Part of what makes Tacoma so remarkable is that it is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities. You can teach your kids about different cultures through museum visits and books, or you can take the family to Tacoma’s art and culture festival, MOSAIC, to experience these cultures for yourself. Join thousands of Pierce County residents and visitors alike at Wright Park for art, music, food and more on July 23 and 24 in celebration of cultures around the world.
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In its 34th year and previously dubbed Ethnic Fest, MOSAIC is brought to the community by Metro Parks Tacoma. It features two days of free fun in the sun with cultural celebrations, vendors and community services until 7 p.m.
“Tacoma has such a diversity of cultures, and Metro Parks is thrilled to bring back this festival to celebrate them,” said Andrea Smith, park board president. “I’ve been taking my own family for years, and every time there’s something new and wonderful to see, do, taste or experience. It’s the best way to learn about all the amazing places in our world, and the people who bring those cultures to make our city life so rich.”
Fun in Wright Park
Wear clothing to reflect your heritage and join in the kick-off of all the fun on Saturday, July 23 at 11 a.m., with the “Walk of Destiny” parade and an opening blessing from the Puyallup Tribe.
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets because at dusk on Saturday, catch an outdoor Movie in the Park with “Selena” screened in partnership with The Grand Cinema.
Both days, enjoy the dozens of vendor booths featuring arts and crafts such as Henna, jewelry, African prints, and so much more. Be sure to check out the massive tent with Asian-Pacific cultural artifacts. Also, find over 40 booths with information from the region’s service organizations about faith, health and education.
For the younger MOSAIC revelers, don’t miss the Kid’s Zone, complete with bounce house, super fun splash park and more.
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The Music of MOSAIC
Two community-curated stages will have you dancing to the beat with a lineup jam-packed with excellent entertainment on both days. “When choosing performers, I really wanted ‘peppy’!” explained Lua Pritchard, executive director of the Asia Pacific Cultural Center and one of three community curators along with Tere Carral from Bridge Latino and Candace Wesley of JCW & Associates, who produced the park’s Juneteenth celebration this year. “I want people to move with what’s on stage, to dance, to be uplifted. I have been with this festival since the very first one, and I know what people like.”
The Main Stage starts off at noon on Saturday with Chammorro Cultural Dance. At 1 p.m., feel the beats of the drums from Guam and at 2 p.m. enjoy Guadalajara Mariachi. Stick around for a 3 p.m. performance of Korean dance and drums. At 4:30, listen to saxophonist Maureese Itson and at 5 p.m., hear the sounds of Samoa with Siva Mai. On stage at 6 p.m. is the headliner, award-winning blues performer Lady A, bringing an unforgettable evening of music.
The Community Stage will also be hopping Saturday with Lucha Volcanica at noon, Okinawa dance and drums at 2 p.m., Folklorico Tonantzin at 4 p.m., plus Mariachi Monarcas, Baildores de Bronze, Thai and Cambodian dance, Banda Hermanos Bello and more.
On Sunday, the Main Stage will be a highlight with performances featuring Chinese dance and music at noon, Hawaiian dance and music at 1 p.m., the Vision Dance Team at 1:35 p.m., Indonesian dance and music (TUPAC) at 2:20 p.m. and more!
Also, find more music and dance on the Community Stage on Sunday, starting with dance and music from Thailand at noon, followed by Mariachi Monarcas, Cambodia Traditional Dance Troupe Tacoma, Bailadores de Bronze and Banda Hermanos Bello (TBC) on the hour. End the evening with DJ music starting at 5 p.m.
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The Eats at MOSAIC
All this fun will leave you hungry but don’t stress — MOSAIC has the eats too! Find 16 food trucks offering a wide variety of mouthwatering cuisines, including:
- Big Dawgs Hot Dogs
- Breakthrough
- Cool Investment Group
- Dippin Dots Ice Cream
- Gateway to India
- Irishman Enterprises, Inc.
- Johnny’s Ice Cream
- Josefina’s Burrito Boy
- Lumpia Love LLC
- Moe’s Falafel
- Ohana BBQ
- Raspados del Sur
- The Daiquiri Garden
- Topos Inc
- Velvet’s Big Easy
- Zydeco Queen
Need something to wash down all this amazing food? All weekend long, those aged 21 and over can enjoy the beer garden hosted by and benefitting the Redefining You Foundation. This non-profit’s mission is to empower servicewomen, women veterans, and military spouses while completely redefining their lifestyles and perspectives following military service.
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Now, with a new name and even more fun, this year’s event is sure to be a memorable occasion under the trees at Tacoma’s Wright Park, where visitors can create summer memories by participating in the cultural celebration that is MOSAIC. With a full schedule of fun events, the entire family will find something to do at MOSAIC, whether dancing to the music, indulging in some great eats or shopping for something unique.
Wright Park
501 South I St., Tacoma
Sponsored