Tacoma has 46 miles of shoreline, but the most important section this weekend will be the bit between Thea’s Landing Park and the Foss Waterway Seaport, where the city celebrates the 20th Maritime Fest with free activities for all.
Here are the highlights:
Boat tours. Board historic, contemporary and service boats moored along the Foss Waterway all day each day, including the S.S. Virginia V, a 1922 Mosquito Fleet ferry; the World War II tug Comanche; the sailing vessel Starlight; an army tug and landing craft; the fireboat Destiny; the Tacoma Police Department boat and more.
Rail tours. Tacoma Rail’s open house runs 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, with shuttles from the Maritime Fest.
Port tours. Board a passenger boat at 10 or 11:30 a.m. or 1, 2:30 or 4 p.m. Sunday to tour the Port of Tacoma from the water, getting an insight into our container shipping industry.
Quick and Dirty Boat Building. This creative, madcap competition pits teams against the sheer challenge of building a floating vessel out of some plywood and mystery items in just a few hours. It’s 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, followed by the parade at 4 p.m. at Thea’s Park Beach and the race at 4:30 p.m.
Marine Science Boat Expedition. Board at 10:30 a.m. Saturday for this new two-hour sail to observe local marine life. All passengers must be at least 7 years old.
Main Stage shows. All day each day there’s some kind of live act, from puppets and reptiles to ukuleles, hip-hop and salsa. Saturday also offers the free screening of the family movie “Dolphin Tale” at 8 p.m.
Kids’ Zone. The Annie Wright Kids’ Zone includes craft activities and pirates (all day each day) and a touch tank (10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday).
Foss Waterway Seaport. Free this weekend, the maritime museum features historic craft and items, as well as a hydrofoil exhibition. All day each day.
There’ll also be the usual concession stands and vendor booths. Lot parking is available along Dock Street for $5-$15, but you can park for free at the Tacoma Dome Station and catch a shuttle every 20 minutes from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.
The festival hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Get more details at maritimefest.org.
rosemary.ponnekanti@thenewstribune.com 253-597-8568 blog.thenewstribune.com/arts
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