☕ Good morning! It's Thursday August 20th
Hawaiian culture takes over Owen Beach this Sunday with live hula, Polynesian eats, and outrigger canoe rides for E Komo Mai. Plus, this weekend brings the DuPont BBQ Cookoff, Pour in the Park, Venardos Circus, and free museum nights across the area.
Here is your quick guide.
📧 Not on the list yet? Subscribe here! 👈️
🛶 E Komo Mai: A Celebration of Hawaiian Culture
Live hula, Polynesian food, ukulele jams, and outrigger canoe rides at Owen Beach
Kīkaha O Ke Kai and Tacoma Creates bring Hawaiian culture to the Point Defiance waterfront this Sunday, August 23, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Admission is completely free, with hands-on activities, music, and food for all ages.
On the Water: Hop into a traditional six-person outrigger canoe for a guided paddle out on Puget Sound alongside experienced club paddlers—no prior experience needed.
Live Music & Dance: Watch hula performances by Halau Hula Ka Lei Mokihana I Ka Ua Noe, plus live sets from Monday Ukulele Ohana and Northwest Blend.
Hands-On Workshops: Jump in on free ukulele lessons, lei-making classes, and keiki (kids) games throughout the afternoon.
Island Eats: Grab authentic Polynesian bites and treats from local favorites including Cafe Ohana, Hefa’s Otai, and Kehau’s Ono Grindz.
Good to Know: Free entry and no registration required. Parking is available at the beach lot and across Point Defiance Park, but spots fill fast on summer weekends—arrive early with blankets, beach chairs, and sun protection.
🎟 Events
Thursday 20
Cruise-In at LeMay 2026 | 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: LeMay – America’s Car Museum, Tacoma
Price: Free
Description: An all-makes-and-models vehicle meet featuring classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles, alongside food trucks, music, and a People's Choice Award with prizes.
Free Third Thursday & Downtown Artwalk | Starts at 3:00 pm
Location: Washington State History Museum & Downtown Tacoma Museum District
Price: Free admission
Description: Free late-day entry across Tacoma's museums for Third Thursday: Washington State History Museum (3–8 pm), Foss Waterway Seaport (4–8 pm), TAM and Museum of Glass (5–8 pm), plus open downtown art galleries.
Concert in the Cone: Kora Player Sean Gaskell | 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Museum of Glass, Tacoma
Price: Free (Part of Third Thursday; first-come, first-served)
Description: A live performance featuring 21-string West African kora music by Sean Gaskell paired with live glassblowing demonstrations in the Hot Shop by Hilltop Artists.
Venardos Circus presents "Far Beyond" | Multiple showtimes (Doors open 1 hr prior)
Location: Point Defiance Park, Tacoma
Date: August 20th – September 7th, 2026
Price: $19.95 & up (Ages 2 & under free on lap) (tickets)
Description: An animal-free, Broadway-style circus featuring aerialists, acrobats, theatrical storytelling, and classic circus concessions under the big top.
Friday 21
Family Fun Night | 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, Tacoma
Price: $13.50 – $17 (tickets)
Description: An 1855-themed evening featuring 19th-century lawn games, old-fashioned races, live music, ice cream, food trucks, and the signature candy cannon launch.
Saturday 22
9th Annual DuPont BBQ Cookoff | Sat 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm / Sun 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Location: Clocktower Park, DuPont
Date: Saturday, August 22nd – Sunday, August 23rd
Price: Free admission & parking (BBQ samples $3 – $6 via $3 BBQ Bucks)
Description: KCBS-sanctioned barbecue competition featuring pitmaster tastings, live music, a vendor marketplace, and free kids' activities supporting local veteran and youth programs.
Forged in Fire: 19th-Century Innovations | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Location: Museum of Glass, Tacoma
Price: Included with museum admission
Description: An illustrated lecture by glass artist and historian Walter Lieberman on the Industrial Revolution's impact on glass, followed by a live Hot Shop glassblowing demonstration.
End of Summer Bash & Movie in the Park | 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Location: Sprinker Recreation Center, Tacoma
Price: Free (RSVP encouraged; food available for purchase)
Description: Family-friendly community event featuring an outdoor screening of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, local food trucks, bounce houses, games, giveaways, and community vendor booths.
🎸 Music
🎤 Karaoke & Trivias
Thursday 20
Trivia & Karaoke Night | Airport Tavern, Tacoma | 6:00 pm
Trivia Night | The Beer Vault, Gig Harbor | 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
World Class Karaoke | Bob’s Java Jive, Tacoma | 9:00 pm - 1:40 am
The SandBAR Karaoke Night | The SandBAR, Tacoma | 8:00 pm
Family-Friendly Pixar Trivia | Puget Sound Pizza, Tacoma | 6:00 pm
Bingo Nights | Evergreen State Brewing, Tacoma | 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Tarot Night at The Mule | The Mule Tavern, Tacoma | 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Karaoke Thursdays | Mikey's Public House, Tacoma | 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Friday 21
Pirate Karaoke | Rock the Dock Pub and Grill, Tacoma | 8:00 pm
World Class Karaoke | Bob’s Java Jive, Tacoma | 9:00 pm - 1:40 am
Drag Bingo | Locust Cider, Gig Harbor | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
🧑🌾 Markets
Tacoma Farmers Market | 9th & Broadway, Thursdays 10 am - 2 pm
Waterfront Farmers Market | Skansie Brothers Park, Thursdays 1 - 6 pm
DuPont Farmers Market | Clocktower Park, Thursdays 3 - 7 pm
Tacoma Proctor Farmers' Market | Corner of N. 27th St. &, N Proctor St, Tacoma, Saturdays 9 am - 2 pm
The Village Farmers Market | Frontier Park, Sundays 10 am - 3 pm
Haunted Farmers Market | S 54th St & S Tacoma Way, Tacoma, Sunday 23, 11:00 to 4:00 pm
☀ Weather
🖖 Before we go
Title
Lakewold Gardens in Lakewood is hosting its 2nd Annual Pour in the Park this Sunday, August 23 (2:00–5:00 pm). Sip and stroll through the gardens with samples from 20+ local breweries, cideries, and wineries, plus food trucks and live DJ sets.
General admission is $40 and includes 12 tasting pours, a souvenir wine glass, and a tote bag. VIP passes ($60) get you in at 1:00 pm with extra tasting tickets. 21+ only. Tickets at lakewoldgardens.org.
Thank you for reading, and I'll see you next Thursday.