Arts & Entertainment Community
Harbor Happenings | Learn some Buried History at upcoming cemetery tours
Learn about the contributions of some of Gig Harbor’s earliest pioneers during Buried History tours at Artondale Cemetery on the next two Sundays, Oct. 12 and Oct. 19 .
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The tours take place at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., with two tours during each time slot. Complimentary hot cocoa and cider will be available. The tours are led by Far North Retreats and take place rain or shine.
Each tour is limited to 20 people, regardless of age. Proceeds from the tours benefit the Artondale Cemetery Association and Harbor History Museum. Tickets are $20 per person and available here. No dogs are allowed on the tours.
Artondale Cemetery hosts the Buried History tour on Oct. 12 and 19.
Narrows Challenge
Paddlers of all ages can participate in races through the Narrows Passage on Saturday, Oct. 11.
Courses range from 5K to 20K in the open water between the mouth of the harbor and the Narrows Bridges. Stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and other human-powered watercraft can participate.
The start and finish points are just outside the entrance to the harbor, across from the lighthouse point sandspit. Entry fees are $55 per person or $275 for teams of six or more. Proceeds support the Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Racing Team. The races start at 1 p.m., with a pre-race meeting at noon. Winners of each race receive cash awards. Register through Pacific Multisports.
Public launch sites are located at Skansie Park, Eddon Boat Park, Ancich Waterfront Park and the boat launch on Randall Street. Spectators can watch from the water, and from vantage points at the Old Ferry Landing and the lighthouse sandspit.
The 2025 Narrows Challenge race is Saturday, Oct. 11. Photo courtesy Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Racing Team
Places conference
The Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront Alliance and the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation host a gathering of preservationists from across state during the Places Conference, Oct. 8 through 10. Harbor History Museum, the Gig Harbor BoatShop, Harbor WildWatch and other local organizations will lead workshops during the event.
Click here for more information about the conference and look for more coverage of it later this week.
School board candidates forum
Candidates for the Peninsula School Board will participate in a forum at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at PenMet Parks headquarters, 2416 14th Ave. NW.
Candidates — including Matthew Bruhn in director district 2, Emily DuCharme in director district 3 and director district 5 candidates Jonathan Appleton and David Olson — have been invited to participate. The free event is sponsored by Moms for PEACE and will be moderated by retired teacher Jonathan Bill.
Beach clean-up
The Greater Gig Harbor Foundation’s EnviroCorps program and Washington State Parks lead a beach clean-up at Kopachuck State Park from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11.
Volunteers will remove marine debris, litter and treated lumber that can cause long-term environmental damage. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear suitable for beach conditions. Kopachuck Park is located at 20001 70th Ave. NW.
The beach at Kopachuck State Park on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. Photo by Vince Dice
Candle-making workshop
Olalla Vineyard and Winery hosts a candle-making workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12. The $50 event fee will be applied toward the candle you make and accessories. Reservations are required.
Live music
Play music bingo at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the Beer Vault, 14004 Purdy Drive. Bring your best music knowledge; your favorite tunes are part of the game.
Kimball Coffeehouse hosts an open mic from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays with sign-ups at 5:30 p.m. On Friday, Oct. 10, the Mark DuFresne Band featuring Billy Stapleton takes the stage at Kimball at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Sweet Mary Farr leads an open mic at the Olalla Winery at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10. Bring your instrument and share your music. Sign-up on arrival. Free; 21-plus.
Friday, Oct. 10 is open mic night at The Beer Vault, hosted by Shawn Pratt of Northwest Chill. All ages and skill levels are welcome starting at 6:30 p.m.
Brandon Morgan plays a blend of country and classic rock, plus big band covers and originals Saturday, Oct 11 at the Beer Vault. Morgan’s 13-year old daughter Marcella will join her dad on a few tunes. Music starts at 7 p.m.
Locust Cider hosts an open mic from 6 to 9 p.m. Mondays. at 3207 57th Street, next to The Inn at Gig Harbor.
At the movies
Wednesday’s Flashback Cinema movie at the Galaxy Theatres in Uptown is “Casper,” with Casper the Friendly Ghost in his big-screen appearance. Showtimes are 12:30 and 6 p.m. on Oct. 8. Sunday’s Flashback movie is “The Corpse Bride” in Tom Burton’s stop-motion animation of a young man who mistakenly weds a corpse and needs the help of his real-life bride-to-be to set things right. Showtime Sunday, Oct 12 is 12:40 p.m. Flashback movies are just $5.
The Galaxy’s Friday Fright Night movie on Oct. 10 is “Saw” showing at 8:15 p.m. Fright Night movies are just $5.
Starting Friday, Oct. 10, the Spooky Series Movie is “The Box Trolls,” based on the children’s novel “Here Be Monsters,” showing at 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 12; and at 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13 and Tuesday, Oct 14. Spooky Series films are just $2.
Civic engagement
The Gig Harbor City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, at the Civic Center, 3510 Grandview St. Agenda items include swearing in of new Police Chief Tray Federici, public hearings on Phase 1 Code Development, map amendments, and adoption of an ordinance creating a new Parks Code.
Councilmember Jeni Woock hosts Jeni Listens at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14 at Cutter’s Point Coffeeshop in Olympic Shopping Center.