June 2019
Your monthly news & updates

Greetings!

Summer is close at hand, with lots of June activities planned. June starts with Maritime Gig Fest, followed by more things to do, from fun to fun-est! Read on for more info and news because there's so much happening in June.

Happy reading! Mimi

p.s. Check out all the City updates - you can find them just past the "More June Events" section below
Summer Sounds @ Skansie
Kicks Off on June 25!
Gig Harbor's annual outdoor waterfront concert series, Summer Sounds @Skansie opens with Mark Hurwitz & Gin Creek on June 25!

Don't miss the rest of our great lineup!
July 2: 133d WA Army National Guard Band
July 9: The Beatniks
July 16: Sounds Like Dolores
July 23: The Olson Band
July 30: Ruthie Craft
Aug. 6: Funaddicts &
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
Aug. 13: Nate Botsford

Concerts are every Tuesday evening,
6:30 - 8 pm, June 25 through August 13,
at beautiful Skansie Brothers Park.

REMINDER: there will be no set up allowed on the lawn of unoccupied chairs or blankets prior to 3 pm the day of the event. Your cooperation in keeping Skansie Brothers Park accessible to the public on concert days is appreciated.

Special thanks to Summer Sounds @ Skansie sponsors CHI Franciscan Health and Harbor Hill for making this popular community event possible!
Maritime Gig Fest is June 1 & 2
Hailed as the city's biggest event of the year, the annual Maritime Gig Festival is happening this weekend, Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2. Saturday's schedule includes the US Bank 5 K Family Fun Run at 8:45 am, and at 10 am is the Yo' Ho' Harbor Grande Parade. A whole host of activities, booths, music and entertainment, happens all day into the evening. Sunday's schedule includes the Wheels on the Water car show starting at 11 am and the Blessing of the Fleet starting at 1 pm. Entertainment and concerts begin at 10 am, going through the afternoon.

On June 1, starting at 8:30 a.m., Pierce Transit will also provide free express bus rides from the Kimball Park & Ride to the Yo’ Ho’ Harbor Grande Parade. They’ll get you back to the Park & Ride after the parade, too.

View the complete schedule of events at the Chamber of Commerce website.
Maritime Gig Fest Street Closures
As a part of the Maritime Gig Festival, the City of Gig Harbor will be closing the section of Harborview Drive between Rosedale Street and 3026 Harborview Drive (Tickled Pink/Retail Shop) and Pioneer Way from Tarabochia Street to Harborview Drive for two days. This closure will occur on Saturday, June 1, 2019 beginning at 5:00 a.m. and will remain closed until Sunday, June 2, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Signed detours will be in place to navigate around the closures. For more information, please contact Ken Andrews, City of Gig Harbor Public Works Department at (253) 851-6170.
GO WITH THE FLOW This Summer!
The Gig Harbor Police Department recently announced a voluntary paddlecraft safety program called GO WITH THE FLOW. The goal is to add awareness, predictability, and safety to interactions between paddlecraft and larger vessels in Gig Harbor. Check out THIS VIDEO segment produced by program partner Gig Harbor Marina & Boatyard.
Waterfront Farmers Market Returns on June 6
The Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance is pleased to announce their Waterfront Farmers Market will be celebrating its 5th season this summer! The Market is on Thursdays, June 6 - August 29, 1 - 7 pm at Skansie Brothers Park.

Get Around Town With The Trolley Starting June 1
Are you ready to ride the Gig Harbor Trolley? Service begins Saturday, June 1 and runs through Sept. 2. The Trolley runs every 30 minutes, seven days a week, between the historic Gig Harbor waterfront district, Harbor Hill and the Uptown shopping district. You can ride all day for just $1, or one ride is 50 cents. Children five and under ride free! With a valid Regional Reduced Fare Permit, seniors and persons with disabilities ride free as well. Come out and ride the Trolley this summer, bring your kids and grandkids, and enjoy all Gig Harbor has to offer. The Gig Harbor Trolley is a partnership between the City of Gig Harbor, the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce, Merchants of Uptown, the Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance and Pierce Transit.

Gig Harbor Named "Best City" for 2019 Best of South Sound
Gig Harbor was voted "Best City" for South Sound Magazine's 2019 Best of South Sound! Our wonderful "Maritime City" also boasts several other winners in multiple categories. Congratulations to all!

Mayor Kit Kuhn is shown holding the beautiful glass award from "South Sound" magazine. For a list of a Gig Harbor awardees and other winners, visit our news page at gigharborguide.com
Waterfront Walking Tours Returns With New Tour
Gig Harbor’s award-winning and FREE guided Waterfront Walking Tours begins its fifth season on Wednesday June 5. The Wednesday and Saturday tours are presented by the Downtown Waterfront Alliance, Harbor WildWatch and the Harbor History Museum, all well versed at bringing history, nature, visitors and neighbors together. 

