Community in Gig Harbor
I love living in Gig Harbor. Washington as a state is a pretty great place, but Gig Harbor in particular is my kind of place. In a society where individualism has taken over, and greed and selfish motives seem to guide decisions, Gig Harbor is striving to create, foster, and encourage community. This weekend is a perfect example.
Yesterday around 4pm, my family and I headed downtown to participate in the Gig Harbor Trick or Treat event. Over 1000 others joined us. The GHPD shut down Harborview Drive (our version of Main St or State St), and the residents and shop owners loaded up buckets of candy and other goodies. With the sun shining, temps just below 60, the fall leaves more colorful than I remember, and the still water of Gig Harbor Bay, I can’t imagine a more enjoyable setting to bring so many families together. While all this was taking place, the Gig Harbor Uptown Center was also holding a trick or treat event.
After leaving downtown, we headed up the hill to the Believer’s Fellowship Harvest Party, where 100’s more people were on hand to experience games, a giant slide, a jump house, and more teeth-rotting candy! Many of the same folks we saw downtown we saw again at the Harvest Party, some of whom attend the church, many of whom do not. On the way home from the party, we drove past the high school stadium, which was packed with folks watching Peninsula High’s football team beat Franklin Pierce 45-39.
This morning we’re getting excited to head downtown again where again portions of the road will be shut down to make room for the 2nd Annual Chum Festival. The Gig Harbor Commercial Fishermen will be educating folks on the needs of protecting our salmon and salmon waters, and there’ll be kayak races, chum burgers, booths and games for the kids. That’s today from 10am-4pm. During that same time, GHHS will be hosting the annual Ski Swap. We won’t be headed there, but another great opportunity for community gatherings.
I love living in a place that is intentional about getting the community together. I love that Gig Harbor feels like a small town, even as it continues to grow. I love Gig Harbor!
