Revitalizing Gig Harbor’s Round Rock Contest

The popular Round Rock Contest was created in 1951 by C.E. Shaw, who was well known for entertaining Gig Harbor with Rooster Races in the 1930’s and 1940’s. The Round Rock Contest was re-introduced in 1998, and now each year the winners are announced during the first weekend in June during the Maritime Gig Festival. The concept for the contest is simple. Participants search for the roundest natural rock they can find and submit it to the Museum prior to the contest deadline. Cash prizes are awarded to the five rocks or stones judged the most perfectly rounded rocks.

On Thursday, March 29th, we invite you to join Harbor History Museum Director Stephanie Lile and former Geology Professor Steve Benhams as we revitalize Gig Harbor’s Round Rock Contest. The evening’s program will be divided into two parts with Lile covering the history of the Round Rock Contest and Benhams discussing the science and geology behind round rocks. You might even be able to pick up some tips on where to find this year’s winning rock!