Waterfront festival in Pierce County will draw thousands for car show, parade, 5K

Aspen Shumpert
·3 min read

Gig Harbor’s signature summer event takes place this weekend.

The Gig Harbor Maritime Festival is a two-day event for residents and visitors to enjoy some fun in the sun.

The festival will take place June 3 and 4 downtown.

“We’re transforming the waterfront into a vibrant playground for all ages,” the event organizer, the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce, said on Facebook.

Each year the event draws between 6,000-8,000 people, they said.

Drivers west of the Narrows: Expect road closures all weekend for waterfront festival

June 3: Pancakes, 5K, Maritime parade

Activities kick off Saturday with pancakes. Starting at 8 a.m. you can grab breakfast from the Gig Harbor Kiwanis at Skansie Brothers Park.

By 8:45 runners will be lined up for the U.S. Bank Family Fun Run 5K. The route takes them through downtown from Harborview Drive to the intersection with Peacock Hill and back.

Immediately following the race, the Maritime Gig Grande Parade will begin.

Bystanders can grab a spot to watch the parade. It’ll have floats, marching bands and more.

This year’s parade theme is “Rock the Boat.”

Gig Harbor’s Maritime Festival, the city’s biggest summertime event, will take place June 3 and 4. Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce/Courtesy
Gig Harbor’s Maritime Festival, the city’s biggest summertime event, will take place June 3 and 4. Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce/Courtesy

The parade will run from 10 a.m. to noon. The route begins at Donkey Creek and ends at the Tides Tavern.

This year the festival will have over 70 vendors set up throughout Gig Harbor starting Saturday at noon.

Visitors will find business booths, food, crafts and a children’s fair. A full list of vendors is available online.

Saturday entertainment and concerts

12 p.m. | My Guilty Pleasure

2 p.m. | Kellee Bradley Band

3:30 p.m. | Adam Krum & Hwy 65

5 p.m. | Kim and Brian Music, LLC

6:30 p.m. | Kalimba

June 4: Market, car show, Blessing of the Fleet

Only a select few vendors will be set up on Sunday, according to the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce.

At 10 a.m. the Local Makers Market opens at Skansie Brothers Park with locally handmade goods.

Expect to see some cool rides on Sunday at the Wheels on the Water Car Show.

It starts at 11 a.m. along Harborview Drive from Rosedale Street to Pioneer Way.

A downtown car show, shown here in 2017, is a popular part of the Gig Harbor Maritime Festival Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce/Courtesy
A downtown car show, shown here in 2017, is a popular part of the Gig Harbor Maritime Festival Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce/Courtesy

Each car will pick two categories to be judged on in addition to Best of Show and People’s Choice.

Categories include: Favorite Chevy, Favorite Ford, Favorite GM, Favorite Truck, Favorite Paint, Favorite Stock, Favorite Modified, Favorite Import, Favorite Modern Performance, Favorite Pre-War, Favorite ‘40s, Favorite ‘50s, and Favorite ‘60s.

Awards should be announced around 3 p.m.

The Blessing of the Fleet will begin at 1 p.m.

“This service is held to honor those lost at sea and to pray for a safe and bountiful catch,” according to Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce. “The Priest then circles the fishing fleet blessing each boat and crew with holy water. Many boaters, canoe and kayakers join them on the water.”

The blessing includes the Saint Nicholas Catholic Church Knights of Columbus and parish priest. There’s a procession from the church to Skansie Park with the “Our Lady of the Harbor” icon.

Sunday entertainment and concerts

10 a.m. | Caroline Goodwin

11 a.m. | Band Lele

12 p.m. | Dixie Dusters / NMS Ceremonial Band

2 p.m. | Stacy Jones Band

3:30 p.m. | The Shy Boys

Additional information about the festival can be found on the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce website.