Skansie House Will Come to Life July 30th

Exciting things are happening in the downtown corridor. You may have noticed the new developments at the soon-to-be second location of Heritage Distilling at 3118 Harborview Drive. Also, Bella Kitchen has opened a second shop at the beautiful newly renovated building at 3311 Harborview Drive. More exciting even is the new life that will come to Skansie House at the end of this month.

Harbor WildWatch has announced the relocation of their office and display materials to the Historic Skansie Brother’s House at 3207 Harborview Drive, adjacent to the beautiful Skansie Park and Jerisich Dock properties. In a partnership with the City of Gig Harbor, Harbor WildWatch will open the Skansie Visitor Information Center - a dynamic destination for residents, visitors, and boaters to learn about everything Gig Harbor has to offer.

The Skansie Visitor Information Center will provide residents and visitors with information on shops, dining, services, and lodging offered in Gig Harbor, as well as highlight the marine life that makes Gig Harbor living special. In their proposal to City Council, Harbor WildWatch explained that “the most effective way to bring both prominence and vitality to the visitor’s experience is to establish an interactive center that accentuates the maritime community. This addition to the Gig Harbor Downtown Waterfront District will complement the existing cultural opportunities in the Harbor History Museum and Gig Harbor BoatShop and attract even more residents, shoppers, and visitors to the downtown community.”

The Skansie Visitor Information Center will open Wednesday, July 30, 2014 from 10:00-4:00 pm. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on opening day at 12:00 pm. During the Summer months, operating hours will be Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00-4:00 pm. Winter hours will go into effect October 1 through April 30, with open hours Thursday through Saturday from 10:00-4:00 pm. In collaboration with the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center on Judson Street, the two visitor centers will provide tourists and residents easy options to learn more about events and activities taking place in the greater Gig Harbor area.

One way to tie Uptown Gig Harbor visitors to the to the new Skansie House Visitor Information Center, or vice versa, is the ‘Get Around Gig Harbor Trolley’. You may have seen it buzzing down the streets by now. Hop on, it is easy and fun! Same as last year, you will be provided an auditory tour of Gig Harbor by a dapper driver along the thirty minute route. Make it a day and visit some new shops or restaurants in the different districts it covers. Fifty cents per ride is all it takes (FREE for children age five and under, FREE for seniors and individuals with disabilities with valid Regional Reduced Fare Permit and ORCA cards may be used). Bring your four-legged friend along for the ride as well!

Also happening in and around Gig Harbor is this weekend’s Wings & Wheels. It touches down at Gig Harbor’s Narrows Airport on Sunday, July 6th. The excellent family oriented event takes place from 11am to 5 pm. It's an aviation event with a car show - featuring bi-plane rides, amazing cars and aircraft, and the Smoke 'N' Thunder Jet Dragster making a 300 mph run down the runway. More details can be found at www.freedomfair.com/wings-wheels.html.

Our favorite events are also back: Thursday Night Out on the Waterfront is July 10th. Shop and eat downtown, then ride the Trolley to Uptown and catch their first Outdoor Concert! CinemaGig Outdoor movies begin on July 11th at Donkey Creek Park and the 12th of July at Skansie Brothers Park. Summer Sounds at Skansie Tuesday night concerts are well underway, each week at Skansie Brothers Park. Learn more and stay informed at www.gigharborguide.com. See you at the concerts and movies!