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Lantern Paddle for Species in Tacoma, WA.

June 7, 2022

Get out those LEDs – and if you have one, a kayak or paddleboard. On Friday June 10, Tacomans will light up the Thea Foss Waterway with the annual Lantern Paddle for Species, a part of Tacoma Ocean Fest 2022.

With FREE shoreside entertainment from 7-9pm, FREE light art and paddle launch at 9pm, the event isn’t just a cool excuse to rig up lights on your paddlecraft or wave them on land.

You’ll also be helping create a magical twilight moment, celebrating all threatened species – like our own orcas and salmon – and reminding our world what we need to do to protect them from pollution, climate change and extinction.

SCHEDULE

7-8pm: PLU Steel Pan Ensemble, plus start of Seventy-48 paddle race

8-9pm: Vuelta La Luna aerial circus

9-10pm: Native American flutist Paul Chiyokten Wagner, projection light art and roaming illuminated puppets

Both are outside the Foss Waterway Seaport, 705 Dock St, Tacoma. The museum will be open with hands-on marine science and a sneak peek at this year's Ocean Fest art.

9pm Paddle launch from FWS dock or Thea's Park, and circle in front of Seaport esplanade. Wear/bring lights and/or watch on land.

SAFETY

Please stay safe. Wear a lifejacket and know your water limits. Human paddlecraft only, please. Beginners: Stay inside the protected water area beside the dock.

NOTE: Paddling is done entirely at your own risk! We take no responsibility for your safety on the water. If in doubt, stay on land. If sick, stay home.

HOW CAN YOU HELP PROTECT MARINE SPECIES?

Join the Lantern Paddle and bring/wear something that reminds us of the beauty of ocean life
Explore our Ocean Actions and make them part of your daily life: refuse single-use plastic, avoid chemicals in your home/yard, support green energy, drive less, save salmon for orcas, eat ocean-friendly and more
Clean up a beach - do the Beach Cleanup on June 11!
Talk to your friends about it. Speak up and vote for the ocean.
Donate to one of our eco-partners that protect local marine wildlife: Harbor Wild Watch, SR3, Communities for a Healthy Bay, Washington Environmental Council, The Ikkatsu Project, 350Tacoma

WHERE TO LAUNCH?

On the west side, there are parking and launch spots at Thea's Park (535 Dock St), the Foss Waterway Seaport (705 Dock St, park in Republic lot), and Dock St Marina (1817 Dock St, park on street or under Museum of Glass - after 8pm.)


LOOKING FOR LIGHTS? PADDLES?
This is a community light event - we don't supply lights or lanterns. Instead, we invite you to be creative and bring your own! LEDs, holiday lights, glow lights, luminaria, even just a flashlight or two: Get creative but remember - single-use plastic harms the ocean.
We also don't supply/rent paddlecraft. Foss Harbor Marina may be renting out. Stay tuned for other opportunities.


https://www.facebook.com/events/689788552048143