Arts & Entertainment Community

Harbor Happenings | Trotting into the holiday season

Before the Thanksgiving feeding frenzy begins, start the holiday with a fun run at the annual Turkey Trot.

The 5K run starts at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning on Judson Street. Runners can pick up their packet from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, or from 7 to 8 a.m. Thursday at Gig Harbor United Methodist Church, 7400 Pioneer Way.

The entry fee is $30 before race day of $60 on Thursday. Runners are encouraged to bring cans of food to support Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank and Food Backpacks 4 Kids.

Entry fee proceeds support scholarships for local students preparing for college.

The 2023 Turkey Trot. Photo by Julie Warrick Amman

The Turkey Trot began in 2002 when Tim Holmes’ son challenged him to run a marathon. To train, Holmes, a chiropractor, invited some friends and patients to join him in a Thanksgiving morning run “to work up an appetite.”

He also asked them to bring two cans of food for local food banks. That first year, 15 people joined the Turkey Trot. The next year brought 200 and it has grown to become a family tradition for locals and their out-of-town guests.

Winterfest and TideFest

Peninsula High School’s annual Winterfest Arts and Crafts Fair takes place Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 29 and 30  with more than 150 Northwest artisans selling their work including art, jewelry, home décor, clothing, ceramics and more.

Admission costs $6.15 and is cashless this year. Click here to buy tickets. Proceeds support the Peninsula High School Associated Student Body.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30. The school is located at 14105 Purdy Drive.

The Gig Harbor High School version, TideFest, is Dec. 6 and 7. Admission costs $5. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.

Salmon tour and beach monitoring

Harbor WildWatch biologists will lead another informative walk from Donkey Creek to txʷaalqəł Estuary at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 29. Walkers will learn about the salmon that call our local creeks and streams home and the important role creeks and estuaries play in their survival. Meet near the Donkey Creek Park restrooms.

On Tuesday, Dec. 2, the WildWatch team will host a beach monitoring event at Narrows Park during the evening low tide. Meet at the park gate, 1502 Lucille Parkway at 6:45 p.m. Dress for weather, including a headlamp, rain gear, toe an hand warmers, hat and gloves, and waterproof foot gear.

Wes, left, and Harbor WildWatch’s operations coordinator, Liz Racine, right, check out some barnacles attach to a rock. Photo by Carolyn Bick. © Carolyn Bick.

Santa on a fire truck

Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One trucks will drive through local neighborhood collecting food and toy donations Dec. 1 through 5. Find a route map here. Donations can also be dropped off at GHFMO headquarters at 10222 Bujacich Road NW between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Live music

Ted Pickett plays a Neil Diamond tribute, plus Irish tunes and cowboy standards at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, at the Olalla Winery. Get $20 tickets here.

Ignite will play classic rock hits of Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Eagles, Tom Petty, CCR and others at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, at The Float, 14511 Sherman Drive in Purdy. Sounds Like Dolores takes the Float stage for a post-Thanksgiving show at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28.

Hidden Harbor Wine Library hosts Robbie Vee at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29. Hidden Harbor is at 8805 Harborview Dr., Suite 204.

At the movies

The Flashback Cinema movie at the Galaxy Theatres in Uptown on Wednesday, Nov. 26, is “The Polar Express,” playing at 11 a.m. On Sunday, Nov. 30 it’s “The Holiday” starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet as an American and a Brit in London who swap houses at Christmas and get more than they bargained for. Showtime is 6 p.m.

Ongoing

The Lion’s Club’s annual Giving Tree campaign is underway through Dec. 13 at Olympic Pharmacy, 4700 Point Fosdick Dr. Suite 120. Stop by the pharmacy to select a gift tag from the tree, then return the tag, attached to your unwrapped gift.

Oar-making classes take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays at the Gig Harbor BoatShop. Make a pair of oars specifically sized to your boat and rowing style. Find more information here.