Love Tacoma is back this year and is going to be bigger and better than ever.
Those who remember the tri-monthly social events at Tacoma hotspots may be excited to hear that they’re coming back in 2008 after a holiday hiatus.
And those who don’t remember them should look into joining in the festivities this time around, especially if you’re a young, creative-minded type who has a special place in your heart for our City of Destiny.
That’s what the goal of Love Tacoma is all about: to unite and retain Tacoma’s 20-30-somethings.
It’s what Roxanne Murphy, community relations for the city of Tacoma and tried-and-true-Tacoma lover, calls an “urban playtime in Tacoma’s hotspots.”
“Love Tacoma is an opportunity to experience Tacoma in a place you [might not have] been to before in a really laid back format,” Murphy said, adding that its goal is to “compel people to play and stay in Tacoma.”
Love Tacoma is an offshoot of the city’s Creative Tacoma division that aims to attract and keep young, creative workers in Tacoma in order to create a prosperous, ecological and sustainable community.
Amy McBride, Tacoma Arts administrator, said Love Tacoma has been one of the most successful Creative Tacoma initiatives.
“It gets people to meet each other, to realize that great stuff is in their own backyard,” she said, adding that many people just go to work then straight home. “Love Tacoma gets energy downtown and in the business districts.”
And Love Tacoma 2008 means business when it comes to really getting people out and about in Tacoma.
“Rather than just picking a bar or a restaurant and flooding it with people…we’re doing bigger events,” Murphy said.
This means a Love Tacoma cruise, rock show and a Love Tacoma scavenger hunt, to name a few.
But the first event of the year will follow in the image of 2007: a meet and mingling fest at a downtown watering hole, Cans, where Tacoma lovers can get a taste of what’s to come in 2008.
Kristine Nims, graphic designer at architectural firm BCRA, said they’re hoping that by having fewer - but better - events will in turn draw an even larger crowd than in the past.
“We’re focusing on keeping it exciting,” she said “We’re hoping they’ll think it’s fun and important enough to come.”
Everyone 21 and older is invited to attend the Love Tacoma 2008 kick-off event at 5:30 p.m. March 6 at Cans, 100 S. 9th St. For more information, visit www.creativetacoma.com or www.lovetacoma.com.
