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Harbor Happenings | Memorial Day observances

Posted on May 20th, 2025 By: Charlee Glock-Jackson

Gig Harbor American Legion Post 236 and VFW Post 1845 will honor the memory of men and women who died while serving in the military at the annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 26 at Artondale Cemetery, 5512 Hunt Street.

The event begins at 10 a.m. and will feature music by the Puget Sound Veterans Band; a Roll Call of the Fallen; a presentation of wreaths by the St. Nicholas Knights of Columbus American Legion Post 236; rifle salute by the Peninsula Veterans Color and Honor Guard, and remarks from retired Army Col. Rick Thomas. Scout Troop 282 will also participate. All ages are welcome to attend the free event.

The annual Memorial Day observance at Haven of Rest Cemetery begins at noon Monday. A free hot dog lunch follows the ceremony. Have of Rest is at 8503 Highway 16 W.

Flags adorn graves at Haven of Rest cemetery in Gig Harbor.

Farmers Market

The Waterfront Farmers Market launches its 10th season Thursday, May 22, at Skansie Brothers Park. About 45 vendors will be on hand from 1 to 6 p.m. to sell fresh fruits and vegetables, berries, baked goods, pickles, honey, mushrooms, eggs, meat and seafood, garden starts, ice cream and more. Vendors accept SNAP EBT, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and WIC FMNP cards.

Local fiddle-duo Spare Thyme and Jesse Remmem will kick off this year’s music lineup. The first 500 visitors will receive a free 10th anniversary postcard that’s a miniature version of the commemorative poster created by local artist Hillarie Isackson.

Free shuttle service from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Rosedale, and from United Methodist Church on Pioneer Way will take attendees to the market.

The market is organized by the Downtown Waterfront Alliance and runs every Thursday through Aug. 28.

Boquets for sale at the opening day of the 2024 Waterfront Farmers Market on Thursday, June 6. Photo by Vince Dice

Mosquito Fleet Fest in Port Orchard

The Mosquito Fleet Fest, a celebration of the historic fleet of small boats that for decades provided transportation throughout the Puget Sound area, is Saturday and Sunday (May 24 and 25) in downtown Port Orchard.

Mosquito Fleet boats hauled produce, livestock, eggs, mail and passengers. They made stops at just about any waterfront community that had a dock or a float where the boats could tie-up, including locations in Gig Harbor, Olalla, Manchester and Port Orchard.

Few of the boats from the original fleet remain, but four will be featured at the Mosquito Fleet Fest: the Carlisle II, built in 1917; the “Tarry Not II,” built in 1924; the “Colby” built in 1902 and the Virginia V, who made her maiden voyage from Seattle on June 11, 1922. The Carlisle II is now the backup boat that runs between Port Orchard and Bremerton; the Virginia V, now a National Historic Landmark, has her homeport in Seattle.

The festival also includes “story sails” on the Carlisle II, tours of the Virginia V, food and craft vendors, a sing-along of music from “Pirates of Penzance,” a seagull-calling contest (on Sunday), scavenger hunt, historical displays, a Literary Corner with authors from The Greater Gig Harbor Literary Society, and more.

Literary participants include Denise Frisino, D.L. Gardner, Mary Jaffe, David Martyn, Marshall Miller and Trish Mastel Stricklin. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Click here for a complete schedule of Mosquito Fleet Fest events.

Swifties at Sehmel

Fans of Taylor Swift can sing, dance and celebrate at a watch party for The Eras Tour from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 23 at Sehmel Homestead Park. See highlights from the concert film, make friendship bracelets, snap selfies and enjoy other themed activities. Learn more here.

Bookstore grand re-opening

Invitation Bookshop will welcome booklovers to its new downtown location at 3119 Judson St. at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24. Enjoy treats plus drawings for prizes like an hour of personal shopping with a favorite bookseller, and 10% off your entire purchase. There will also be a discussion and adult-oriented craft-making with Elsie Hooper, author of “The Library of Lost Dollhouses.”

Science Saturday at Harbor WildWatch

Learn about local marine flora and fauna and participate in fun science-based activities at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 24 at Harbor WildWatch’s Marine Life Center, 3207 Harborview Drive. Free and family friendly.

Wine tasting

Sample locally produced wines at Two Loons winery from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 24. This week’s tastings include the winery’s 2023 Field Blend white wine, 2018 Merlot, 2018 Petit Verdot, 2019 Loon Labs Cabernet Franc and a 2017 Loon Labs Syrah. The winery is located at 9422 22^nd Ave. N.W.

Live music

Jack Parker plays at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 23 in the loft at Olalla Winery. Reserve tickets here.

Annie Eastwood’s Allstars, featuring Billy Stapleton, take the stage at Kimball Coffeehouse at 7 p.m. Friday. Doors open at 6 p.m. Free and family friendly.

Chrissy Dykes plays covers of Fleetwood Mac, the Cranberries, Taylor Swift and Alanis Morisette on Saturday, May 24 at The Beer Vault. Music starts at 7 p.m. at 14004 Purdy Drive.

Up the road at The Float, Gin Creek rocks the house on Saturday, May 24 starting at 8:30 p.m.

At the movies

The Gig Harbor Film Festival’s Monday Movie for May is “Bad Shabbos” showing at the Galaxy Theatres in Uptown at 6:30 p.m. May 26. It’s a lighthearted comedy in which an engaged interfaith couple plan to have their parents meet for the first time over Shabbat dinner. Added to an already stressful situation is a sudden death (or murder?). “Bad Shabbos” won the Director’s Choice for best Feature Comedy at this year’s Sedona Film Festival. Buy tickets here.

Tuesday, May 27 is Teen Movie Night at the library, with snacks a showing of “Moana 2” at 4 p.m. Library events are always free.

The Summer Fest Movie at the Galaxy is “Wonka” showing at 10 a.m. and 3:50 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, and Wednesday, May 21; and at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Thursday, May 22. Starting Friday, it’s “The Iron Giant.” “The Iron Giant” shows at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Friday, May 23; 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25; 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 26; and 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 27. Summer Fest movies are just $2.

Wednesday’s Flashback Cinema movie at the Galaxy is “Labyrinth,” a musical fantasy directed by Muppets creator Jim Henson. Showtimes are 12:30 and 6 p.m. Sunday’s Flashback movie is “Blazing Saddles” the politically incorrect 70’s comedy from director Mel Brooks. “Blazing Saddles” plays at 12:30 and 6 p.m. Sunday, May 25. Flashback movies are just $5.

Civic engagement

The Gig Harbor City Council meets Tuesday, May 27, at the Civic Center on Grandview Street. Agenda items include updating the city’s strategic plan, amending the flag display policy and reviewing a contract for geotech services for Phase 2 of the Cushman Trail. Council meetings can be viewed online.