They’re planning a party for 125,000 people. You’re invited.
Dozens of food vendors sprinkled along the Tacoma waterfront and a 20-minute fireworks show Wednesday will draw thousands to celebrate Pierce County's largest Fourth of July event.
The 39th annual Tacoma Freedom Fair will take place along the Ruston Way waterfront. The event, which draws about 125,000 visitors annually, will offer more than 50 dining options and even more arts-and-crafts vendors and other entertainment.
"We try to give a cross section for everybody, and we do that in the music we provide, we do that in the food, we do that with our arts and crafts and our commercial vendors," said Gary Grape, Freedom Fair executive director.
This year, a sports park, including an obstacle course and a bull-riding machine, has been added to the list of entertainment. The park will be in the parking lot of Duke's Chowder House at 3327 Ruston Way.
This year's event will not include an air show. Instead, aviation fans can travel west to the eighth annual Gig Harbor Wings and Wheels Air Show and Car Show, which runs through Sunday.
Bus transportation at the Freedom Fair will be available for $5 round trip for those who don't want to fight for the 100 pay-to-park spots near the event. Buses will run from Tacoma Community College at South 19th and Mildred streets or at the Tacoma Dome Station at 610 Puyallup Ave. Free parking will be available at both locations, Grape said.
The bus service will run every 30 minutes, taking a break at 8 p.m. for the fireworks show at 10 p.m. and resuming shortly after through closing.
The event is free, but Grape said everyone is encouraged to make a donation at the entrance. The festival costs about $250,000, including nearly $62,000 for the fireworks show.
"It is a real challenge for us every year because a lot of people don’t realize we are a volunteer-based organization and we rely on donations," he said. "I encourage everyone that has been enjoying this festival for many many years to, if all they’re doing is going out and watching the fireworks show, to donate $5 or $10 or whatever they can donate."
While this year's event will not include an air show, the 8th annual Gig Harbor Wings and Wheels Air Show and Car Show will run from June 30 to July 1.
The fair, put on by the Tacoma Events Commission, needs about 100 volunteers to run smoothly, Grape said. It currently has 50.
"On all accounts that I have, we will be able to put on one heck of an event for the citizens," he said.
Meredith Spelbring: mspelbring@thenewstribune.com, 253-597-8509
Tacoma Freedom Fair
When: 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Ruston Way waterfront
More information: www.freedomfair.com