Pierce County Events Calendar

Pierce County Events Calendar

This calendar is the place to find fun events happening throughout Pierce County, including Tacoma, Puyallup, Lakewood and beyond.

Have an event that isn’t listed? Please email events@SouthSoundTalk.com with the following information:

  • Name of Event
  • Date, time and location (name of business if applicable and complete address)
  • Organizer(s) name
  • Cost
  • URL to purchase tickets
  • Website URL
  • SHORT description of the event
  • Photo

Our editors will review and post within a few business days.

May
4
Thu
New Washington State Poet Laureate: Passing of the Laurel to Arianne True @ Washington State History Museum
May 4 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Join us on May 4 in Tacoma as we welcome the new Washington State Poet Laureate.

Current Laureate Rena Priest will “pass the laurel” to the new Laureate Arianne True.
Poets from around the state will share poems that speak to our shared places and culture.

The Washington State Poet Laureate program is jointly sponsored by the Washington State Arts Commission (ArtsWA) and Humanities Washington.

May
6
Sat
Aging with Enthusiasm EXPO 2023 @ Pierce College Puyallup
May 6 @ 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

Aging with Enthusiasm Aging EXPO 2023 will be held on Saturday, May from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at Pierce College Puyallup in the Pierce College Center Building, 1601, 39th Ave. , Puyallup 98374 in celebration of May as Older Americans Month. Presented by the Puyallup Area Aging in Community Committee, the event is free with complimentary assorted lunch snacks.

Event participants will learn about the new realities of aging as we enter our third chapter highlighting resiliency, optimism, learning and feeling good.

Dynamic keynote speakers will open and close EXPO 2023. Additional break-out educational sessions and visits with exhibitors representing a broad array of information and services will be offered. Find additional information and to register at www.pierceadrc.org.

Hunger Walk 5K @ Fort Steilacoom Park
May 6 @ 8:00 am – 11:00 am

The Hunger Walk is an annual opportunity for community members to Support Emergency Food Network’s mission of providing food to our neighbors in need “so that no person goes hungry.” The 2023 Hunger Walk will take place on May 6th at Fort Steilacoom Park. Virtual registration is also available.

12th Annual Pierce County Bike Swap @ University of Puget Sound--Thompson Hall Parking Lot
May 6 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
12th Annual Pierce County Bike Swap @ University of Puget Sound--Thompson Hall Parking Lot

Pierce Trips is excited to be hosting the 12th Annual Bike Swap on Saturday, May 6 at the University of Puget Sound.

The Pierce County Bike Swap will bring the bicycling community together to buy, sell bikes and bike parts, teach young ones how to ride, discuss best cycling routes, and much more.

At the Bike Swap, Pierce Trips is planning on providing:

BIKE CORRAL: Buy a bike or sell a bike at our Bike Corral. If you have 1-2 bikes to sell, this is the recommended route. There are no listing or selling fees. You do not need to sell a bike to buy, or trade. Come find your new-to-you ride!

LOW-COST HELMETS: Provided by Downtown on the Go, bicyclists can purchase affordable helmets and get a proper helmet fitting.

BIKE MAP MASTERS: Discuss best biking routes with seasoned local riders at the Bike Map Masters station.

KIDS RIDING AREA: Youth can practice safe riding skills such as balancing, scanning, stopping, turning, and more.

VENDORS: We will be inviting local bike shops and bike-related organizations to show off their products and share the latest information with you on bicycling in Pierce County. If you have several bicycles or bike parts to sell, we recommend you register as a vendor. There are no vendor fees.

FOOD TRUCKS

…and more!

May
20
Sat
Hope Vision Foundation Gig Harbor Vision Fair @ Ocean5
May 20 @ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Are you adjusting to vision loss or caring for someone who with low vision? Join us for a day of community, inspiration and resources in Gig Harbor.

This free event will provide opportunities to be inspired by other people with vision loss and feature speakers on emerging assistive technologies. Informational tables will offer a chance to meet representatives from local organizations providing helpful services and adaptive aids.

May
25
Thu
State of the Urban Forest @ University of Washington - Tacoma
May 25 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Join us for a special in-person conversation focused on tree canopy and climate connections in Tacoma.

