So Much To Do and Only One Day to Do It!

TACOMA'S 4TH OF JULY EXTRAVAGANZA

For as long as we can remember, friends and families have gathered by the shores of Commencement Bay to celebrate Independence Day. This wonderful, free event features numerous activities, draws thousands of spectators every year and is one of the largest Fourth of July festivals in the West. Now it's known as one of the Top Ten Fireworks Events in the World thanks to recognition by the Travel Channel and Discovery.com. Tacoma's grand celebration has been honored as one of the nation's best by CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today as well as one of the ten best according to CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today! Visit the events web pages linked below for event details.

A symphony of light and sound will begin just after 10 p.m. The main event starts at 10:10 on a barge offshore from Old Town. Our sponsors have made it possible for us to enjoy another fabulous show! The show is synchronized to music broadcast on the waterfront sound system provided by,Warm 106.9 FM, and KLAY 1180 AM. The best place to view the show is down on Ruston Way where you can hear the music. So, come early and enjoy a full day of free entertainment, great food and fun!

About 150 artists, craft vendors and commercial exhibitors will transform the Ruston Way waterfront into a colorful and bustling public market. Merchants offer a wide assortment of toys, clothing, jewelry, art works, home decorations, personal services and much more. Bring your checkbook and comfortable shoes!

Leave your ice chest and picnic basket at home. To really enjoy all that the Freedom Fair has to offer you need to be free to roam. Explore the whole festival site, from the Lobster Shop to Jack Hyde Park, and you will find fifty great places to get something good to eat.

LOST BOYS PIRATE COVE

Avast, me hearties! Children of all ages will find something to enjoy at this year's newest activity, the Lost Boys Pirate Cove! Captain Bill and his scurvy band of pirates and wenches provide safe and enjoyable fun and games for everyone -- climb aboard their trusty ship, the 35-foot vessel, Son of the Morning Star. You'll enjoy mock battles, belly dancers, cut-throat dinghy races -- and more! The Lost Boys pirate band is an award-winning group dedicated to promoting fun and citizenship in our community, and will bring new heights of entertainment to Freedom Fair 2008.

The waterfront will be packed with great family activities like jumping toys, pony rides and a wide variety of entertainment! The Remote Control Car Races are back. By the Les Davis Pier you will find the world longest running beach pole vault championship event!

Thrilling aerobatic performances by top civilian air show stars are always a highlight of the Freedom Fair. Skilled pilots in powerful aircraft will soar, spin, flip and dive through the skies over Commencement Bay between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.

The theme for the Freedom Fair is “Honoring Community Heroes,” and to provide the community with an opportunity to join us in this effort, Camp Patriot was established at Marine Park in 2006. Booths and displays in Camp Patriot represent not only members of the American military, but also community heroes from law enforcement, fire and community safety, and non-profit activities which serve the community.

Camp Patriot is open to the public from 10 am - 8 pm in Marine Park.

Proudly sponsored by Roberta Ladd Consulting

DOG TRAINING DEMONSTRATIONS

Local trainers demonstrate techniques to help even the most unruly dog mind its manners.

Presented by Sit Means Sit Dog Training in Marine Park.

DESTINY HARBOR 4TH OF JULY TOUR

Destiny Harbor Tours offers interactive sightseeing, ecological and history adventure on Puget Sound, operating summer weekends and by appointment.

On July 4th, Destiny Harbor Tours will offer a special opportunity to festival-goers enjoying Freedom Fair 08 on Ruston Way - a delightful 40-minute tour of Commencement Bay. Get up close and personal with Tall Ships in town for the Tall Ships Tacoma festival, and enjoy the beautiful cityscape of Tacoma's Old Town and downtown area. Enjoy the best of interactive sightseeing, and learn more about the ecological and historical importance of Commencement Bay.

Tours will run all day on July 4th from the Silver Cloud dock on Ruston Way, beginning at 10:00 am and running approximately every 40 minutes until about 10 pm. You'll find Captain Tom Drohan ready to start your adventure at the DESTINY booth on the Silver Cloud Hotel pier. Go to see him!

Prices: Adults - $15 each Children - $12 each Babies - Free

Cash, Visa or Mastercard.

Street rods, classic antiques and special interest cars will be on display in the parking lot near the Lobster Shop restaurant.

The Show & Shine Car Show will not only take place in the Lobster Shop parking lot, but will also extend to the Duke’s parking lot, where you will find some of the hottest autos in the Puget Sound. Their owners have put a lot of time and love into their cars, so look, but don’t touch. Don't miss seeing the original "General Lee" Dodge Charger from the "Dukes of Hazzard"!

Download an application form (PDF) if you'd like to participate with your car.

Ten locations on the waterfront will showcase a variety of great regional and touring talent. Don't miss:

1. The KWJZ Music Stage in Jack Hyde Park
2. South American Folk Music in Hamilton Park
3. All the fun at the Metro Parks Fun Zone in Dickman Mill Park
4. Music at the Ram
5. The WARM Family Fun Stage
6. Music at Katie Downs
7. The CarToys Blues Stage at Dukes presented by MOViN 92.5
8. Congo Productions Drum Circle near Marine Park
9. The Lost Boys Pirates Cove in Marine Park
10. The KIXI Car Show Stage and Beer Garden at the Lobster Shop.