On Sunday, August 6th, the Downtown Tacoma Partnership was proud to host the Downtown Tacoma Block Party, a free community event celebrating the vibrant and diverse culture here downtown.
Throughout the day, thousands of community members came out to enjoy all-day entertainment, exciting vendors, delicious food and drinks, along with activities and fun for all ages.
“From the success of this first time out, it’s a safe bet that the Downtown Tacoma Block Party will become the city’s newest annual summertime highlight,” the Tacoma Weekly shared.
Guests were immediately welcomed to the event by friendly volunteers as they crossed under colorful arches of balloons, quickly becoming immersed with the many block party sights and sounds as aromas from food vendors filled the air.
Vendors curated by the Tacoma Sunday Market lined the street offering goods ranging from vintage clothing and memorabilia to plants, treats, photo booths and more. Both kids and adults enjoyed the children’s play area hosted by downtown’s Channing Baby & Co. in partnership with Greentrike, along with skateboarding lessons for all ages hosted by Alchemy Skateboarding and The Method Skateboards & Coffee.
When strolling the plaza outside Theater on the Square, visitors engaged with booths from community partners featuring organizations who call Downtown Tacoma home like Tacoma City Theaters, historic Old City Hall, the YMCA, KNKX Radio, Tacoma Arts Live, Tacoma Art Museum, the Museum of Glass, Tacoma Events and Venues, South Sound Scooters, Spaceworks Tacoma, and Grit City Magazine.
Food vendors included tasty offerings from Jan Parker Cookery, Cookie’s Country Chicken, Galileo’s Pizzeria, The Corndoggery, La Cocina de Jalisco, Ronnie’s Smashburger, Trini Plate, La Chapparita and Elotes Nataly.
The 21+ beer garden hosted by the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce managed by downtown’s Court House Square staff featured beers, ciders, and wines exclusively from drink producers in Downtown Tacoma. Drinks included Heidleberg by 7 Seas, Camp Colvos, Black Fleet Brewing, E9 Brewing Co., McMenamins, Incline Cider House, Beare’s Originals, Slightly Furry Cider, Structure Cellars and Water from Wine.
We were thrilled to have Kwabi Amoah-Forson from The Peace Bus with us for the day as our event host and emcee. Festival entertainment included performances by local DJs Supreme La Rock, Taylor Hadden, QJ and Semaj, along with the longtime downtown Resident Arts Organization Tacoma City Ballet who shared a preview of their upcoming production of The Nutcracker which takes place at the Pantages Theater each holiday season.
More downtown organizations hosted live entertainment at the Downtown Tacoma Block Party like Tacoma Comedy Club who presented a stand-up set featuring notable comedians, Cory Michaelis as seen on Netflix and Andy Woodhull as seen on Comedy Central, Conan, Jimmy Fallon and more. Steel Creek, who recently celebrated their 10-year anniversary downtown, also hosted a lively line dancing lesson where all ages and skill levels were invited to learn a dance on the plaza.
Later in the afternoon, live bands kicked off featuring talented local artists including Modern Daze and Saint Deon, who recently opened up for Macklemore, along with critically acclaimed bands like Among Authors and Black Belt Eagle Scout who has been featured in Rolling Stone Magazine and on Hulu’s hit series Reservation Dogs.
Event goers and participants left smiling and expressing their excitement for the next Downtown Tacoma Block Party.
The Downtown Tacoma Partnership’s first ever Downtown Tacoma Block Party was a huge success and we are already looking forward to next year! Event goers and participants left smiling, eager for more downtown events and activities. Until the next block party, stay tuned with us on social media and our email newsletter to be the first to know about the latest and greatest happenings here in Downtown Tacoma.
