ocean Archives - Tacoma Ocean Fest

Get out those LEDs – and if you have one, a kayak or paddleboard. On Friday June 2, 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/inside entertainment from 7-11pm, lantern-making workshop, 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 MAP IT
PARKING: Republic lot north of Seaport
LAUNCH: Launch your SUP or kayak from the Seaport's ramp and dock, or float down from Thea's Park just north.

SCHEDULE

6-11pm: 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 (watch them go by!) Make your own glowing ocean-themed DIY lantern inside the museum education area, led by artist Cheryl Rux. paper bag lanterns

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.

8-9pm and 9:30-11pm: DJ spinning inside the museum

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 3!
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?

On the west side, there are parking and launch spots at Thea's Park (535 Dock St), the Foss Waterway Seaport (705 Dock St, park in Republic lot), and Dock St Marina (1817 Dock St, park on street or under Museum of Glass - after 8pm.)

LOOKING FOR LIGHTS? PADDLES?

Join our FREE lantern-making workshop with Bell Street Creative, inside the museum from 7-8:30pm. All materials supplied!

Or get creative and bring your own! LEDs, holiday lights, glow lights, luminaria, even just a flashlight or two: Get creative but remember - single-use plastic harms the ocean.

Need to rent paddlecraft. Foss Harbor Marina rent out next door. Stay tuned for other opportunities.

Explore the fascinating world of low-tide creatures with marine biologist Emily Pinckney! Open for 20 masked, socially-distanced attendees and also livestreamed on Facebook, with replay here. Sign up now for in-person May/June walks at Titlow Beach, Tacoma, WA.

https://tacomaoceanfest.org/beach-walk-sign-up/

Explore the fascinating world of low-tide creatures with marine biologist Emily Pinckney! Open for 20 masked, socially-distanced attendees and also livestreamed on Facebook, with replay here. Sign up now for in-person May/June walks at Titlow Beach, Tacoma, WA.

https://tacomaoceanfest.org/beach-walk-sign-up/

Explore the fascinating world of low-tide creatures with marine biologist Emily Pinckney! Open for 20 masked, socially-distanced attendees and also livestreamed on Facebook, with replay here. Sign up now for in-person May/June walks at Titlow Beach, Tacoma, WA.

https://tacomaoceanfest.org/beach-walk-sign-up/

POSTPONED - POSPUESTA

Están invitados a una clase de yoga muy especial! En esta clase gratis, la instructora Amelia Moore va a enseñarnos posiciones relajandos de yoga, mientras la musica Rosemary Ponnekanti va a tocar su contrabajo con sonidos de ballenas. Esta programa está en persona, pero si no puedes participar en persona, veala en la pagina de Facebook para la Tacoma Public Library.

POSPUESTA

Eastside Community Center, 1721 E. 56th St. 98404. Encuentranos afuera, en la parte de abajo.

Todos los edades son bienvenidos! Por favor, traiga su propia tapete.

Gratefully presented with support from Tacoma Creates.

Ocean Yoga 2022 postponed Spanish flier

It's back - relaxing yoga to the deep harmonies of double bass and whale song. Join teacher Amelia Moore and musician Rosemary Ponnekanti for Ocean Yoga with Tacoma Public Library. All levels, age 13+. FREE.

9-10am May 14 at Foss Waterway Seaport, 705 Dock St, Tacoma (carpooling very much encouraged; there will be an event nearby)
RVSP required here
Also livestreamed on the library Facebook page.

Gratefully presented with support from Tacoma Creates and the Foss Waterway Seaport.

Ocean Yoga 2022 English flier

Three nights of inspiring ocean film, from local to global. Orcas, octopuses, island song, devastating plastic, inspiring communities. Join us for the second annual Tacoma Ocean Film Fest, with filmmaker Q&A every evening.

Held in partnership with the International Ocean Film Fest and The Grand Cinema, this festival celebrates ocean film from around the world and right here at home. Capacity limited. $12 adults/$10 concession/free for all Tacoma students (at the door).

