News from the City of Gig Harbor Marketing Office

For my quote this month I chose some lyrics from one of my favorite songs, Van Morrison's Bright Side of the Road. "Let's enjoy it while we can" is a great way to look at life, and for that matter Summer 2009 in Gig Harbor. There's always a bright side of the road and that's where you will find me. My youngest son is graduating high school this month, and it is a good time to pause and take stock and keep things in perspective. It goes by so fast...in a twinkling of an eye!

There is so much to do in Gig Harbor over the next few months. Tell your friends! Bring your friends! Vacation at home and help stimulate our local economy from the inside out. We have a great new summer promotion campaign called THE BIG GIG, you can check it out on the link in the left hand column. It's fun for locals and out of town visitors.

Go outside Gig Harbor and enjoy it while we can!

Laureen Lund

City of Gig Harbor Marketing Director

lundl@cityofgigharbor.net

DESTINY HARBOR TOURS

New local tour boat company brings great new amenity to the harbor

Whether you are a resident or a visitor, you are aware of Gig Harbor's connection to the water. Not just to Gig Harbor Bay, but to the Narrows, Wollochet Bay, Henderson Bay, Hales Passage, and all the way out to Filucy Bay. Gig Harbor's past and present is intricately connected to the water.

I don't know the statistic, but I would really be interested to know what percentage of local residents on the peninsula own a boat. I know everyone can't own a boat, but getting out on the water is on a lot of people's wish-list. At the Gig Harbor Visitor Information Center we receive hundreds of visitors wondering how to get on the water or close to the water, during their visit. My family is lucky and we do own a boat...but there are times we want to sink it. Boat ownership can be a lot of work, and sometimes it would be nice to have someone else deal with the boat and just relax and enjoy the ride! And now we can. Both locals and visitors now have an option to get out on the water and enjoy a tour thanks to longtime Gig Harbor resident Tom Drohan.

"Up Close and Personal" is the mantra of Destiny Harbor Tours, a new marine tour company in Gig Harbor, now offering tours and private charters from Gig Harbor and Tacoma. Two boats, "Destiny" and "Maritime" can each seat up to 39 passengers for an adventure experience enjoying the beauty, wildlife and habitat of Puget Sound and Gig Harbor.

Captain Tom is excited to bring this new, and much needed service to Gig Harbor and looks forward to greeting visitors and locals this summer from his launch site at Gig Harbor Rent A Boat (near Anthony's Restaurant). One and two hour tours run several times daily June - September. Schedules are posted at the dock or call (253) 225-6306. You can call to reserve a spot on a scheduled tour or you can book a private charter.

Prices for two hours tours- Adult price is $22, Seniors are $20 Children are $15 and 4 and under is free. One hour tours prices are Adult $17, Senior $15, Children $10 and 4 and under free. Private charters are also available and all the information is listed on the website www.destinymarine.com

Destiny Harbor Tours is an added feature to both living and visiting Gig Harbor. It's locally owned by one of Gig Harbor's own and deserves our support. It provides another fun amenity to our historic downtown region while fulfilling a need we have sorely lacked as The Maritime City. Join me this summer on board one of Destiny Harbor Tours boats and salute Captain Tom for his innovative efforts!

ITS MARITIME GIG TIME

Annual Family Event takes place June 6th and 7th

Yo Ho Harbor is the theme for this years Maritime Gig, Gig Harbor's favorite summer festival.

Once again this year, the festival is full of fun, family activities for the young and young at heart. Welcoming to Gig Harbor for the first time, The Seattle Seafair Pirates! So get into the Pirates of the Peninsula Spirit and come down to historic downtown Gig Harbor for lots of fun.

Highlights include

Grand Parade 10am on Saturday June 6th along Harborview
Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast Saturday from 8am-11am in the QFC Parking Lot, Judson St
Children's Fair, Saturday noon - 5pm
Antique and Classic Yacht Festival both days at Jerisich Dock
5 & 10K Run on Sunday June 7th
Croatian Dancers Sunday at 1:00pm
Blessing of the Fleet, Sunday at 2:30pm

Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association will hold its first Downtown Street Fair during the Gig Fest. The Street Fair will include a sidewalk sale, booths, in-store promotions and street entertainment.

