car show awards ceremony.

 
Link to Additional Resource

The Festival of Sail will bring a fleet of historic ships to the Puget Sound on June 15th - 18th. The excitement begins at 2:00 pm with the Parade of Sail. At 4:00 pm the Opening Ceremonies will take place at Thea Foss Waterway. Invited ships include Adventuress, Schooner Freda B, Hawaiian Chieftain, Lady Washington, Zodiac, Schooner Martha, Cutty Sark, Dirigo II, Schooner Merrie Ellen, Schooner Mycia, SSS Odyssey, Spike Africa, North Star of Hershel Island, Providence, Schooner Suva, Virginia V, Thane, S.V. Ladyhawk, Charles N. Curtis, Bill of Rights, Red Jacket, and Vérité.

In addition to beautiful tall ships, and of course, the World's Largest Rubber Duck, there will be some great entertainment. Professor Bamboozel will be there with his a world-class, award-winning balloon twisting and original magic and illusions; PDXYar Pirates with black powder and shanty shows, live music and more!

Click here for further information and details

This is a self-guided tour of seven residential gardens, so please wear your walking shoes, and bring your friends for a wonderful day of gardening ideas! Additionally, there are two featured speakers on the 23rd and 24th.Tickets go on sale June 1.

The Gig Harbor Garden Tour Foundation is proud of the community support, our sponsors, advertisers, vendors, volunteers, and the dedication and creative spirit of our local gardeners who work diligently for a fun and enjoyable event to support literacy in our local community.

Click here for event and ticket details

In addition to the wonderful walking tours provided by the Downtown Waterfront Alliance in partnership with Harbor WildWatch, you now have the ability to complete a self-guided history walk that focuses on historic homes and buildings along the downtown core. Pick up your guide at the Skansie House now and you'll be on your way to learning more about the history and charm Gig Harbor has to offer. The Skansie House Visitor & Interpretive Center is located at 3211 Harborview Drive at Skansie Brothers Park.

Link to hours at the Skansie Visitor & Interpretive Center 

At the May 8th city council meeting, Mayor Guernsey recognized May 7th-13th as National Travel & Tourism Week in Gig Harbor. We were joined by our friends at Travel Tacoma + Pierce County, the INN at Gig Harbor and Tacoma South Sound Sports.

Tourism creates jobs, supports local businesses and generates tax money that locals don't have to pay. Tourism is a sign of a great city, but it also helps make a city great.  Read more about the impact of tourism in Pierce County during 2016 in this News Tribune article.

It is a wonderful story. It is a story about neighbors helping neighbors in need as they move towards self-sufficiency. It is a story about compassion, encouragement, service, community, and hope. The Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank and Community Services, established over 40 years ago in 1976, is a non-profit organization and partners with the Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula residents to provide assistance to those in need. Supported primarily by donations from local businesses, churches, community friends and families. In-kind donations of food, clothing, small household goods, books and toys provide essentials and some fun to our neighbors. Financial assistance helps families and individuals remain in their homes during difficult times. Responsible technical and college students are assisted with access to educational materials and transportation needs through the financial aid department. With the support of the community, we provide a hand up not a hand out. What enables this non-profit organization to stand the test of time and tell this wonderful story? it has been the people. From the compassionate and gracious, all-volunteer staff to the generous donors in our community. It is the reputation of this humble and encouraging organization that continues to tell this story. Responsibly serving our clients in partnership with you---our community. It is more than a place where our neighbors seek support; providing comfort, a listening ear and a caring heart while serving. This wonderful story reflects the beauty of our community right here in Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula. It is a wonderful story of many hands doing good work.

Join us in July for "Help The Beatniks Beat Out Hunger" food drive, July 18th at Summer Sounds at Skansie.

Link for more information about how you can contribute to GHP FISH.

The City of Gig Harbor's Visitor & Interpretive Center at the Skansie House is currently recruiting for volunteer ambassadors for our welcome center. The center is run in partnership with Harbor WildWatch and is home to the Harbor WildWatch Laboratory too. Volunteer shifts consist of regularly scheduled weekly, monthly or on a fill in basis. Please contact Karen Scott at the City Tourism & Communications Office by email for more details on how to sign up.

Registration is now open for Gig Harbor Yacht Club Junior Sail Camp 2017. Their learn-to-sail camp is held in the harbor throughout the summer for youth ages 6-18. Choose from five-day sessions running June 26 through August 25th. No sailing experience is necessary. Junior Sail Camp is taught by US Sailing certified instructors out of West Shore Marina in Gig Harbor.
 
Link to Additional Resource

Link to Additional Resource

Tacoma Community College Gig Harbor Campus presents Harbor Institute, a non-credit program for adults who want the fun and challenge of a college class without the papers, tests, and grades. With affordable prices, Harbor Institute makes it easy to learn local history, immerse yourself in art, or keep up on some of the most exciting and important trends unfolding in the world at large.
 
Link to Additional Resource

Harbor WildWatch offers an array of activities throughout town such as beach walks, walking tours, and interactive Science Saturdays! In addition, you will find a new interactive sandbox, a year-round touch tank with various invertebrates from Puget Sound, and an underwater camera with live feed at the Skansie Visitor & Interpretive Center, located at 3207 Harborview Drive and open Wednesday through Sunday 10-4 beginning April 5th. View the link below to find beach walks, Cocktails & Fishtails, and many more fun and educational events.
 
Link to Harbor WildWatch calendar of events

Follow City of Gig Harbor on Facebook for the most up to date information on construction projects, agendas and meetings www.facebook.com/cityofgigharbor  

Link to Additional Resource 

Ancich Park
Skansie Park / Welcome Plaza / Lift Station 4
Year of Transportation
Stormwater Low Impact Development and 2017
Public Works Standards Update
Planning Projects
Public Works Projects
One Harbor Point

Also follow City of Gig Harbor on Facebook for the most up to date information on construction projects, agendas and meetings www.facebook.com/cityofgigharbor  

City Construction Updates