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PHOTO COURTESY OF NORMA OWENS

TOP DOGS. Residents can bring their pooches for the annual pet parade and win a prize. Participation is free, and you can register your animal the day of the event.

McKinley takes live music to the top at annual festival

By Clare Jensen

McKinley Hill is the place to be for music lovers and festivalgoers from the East Side neighborhood and beyond Aug. 16.

The annual McKinley Ave. Arts Festival and Street Fair has been going strong for nearly two decades, and has grown from a neighborhood block party to a full-fledged festival attracting visitors from all over Tacoma.

This year, the entertainment is the reason to make the trek to the Hill for non-neighborhood residents.

In the past, the festival has boasted two or three musical acts. This summer, a non-stop live music performance will highlight the vendor-filled streets and festival atmosphere.

“The entertainment stage this year will rival any festival in the area,” said event organizer Norma Owens. “We’re pretty proud of this stage that we’re putting on this year.”

Event partner Tacoma Christian Center’s Gospel Choir will open the day of local talent.

Tacoma’s pre-teen girl band, StarStruck, who have made a name for themselves on the festival circuit, will be there, along with indie rock band Life in a Blender, Norma Owens and the Larger than Life Band, and Rich Wetzel and the Groovin’ Higher Orchestra.

 “It’s pretty cool that we’re bringing an orchestra to McKinley Avenue,” Owens said.

The festival will also feature the Tacoma Christian Center’s annual back-to-school give away and children’s carnival.

This year, the back-to-school carnival will be able to provide even more than school supplies and backpacks for school-aged children. Everything from school clothes, haircuts, teeth cleaning, immunizations and sports physicals will be available. The church expects to serve more than 1,000 children.

And in honor of pop-sensation Madonna’s 50th birthday party the day of the event, a look-a-like contest will be conducted in her honor. Community judges as well as festivalgoers will have their say in who looks most like the celebrity through any of her many image re-inventions.

Prizes for the winners of the contest, as well as the annual pet parade, will be made available to the most in vogue human, and most adorable parading pet.

The pet parade is free this year, and will take place at 3 p.m. Participants can register the day of the event for both contests.

“Bring your lawn chair, and come and enjoy the day,” Owens remarked.

The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. between East 34th and Division streets on McKinley Avenue.

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