Freedom Fair - Tacoma's official 4th of July festival. 10 am to fireworks, on the Ruston Way waterfront.

Tall Ships - the nautical fun continues, in its second day. 10 am to 8 pm, on the Thea Foss Waterway/Dock St.

Frost Park Chalk-Off - Tacoma's weekly chalk competition, with independence day theme. 12 pm to 1 pm, 9th and Commerce, downtown. All are welcome to participate or spectate.

Museum of Glass Community Workshop - Museum of Glass, 1-4 pm. Enjoy the Tall Ships Festival and then step into the Museum of Glass for more nautical fun. Join artist Diane Kurzyna for a pirate- and mermaid-themed community workshop. Included with Museum of Glass admission.

Steilacoom Fourth of July Festival - All day event with a small-town flare. (Still gets very crowded) 9 am to fireworks, parade at 1 pm.

Auburn Fourth of July Festival - enjoy the holiday in a shady park in Auburn. More details on the Tacomamama calendar.

Showcase is about the best of the best of the South Sound, all put together in a visually appealing, coffee table book like format. The first issue features community events, dining picks, and a few far flung escapes. In the Fall, look for more community coverage and an expanded dining and spa guide. Eventually, we'll be adding some blog-like features to the website, including RSS capability and comments.

If you'd like to get your own print copy, stop by my booth at the Farmers Market tomorrow. Otherwise, take a look through the website and let us know what you think!

That was fast! Lawn will be mowed this Saturday.

After we drove further than we thought we should, then a little further, then further, then further still, we parked and hiked down the path to Kopachuck's secluded, gorgeous beach. The tide was out (though just about to turn) and sand dollars practically outnumbered grains of sand, scattered over a broad swathe of exposed beach, littered with the telltale signs of clam siphons. The kids immediately started turning over rocks, discovering baby crabs underneath just about every one.

Like all beaches around here, you're not really meant to take anything away from Kopachuck. If you have a license, you can dig for clams, but other than that it's considered best practice to replace rocks, and leave all the little critters and potential critter homes (aka shells) where you find them. The nature guide who told us about licensing didn't mention that kids under 15 don't need a shellfish and seaweed license in order to dig for clams, and that might have saved us some disagreements. For all other residents, they are $10.95.

Today, "Harbor Wildwatch" was stationed at the beach, conducting educational programs and providing a few temporarily captive critters for the kids to poke. They'll be there from 10-2 tomorrow as well. (Low tide is just after 11 am.)

If you go, don't forget to bring a camera to capture the gorgeous scenery and Cutts Island jutting out across the water. Also, wear sturdy shoes for hiking and prep the kids on critter etiquette before you get down to the beach.

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Kopachuck State Park
11101 56th St NW
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 265-3606

Summer Fun, beaches

All Week: Summer Playground Program. Free organized activities, water play, lunch and snack (*except at Jane Clark) at 8 different parks across the city. Drop in, no registration necessary.

Tuesday: Need a sitter? Sign up for the Savvy Sitter Parent Connect event in Gig Harbor. 6-7 pm, Adam & Eve, 4729 Point Fosdick Drive.

Thursday-Monday: Tall Ships Tacoma! You can't miss this one. Admission to the festival is free, ship boarding ticket prices vary. Monday July 7th is military appreciation day, active duty members & family receive 50% off any general or premium boarding pass.

Thursday: Farmer's Market fun! 9 am to 2 pm, Broadway, between S 9th and S 11th. Hang out in the Tacomamama Bubble Lounge, for bubbly fun, hula hoops, sidewalk chalk, and a colorful craft. Contribute $1 if you can. Inside: the Children's Museum of Tacoma is free all day, 10 am to 4 pm.

Also Thursday: Shore Leave kickoff event! Join downtown businesses for a procession from the Tall Ships festival, across the bridge of glass, to Tollefson Plaza. Entertainment and fun to follow. 7:30 pm.

Friday - Monday: More Shore Leave fun! Check out a complete list of events at tacomamama.com/shoreleave

Friday, July 4th: Freedom Fair - Tacoma's classic Fourth of July festival takes place alongside Tall Ships, on the Ruston Way waterfront. 10 am to dusk/fireworks.

Friday, July 4th: Steilacoom 4th of July Festival. A small-town alternative. Don't expect to beat the crowds, this festival is hugely popular. 9 am to 10:30 pm, Lafayette St, Steilacoom. Parade at 1 pm.

Saturday, July 5th:Magic Lantern Show, Pythian Temple, 926 Broadway, 7:30 pm. Free! Come see the earliest form of slideshow, presented specially as part of Tall Ships Shoreleave.

Looking Ahead:

Sunday, July 6th: First Night Presents: The Black Pirate - a swashbuckling silent film, to benefit First Night Tacoma. (Tacoma's fabulous not for profit family friendly New Years Eve festival) 7 pm, Rialto Theatre, 310 S 9th St. $15.

More about the Urban Art Festival from their website:

The Urban Art Festival is an all ages celebration of music, DJs, performance art fashion and hand crafted goods. While showcasing some of the best pacific NW talents, the UAF is a wonderful opportunity for emerging artists and performers. Consider the Urban Art Festival your outlet for artistic desires. It's not uncommon to see a Glassblower or Graffiti artists creating live at the Tacoma's Urban Art Festival. Did we mention it's FREE! Come spend the day with us at Fireman's Park in downtown Tacoma. SUPPORT LOCAL ART!

The party runs from noon 'till dusk, I'll be there all day or until my skin begins to resemble bacon. (Mebbe leaving a little early?) It's gonna be a hot one! Stop by and say hi.

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With school out, the big kids have actually been great to have around. They master the complicated bubble wands and generally exert a calm and happy influence over the whole place.

Find us every Thursday through mid October at the Broadway Farmer's Market: Broadway, between S 9th and S 11th, 9 am to 2 pm. Bubbles, crafts, hula hoops, and general kid fun. Suggested contribution $1.

While you're there, check out Jackie the fabulous face painter ($5), the Tacoma Philharmonic instrument petting zoo (free), the Balloon Person and the Caricature Guy (tips), and the Children's Museum of Tacoma (free every Thursday through August).