Some of us greet September with relief, with longing for crisp afternoons, fresh notebooks, flavors of apple, pumpkin, and spice. Some of us meet September with trepidation, with worry about the short days coming, the long nights, the rain, that old impending sense of book reports soon to be due. Either way, it's here. And it will be gone again. But we can discover something new, or meet up again with something old. If you're searching for a new face, a new experience, a new feeling, or just want to join your community, take a look at our list of Tacoma September events.
1. Park After Dark Golf Glow Party at Meadow Park
Friday, September 7th, 9 - 11 pm
Hosted by MetroParks Tacoma
Michael golfs here with friends pretty often, and I even walked the course when he wanted to play golf on his birthday a few years ago. Check it out!
$40
Meadow Park Golf Course, 7108 Lakewood Drive W, Tacoma
Round of 9 holes on the Williams Nine Course
LED golf ball and a glow necklace
Bucket of balls for the new driving range
Two drink tickets
2. Pooch Pool Party at Stewart Heights
Saturday, September 8th
10 - 11:30 am, or 12 - 1:30 pm
Hosted by Metro Parks Tacoma
We've taken our dog to this party a couple of times and pretty much can't stop laughing while we're there. It truly is a doggie pool party with 4 foot pool, lazy river, and spray ground all open. The chemicals have been turned off to minimize irritation, and the dogs get to go in before the pool is drained for the season. Social dogs only, please!
$12 for 1st dog, $7 for 2nd dog (2 dogs per person limit)
Stewart Heights Pool, 5715 Reginald Gutierrez Ln, Tacoma
NOTE: There's also a Dog Gone Run (2 miles) earlier in the morning and those dogs earn the first dip into the pool at 8:45 am. Learn more and sign-up for the Dog Gone Run event here.
3. Harvest Home at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum
Saturday, September 8th, 11 am - 5 pm
General Admission: $8-10, Ages 3 and under: Free, Family (Up to 2 adults + 6 youth): $35
Live singing and dancing, Victorian games, make cider, create corn husk dolls and weave wheat straw
Public jam and jelly competition (judging begins at 2 pm) so bring your best preserves for the chance to win a prize!
4. Pioneer Days Festival in Old Town
Saturday, September 8th, 12 - 4 pm
Hosted by the Job Carr Cabin Museum
Free Event - "Pay As You Can" Donation
Job Carr Cabin Museum, 2350 N 30th St, Tacoma
All ages, children, families, everyone is welcome!
Storytelling, crafts, live music, games, and hands-on pioneer demonstrations like panning for gold
5. 6th Annual Downtown to Defiance
Sunday, September 9th, 9 am - 2 pm
Hosted by the City of Tacoma
Walk, run, skate, roll, bike, move however you like without your car (or a motor, you get it)! There are several "official stops" at parks along the way with games, food, and fun all set up for you.
Free
Tacoma Waterfront - nearly 7 miles from 21st Street Park to Point Defiance
All are welcome. Pre-register if you'd like to be entered to win prizes!
6. Together: Washington Trafficking Prevention's Inaugural Fundraiser
Wednesday, September 12th, 5:30 - 7 pm
You've heard about human trafficking but aren't sure what it is, or maybe what's happening in our own community? Or, you've heard a lot about what's happening, or even have personal experience, but don't know what you can do about it? Come to this event. Learn more about trafficking, and find out how Washington Trafficking Prevention is fighting trafficking and its causes. You can even get involved! If you'd like to learn more now, take a look at our blog article introducing this non-profit and its brave executive director. See you there!
$25 online, $30 at the door (either way it includes 2 drink tickets)
Bates Technical College - Central Campus, 2320 South 19th Street, Tacoma
Interactive displays, success stories, appetizers
Opportunity to give and ways to get involved
7. Tacoma Moon Festival at Chinese Reconciliation Park
Saturday, September 15th, 1 - 7 pm
Hosted by the Chinese Reconciliation Project Foundation
Free
Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Park, 1741 N Schuster Pkwy, Tacoma
Open to all ages and the whole community!
Live music and dance, food vendors, tea tastings, art vendors, beer and wine garden
The Moon Festival Princess leads a parade of lanterns at the end of the festival around 6:45 pm, see MainStage schedule here
8. Flavor: Stand Up for Immigrants, Sit Down for a Meal
Thursday, September 20th, 6 am - 12 am
Fundraiser for Tacoma Community House
I'm a Tacoma Community House volunteer and I love the work TCH does (and has been doing for 108 years!) to support and advocate for immigrants and refugees in our community, as well as their work in education and employment. Learn all about Tacoma Community House here!
Eat at one (or more!) of the 13 participating restaurants on September 20th and 25-50% of your bill (depending on the business) goes to TCH programs that empower immigrants and refugees in the South Sound
You also have the opportunity to speak with a volunteer from TCH while dining to learn more, and you can give directly to the non-profit as well
Over 1/2 of the participating restaurants are immigrant owned and all are immigrant friendly - places like: Indochine Asian Dining Lounge, Infinite Soups, Joeseppi's Italian Ristorante and Catering, México magico Restaurante & Cantina, Old Milwaukee Cafe & Dessert Company, Primo Grill, Ice Cream Social, and en Rama - see the full list here.
9. La Paloma Marketplace Pig Roast & Talent Show
Friday, September 28th, 6 - 9 pm
La Paloma Marketplace Artisan Incubator Fundraiser
You might know La Paloma from the beautiful outdoor markets full of local makers, delicious food vendors, and live music happening all over Tacoma every week. If you don't know the markets and their founder Molly Alvarado yet, it's time to make their acquaintance. Rather than a market, this time it's a fantastic event you'll want to join in if you love live performance, delicious food, and supporting creative small business owners.
$100 - meal, live show, benefit Tacoma artists and creative small business owners
Point Ruston, 5005 Ruston Way, Tacoma
Farm to Table Dinner - chefs Jan Parker, Telly of Hellenic Kitchen, and guest chef Joel Milasich
Menu: Mesquite smoked whole roasted pork, seasonal salad greens with walnut vinaigrette, roasted fingerling potatoes, acorn squash soup, parker house rolls with smoked salt butter, apple strudel, locally sourced wines and coffee
Talent: this will be an eclectic performance, so be prepared for laughter, song, and dance!
10. Tacoma Oktoberfest at Dystopian State Brewery
Saturday, September 29th, 2 pm - 11:55 pm
Free and Family Friendly
Dystopian State Brewing Co., 611 South Baker Street, Tacoma
Dystopian State special Oktoberfest brews
Hess Bakery Pretzels (while supplies last!) and Sanchez BBQ + Brats at 2 pm, with Lloyds BBQ + Brats at 5 pm - for purchase
Live sketch Oktoberfest portraits starting at 5 pm
VIP package available (include 1/2 or 1 liter commemorative stein) - find links to VIP package tickets here
Partial proceeds for all sales go to local nonprofits who foster diversity and inclusion
Did you see anything that makes you happier about September (whether you're starting from a place of depressed spirits or fall exuberance)?
This list covers a lot, with something for cyclers, golfers, dog lovers, community activists, human rights advocates, old-timey harvest fest enthusiasts, beer drinkers, and anyone ready for a talent show gala on the waterfront. If you're just not sure who you even are, try something, try anything! We'll see you out there.