Arts & Entertainment Community
Harbor Happenings: Lighted car parade heads host of holiday events
Holiday activities are in full swing was we inch closer to Christmas.
On Saturday, the annual lighted car parade will brighten the harbor as more than 80 vehicles make the rounds from Uptown Gig Harbor shopping center through downtown and Gig Harbor North, starting at 5 p.m.
The three best-decorated vehicles, as selected by a team of judges, will win prizes.
The lighted car parade starts Saturday at 5 p.m. at Uptown, runs through downtown to Gig Harbor North and back.
In addition to the parade, Uptown is also hosting Santa’s Village from 4–7 p.m. Saturday with an assortment of vendors and an appearance by Frosty the Snowman and the jolly old elf himself. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or non-perishable food item for FISH food bank.
Santa Around Olalla
Santa makes his yearly ride through Olalla Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. near Starr Road, ending about 3 p.m. on the waterfront at Olalla Bay Market. He’ll be handing out free “North Pole icicles” all along the way, then he’ll hang out at the market to greet kids who missed him on the road.
Santa’s mailbox is set up at the market for kids who want to send a letter. Every letter receives a handwritten response from Mrs. Claus or an elf, so kids are reminded to include their return address. No promises are made — just an acknowledgement that the letter was received successfully and a wish for a happy holiday.
Photos with Santa
Saturday and Sunday, Santa and the elves will be greeting kiddos of all ages in Donkey Creek Park from noon–3 p.m. Bring your camera and snap a photo for this year’s memory book.
On Saturday, Food Backpacks 4 Kids will be collecting packets of hot chocolate and hot cider for holiday meals and food backpacks. Sunday it’s Maritime Day with Santa, sponsored by the Harbor History Museum.
Santa’s BoatShop
On Wednesday from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. kids 3-5 years of age are invited to build and paint wooden toy fishing boats or tugboats at the BoatShop. Each session lasts about an hour. The cost is $15 for BoatShop members; $20 for non-members. Reserve your child’s time slot here.
Music in the air
On Saturday, the Gig Harbor Peninsula Civic Orchestra opens its 20th season with a free “Humor, Laughs and Harmonies” concert at Peninsula High School. Music starts at 7 p.m. The program includes Rimsky-Korsakoff’s “Snow Maiden Suite;” Peter Schickele’s “Unbegun Symphony;” Bill Holcombe’s “A Christmas Jazz Suite;” “Waltzing Cat” by Leroy Anderson and “Christmas Memories” written by Bruce Chase. Donations accepted. PHS is located at 14105 Purdy Drive NW.
On Friday, Grammy nominee Mark Dufresne and his band bring their unique style of Chicago blues to Kimball Coffeehouse, starting at 7 p.m. Washington Blues Society inductee Billy Stapleton joins them as special guest. Free, all ages welcome. Kimball Coffeehouse is located at 6659 Kimball Drive, Suite A102.
At the movies
Tuesday and Wednesday, the Galaxy Theater features “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” as the Flashback cinema movie. Chevy Chase, Randy Quaid and several former Saturday Night Live regulars star. Tuesday showtimes are 10:35 a.m., 1:15 and 4 p.m. Wednesday showtimes are 12:30, 3:10, 6 and 8:40 p.m.
Sunday’s Flashback movie is Frank Capra’s 1946 classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” with Jimmy Stewart as Building and Loan owner George Bailey and Lionel Barrymore as the wicked miser Mr. Potter. Showtimes are 11:45 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Flashback movies are just $5.
Civic engagement
The city council will hold a virtual study session Thursday, Dec 14, at 3 p.m. to review a report on traffic speeds in the downtown area, discuss the CIP story map and project schedule and see the city’s end of year report. The meeting can be viewed online.