Get to the Key for a Fabulous Farm Tour

October 1st 2011

The locally owned farms and producers on the Key Peninsula are working together once again this year to organize the annual “Harvest Fest Farm Tour”, Saturday October 1st. Now in its third year, this event used to be a part of a larger Pierce County event. But when that event died, the Key Peninsula farm owners came together to make sure the Key Peninsula Farm Tour continued. And it is going to be an awesome day.

At least five local farms will be part of the tour which is free and perfect for young and old alike. Bring out of town guests, because it’s a great opportunity to show both visitors and residents that there is a much broader reason to stay in Gig Harbor for several days. After you’ve visited historic downtown and/or Uptown, visiting the Key Peninsula is a wonderful way to extend the greater Gig Harbor experience – and one the locals will also find surprising!

Wilkinson Park Swale Planting

Over the last 100 years, the Wilkinson family homestead on Rosedale Street has undergone many changes. Now a city park, the almost 18 acre site features a historic barn, holly orchard, and community garden. But the centerpiece of the park is a large pond, believed to be formed by the damming of natural springs that flow onto the property.

The pond contains an outlet that flows north and crosses under Rosedale Street as it makes its way to the Harbor. The outlet swale is currently lined with a smattering of trees (fir, for example) and shrubs, but is in danger of filling in with a non-native, invasive plant known as reed canary grass.

Sporting Events Attract Out of Towners

A New Opportunity for Gig Harbor

Me and my co-worker Karen participated in the Courage Classic bike ride the first weekend of August. This amazing three day bike ride over three passes raises money for Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital – a very worthy cause.

Boating Safety in Washington

Washington State has some of the most beautiful scenery and best boating opportunities in the country. The Columbia River, Lake Chelan, Puget Sound or any of the hundreds of smaller lakes and waterways make Washington State a popular destination with boating enthusiasts. By following safety guidelines and being properly educated on the dangers of boating will help keep a fun activity from turning into a tragedy.

Recent legislation requires that Washington boaters operating a boat of 15 or more horsepower must carry with them on the water an education card issued on completion of an approved boater education course. Courses can be completed in a classroom, through a home study course or over the internet but, whichever course you choose, check to make sure it is approved.

Harbor Wine and Food Festival is Here!

By Guest Blogger Al Abbott

Join us on Saturday August 6th, 2011 at The Most Exciting Event in the South Sound!

Gig Harbor presents the Award-Winning*, 2nd Annual Wine and Food Festival, located on the historic waterfront in this beautiful maritime community. The 2011 Gig Harbor Wine & Food Festival is presented by Fournier Insurance Solutions. Proceeds benefit the Harbor History Museum and the Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association.

The 2011 Festival will feature the Celebrity Chef stylings of Chef Kevin Gillespie, Executive Chef and Co-Owner of the Woodfire Grill in Atlanta, Georgia. Chef Gillespie was a top 3 finalist and Fan Favorite on season 6 of Bravo Channel’s “Top Chef.” He is a 2 time semi-finalist for the James Beard Foundation ‘Rising Star Chef of the Year” award. Chef Gillespie prides himself on using fresh, organic, and sustainable ingredients in all of his dishes. As a rising young culinary star that brings more than just good food to the table, Gillespie was named one of Mother Nature Network’s top “40 Chefs Under 40” in November 2009 for linking farms to forks and promoting better health for people and the planet. Read more about Chef Gillespie on our Personalities page.