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 was held Saturday, April 9th, 2011, immediately following the Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade in Tacoma. It featured some of the best Blues musicians to be found west of the Mississippi. Venues are in downtown Tacoma included the Harmon Brewery, the Swiss Pub and Cutter's Point Coffee. An "After Festival Party and All Ages Jam" were held at The Stonegate in South Tacoma. The Harmon Brewery will hosted the Second Annual Harmon Brewery Rod and Custom Car Show.photos-2011, photos-2010, -- you'll discover why Tacoma is a thriving part of the music scene on the West Coast! 2012's Gray Sky Blues Music Festival will be held on April 7, 2012.s October 8th, 2011, 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: PO BOX 9558 Tacoma, WA 98490-9558 708 253-326-4444 Office staff@TacomaEvents.com Tacoma Events Commission proudly produced the first Tall Ships Tacoma  festival in 2005. Doug Miller Inducted into Washington Festivals & Events Hall of Fame in 2007. Read More		OCTOBER 8th, 2011 Saturday 10 am to 6 pm ORTING CITY PARK Read about the Orting Pumpkin Fest University Place Festival August 6, 2011 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. 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 - Click for details and full schedule for last years - View a Photo Gallery of the 2011 Gray Sky Blues Festival held on April 9th 2011 View a Photo Gallery of the 2010 Gray Sky Blues Festival Photos by Ricki Peto The Comfort Inn hotel in Tacoma is a preferred hotel sponsor of Freedom Fair and the Gray Sky Blues Festival. We encourage visitors, performers, and vendors to contact them for a discounted room rate at least one month before each event (let them know you are booking for the event for the discount).