For 2022, details of this classic trick-or-treating event will be available soon.

Enjoy Trick or Treating on the downtown Gig Harbor waterfront. Many generous downtown merchants will have candy for Trick or Treaters from 3pm - 6m on Thursday, October 31st, Halloween.

Halloween activities downtown include:
- A "spooktacular" surprise by Harbor Dance at 4:30 and 5pm in front of Skansie Park!
- A "spooky skulls tour" presented by Harbor WildWatch at the Skansie House visitor center!
- Paradise Theatre's Haunted House - NO SCARES - Free for kids from 4-6pm. Located next to 7 Seas Brewing.
- "Trunk or Treat" at the Gig Harbor Church of the Nazarene from 3 - 6pm.
- Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One Fire Truck and Medic Unit available for the kids to visit.

Road closures will be in effect to help provide safe Trick or Treating, on Harborview from Soundview to Rosedale, and on Pioneer from Harborview to Tarabochia. Road closures times are at the discretion of the police department, but likely shortly after 2pm until shortly after 6pm.

Professional Giant Pumpkin Carver Russ Leno will be back at Uptown Gig Harbor shopping center for the annual pumpkin carving display. He will be here starting at 10 am – 4:30 pm on Oct. 28th, 2022. A local favorite here at Gig Harbor.

You are invited to a fun evening benefiting Harbor Hope Center's programs for homeless and at-risk students in Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula.

Table sponsorship:

$1,200/table of 8

$150 per person

INFO & TICKETS: HarborHopeCenter.org, or email: events@harborhopecenter.org or call 1-844-841-1954.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to make an eye-splice for mooring lines or other types of nautical applications?

Marlinspike seamanship is the art of knots and splices in fiber and wire rope, both practical and decorative.

Students will learn:

• The history and tools used for splicing.

• Ropework and different types of lines (ropes).

• Difference between knots and splices and when to use them.

• Learn the basic 3-strand splice and whipping.

About the Instructor:

Brent is a lifelong sailor and a boatwright and rigger of nearly 25 years. He recently relocated to Gig Harbor from Barnegat Bay, NJ.

This course will also be offered on November 8 and December 13, $35/per person for non-members, $25/per person for members

Location: Eddon Boatyard Joiner Shop

Gather the family, grab your costumes, & join us for this beloved Halloween tradition. Limited ticket times available - registration required for entry. 

FREE  4th Annual MacKid Trunk-or-Treat event. 

When?   SATURDAY, October 8th | 3-5pm (pre-registration REQUIRED).

Where?  Gig Harbor High School

Who?  We will have many of our amazing local vendors with trunks full of goodies.

More information at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ghmk-presents-4th-annual-community-trunk-or-treat-tickets-387322460907.

The Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance is proud to announce the return of their annual Autumn Sip & Stroll, taking place on Saturday, October 8th from 12pm - 4pm.

This popular tasting event, takes patrons on a tour along Gig Harbor’s beautiful waterfront sampling wines, brews, spirits, and tasty small bites at more than 20 businesses serving as “Stroll Stops.” Tastings at the Sip & Stroll begin at 12pm and end at 4pm, with the popular wine store, located at the NEW CHECK-IN LOCATION at the HARBOR HISTORY MUSEUM, 4121 Harborview Drive remaining open until 5pm. The Alliance will provide complimentary transportation via shuttle bus and water taxi throughout the waterfront to make it easy to visit all of the Stroll Stops.

Early-bird tickets can be purchased online for $40 through the month of August, beginning August 8th. After that, General Admission tickets can be purchased online for $45 from September 1 - October 7th. If tickets still remain, day of tickets can be purchased for $50 at the door. Our Sip & Stroll's have all sold out in advance, so get your tickets early!

Participants will receive a tasting glass, a map of all Stroll Stop locations and vendors, and 15 sip tickets for alcohol. Additional sip tickets will be available for a small fee at the registration desk. For more details about the event be sure to stay up-to-date by following us on Facebook at Gig Harbor Sip & Strolls or visiting our website at https://www.gigharborwaterfront.org.

This event is for ages 21+.

RACE INFORMATION

Saturday October 8, 2022

Pick up race number and transponder 9:00 - 12:00 am.
Start groups between 12:00 - 1:30 pm.

RACE COURSES

Courses are open to OC, SUP, HPK, SK, and Other human powered craft.

Short Course: Distance @ 5 Kilometers (Approximately 3 miles). 

Skill Level 1/2 depending on conditions day of race.

For those new to open water or if day of race conditions are above your abilities for the longer courses.