Beginning on June 8, enjoy the exciting new Wonders of the Waterfront tour! This tour is interactive, family-friendly, and includes two new Gig Harbor parks! 

Gig Harbor Garden Tour is
on June 29 & 30
The Gig Harbor Garden Tour on June 29 and 30, is a self guided tour of seven gardens in the Greater Gig Harbor Area. Each garden has a unique story to tell that reflects the gardener's heart and style. The variety, artistry, design. and color will inspire you. The tour benefits literacy programs in Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula areas.

June Events at Harbor History Museum
Tuesday, June 4, 6 pm: Gig Harbor Literary Society meeting, dedicated to exploring the literary world of historical fiction, nonfiction, and other works of interest. This event is FREE and open to the public. Seats are limited; RSVPs are encouraged.

The book for the May meeting is City of Ash by Megan Chance.

Thursday, June 13, 6 pm: "Labor Wars of the Northwest: The Struggle that Defined a Region", a Humanities in the Harbor presentation.

David J. Jepsen will screen his recently released documentary film on the labor history of the Pacific Northwest, "Labor Wars of the Northwest." The one hour film will be followed by a 30 minute discussion and Q & A.

For more information on these and other Harbor History Museum, please visit their webpage at harborhistorymuseum.org/events
Gig Harbor Night Market: June Edition is on June 1
Enjoy art, music, food, vendors and beer at the Gig Harbor Night Market on June 1, 4 - 9 pm. Evening fun for all ages and free! Join in on this community event at 7 Seas Brewing, 3006 Judson St. #110. For Maritime Gig Fest, on June 1, 7 Seas will be opening early at 10 am.

Cocktails & Fishtales is on June 19
Harbor WildWatch's Cocktails & Fishtails is on Wednesday, June 19, at the Gig Harbor Brewing Co., 5:30 - 7 pm. The June Cocktails & Fishtales features Forage Fish: Little Fish, Big Impact. Cost is $5 at the door, Harbor WildWatch Steward Club members have free admission.
Suds & Cinema at the Gig Harbor Taproom on June 18
The Gig Harbor Film Festival is partnering with Gig Harbor Brewing for the creative collaboration you've been waiting for, Suds and Cinema! This month's Suds and Cinema will be Trivia Night with Chris and Brad, June 18, at 6 pm at the Gig Harbor Taproom, 3155 Harborview Drive. This is a great chance for you and your friends to flex brain and beer drinking muscles all at once!
Finholm Market & Deli Anniversary Celebration on June 15
The Finholm Market & Deli will be celebrating their 7th anniversary with an event on Saturday, June 15, in their parking lot, 3 - 6 pm. The public is welcome to join them for their celebration of their opening seven years ago.

Marine Swap Meet at Second Wave on June 8
Looking for used boat parts? Come to the Marine Swap Meet at Second Wave, 3720 Harborview Dr., on June 8, 9 am - 2 pm and browse through the offerings. There'll be a hot dog vendor on site and live music! If you have items to sell, please call 253-858-3535 or email jenn@gigharbormarina.com.
Flag Day Celebration at Heron's Key on June 14
Heron's Key is hosting a special celebration on Flag Day, June 14, at 10 am in honor of their resident veterans and their spouses who have served our country. They will be erecting a new flag pole in front of the building and will raise the American Flag at this ceremony. The public is welcome to attend. 4340 Borgen Blvd.
Wet Coast Brewing Co. Anniversary Party on June 22
Wet Coat Brewing Company will be hosting a party celebrating their 4th anniversary on Saturday, June 22, in the parking lot directly in front of their location, 6820 Kimball Dr. Suite C3, from Noon - 8 pm. There will be an outdoor beer garden, live music and food. Must be 21+ years old to attend.
Meaningful Movies in Gig Harbor on June 14
Meaningful Movies in Gig Harbor presents the documentary,"Dammed to Extinction," on Friday, June 14, 6 pm, at the Agnus Dei Church, 10511 Peacock Hill.

