For more than 10 years now, Metro Parks Tacoma has been bringing the “Play Tacoma” summer series of carnivals to families all over the city. The events are rooted in the area’s parks and playgrounds, encouraging families to experience these locations as an entity to gain all they can from them via engaging activities out of doors.

Spanning Fridays from June 26-August 14, 5-8 p.m., these carnivals will come to various parks around Tacoma to offer up arts and crafts, activities, games, inflatables, entertainment, face painters, magic shows, and some will even be offering pony rides and juggling schools for unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Joel Chang, events specialist for Metro Parks, believes that these events are as much about free family entertainment as utilizing local parks. “We’re trying to get families to use parks, especially after kids are out of school for summer. These are your local parks, and they are great places to hang out and introduce the program.”

A few events taking place that aim to draw in the large crowds will offer kids and families unexpected experiences centrally located at their nearby parks. “The Performing Pigs” on August 14 at Jefferson Park is a highlight. The Let’s Pretend circus that will be happening on July 10 is a great interactive show. Pony rides will take place every Friday except for July 31 and August 7. A juggling show is also coming July 31 and August 7, Chang stated.

These programs are made free to the public partially by Metro Parks allocating certain amounts of money and additionally by sponsorships of Tacoma businesses. These events are open to the public but will not be providing any food, so bring picnic baskets and snacks to tide the family over. “It’s a free drop-in program for summer, with free community events,” Chang affirmed.

For schedules of upcoming “Play Tacoma” events, entertainment and participating parks, call (253) 305-1022 or visit www.metroparkstacoma.org.