Start/Finish just outside the Gig Harbor entrance paddling South along shoreline to buoy at 2.5 Km and return to finish line.

Intermidiate Course: Distance @ 10 Kilometers (Approximately 6 miles).

Skill level 2/3 depending on conditions day or race.

Participants should have considerable experience in open water and considered intermidiate to expert paddler.

Start/Finish just outside the Gig Harbor entrance paddling South to Point Evans and bouy turn at 5 Km. Return to finish line.

Nautical course with the participant taking into account the tide, current, wind and weather conditions.

Expert Course: Distance @ 20 Kilometers (approximately 12 miles). 

Skill Level 2/3 depending on conditions day of race. 

Participants should be highly experienced in open water and considered intermidiate to expert paddler. Able to average 5+ MPH on flatwater.

Start/Finish just outside the Gig Harbor entrance paddling South under the Narrows Bridge with turn around buoy at 10 Km between Narrows Park and Point Fosdick.

Nautical course with the participant taking into account the tide, current, wind & weather conditions.

Skill Level & Conditions. 

1: Relatively calm with some wave & current action. For the Narrows Challenge paddling close to shore. Favorable to those with experience paddling in open water from beginner to intermediate.

2: Potential rough water with wind and current. Favorable to those with a considerable amount of paddling in open water from intermediate to expert.

3: Potential for high winds with strong current and rough water. Favorable to those with a considerable amount of paddling in open water at the expert level.

* Race day currents are listed as an extremely large flood. This equates to paddling with strong currents out to bouy turn and against strong currents on return.

** The Narrows Passage frequently experiences high winds. Potentially creating extreme downwind and upwind race day conditions.

Participate at your level of experience according to the conditions at time of event.

ENTRY FEES

Pre-registration: Per person $45 / Teams of 6 or more $225.

After September 28thth: Per person $55 / Teams of 6 or more $275.

AWARDS

Race purse to be determined

Prizes to 1st, 2nd & 3rd place for all categories with three or more participants

Hot Shot Awards: First single person craft to buoy turn on each of the courses.

Gifts cards and raffle prizes.

RACE REGISTRATION

Registration through Pacific Multisports. Create a login if not already a member.

https://register.pacificmultisports.com/Events/1027/Register

Registration online will be open until 10 AM Friday, October 7th.

No in-person or day-of registration is available.

Participants will receive an email with web link to a Powerpoint presentation describing pre-race preperation, course and other information on Oct. 7, 2022.

Pre-race Zoom meeting will be available for questions & answers Friday, October 7th at 7pm.

Race day morning pick up your race number, transponder, etc. at Gig Harbor Marina & Boatyard: 3117 Harborview Dr, 98335.

GETTING TO THE START

Highway 16 across the Narrows Bridge. Follow signs to downtown Gig Harbor.

There are public launch sites at Skansie Brothers Park, Eden Boat Park, Ancich Waterfront Park, Gig Harbor Boat Ramp. After you have launched paddle to the harbor entrance near Lighthouse Point.  Start and Finish will be across from Lighthouse Point. Further instructions provided during pre-race meeting.

Mandatory Safety Rules

Participants testify they have experience & are completely capable of remounting their craft in rough water.

Will always wear a Coast Guard Approved PFD.

Will always wear a leash.

Will wear bright colors for high visibility on the water.

Will render assistance to any other participant as necessary.

Water Safety

Event Permit filed with US Coast Guard.

10+ Safety boats positioned on course.

VHF Radio – Channel 72.

Equipped with throw ropes.

Additional floatation devices.

Dedicated individual to monitor Commercial Traffic.

Will adjust start times as needed.

West Pierce Fire Boat scheduled to be on the water.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Patrol requested.

Race Day Course Decisions

Any neccassary evaluations of the course conditions on the day of event will be made in agreement with Tod Cole: Race Director; Larry Richardson: Tacoma Maritime Institure - Director; Robert Nissenbaum: ACA Certified Kayak Instructor.

COVID Requirements

Participants will follow COVID guidelines as required by Washington State &  Pierce County at time of event.

Medical Plan

911 is primary Emergency contact for all participants, volunteers and staff. First aid supplies and guidance available at start/finish line dock.

Local Hospital:

St Anthony Hospital

11567 Canterwood Blvd

Gig Harbor, WA 98332

Ph. 253-530-2000

Disaster Response

Race Director will make decision to end event in case of natural or man made events.

On site mass communication will be done via volunteers on site.

Mass Email to participants for communication if required.