Through out the two day event, food, booths and fun will be available as well as a variety of great entertainment including;

The High Rollers

Michael O'Neill

Kim Archer Band

Juggler Roberto the Magnificent

Magician Jeff Evans

the Vela Luka Croatian Dancers

and much more.

See all the events and entertainment line up at www.maritimegig.com

HEALTHY HARBOR OFF AND RUNNING
Lots of Great June Events

The Gig Harbor Street Scramble launched Healthy Harbor 2009 on May 23rd when 700 people turned out for this fun, free family event. Healthy Harbor event guides are available all over the Greater Gig Harbor area. Pick one up today or see the entire list at www.gigharborguide.com .

Here are some fun highlights happening in June:

ITS FRESH PRODUCE TIME -- PATTERSONS FRUIT MARKET opens for the season on June 1st (3817 55th St. Ct. NW. Don't miss the Watermelon Eating Contest Fathers Day Weekend June 20&21 (253) 851-8144

GIG HARBOR FARMERS MARKET opens its Wednesday downtown Market every Wednesday in June at Skansie Brothers Park from 11am-4pm. Saturday market continues at Kimball Park and Ride from 8:30am-2pm. www.gigharborfarmersmarket.com

KEY PENINSULA FARMERS MARKET opens May 31st and runs every Sunday through September in Key Center from noon - 4pm. Learn more at www.kpfarmersmarket.org

LECTURE SERIES CONTINUES THIS MONTH

June 4th "When Things Go Wrong Down There" 7pm St. Anthony Hospital www.FHShealth.org
June 10th "Healthy Living in Hard Times" 6:30pm at Gig Harbor Civic Center, presented by Healthy Communities of Pierce County. www.healthypierce.org
June 11th "The Spine...What Ails You", 7pm St. Anthony Hospital www.FHShealth.org
June 11th "Nutritionist Brown Bag Lunch Series", 12:30pm at Gig Harbor YMCA, presented by MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park. www.tacomaymca.org
June 18th "Health, Hormones & Happiness", 7pm St. Anthony Hospital www.FHShealth.org

HEALTHY HARBOR DATES TO REMEMBER

Harbor WildWatch Free Beach Walks begin. See the schedule at www.harborwildwatch.org
Sound to Narrows June 13th www.soundtonarrows.org
Relay for Life June 19th and 20th www.acsevents.com

12th Annual Gig Harbor Garden Tour

June 27th and 28th

Beautiful Gig Harbor gardens will be celebrated the weekend of June 27 & 28th in honor of the annual Gig Harbor Garden Tour. The annual two-day event features private gardens, lectures and more on Saturday and Sunday. This year 7 private homes will be featured on the tour with garden themes including perennial, waterfront, historic and a farm gardens.

Expanded feature this year includes the drawing for the artist created Adirondack Chairs, created by nine local artists and on display at the gardens. Raffle tickets will be available at all the gardens and at many local businesses leading up to the weekend of the tour.

In the past 12 years the Gig Harbor Garden Tour has grown and become one of the regions best known tours - providing peeks into the private gardens of Gig Harbor residents.

The Gig Harbor Garden Tour is a tour for literacy, with proceeds benefiting the Peninsula Adult Basic Education Program at the Gig Harbor campus of Tacoma Community College. During the past decade $60K has been raised for local literacy efforts from the tour.

Tickets for the Gig Harbor Garden Tour go on sale in April. Learn more at www.gigharborgardentour.com

Amazing Grace Welcome Back

AMAZING GRACE is back in Gig Harbor, after "wintering" in San Diego for some refurbishing. Welcome back to Grace and her Crew! www.amazinggracetallship.com

	LEARN MORE OUT ABOUT OUR JUNE ESCAPE CLAUSE SPECIAL AT THE MARITIME INN