BUY TICKETS HERE

7-9pm June 15-17 at The Grand Cinema

7pm June 15: ISLAND SONG

Rooted (Mia Kami, Tonga)

Voice Above Water (Dana Frankoff, USA, virtual Q&A)

Small Island, Big Song (Tim Cole, Australia, virtual Q&A) – U.S. PREMIERE

From indigenous guardians to song-filled Pacific islands to a 90-year-old Indonesian man who cleans up ocean trash from his canoe, “Island Song” is all about deep human connections to the ocean, and a call to protect both cultures and ecosystems.

7pm June 16: GIANTS OF THE DEEP

The Forest Stands Tall (Abbey Dias, Seattle, in-person Q&A)

2022 Ocean Fest Youth Story Contest film winners (filmmakers in-person)

Giant Pacific Octopus (Samantha Hanna, Gig Harbor, in-person Q&A)

Dive deep to explore towering kelp forests and the elusive giant Pacific octopus with local filmmakers, including the 2022 Ocean Fest Youth Story winners.

7pm June 17: FOR LOVE OF ORCAS

For the Love of Salmon (Jan Vozenilek, Canada)

Coextinction (Gloria Pancrazi, Canada, virtual Q&A)

Journey around the Salish Sea with two Pacific Northwest films that show us how deeply we are all related – orcas, salmon, humans – and how we need to act now to protect all.

BUY TICKETS HERE

Held in partnership with The Grand Cinema, with the support of Tacoma Creates and other sponsors.

JOIN: Tacoma Ocean Fest, VT Radio, the East Tacoma Collaborative, Pierce Conservation District and Metro Parks Tacoma CHIP-In for a community cleanup at Swan Creek Park!

Clean streams mean healthy salmon, orcas and oceans. Swan Creek needs our love.

WHEN: 10am-12pm June 24, 2023

COME: Anytime, and stay as long as you are able.

BRING: A water bottle to refill, wear a hat and sunscreen and stay in the shade when you can. Bring your own gloves/bag or use ours.

CHECK IN: At the booths near the new picnic area at Swan Creek Park, turn uphill at E 44th and T Streets, then turn left to park.

ALSO: Discover ways you can protect streams at home, hear cool music from VTRU and get a free Ocean Fest sticker to take home.

Low-tide walks led by a marine biologist at local beaches. Free! Open to all ages, no sign-up necessary.

11am-12pm June 18 at Titlow Beach, Tacoma.
Park near the lodge, cross the railway line (carefully!) then meet at the picnic tables by the Ocean Fest flag.

Light art downtown, with music or poetry at each stop. At the Foss Waterway Seaport, we bring "Ghosts of the Salish Sea," 40 illuminated lanterns shaped like endangered whales and salmon. Visible from outside the (closed) museum, 5-9pm nightly.

What do you get when you combine Halloween, costumes and water fun?
The Grit City Costume Paddle!

Put on your most creative costume and paddle the Thea Foss Waterway in a fun kickoff for Halloween. All free at the Foss Waterway Seaport, 705 Dock St, Tacoma.

10am-2pm: GHOSTLY MUSEUM! Come inside the Foss Waterway Seaport for FREE fun! Wear your costume, enter a raffle, get treats, do ghostly crafts, spooky science and more. Food trucks outside.

12-2pm: TRASH-FOR-TREAT: Swing by the Ocean Fest tent at the Foss Seaport to pick up gloves and a bag (or bring your own). Then pick up trash along Dock St, and bring it back to the Trashoctopus for a free sticker and Trash Raffle entry!

1-2pm: PADDLE: Launch at the Seaport or Thea's Park, paddle down to the 11th St Bridge for a group photo! Need a kayak? Sign up HERE to join the Metro Parks trip ($15). Or watch from shore and listen to the amazing, astonishing Tacomarama Brass Band!

