The Taste NW returns to Puyallup, this time with a pickleball tournament
If you’re looking for a taste of summer, the fourth annual Taste NW event is this weekend at the fairgrounds in Puyallup.
Guests can try food from 65 food vendors, listen to live music or watch comedy shows.
Hours of operation are:
- Friday, June 27: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, June 28: 11 a.m to 9 p.m.
- Sunday, June 29: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
This marks the fourth time the event has been held in Puyallup, though it started in 1986 as the “Taste of Tacoma” before the Washington State Fair took it over in 2022.
Stacy Van Horne, spokesperson for the fair, told The News Tribune that admission is free, and they will also be running a food drive on opening day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone who donates food during that time will get a coupon for a $5 taste, which every food vendor offers.
“Every single one of our 65 food vendors offers a $5 taste, which are actually very large size portions — you don’t have to spend all of your money in one place,” Van Horne said. “[That’s] why it’s called ‘The Taste.’ So, you really get your bang for your buck.”
Residents can try barbecue, ice cream, cotton candy, corn dogs, burgers, sushi, Korean food, Mexican food, Kenyan food and more. There are also drinks ranging from coffee to beer and margaritas. For a full list of vendors at the event, visit thefair.com/the-taste-nw/.
What else is there to do besides eat?
For the first time ever, there will be a pickleball tournament at The Taste NW. Van Horne said that registration has closed for participating in the tournament, but guests can still watch.
“This year, inside the Showplex, is our inaugural Puyallup Paddle Battle — a pickleball tournament within that event,” Van Horne said. “The unique thing about that is, pickleball is a sport where people don’t [generally] watch because it takes forever. But here, they can bring their friends and family to watch because they can watch, go off and eat, come back and watch.”
There will also be the classic events that return every year — miniature golf, axe throwing, painting, inflatables, live music and a comedy stage sponsored by the Tacoma Comedy Club.
Where can visitors park for The Taste NW?
Construction is ongoing for the fair’s Ninth Avenue Southwest Festival Street.
Van Horne said guests can park in the fair’s Gold or Blue lots.
“If people need ADA access, we recommend they park in Blue because of the construction at Gold,” Van Horne said.
General parking costs $20 a day, Van Horne said. Guests can visit a local O’Reilly Auto Parts store to get a $3 off coupon for parking.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article misstated when the Taste of Tacoma started. It began in 1986.
This story was originally published June 25, 2025 at 1:21 PM.
