The Tacoma Events Commission is a non-profit event production group with over 30 years of experience producing Tacoma’s annual 4th of July Festival, Freedom Fair.  In addition to this beloved annual festival, the Tacoma Events Commission produced Tall Ships Tacoma in 2005, and has also introduced two new festivals in our community:  Gray Sky Blues Music Festival in April, and the Orting Pumpkin Fest in October. The Gray Sky Blues Music Festival will be held Saturday, April 13th, 2013, immediately following the Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade in Tacoma. It will feature some of the best Blues musicians to be found west of the Mississippi. Venues are in downtown Tacoma include the Harmon Brewery, the Swiss Restaurant and Pub, and Cutters Point Coffee. An "After Festival Party and All Ages Jam" will be held at The Stonegate Pizza in South Tacoma. The Harmon Brewery will host the Fourth Annual Harmon Brewery Rod and Custom Car Show. You'll discover why Tacoma is a thriving part of the music scene on the West Coast! View photos from past Gray Sky Blues events: 2011 - 2010. October 12 th, 2013, Tacoma Events Commission brings an old-fashioned harvest celebration to the South Sound with the Orting Pumpkin Fest.  Designed primarily as a food festival featuring items made with pumpkin ingredients, we'll also celebrate agriculture, music, and lots of pumpkins!   Hayrides, pumpkin carving contests, and a beer garden will keep the grown-ups happy, while Pumpkins Pals on Parade gives the children a place to show off their favorite pumpkin costume.  Musical entertainment is scheduled throughout the day.  This event will take you back to the good ol' days of fun, family-oriented entertainment. For more information, click here. For more information about TEC projects, or to get involved, contact us at: 4109 Bridgeport Way W University Place WA 98466-4328 Office: (253) 507-9357 Read About the Tacoma Events Commision and the Board of Directors. Tacoma Events Commission proudly produced the first Tall Ships Tacoma  festival in 2005. Visit TravelTacoma.com to make the most of your stay in Tacoma.		2013 Gray Sky Blues Festival takes place April 13. Click for details and full schedule GRAY SKY BLUES FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ON SATURDAY, APRIL 13. Like so many wonderful community events, Gray Sky Blues Music Festival is dependent on the generosity of volunteers. Read more about volunteering. View a Photo Gallery of the 2013 Gray Sky Blues Festival View a Photo Gallery of the 2012 Gray Sky Blues Festival View a Photo Gallery of the 2011 Gray Sky Blues Festival View a Photo Gallery of the 2010 Gray Sky Blues Festival Photos by Ricki Peto University Place Festival August 3, 2013 The University Place Festival features entertainment for people of all ages. Read more info and access sponsor and vendor forms on our University Place Festival page. The U-Place Festival was a big hit! Check out our photo gallery of some of the fun and excitement! OCTOBER 12 th, 2013 Saturday 10 am to 6 pm ORTING CITY PARK Read about the Orting Pumpkin Fest The Pumpkin Festival was a big hit! Check out our photo gallery of some of the fun and excitement! One of Tacoma's longest running and most beloved community festivals, Freedom Fair is a celebration of our Country's independence and the spirit that makes Tacoma such a great place to live and work! Click here to see how you can be a part of the celebration! Selected as one of ten "World's Best" fireworks events by Discovery.com and the Travel Channel. Also recognized as a best event by USA Today, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and the News Tribune. Many thanks to Worthy Music Ministries, a terrific sponsor of both Freedom Fair and the Orting Pumpkin Fest. We appreciate their strong support of our events. View their Freedom Fair stage flyer. Salmon Festival 2009 was a great success. View a photo gallery of the 2009 Salmon Festival. Photos by Bill Kaufmann