By Donald Green

Duck Daze officially kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 25 when the Duck Parade marches along Bridgeport Way to celebrate the coming of summer! Everyone is invited to participate join us and be part of the fun! Wear your blue T-shirt if you have one.

Duck Parade

The Duck Parade began when community members Terry Reim and Dixie Harris thought the community needed an event to celebrate the end of the rainy season as well as the wonderful improvements to Bridgeport Way. The yellow duck was adopted as the symbol of the parade and is now a community mascot!

The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the corner of 27th Street and Bridgeport and continues south to 37th Street where it ends at the UPTown Cruisin’ 2013 Car Show. You can be in the parade or just come to cheer on the participants. Either way, you’ll want to grab your yellow gear! To be a part of the parade or for more information, call Dixie Harris at 253.564.6373.

Rain or shine, this annual parade is fun for the whole family. Bands, parade vehicles and marchers, walkers and bikers take part in this community outing!

Contact: Dixie Harris, Team Insurance, 253.564.6373

Race a Duck

Hurry and enter your Lucky Duck in the second annual “Race a Duck” Duck Race! Thousands of floating ducks will brave the treacherous artificial waterway toward the finish line. Be the lucky winner!

The race will be located near the end of the Duck Parade. For details or to adopt your duck, go to http://www.MyPeaceOut.org. Proceeds will benefit University Place Community Supported Parks and Recreation and the University Place Volunteer Center.

Contact: Michelle McLean, Peace Out,  253.691.3029

 Treasures in the Park

Are you looking for some fun… a bargain… great entertainment? Look no further!

After you enjoy the Annual Duck Parade, bring the family and move on down to Homestead Park, where you can join the crowd in the hunt for “treasures” at this year’s annual “Treasures in the Park” event. The event is free and open to the public – and a great opportunity for family fun! Treasures in the Park is University Place’s BIGGEST garage/antique and plant sale, and you won’t want to miss it! Sign up for a booth, clean out those closets, bring out the antiques, reusable items and new treasures to sell. There will be bargains galore, rides and activities for the kids, food, fun and entertainment on stage for the whole family. This event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

On-stage entertainment will feature an array of local musicians and dance groups throughout the day. There may even be an opportunity for budding vocalists to showcase their talent during a fun karaoke session.

Booth space for this great event is limited, so sign up for your space early!

Treasures in the Park Vendor Application

Treasures in the Park Food Vendor Application

Contact: Councilmember Ken Grassi, 253.278.1946.

City Hall Open House

In the Town Hall Meeting Room, just after the Duck Parade, the City of University Place invites and encourages you to stop and visit with your City Council, Commissioners and staff at its 2013 Open House. This is a great opportunity to meet with your elected and appointed officials to discuss projects or ask questions about issues that are important to you.

Along with information related to upcoming street improvement projects, Town Center and City Council goals, this will be the introductory event for the City’s newest business guide. Be sure to stop in and check it out!

Contact: Communications Manager Linda Seesz, 253.460.2537

Fire & Police Open House

Do you have junior firefighters or policemen in your midst? Children of all ages love to check out the police cars, fire engines, and all of the cool equipment available for viewing at the Fire & Police Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the West Pierce Fire & Rescue Headquarters, Station 31.

There will be refreshments, helmets, life jackets, tattoos, and more! Best of all, family members of all ages will have the chance to meet and talk with local law enforcement professionals and learn all about what they do!

Highlights of the day will include:

Refreshments

Face painting, temporary tattoos

Pierce County Sheriff’s Special Units

Helmet & life jacket fittings

Child must be present. Cash only

$14 Life jackets

$7 Bike helmets

$10 Multi-sport helmets

Non-perishable food donations will be collected for local area food banks – don’t forget to grab yours as you head to the parade!

Contact: Public Safety Manager Jennifer Hales, 253.798.3141

Car Show

The UPTown Cruisin’ Car Show, held by the UPTown Cruisin’ Association, gets its start earlier than every other event that day. Car show lovers can expect to begin perusing the entries by 9 a.m., before the beginning of the Duck Parade. The awards ceremony typically takes place at 2:30 p.m. and the event comes to an end at 3 p.m.

Contact Charlie Maxwell for an application.

Contact: Charlie Maxwell, 253.405.9014

Get Local Business Summerfest

Are you a business that wants to be involved in our community? Let people know who you are by joining us for the 4th Get Local event on Duck Daze. Put together a gift basket that will encourage people to stop by your booth. Proceeds benefit the U.P. Community Supported Parks and Recreation.

Get Local Registration Form Contact: Beka Burton, 253.227.3682

Thank your customer, tell them how valuable they are to you, but don’t go overboard. Insincerity is easy to spot.