MOSAIC: Tacoma’s Arts and Culture event is an evolution of Ethnic Fest. It’s the same event we’ve known and loved for 35 years, it’s just growing up. The event will still take place in Tacoma’s Wright Park in July with a mix of arts and craft vendors, food vendors, and stage performances.

As time changes so does the meaning of words and how they are used. There had been discussions as to whether or not the title ‘Ethnic Fest’ is representative of what the event had become, a coming together of ALL the communities that make up the fabric of Tacoma.

Additionally, in recent years several articles have been published questioning the use of the word ‘ethnic’ to describe communities of color.

It was these discussions and articles that triggered a deeper look into how the event was represented and branded which then rolled into Parks Tacoma’ larger discussion on how we continue to build on our DEI work as an organization.

During the two-year hiatus during COVID, Parks Tacoma kept these conversations going and debated internally and externally over whether or not we should look to reimagine how Ethnic Fest was promoted and branded. We solicited recommendations from our Steering Committee which oversees the curation of the event and is made up of community members and organizations like APCC, Bridge Latino, the Juneteenth Organizers, Tacoma’s Rainbow Center, Tacoma’s Urban League and others. We also reached out directly to the community through surveys to ask if we should keep the name Ethnic Fest or if we should search for a new name that was a better fit for what the event had evolved into over the years. The answer was overwhelmingly in favor of a change. While there were some still in favor of keeping with tradition and not changing things, those opinions were greatly outnumbered by those urging us to look for a new name. The name that surfaced as the public favorite after putting it out to a public vote was MOSAIC: Tacoma’s Arts and Culture Festival.

A mosaic is a pattern of pieces. It’s all these small bits that come together to form a larger whole and that’s exactly what the event is. It’s all these different groups, people, communities and cultures all coming together to celebrate as one. The Mosaic event isn’t just an event for this culture or that nationality. It is a showcase of all the people of Tacoma. We invite and welcome everyone, regardless of how they identify themselves, to be a part of celebrating what truly makes Tacoma The City of Destiny.

Parking

Street parking is available around the park, but it is limited. Please plan to carpool or ride public transportation including light rail from the Tacoma Dome Station which offers free parking. For bus fares, schedules and additional information visit PierceTransit.org. Light rail information is available at SoundTransit.org.

Transportation

Pierce Transit offers bus service to Wright Park:

• 11, Downtown Tacoma, view
• 16, Downtown Tacoma Via Proctor District, view
• 13, Proctor Via N 30th, view
• 1, 6th Ave / Pacific Ave / Mountain Hwy Sr7, view

Bus stations near Wright Park

Click here to check all Pierce Transit bus routes, fares and schedules.

Sound Transit light rail service to Wright Park:

• T Line, Tacoma Dome to St Joseph
  Get Light Rail Information

ADA Transportation – Pierce Transit Shuttle

The Pierce Transit Shuttle is available to drop off riders closer to the MOSAIC event.

Pierce Transit’s ADA Paratransit SHUTTLE is a shared-ride service for people who, because of their disability, are unable to ride a regular Pierce Transit bus. All Pierce Transit buses are accessible for mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, electric scooters and walkers.

Visit the Pierce Transit website for shuttle fares and more information.