12-1pm: COSTUME CONTEST: Before you launch, snap a pic of yourself in costume with your board/kayak and upload below or to social media with #gritcitypaddle. (Paddlers only, please.) Upload photo below. We will also be scouting the paddle for costumes, so if you don't upload, don't stress.

CATEGORIES: Most Artsy, Best Ocean Animal and Spookiest. Prizes include a year-long membership to Foss Waterway Seaport, a Grit City Magazine swag bag and an Ocean Fest swag bag with tickets to The Grand Cinema!

2pm: TRASH RAFFLE & COSTUME PRIZES: Announced at the Ocean Fest tent and online. We'll also contact you if you win. Trash Raffle prize: Movie tix to The Grand Cinema!!

NOTE: You are responsible for your own safety. Kayaks, paddleboards and nonmotorized watercraft only. Wear a life-jacket. Dress warmly. Stay home if you’re sick.

UPLOAD COSTUME PHOTO HERE

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Three nights of inspiring ocean film, from local to global. Orcas, octopuses, island song, devastating plastic, inspiring communities. Join us for the second annual Tacoma Ocean Film Fest, with filmmaker Q&As every evening.

7-9pm June 15-17 at The Grand Cinema, 606 Fawcett St, Tacoma.

Tickets: $12 general/$10 members, seniors, students/FREE all Tacoma students

BUY TICKETS HERE

7pm June 15: ISLAND SONG

Rooted (Mia Kami, Tonga)

Voice Above Water (Dana Frankoff, USA, virtual Q&A)

Small Island, Big Song (Tim Cole, Australia, virtual Q&A) - U.S. PREMIERE

From indigenous guardians to song-filled Pacific islands to a 90-year-old Indonesian man who cleans up ocean trash from his canoe, "Island Song" is all about deep human connections to the ocean, and a call to protect both cultures and ecosystems.

7pm June 16: GIANTS OF THE DEEP

The Forest Stands Tall (Abbey Dias, Seattle, in-person Q&A)

2022 Ocean Fest Youth Story Contest film winners (filmmakers in-person)

Giant Pacific Octopus (Samantha Hanna, Gig Harbor, in-person Q&A)

Dive deep to explore towering kelp forests and the elusive giant Pacific octopus with local filmmakers, including the 2022 Ocean Fest Youth Story winners.

7pm June 17: FOR LOVE OF ORCAS

For the Love of Salmon (Jan Vozenilek, Canada)

Coextinction (Gloria Pancrazi, Canada, virtual Q&A)

Journey around the Salish Sea with two Pacific Northwest films that show us how deeply we are all related - orcas, salmon, humans - and how we need to act now to protect all.

BUY TICKETS HERE

Held in partnership with The Grand Cinema, with the support of Tacoma Creates and other sponsors.

Join us for a dynamic lunch conversation with artist/scientist Kristian Brevik, maker of the whale lantern art installation "Ghosts of the Salish Sea." We'll ride the lift 20ft up to see the lanterns close-up in real time! Then watch how they were made and installed on the 100-year-old beams of the Foss Waterway Seaport, and hear the deeper ecological story behind Kristian's work, and about endangered Puget Sound whales and salmon. With Ocean Fest director Rosemary Ponnekanti and Seaport education director Julia Berg.

Watch on our Facebook
Or on the Foss Waterway Seaport YouTube.

“Ghosts of the Salish Sea” is supported by Tacoma Creates, with special thanks to Filson Outfitters for the six giant orcas.

Three nights of inspiring ocean film, from local to global. Orcas, octopuses, island song, devastating plastic, inspiring communities. Join us for the second annual Tacoma Ocean Film Fest, with filmmaker Q&As every evening.

7-9pm June 15-17.

