☕ Good morning! It's Thursday July 30th
From the Pierce County Kite Festival at Chambers Creek to the 30th annual Proctor Arts Fest, this weekend is packed. Live pro wrestling, car shows, outdoor movies, plant sales, Rainiers baseball, and live music across Pierce County. Here's your guide.
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🪁 Pierce County Kite Festival
Kite demos, food trucks, and family flying over the Puget Sound
The Pierce County Kite Festival returns to Chambers Creek Regional Park this Saturday, August 1 (10 am to 4 pm), at the Central Meadow in University Place. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for the best views of the pro kite demos.
Free Kites: The Pierce County Kitefliers Association is giving away 250 kites, first-come, first-served.
Build Your Own: Pre-purchase a $5 kite kit to assemble and fly at the park.
Admission & Parking: Free admission. Vehicle parking is $10, cashless only; pre-purchasing online is strongly recommended. Bikes and pedestrians enter free.
🎟 Tacoma Events
Thursday 30
Cruise-In at ACM | 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: LeMay – America's Car Museum
Price: Free
Description: A free community car culture celebration with food, music, and custom vehicle showcases.
Christmas In July: Santa Costume Contest & Karaoke | 7:00 pm
Location: Bob's Java Jive
Price: Free entry (food/drinks available for purchase)
Description: Early karaoke at 7:00 pm, a Santa costume contest, drink specials, and holiday vibes at Tacoma's iconic teapot landmark.
Free Thursday Neighborhood Nights | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Tacoma Art Museum (TAM), Tacoma
Price: Free admission
Description: Experience the museum after hours with free admission, community partner programs, live entertainment, hands-on artmaking in the TAM Studio, and bites or drinks available at the TAM Cafe.
Friday 31
Late Night Stadium High Tour | Time varies by booking
Location: Stadium High School
Price: $35 (Free for guests under 13) (tickets)
Description: An exclusive 1.5-hour late-night guided exploration through the historic halls, sub-basement, and attic of Tacoma's iconic French Chateau-style high school.
Green's Gluten-Free Beer Tasting | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Urban Elk Restaurant & Bar
Price: $10 per person
Description: Sample five certified gluten-free Belgian beer styles brewed without barley or wheat.
Saturday 01
Proctor Arts Fest (30th Anniversary) | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Proctor Business District
Price: Free
Description: The 30th annual street festival with 160+ artisan vendors, live music, food, and family activities.
Grit City Harley-Davidson: Cruise ‘n Coffee | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Grit City Harley-Davidson
Price: Free
Description: A laid-back morning meetup for bike and car enthusiasts with free coffee, juice, donuts, and muffins.
Rally in The Valley | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: The Valley (1206 Puyallup Ave)
Price: Free
Description: Tacoma's original ride-in chopper and motorcycle show, with custom bikes, community gatherings, and outdoor festivities. All ages welcome in the lot; food and drinks inside The Valley are 21+.
Grit City Championship Wrestling - MELTDOWN! | 7:30 pm
Location: Tacoma Armory, Parade Floor
Price: $31.95 GA / $63.72 VIP in advance ($37.25 GA / $69.02 VIP day-of) (tickets)
Description: High-energy live pro wrestling show at the historic Tacoma Armory featuring local legends, drama, and athleticism.
Sunday 02
Summer Plant Sales at The Conservatory | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory Gazebo (316 S G St, Wright Park)
Price: Free entry (plants available for purchase; proceeds benefit the conservatory)
Description: A weekend outdoor plant sale in the Wright Park Gazebo with houseplants, specialty planters, perennials, and annuals.
Dog Days of Spanaway (in Tacoma) | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Sprinker Recreation Center (521 Military Rd S), Tacoma
Price: Free (includes free parking)
Description: A dog-friendly festival with 60+ vendors, food trucks, splash zones, an agility course, and a Pup Cup station. Live demos, hourly Cake Strolls, and a Pet Parade & Costume Contest at 12:30 pm. Leashed, non-aggressive dogs welcome.
Downtown Tacoma Block Party | 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: 9th & Broadway
Price: Free
Description: The 4th annual summer block party with live music, local vendors, food, a 21+ beer garden, skateboarding, mural painting, and a kids zone.
🎟 Outside Tacoma Events
Friday 31
Outdoor Cinema Series: Cars | Dusk
Location: Bradley Lake Park, Puyallup
Price: Free (concessions available for purchase)
Description: An outdoor screening of Disney Pixar's Cars at dusk, with food trucks Dawg Eats Dogs and Autumn's Ice Cream & Coffee on site. Arrive early for music. Bring blankets and chairs.
Wine Tasting with Five Star Cellars | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: The Wine Spot, Edgewood
Price: Tasting prices vary
Description: Sample Washington wines from Five Star Cellars paired with food in a relaxed bar setting.
