Arts & Entertainment Community
Maritime Gig Festival coming this weekend
The Maritime Gig Festival unofficially kicks off the summer season in Gig Harbor June 3 and 4.
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Crowds of 6,000 to 8,000 participants and spectators are expected along the waterfront for the two-day festival.
The highlight of the festival is the Maritime Gig Grande Parade, which starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 3.
A scene from the 2022 Maritime Gig Festival Grand Parade. Angela Dice
Sunday, June 4, brings the Wheels on the Water car show and the Blessing of the Fleet, in which clergy from St. Nicholas Catholic Church bless the fishing fleet assembled in the harbor.
The Blessing of the Fleet during the 2022 Maritime Gig Festival. Vince Dice
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2023 Maritime Gig Festival:
Parade route
As usual, the parade runs along Harborview Drive from North Harborview to Soundview, then the short stretch up Soundview to Judson, where the route ends.
The parade includes about 100 bands, floats and other entries.
Gig Harbor Now plans to live stream the parade on our Facebook page. Click here on Saturday morning to watch.
Parking
The best bet is often to park at the Kimball Park and Ride and catch a bus down the hill. St. Nicholas Catholic Church (3510 Rosedale St.) and Gig Harbor United Methodist Church (7400 Pioneer Way) offer paid parking.
Road closures
Harborview Drive between Rosedale Street and Soundview Drive will be closed from 5 a.m. Saturday until 7 p.m. Sunday. So will Pioneer Way near Harborview.
Closed from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday: Harborview Drive between Burnham Drive and Soundview; the short stretch of Soundview between Harborview and Judson Street; all of Judson; and North Harborview Drive between Peacock Hill Avenue and Harborview Drive.
Access to Stinson Avenue between Harborview and Rosedale Street and Rosedale Street between Stinson and Harborview will be restricted from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday for the parade and fun run.
Parade route and road closures
Music at Uptown
The Night Gig, a 20-piece big band, will perform from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Uptown Gig Harbor Pavilion.
Schedule
Saturday, June 3
8 a.m.: Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at Skansie Brothers Park. Free, with a menu of pancakes, sausages, coffee and orange juice.
8:30 a.m.: The Kids Dash and U.S. Bank fun Run on Harborview Drive
10 a.m.: The Maritime Gig Grand Parade
Noon: Business booths, vendor fair and children’s fair opens
Saturday Entertainment & Concerts
Noon: My Guilty Pleasure
2 p.m.: Kellee Bradley Band
3:30 p.m.: Adam Krum & Hwy 65
5 p.m.: Kim and Brian Music, LLC
6:30 p.m.: Kalimba
Sunday, June 4
10 a.m.: Local Makers Gig Harbor pop-up market opens
11 a.m.: Wheels on the Water Car Show on Harborview Drive
1 p.m.: The Blessing of the Fleet
3 p.m.: Car show awards
Sunday entertainment
10 a.m.: Caroline Goodwin
11 a.m.: Band Lele
Noon: Dixie Dusters / NMS Ceremonial Band
2 p.m.: Stacy Jones Band
3:30 p.m.: The Shy Boys