Lantern Paddle for Species

Get out those LEDs – and if you have one, a kayak or paddleboard. On Friday June 10, Tacomans will light up the Thea Foss Waterway with the annual Lantern Paddle for Species, a part of Tacoma Ocean Fest 2022.

With FREE shoreside entertainment from 7-9pm, FREE light art and paddle launch at 9pm, the event isn’t just a cool excuse to rig up lights on your paddlecraft or wave them on land.

You’ll also be helping create a magical twilight moment, celebrating all threatened species – like our own orcas and salmon – and reminding our world what we need to do to protect them from pollution, climate change and extinction.

WHERE: Foss Waterway Seaport, 705 Dock St, Tacoma

SCHEDULE

6-10pm: Museum open with hands-on marine science and a sneak peek at this year’s Ocean Fest art. Food trucks and beer garden in front parking lot.

7-8pm: PLU Steel Pan Ensemble, plus start of Seventy-48 paddle race

8-9pm: Vuelta La Luna aerial circus

9-10pm: Paddle launch from FWS dock or Thea’s Park, and circle in front of Seaport. Wear/bring lights and/or watch on land. Native American flutist Paul Chiyokten Wagner, projection light art and roaming illuminated puppets.

NB: Metro Parks kayak trip has been canceled.

SAFETY

Please stay safe. Wear a lifejacket and know your water limits. Human paddlecraft only, please. Beginners: Stay inside the protected water area beside the dock.

NOTE: Paddling is done entirely at your own risk! We take no responsibility for your safety on the water. If in doubt, stay on land. If sick, stay home.

HOW CAN YOU HELP PROTECT MARINE SPECIES?

• Join the Lantern Paddle and bring/wear something that reminds us of the beauty of ocean life
• Explore our Ocean Actions and make them part of your daily life: refuse single-use plastic, avoid chemicals in your home/yard, support green energy, drive less, save salmon for orcas, eat ocean-friendly and more
• Clean up a beach – do the Beach Cleanup on June 11!
• Talk to your friends about it. Speak up and vote for the ocean.
• Donate to one of our eco-partners that protect local marine wildlife: Harbor Wild Watch, SR3, Communities for a Healthy Bay, Washington Environmental Council, The Ikkatsu Project, 350Tacoma

WHERE TO LAUNCH?