Bookish Night Market | 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Pioneer Park Pavilion, Puyallup
Price: Free admission
Description: A free night market at Pioneer Park Pavilion featuring local authors, bookish vendors, live tattoos, goodie totes for the first 50 guests, and raffles.
Saturday 01
A Habitat Walk Through Flett Creek | 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Location: Flett Creek, Lakewood
Price: Free (registration required)
Description: A guided outdoor walk exploring the cooling benefits of oak groves, urban forestry, and community stewardship.
Sunflower Days | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Knutson Farms, Sumner
Date: Saturday, August 1st – Sunday, August 2nd
Price: $19.27 GA (ages 3+); free for ages 2 and under (combos range $27.24 – $38.65+) (tickets)
Description: A blooming U-Pick sunflower field with farm rides, games, and food trucks. U-Pick access is also available separately at the flower shop without full farm admission.
The Gothic Market | 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Washington State Fair Event, Puyallup
Date: Saturday, August 1st – Sunday, August 2nd
Price: $3 (tickets)
Description: A folklore and horror-themed pop-culture market with handmade goods, dark arts, couture, fragrances, and supernatural vendors. Gothic or formal attire encouraged.
Sumner Watershed Festival | 2:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Location: Log Cabin Pub, Sumner
Price: $40 (tickets)
Description: A day-long country music festival with live bands, dancing, and drinks, no long drives or camping required.
🎸 Music
Events marked with ($) are paid events
Thursday 30
Jezebel Sweet | McMenamis Elk Temple - Tacoma | 7:00 pm ($)
The Mistaken | Curran Apple Orchard Park - University Place | 6:30 pm (free)
The Coats | Pioneer Park - Puyallup | 6:30 pm (free)
Brian James Band | Cockrell Cider Farm - Puyallup | 5:00 pm (free)
Stephanie Anderson on the Patio | Toscanos Italian Grill, Puyallup | 5:00 pm (free)
Amanda Steiner | Rhubarb, Sumner | 6:00 pm (free)
Friday 31
I Want It That Way: 90s/2000s Dance Party | McMenamis Elk Temple - Tacoma | 8:00 pm ($)
Rocky Sandoval with Veezy, Jaydotpresents, Randy Campbell | Jazzbones - Tacoma | 8:00 pm ($)
The Edison Cabinet | Airport Tavern - Tacoma | 7:00 pm ($)
Capala, Lilith, Truancy, Withered | Real Art Tacoma | 6:30 pm ($)
Nicola Linde | Prohibition Cellars - Tacoma | 6:00 pm ($)
90’s Rewind | Heritage Park - Sumner | 6:30 pm (free)
Ben Chapman - Feet on Fire Tour | Steel Creek - Tacoma | 5:00 pm ($)
Katie Ward | Cockrell Cider Farm - Puyallup | 5:00 pm (free)
Joel Gibson Jr. | Nichols Community Center, Fox Island | 6:00 pm ($)
James Coates, Champagne Sunday, Walker Sherman, In Cameo | McMillin Farm Brewhouse, Puyallup | 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm (free)
Saturday 01
Red Karma (Taylor Swift Tribute) | McMenamis Elk Temple - Tacoma | 7:00 pm ($)
Island Night with Vince Peredo | Jazzbones - Tacoma | 7:00 pm ($)
Koe Wetzel | Dune Peninsula & Point Defiance | 4:15 pm ($)
OCB Brews & Beats - Billy Shew | Off Camber Brewing, Puyallup | 6:00 pm (free)
Cult of Morgue with DJ Morgue Anne | Church Cantina, Tacoma | 8:00 pm - 12:00 am (free)
Sunday 02
Hiram B. Freedom | McMenamis Elk Temple - Tacoma | 5:00 pm ($)
Live Out Loud Showcase | Jazzbones - Tacoma | 1:00 pm (free)
Madddawg, Snuff Tape, Castration, Cold Hearts, Drop! The Gun | Real Art Tacoma | 6:30 pm ($)
⚾ Sports
Tacoma Rainiers
Thursday 30: Sacramento River Cats at Tacoma Rainiers 7:05 pm (Thirsty Thursday)
Friday 31: Sacramento River Cats at Tacoma Rainiers 7:05 pm (Friday Night Fireworks)
Saturday 01: Sacramento River Cats at Tacoma Rainiers 6:05 pm (Color Cheney Crimson)
Sunday 02: Sacramento River Cats at Tacoma Rainiers 1:35 pm (Rosé All Day)
🧑🌾 Farmers Market
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
☀ Weather
Outside
🖖 Before we go
Point Defiance Loop Trail Opening & Ribbon Cutting
Point Defiance Park's long-awaited Loop Trail is officially open, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Japanese Garden Pagoda this Friday, July 31, at 3:30 pm. Stick around for an inaugural group walk along the new paved trail down to Owen Beach.
Thank you for reading, and I'll see you next Thursday.