Tourism matters: To kick off Healthy Harbor, get involved with the Street Scramble

Laureen Lund

guest columnist

It’s time once again for Healthy Harbor in Gig Harbor. During 2007, the inaugural year of the event, we had amazing interest from the community for the lifestyle initiative.

Throughout the program, we had hundreds of participants enjoy everything from beach walks and chum burgers, to art walks and concerts.

It was a successful community effort to get out and enjoy all that Gig Harbor has to offer.

This year, we’ll launch the program once again with the second annual Gig Harbor Street Scramble on May 24. Brought to you by the City of Gig Harbor and the Gig Harbor YMCA, the Street Scramble is made possible by the generous donation of our 2008 Healthy Harbor sponsors MultiCare and St. Anthony Hospital.

Due to their support, we are able to once again offer the Street Scramble for free!

Pre-registration for the May 24 Street Scramble is encouraged. Registration brochures are available around town. To learn more or download a .pdf of the registration form, visit www.gigharborbuide.com.

The Street Scramble offers two options this year, a shorter 90-minute version and a more hard-core three-hour version. The first 250 to register receive a free T-shirt, and medals will be awarded in many categories.

Come on out and enjoy the Street Scramble starting at 10 a.m. at Skansie Brothers Park.

You can pick up your Healthy Harbor passport at the Street Scramble, or find it at dozens of locations around Gig Harbor, including Franciscan and MultiCare facilities, and the Gig Harbor Visitor Information Center at 3125 Judson St.

This year, the passport is easier to read, more in-depth and focused on a window of May through October.

At the end of October, participants can turn in their passport to be included in a drawing for prizes from local businesses.

To receive a passport in the mail, call 253-853-3554 or visit www.gigharborguide.com.

We have taken all your suggestions from last year and worked hard to make the program easier to understand, simple to follow, fun — and 99 percent free!

Your additional feedback is encouraged as we move through Healthy Harbor 2008.

We hope you will once again join us and engage in your community, support each other and build a harbor that is active, safe, fun and environmentally sound.

Reach Gig Harbor Marketing Director Laureen Lund at lundl@cityofgigharbor.net.