The 50s come to town with Rock on Gig Harbor!

Susan Schell

of the Gateway

Linda Gair was busy dressing her store window in 1950s style décor on Monday. Beginning this month, a group of downtown business owners will take a step back in time and remember the carefree era of sock hops, pony tails and roller skates.

The parking lot at Season’s by the Bay will become a dance floor on Aug. 15 for dancers moving to the groove of The Fabulous Farelanes from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The Rock on Gig Harbor! event will include dance and costume contests and prizes while classic cars cruise the streets.

This new event was conceptualized by a group of Gig Harbor business owners.

“It was formed by a small group of merchants downtown,” said Laureen Lund, the marketing director for the City of Gig Harbor.

“People love classic cars, and we know that draws a lot of folks. This just gives another fun element to the harbor, and it’s not just for visitors, it’s for the residents.”

Gair and Art Britton of The Keeping Room said no organization brought the idea forward. It was simply shop owners working together.

“We’re just trying to bring solidarity to downtown Gig Harbor,” Britton said. “We’re creating our own atmosphere down here.”

“Rather than sit around and wait for an organization to do something for us, we decided to just do it ourselves,” Gair said. “The city’s been very cooperative. There’s nothing to do on a Saturday night, so we’re inviting everyone to come down and dance to a great band.”

People who wish to dance the night away can get a number at McBeckland’s Ladies Boutique.

Kelly’s Café and Espresso will extend their tables on the sidewalk and offer 50s-style burgers, fries and Cherry coke. The waitresses will dress up in period costumes.

Spiro’s Pizza & Pasta also will offer a special menu.

“The restaurants getting involved makes it pretty special,” Gair said. “We’ve contacted a lot of people who have classic cars and invited them to come down.”

Each business in Rock on Gig Harbor! will have a sign depicting a vinyl record identifying it. On Aug. 15, businesses will have specials, like giveaways and gift certificates.

Visitors to participating stores will have their hand stamped, and anyone “cruising the gig” who has visited at least half the participating stores will be eligible for a raffle drawing.

Gair said anyone brave enough to bring in a “geeky” photo of themselves or someone they know from the 1950s will receive a 20 percent discount on store merchandise at The Keeping Room. The photo will be displayed on the store wall.

“It’s going to be a wonderful time,” Gair said. “We’re inviting everyone to come out and dust off their poodle skirts and saddle shoes.”

Several businesses in downtown Gig Harbor are getting into the swing of the 1950s.

Rock on Gig Harbor!

Participating businesses will be offering specials for Rock on Gig Harbor!

They are:

Simply Charmed Boutique and Skin, 3004 Harborview Drive

Gig Harbor Heating & Air Conditioning, 7801 Pioneer Way

Animal Crackers, 3026 Harborview Drive

Spiro’s Pizza & Pasta, 3108 Harborview Drive

Reverance Jewelry Design Gallery, 3116 Harborview Drive

Vanilla Bean, 3115 Harborview Drive

Seaglass Interiors, 3115 B Harborview Drive

The Queen’s Cabinet, 3177 Harborview Drive

McBeckland’s Ladies Boutique, 3120 Harborview Drive

Kelly’s Cafe & Espresso, 7806 Pioneer Way

The Keeping Room, 7811 Pioneer Way

Water’s Edge Gallery & Framing, 7808 Pioneer Way

The Queen’s Cabinet, 3177 Harborview Drive

Harbor Mercantile, 7807 Pioneer Way

Ebb Tide Gallery, 7809 Pioneer Way

Seasons on the Bay, 7804 Pioneer Way

Ladies and Gentleman’s Choice Consignment, 7706 Pioneer Way

Harbor Gallery, 3177 Harborview Drive

Reach reporter Susan Schell at 253-853-9240 or by e-mail at susan.schell@gateline.com.