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Tacoma to host fourth Livable Communities Fair

By Meghan Erkkinen

What would a livable community look like to you? Would it be safe from crime, or would it be environmentally concious? Would it be a place where everyone had access to education, or would it be walkable and friendly?

Those are questions Pierce County residents are invited to explore at the fourth biennial Livable Communities Fair, to be held May 17. More than 150 booths will be set up, representing government organizations, non-profits, environmental programs and a variety of other groups.

“The purpose is to educate people about what’s going on in their community and what they can do to make a difference,” said Fair Manager Diane Braaten, assistant to County Executive John Ladenburg. “There will be something for everyone – something you can take home and change your lifestyle.”

Ladenburg initiated the idea for a Livable Communities Fair after hearing about a similar event in Seattle that had been successful. The first fair in Pierce County, which drew a crowd of about 5,000 people, was held near Gig Harbor in 2002. The second fair was held at Pacific Lutheran University in 2004, and the third at the Puyallup Fair and Events Center in 2006. The last event drew more than 10,000 people.

This year’s event looks like it will have a similar-sized crowd, Braaten said.

“We’re going strong,” she said. “It looks like it’s going to be a well-attended event.”

The booths will provide visitors with dozens of sustainable ideas that will benefit their neighborhoods and communities. They will also be able to find out information on recycling, low-impact development, affordable housing, roads and transit, emergency preparedness, public safety, environment, recreation and other topics.

In addition to booths, the fair will feature various demonstrations and talks on everything from recycling to affordable housing. Ciscoe Morris will broadcast his “Gardening with Ciscoe” radio show live at the event, and Andy Wappler of Puget Sound Energy will hold a talk titled “Saving the Planet, Right in Your Own Home.” Other speakers include Mark Bennett of ecoHAUS, Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor, Scott Peterson the Reptile Man and Marie Nunley of Boeing Employees Credit Union.

A complete list of speakers and booths is available on the Livable Communities Fair website at www.livablepiercecounty.org. The event will take place May 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall.

Admission and parking is free. Canned food will be collected by the Tacoma Rescue Mission at the entrance and pet food will be collected by the Dugan Foundation at booth 183.

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