Arts & Entertainment Community

Harbor Happenings | One last summer weekend is on tap

Posted on August 27th, 2024 By: Charlee Glock-Jackson

As summer winds down, so do many summertime activities. Outdoor concerts, the waterfront farmers market and other events will soon pack-up for the year as kids return to school (Sept. 3 in the Peninsula School District) and the season shifts to autumn.

But there are still plenty of things to do, places to go, sights to see …

Idyl at the BoatShop

Boat builder Tom Regan will talk about his 30-foot sharpie sailboat, Idyl, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Gig Harbor BoatShop.

The Idyl is a pure sailing vessel with no motor. Regan is a familiar face at the BoatShop: he’s the long-time leader of the Community Boat Restoration program and recently retired as owner of Grapeview Point Boatworks where he built dozens of wooden boats, including Idyl.

Burgers and beers will be for sale starting after Regan’s presentation, and the BoatShop and Idyl will be open for tours. Tickets cost $5 for BoatShop members or $10 for non-members. The BoatShop is at 3805 Harborview Dr. Get tickets here.

Book groups

The Gig Harbor Library’s nonfiction book club meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, to discuss “Under a White Sky” by Elizabeth Kolbert. The library is at 4424 Point Fosdick Dr.

The Gig Harbor Literary Society book group meets at Harbor History Museum at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, to talk about “The Jump-off Creek” by Molly Gloss. It’s a dramatic tale of the trials and tribulations of a widowed homesteader set against the backdrop of the Blue Mountains of Oregon in the 1890s. All are welcome at Literary Society’s discussions, whether or not you’ve read the book. The museum is located at 4121 Harborview Dr.

Final Summer Sounds of 2024

The Profits close the Summer Sounds at Skansie concert series at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27.

Two local fourth-graders, twin sisters Maia and Aura Weniger, will provide a musical interlude during the intermission. The girls were contestants in the Kiwanis Club’s Gig Harbor’s Got Talent contest earlier this year.

Summer Sounds concerts are free and family friendly. To avoid the downtown traffic and parking hassles, park at the Kimball Park and Ride and take the Route 100 bus down to the concert. The bus leaves the Kimball Park and Ride at 5:41 p.m. on weekdays, then heads downtown with a stop at Skansie Park. After the concert, Route 100 will pick riders up at the park at approximately 7:37 p.m. and 8:37 p.m., returning up the hill to the Park and Ride.

More live music

National Park Radio will supply the music for PenMet’s final summer concert starting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, at Sehmel Homestead Park. The music starts at 6:30 p.m. The duo’s songs reflect contemporary themes of love and life. Free and family friendly.
Local favorites Sweet Mary and Pedal & Steel close out this year’s Waterfront Farmers Market season Thursday, Aug. 29. The market runs from 1–6 p.m. in Skansie Park.
Kimball Cofeehouse hosts an open mic every Thursday starting at 5:30 p.m. On Friday, Aug. 30, The Soulful 88s take the stage at 7 p.m. Kimball gigs are free and family friendly. Bring granola bars to help Food Backpacks 4 Kids fill backpacks with healthy food and snacks.
The AP Collective plays laid-back acoustic covers and originals in the Olalla Winery loft starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30. starting at 6:30 p.m. Make reservations here.
Karen Lauren Peters plays at Locust Cider, 3207 57^th Street Court, at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31.

Walk along the waterfront

The last “Skiffs to Spirits” tour of the waterfront takes place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, starting at Harbor History Museum and ending at Heritage Distillery. Hear stories about the net sheds, the historic fishing fleet and other working waterfront history.

The final “Wonders of the Waterfront’” walk takes place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31. It starts at Donkey Creek Park and ends at the Maritime Pier. Along the way the tour guide will describe the natural and built history of Gig Harbor. Each tour is approximately 1.5 miles long and takes about two hours. The tours are free, but donations are always welcome. Be sure to arrange for return transportation for each tour.

At the movies

The SummerFest movie at the Galaxy Theatres in Uptown is “The Angry Birds” through Aug. 29. Showtimes are 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The SummerFest movie starting Aug. 30 is “Sing.” Showtimes are 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Aug. 30; 10 a.m. and 12:50 p.m. Aug. 31; 10 a.m. and 12:50 pm. Sept. 1; 10:30 am. and 4:30 p.m. Sept. 2; and 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sept. 3 and 4. SummerFest movies are just $2.

Wednesday’s Flashback Cinema movie at the Galaxy is “Smokey and the Bandit.” Showtimes are 12:15 and 6 p.m. The Flashback movie on Sunday, Sept. 1, is “The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring.” Showtimes are 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Flashback movies are just $5.

Looking ahead

The annual Race for a Soldier 12K, 5K and virtual run takes place Sunday, September 8. The race raises funds for the Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation that supports military veterans and their families who are suffering from PTSD. Go here for information.