Tickets: $12 general/$10 members, seniors, students/FREE all Tacoma students

BUY TICKETS HERE

7pm June 15: ISLAND SONG

Rooted (Mia Kami, Tonga)

Voice Above Water (Dana Frankoff, USA, virtual Q&A)

Small Island, Big Song (Tim Cole, Australia, virtual Q&A) – U.S. PREMIERE

From indigenous guardians to song-filled Pacific islands to a 90-year-old Indonesian man who cleans up ocean trash from his canoe, “Island Song” is all about deep human connections to the ocean, and a call to protect both cultures and ecosystems.

7pm June 16: GIANTS OF THE DEEP

The Forest Stands Tall (Abbey Dias, Seattle, in-person Q&A)

2022 Ocean Fest Youth Story Contest film winners (filmmakers in-person)

Giant Pacific Octopus (Samantha Hanna, Gig Harbor, in-person Q&A)

Dive deep to explore towering kelp forests and the elusive giant Pacific octopus with local filmmakers, including the 2022 Ocean Fest Youth Story winners.

7pm June 17: FOR LOVE OF ORCAS

For the Love of Salmon (Jan Vozenilek, Canada)

Coextinction (Gloria Pancrazi, Canada, virtual Q&A)

Journey around the Salish Sea with two Pacific Northwest films that show us how deeply we are all related - orcas, salmon, humans - and how we need to act now to protect all.

BUY TICKETS HERE

Held in partnership with The Grand Cinema, with the support of Tacoma Creates and other sponsors.

Mark your Calendars! 🐟 Attend the Salmon Send-Off – Community Salmon Celebration at Swan Creek Park on March 26th!

The Foss Waterway Seaport salmon celebration starts with cleaning up the park and participate in activities with Tacoma Ocean Fest, Pierce Conservation District, and Foss Waterway Seaport’s salmon art project!

After a presentation by David Sway-La Duenas, Puyallup Tribe Cultural Department and Lushootseed teacher, join in to help release salmon fry into the stream (numbers limited).

We'll be bringing the Trashoctopus at a pop-up ocean art tent.

More information here: https://fb.me/e/2kOcFqHYF

WANT TO SAVE SALMON? Come to the Stop Salmon Extinction Rally & Procession that morning!

Learn more here.

save salmon rally flier Speak up to save salmon from extinction! Join local environmental groups to rally for the removal of Snake River dams to save wild salmon. Speakers, swag, video ops and more. (We'll bring our orca lanterns!!)

Meet 10am at Philip Hall, UW Tacoma, 1900 Commerce St
Hear from regional leaders about how to save salmon for orcas and people
Then march to offices of Sen. Cantwell and Murray, and Rep. Kilmer
Ends 12:30pm
THEN: Spend the afternoon at the Salmon Send-Off community celebration at Swan Creek! Learn more here.

We have never had such a historic opportunity for salmon and orca. U.S. Senator Patty Murray and Gov. Jay Inslee have committed to providing a comprehensive draft plan by mid-May for replacing the services of the dams. Then they will decide if they support the removal of the dams by July 31, 2022. They need our support. This will be the largest wildlife restoration project in the United States today.

Come hear:

Annette Bryan, Council Member, Puyallup Tribe of Indians
Alyssa Macy, CEO of Washington Environmental Council and Washington Conservation Voters, and member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Kristin Ang, Commissioner, Port of Tacoma
Mandy Apa, Environment Washington, University of Puget Sound graduate
Robb Krehbiel, event emcee, local activist and conservationist

At the event, please consider adding your voice to our short video testimonials to say why you care about removing the lower Snake River dams or why this moment is so urgent. We have a professional videographer waiting to record your 10-second testimonial.

Rally led by Save our Wild Salmon, with the Sierra Club, 350 Tacoma, Earth Ministry, Washington Environmental Council, Communities for a Healthy Bay, Indivisible Tacoma, Good Old Broads for Wilderness, Backbone Campaign, Washington Conservation Voters and Tacoma Ocean Fest.

Chhay Mam filmmaker Learn how to make TikTok-style videos that grab views and encourage action. Find free software and clips. Led by filmmaker Chhay Mam. Grades 6-12.