Wildfire Symposium on June 13
The Gig Harbor Community Plan has provided the beautiful vegetative landscape that we all enjoy. That landscape makes Gig Harbor a unique and desirable place to live. Living in a vegetative environment requires an increased awareness of Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) hazards. To learn more about how you can reduce WUI hazards, the public is invited to attend a Wildfire Symposium hosted by the City of Gig Harbor and Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One on Thursday, June 13, 5:30 - 7:30 pm at the Civic Center.  Click here for more information on the event. More information on wildfire safety can be found here.
Creative Endeavor Grants Application Deadline is June 30
Volunteer for the Skansie House Visitor Center!
Volunteers are needed to greet and welcome visitors to our beautiful city! Want to learn more about Gig Harbor while helping visitors in our town? Well, this gig is for you! The Skansie House Visitor Information & Interpretive Center, located right at Skansie Brothers Park, is also home to Harbor WildWatch and is a natural stop for for folks visiting the waterfront. Email Mimi or Diane, or give us a call at 253-853-3554. We'd love to have you join our wonderful team of volunteers!
Gig Harbor Peninsula Civic Orchestra Season Finale June 8
PenMet Parks June Events
Saturday, June 8, 5 - 9 pm:
Kids Night Out ! at at Rosedale Hall, 8205 86th Ave NW. Kids have fun while parents enjoy a night out. Hawaiian Luau is the theme. $35, $5 sibling discount.

Saturday, June 15, 11 am - 4 pm:
Party in the Park! at Sehmel Homestead Park. Help PenMet Parks celebrate 15 years as a Park District and join them for this start of summer event. There'll be a main stage with live and local entertainment, a kids stage and adventure zone as well as a beverage garden, cornhole tournament and root beer float garden. Bring the family! 
Gig Harbor Film Festival Fundraiser, "Adventure Awaits" on June 7
Gig Harbor Plant Swap on June 8
The popular Gig Harbor Plant Swap is happening at Uptown on Saturday, June 8, 10 - 11 am. Meet in the parking lot south of HomeGoods. Bring seedlings, plants, seeds or garden supplies to trade with other gardeners. Trades only, no sales.
June Events at Ocean5
For more on these and other events, visit Ocean5's website or Facebook page.
Music Around The Harbor in June
More June Events
City Updates
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Cushman Trail Phase 5 - Second Open House is on June 5
A second Open House for Cushman Trail Phase 5 Planning Study is on Wednesday. June 5, 5- 6:30 pm. The Open House will begin with a short presentation followed by an opportunity for the public to view and comment on several draft alignments.

Bring Your Own Bag Law Goes Into Effect on June 18
The Gig Harbor City Council passed the Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) ordinance on December 10, 2018. This law goes into effect June 18, 2019. At that time all retail establishments in Gig Harbor will be required to comply. The purpose of the BYOB law is to encourage shoppers to choose reusable bags which will help reduce waste and litter from disposable carryout bags.

Coffee With Kit is on June 4
Join Mayor Kit Kuhn next Tuesday, June 4, from 7 - 8 am at Kimball Coffeehouse, 6659 Kimball Dr a102, for "Coffee with Kit."
This is a great chance to talk to the Mayor and let him know your thoughts in a casual setting.

You can also read the Mayor's latest post on his blog at the City's website.
Join Our Team!
We are now hiring for: Associate Engineer, Building Inspector, City Attorney, Engineering Technician (Stormwater) and Senior Wastewater Treatment Operator. For more information or to apply visit www.govjobstoday.com and select City of Gig Harbor. 
Get Your Copy of the New Gig Harbor Visitor Guides!
The Tourism & Communications office has been busy mailing the new Visitor Guides to visitor centers throughout Washington state, Oregon, California, Canada and Idaho. If you want a copy for yourself, or visiting family and friends, you can find them at the Skansie House Visitor Information & Interpretive Center, the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, or select city park kiosks. Click here to view an online copy or to order a copy.
On Going Events
Hike It Baby ® at Cushman Trail

Toastmasters

Baby, Preschool, Toddler Storytimes

El Grupo Spanish Talk Time

Find more information about these and other events at: www.gigharborguide.com
June Dining Deal
Coming In July!
Friday Family Fun Movie Nights Starts on July 5!
Mark your calendars for free summer movies in the park on Friday nights in July and on August 2! Watch movies on an outdoor jumbo screen at Skansie Brothers Park. Movies are FREE and start at dusk. 

Come early to enjoy Harbor WildWatch activities and grab a bag of free popcorn from Kitsap Bank. Movies are brought to you by the City of Gig Harbor, Kaiser Permanente, Taylor Thomason Insurance and Jaycox-Gig Harbor Police Benevolent Fund.

July 5, 9:15 pm:
“The NeverEnding Story,” (PG)
July 12, 9 pm:
“Inside Out,” (PG)
July 19, 9 pm:
" Mary Poppins” (1964), (G)
July 26, 8:30 pm:
“Mary Poppins Returns,” (PG)
August 2, 8:30 pm:
“Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero,” (PG)