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📆 Tacoma Area Events

📜As America Turns 250, Tacoma’s Port Celebrates Its Place in History

📚Tacoma Readers Still Have Time to Earn Summer Prizes

🗻One of Rainier’s Best Summer Views Opening July 4

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As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday this week, the Port of Tacoma is taking a look back at the role ports have played in building the nation.

The story begins long before Tacoma existed. From the Boston Tea Party to the earliest days of American commerce, ports served as gateways for trade, immigration, innovation, and even the fight for independence. As the country expanded westward, natural harbors like Commencement Bay helped establish Tacoma as an important shipping center. The city's future was cemented in 1873 when the Northern Pacific Railroad selected Tacoma as its western terminus, giving rise to the phrase, “Where the rails meet the sails.”

Today, that legacy continues. The Port of Tacoma and the Northwest Seaport Alliance support more than 41,000 jobs while connecting Washington businesses to markets around the world. The Port is also investing in environmental cleanup, cleaner maritime operations, and workforce development through programs that prepare the next generation of maritime professionals. As America marks 250 years of independence, it's a reminder that Tacoma's waterfront has been part of the nation's story for more than a century—and continues to help shape its future.

It’s easy to forget how much of America’s story moved through its ports, and the Port of Tacoma tells that story here: https://www.portoftacoma.com/news/america-250-how-ports-helped-shape-nation

Tacoma Public Library’s Summer Reading program has been underway for a few weeks, but it’s not too late to join.

The 2026 Summer Reading program runs through August 15 and is open to readers of all ages. Participants complete the challenge by finishing 15 reading log activities, which can include reading, attending library programs, or completing activities from home. Readers can track progress online through Beanstack or use a paper activity log available from the library.

There are prizes along the way, too. Participants can pick up a signup prize after joining, earn a completion prize after finishing, and be entered into a grand prize raffle. Beanstack users are also eligible for additional biweekly raffle prizes, giving readers one more reason to track their progress digitally.

So whether summer got busy or you just forgot to sign up, there’s still plenty of time to participate. Grab a book, download an activity log, stop by a Tacoma Public Library branch, or sign up online and start working toward those 15 activities before the August 15 deadline.

You can find the official rules here.

One of Mount Rainier’s most popular summer destinations is opening just in time for the Fourth of July weekend.

The Sunrise area is scheduled to open for the season starting July 4, giving visitors access to the highest point in Mount Rainier National Park that can be reached by vehicle. At 6,400 feet, Sunrise offers big mountain views, alpine meadows, and close-up looks at the Emmons Glacier, the largest glacier in the contiguous United States.

The opening also means summer access to popular trails including Sunrise Rim Trail, Sourdough Ridge Trail, and the route toward Mount Fremont Lookout. Visitors should arrive early, since long entrance lines and parking pressure are common this time of year. Park officials are also reminding people to bring water, food, and supplies, and to use caution on Sunrise Road, which is steep, narrow, and winding.

White River Campground is also partially open, with Loops A and B available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no potable water at the campground, so campers and day visitors should plan ahead before making the trip. For many Northwest hikers and sightseers, Sunrise opening is one of the clearest signs that Mount Rainier’s short high-country summer has officially arrived.

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