Kristi Lynett, City of Tacoma Sustainability Officer for the City of Tacoma, will discuss the impact that climate change is having in our community and the role of trees in making us more resilient.

Mike Carey, Urban Forest Program Manager for the City of Tacoma, will share about recent progress on tree policy and programs at the city level.

Lowell Wyse, Executive Director of Tacoma Tree Foundation (TTF), will talk about the many ways that TTF is working to educate the public about urban forestry and create “tree equity” across the South Sound.

This panel will be held at the University of Washington Tacoma and moderated by Pierce County Council Member Ryan Mello. Suggested donations of $15 or more will support Tacoma Tree Foundation programs.

Date: May 25

Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Location: UWT (exact room to be determined)

Jun
3
Sat
Sound Credit Union – Shred Day @ Sound Credit Union - Pac. Ave.
Jun 3 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Keep your identity safe, err on the side of caution and shred those old tax returns, bank statements and paystubs at Sound’s free Shred Day event.

A mobile shredding truck along with Sound staff will be on-site at three branch locations from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., or until the truck is full. Limit three (3) boxes per person.

In support of National Hunger Awareness Day, please consider bringing a can of food with you to Shred Day to help a local food bank in need.

Jun
10
Sat
Sound to Narrows @ Vassault Park
Jun 10 @ 6:30 am

Tacoma’s beloved Sound to Narrows event returns for its 51st year. Sound to Narrows offers something for everyone, from the state’s oldest 12K run for all ages to a 20-yard diaper dash for kids.

Early bird registration for the month of January starts at $35 for adults and $10 for children participating in the 12K or 5K; includes a collectible T-shirt and runner’s bib. Entry for students participating in the Fit for Sound to Narrows 2K is $5.

Proceeds from Sound to Narrows will benefit MultiCare Academy for Students in Healthcare (M.A.S.H.) Camp, a free, five-day camp that introduces local high school students to careers in health care.

Sound to Narrows has a long history in Tacoma dating back to 1973. Since 2003, MultiCare has put on the race as a way to provide a fun, healthy event that focuses on our community. For more information and to register, visit soundtonarrows.org.

Relay for Life of Tacoma @ Mt Tahoma High School
Jun 10 @ 1:00 pm

One person can make a difference. In May 1985, Dr. Gordon “Gordy” Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Washington, raising money to help the American Cancer Society with the nation’s biggest health concern: cancer.

Gordy spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at the University of Puget Sound. Friends, family, and patients watched and supported him as he walked and ran more than 83.6 miles and raised $27,000 through pledges to help save lives from cancer. As he circled the track, he thought of how he could get others to take part. He envisioned having teams participate in a 24-hour fundraising event. The next year, 19 teams were part of the first Relay For Life event at the historical Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000.

After previously battling stomach cancer, Gordy passed away from heart failure on August 3, 2014 at the age of 71. But his legacy lives on. He shaped an idea that started as one man walking and running a track and helped turn it into a global fundraising phenomenon.

Jul
4
Tue
34th Annual Four on the Fourth @ Steilacoom Town Hall
Jul 4 @ 9:00 am

Registration, course map, results, and photos can be found at https://fouronthefourth.org

4 Mile Cost – $15
1 Mile Kids Cost – $5

Online Registration closes on July 2nd at 11:59 PM
Registrations are also accepted on the day of the event for an additional charge of $5

7:30 AM – Registration/Packet Pick Up Opens
8:45 AM – Registration/Packet Pick Up Closes
9:00 AM – Start of 4 Mile
9:05 AM – Start of 1 Mile Kids
Street fair, parade, and fireworks will follow this event

Electronic Chip Timing
USATF Certified Course and Sanctioned Event
Event shirts available for purchase during online registration until June 30th at 11:59 PM
Scenic, mostly flat, road courses travel out-and-back along the waterfront
For everyone’s safety, pets are not allowed on the course
Prizes are given to the most patriotic dressed
Awards are available immediately after finishing

4 Mile Awards:
Ribbons are given to top 3 in each gender and age group
Medals are given to 1st place overall male and female

1 Mile Kids Awards:
Every kid receives a finisher ribbon and a small USA flag

For More Information:
Allen Culp
253-219-5252
aculp@fpschools.org

This event provides funds to purchase shoes and uniforms for local youth runners, as well as provides a college scholarship for a graduating senior