The North End of Tacoma has its own very special aura. It has a quaint upper scale, artsy vibe with its well-built older homes and manicured lawns that seem to say, “We are successful and established here.” As if it were pre-planned by some city official, Proctor District has just about everything locals need to maintain their busy lifestyles within a four-block radius. The neighborhood has a lot to offer the casual shopper on a normal day (including approximately 75 businesses) but during the Proctor Arts Festival, a stroll down Proctor Street offers even more food, art, music and entertainment for the whole family — including the family dog — all without ever having to ever step out of the sunlight.

The food

They call the food section of the festival “The Bite of Proctor.” The sidewalk will be lined with vendors offering samples of tasty treats from an amazing line-up of food guru’s including Chalet Bowl & 26th St. Café, East & West Proctor, Happy Teriyaki, Knapps Restaurant, LaFondita, Metropolitan Market, Old House Café, Pour at Four and Safeway/Johnsonville Brats.



For those who like to sip, Proctor salutes you. There will be two outdoor wine and brew gardens, one on North 28th Street and Proctor in the Old House Café parking lot and one outside Pour at Four. They call it “brew” instead of “beer” garden because its sounds fancier, and that’s how the North Enders roll.



If you’ve ever envied the men in the tall, poofy white hats, you won’t want to miss the demonstrations presented on the Culinary Arts Stage. Pour at Four’s head chef, Howie Bursinger, and assistant chef/pastry chef, Janine Klippert, will teach you a few new tricks. Then, as if the gourmet food weren’t enough to impress, Vance Huber of Studio Ice will give an ice carving demonstration that is sure to wow any guest at your upcoming dinner parties.

The art

Approximately 70 handmade arts and crafts vendors are signed up this year for your shopping pleasure. Also, a juried arts show including more than 90 artists such as Holly Senn, Gregory Greer, Lavonne Hoivik, Susan Strohm, Bonnie Cargol, Liza Morado, Jim Sheasley and Andrea Erickson, just to name a few, will take place at Mason United Methodist Church.

The entertainment  

Blue Mouse Theater is staging a performance by Dance Theater NW and a modern day rendition of Cinderella called “Go CINDY Ella!”

At the GVA Kidder Mathews Stage (North 26th and Proctor) there will be a whole day (from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) full of music and dance performances including the African All Stars, New Horizons Band, Steve Curran Academy of Karate and Fitness, Mike Strickland Jazz Trio, Celluloid Cowboys, Holly O\'Reilly (the artist formerly known as Holly Figueroa!), step dancers from the Comerford School of Irish Dance, and The Schematics.

For the kiddies

The Kids Fest (North 28th and Proctor) will have several arts and crafts booths to entertain and inspire children. Each of the following will set up a hands-on project booth for kids: Centro Latino, Museum of Glass, Children’s Museum of Tacoma, Puget Creek Restoration, Citizens for a Healthy Bay, Puget Sound Dock Dogs, EnviroChallenger, Seabury School, Headstart, Kiddie Konnection Northwest, and University of Puget Sound. 

        

Going to the dogs

Dogs take center stage at The Rainier Pacific Bank Stage (North 28th and Proctor). Pictures of local dogs competing in the Top Dog Contest have been posted at Wag Pet Market all week so patrons can vote on their favorites. On stage at 1 p.m., they will tell us who had the most picturesque pooch.

Then there will be a doggie fashion show. When the laughter subsides, people will trot their canine pals in front of judges, and prizes will be awarded for dogs with the biggest ears, the longest tail, the longest ears, the smallest dog, the hairiest dog, and the dreaded dog and owner look-a-like category. When the animals leave the stage, there will be a dog parade down Proctor Street.

Sidewalk sale

Proctor merchants will set up tables out front of their storefronts Friday and Saturday to take advantage of the additional foot traffic brought by Proctor Arts Fest. Proctor Arts Fest is Saturday only.