Race Director : Tod Cole

Email: paddle@narrowschallenge.com

Sponsored by Gig Harbor Canoe Kayak Racing Team - Masters

On Friday, October 7th at 5:30PM, the Gig Harbor Yacht Club hosts their annual GHYC Junior Sail Dinner and Auction. The Junior Sail program grew to over 650 kids in 2022. Support from this event provides boats, equipment, facilities, and scholarships.

Buy a ticket or a table or register for the online auction. The auction will be both online and in-person this year, with items including: adventure & travel, boating, electronics, for the home, out on the town, handbags & jewelry and much more.

Find out more at: https://event.auctria.com/ec17b32e-cdb0-4728-82c8-5f1f0bd22921.

The Homestead Community Network is hosting their third annual HopeRaiser Breakfast and Silent Auction On Thursday, October 6!

Individual tickets are available for $40, table purchases start from $300. Located at the Best Western Wesley Inn, find more information or purchase tickets here: https://homesteadcommunity.networkforgood.com/events/45103-2022-hoperaiser-breakfast-silent-auction.

The Homestead Community Network works to create a community of homes and resources for children in foster care and youth facing homelessness.

Washington State is facing a crisis in the foster care program which increases the need for homeless youth housing. This is a crisis that involves the most vulnerable among us. Demand is outstripping supply for foster homes and there is a shortage of hundreds of homes. The number of licensed foster homes in Washington state has declined by 17% since 2007. Nearly a quarter of kids who reach the age of 18 end up homeless with no place to call home. When we intervene in the life a child, we save not just a life, but a lifetime.

Homestead Community aims to provide a consistent, nurturing and safe home for youth up to the age of 24. We will work with the State of Washington and other local agencies to provide a safe, loving, and stable home for these youth.

Learn more here: https://homesteadcommunity.org/

Have you ever been hypnotized? Have you watched your friend be hypnotized? Here is your chance to part of the audience or possibly part of the show. See where the subconscious can take you... or your friend. The night is filled with endless possibilities. This will be a super fun, light heated, comedic evening. Grab your friends and get your tickets today! Make it a full night and grab some dinner too. Ocean5 will have food options available at the show. Doors open at 6pm, show at 7pm.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hypnotism-show-with-joe-black-rescheduled-event-tickets-374032480217?aff=erelexpmlt

Take an underwater journey of Gig Harbor Bay without getting wet (or needing special certification) through the Pier Into the Night experience.

While you stay warm and dry on the dock, our divers use an underwater video camera to live stream what they encounter below the surface. Staff biologists and trained volunteers identify the plants and animals that appear on the 10-foot screen in real time.

Animals we have encountered at past events include:

• Feather-duster tube worms

• Red Irish lorde, sculpin, and gunnels

• Red rock, kelp, and graceful crabs

• Stubby squid

• Giant Pacific Octopus

• And much more!

This program takes place on Jerisich Public Dock in Downtown Gig Harbor on the first Saturday of the month from October-March. We encourage parents to place their children in floatation devices available for free on the dock for safety. Donations are always appreciated; suggested donation of $2 per person, or $5 per family. Bring a chair and dress for the weather, rain or shine!

Benefitting the Gig Harbor Community Recreation fund, this event blends in cycling with a spirited (pun intended) Halloween costume contest. Grab your wheels and your best Halloween look, and join the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation on Sunday, October 31, 2021. Register here: Rattle Dem Bones - Greater Gig Harbor Foundation

Wet Noses Foster Paws sponsors this fun run on the Cushman Trail, from 8a to 1p, in support of Gig Harbor’s non-profit dog rescue.

Learn more: www.wetnosesfosterpaws.org

Come trade plants, starts, cuttings, seeds, etc as well as unwanted gardening tools/equipment with other gardeners from around the region. For more information, see the Gig Harbor Plant Swap on Facebook.

Join the fall fun!

PenMet Parks Scarecrow Festival is happening Saturday, October 2nd from 10:00am - 4:00pm at Sehmel Homestead Park. 

This year's event features vendors, scarecrow contest, music and entertainment, family-friendly activities and a PUMPKIN LAUNCHER! New this year is a Pee-wee Rodeo including stick horse barrel racing, hula hoop lasso, and “hog” tying. All participants will receive a prize and hat!

Be sure to stop by the Local Makers Market section to visit with vendors!

Enter your business, family or community organization for your chance to win prizes in the Community Scarecrow Competition! Prizes awarded in each category!

Your health and safety are top priority while having fun at this event. PenMet Parks is following all state and local guidelines for COVID safety, including mandates to wear masks at all times, except while actively eating or drinking.

If you have questions or want to become a vendor, contact Info@PenMetParks.org or 253-858-3400