Gig Harbor's largest shopping and dining event of the year is Thursday, Nov. 8. The ninth annual Girls Night Out on the Gig Harbor Waterfront runs all day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and is presented by the Washington Main Street Program. Dolly Mama Boutique, Olympic Property Group and 7 Seas Brewing sponsor this year's event.

According to Mary DesMarais, Executive Director, Gig Harbor Waterfront Alliance, the event is well worth the drive over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. "It is a great opportunity to see and experience all the Gig Harbor Waterfront has to offer. We have lots of ladies come with their friends and one group even rented a party bus."

For those who like to plan ahead, on Thursday, Oct. 25, beginning at 7 a.m., you can pre-purchase the event's signature goodie bag for $25 or just an event program for $10. The bags contain the event program and swag donated by participating businesses. You don't get to take the bag home when you purchase, it just reserves one for the day of the event. The bags sell out fast. Last year, in just over two hours, 1,500 bags were sold. AR Workshop in Gig Harbor is one of the locations you can purchase a bag. Navy veteran and now military spouse, Jasmine Schmidt, is the owner.

The event program is packed with all kinds of great information to plan your day including maps showing the location of participating businesses. It also contains coupons, activity schedule, list of businesses with door prizes and the stops for the two complimentary Pierce Transit Trolleys.  Parking can be tight in Gig Harbor so the shuttles will be a nice option for getting around.

"I've told some of my military spouse friends about this event and we are going this year. I am super excited to explore some of the shops I've never been to and just explore downtown Gig Harbor with my friends," said Kim Early, a local resident. "We plan to head to Gig Harbor leaving at 6 a.m. to make sure we get one of the bags on October 25."

The Gig Harbor downtown waterfront has many cute, local shops -- all unique small businesses. There are art galleries, gift shops, boutiques and other stores, all of which will be ready to kick off the holiday shopping season. When you get hungry, there are a variety of restaurants from quick eats to high-end special occasion restaurants. It's well worth the trip across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

Girls Night Out, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 8, Downtown Gig Harbor (waterfront) locations, info@ghhwa.org