Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
- What are the event hours?
- Is Freedom Fair only one day?
- When can I come down to pitch my picnic tent?
- How can I find where things are at Freedom Fair?
- Can I bring my pet?
- How do I get there, were can I park?
- How do I get to the park n’ ride lot for taking the bus?
- What time do the streets close to traffic?
- Is there still time for me to enter the car show?
Boater Questions
Vendor Questions
- Where is my vendor booth spot?
- Where do vendors park?
- What is the procedure for vendor loading and unloading?
- What if I'm a vendor and I have a question that I can't find the answer to?
General Questions
What are the event hours?
From 10 AM until the fireworks end at about 10:30 PM
Is Freedom Fair only one day?
Yes, it takes place only on July 4th every year.
When can I come down to pitch my picnic tent?
Please don't come down early and pitch picnic tents. They interfere with our set up of vendors and entertainment activities. Wait until after 10:00 AM or use the Public Picnic zone across from Lot #10 – enter from N 49th to Ferdinand St. and pay to park across the street from the picnic zone. It’s nice because you get to have easy access to your car for loading. It's also convenient to all Freedom Fair activities during the day, and the Fireworks Extravaganza that evening.
How can I find where things are at Freedom Fair?
We have some detailed aerial maps on our Directions & Maps page.
Can I bring my pet?
Sorry, no. Freedom Fair is not an event for pets. For health and safety concerns all pets should be left at home.
How do I get there, were can I park?
Taking the bus is a great alternative, then you don't have to deal with traffic or try to find parking. Find out all about bus options on our Express Bus Service page. If you want to drive to Freedom Fair, you can find directions and maps, including maps of parking areas, on our Directions & Maps page.
How do I get to the park n’ ride lot for taking the bus?
You can park for free at either the TCC Park & Ride or the Tacoma Dome Station. More bus info on our Express Bus Service page.
What time do the streets close to traffic?
Vehicles without passes will not have access to Ruston Way at all on the 4th of July. We recommend avoiding Schuster Parkway and the intersection of McCarver Street and North 30th Street. Please use alternate routes. The only general public vehicular access will be to the paid parking area along Ruston Way between the Lobster Shop Restaurant and the Ruston City limits.
Is there still time for me to enter the car show?
There may be. We try to sell out with pre-registration but as of this moment we still have room for day of event registration while space lasts. Do not call if you have not sent in your pre-registration from before July 1. Available spaces will be sold the morning of the 4th of July while supplies last. Go to the check point at North 48th and Ferdinand Street and register there between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m.
Boater Questions
What is the air box closure area?
During both the air show practice and actual air show, Coast Guard and FAA regulations prohibit boats inside the area referred to as the “air box,” or extending 3500' from the shoreline to the air box. Pilots perform aerobatics above the rectangular air box (located between the Lobster Shop Restaurant and the Silver Cloud Inn) and 3,000 feet toward the middle of the bay from that line along the shore side. (See the PDF map of the Air Box). No movement is allowed one half hour prior to the start of a scheduled flying time. A practice air show is scheduled from 11:00 to 11:30AM and the main air show is from 1:30 to 3:30 PM. Make sure you are clear of the box and secured prior to those times. View more aerial maps.
Boaters must completely stay out of the area near the shoreline and the buoys until after the air show ends.
Vendor Questions
Where is my vendor booth spot?
We have posted detailed aerial maps which show the locations of all vendor booths.
Where do vendors park?
Vendors are issued parking access passes prior to the 4th of July. They are directed to park in very specific parking lots as close to their booth as possible. Vendors should carefully review the contents of their arrival packet and read the directions on the back of the parking pass for detailed arrival instructions.
What is the procedure for vendor loading and unloading?
Vendors are issued a Load-in Pass that comes in their arrival packet. It designates an arrival time and the booth number along with a map that shows the location of that booth number. Vendors should carefully follow the directions on the parking pass and arrive at the scheduled Load-in time. They have 30-minutes to unload at the curb near their booth and then must move the vehicle to the designated parking lot. At the end of the day vendors may start packing up their booth at sunset and begin to walk their exhibit materials to the vehicle to pack it up. Vehicles may NOT be moved into the street near the booth until the crowds clear the street after the fireworks show.
What if I'm a vendor and I have a question that I can't find the answer to?
Vendors can contact Gary Grape at (253) 507-9357. Please read the Vendor Info page carefully first though, most info should be on that page.
