T-Town: Play. Explore. Learn. - City Services Expo
Celebrating the Dome's 40 Anniversary with Free Fun for the Whole Family
Event Info
A “Dome of our Own” turns 40 in April 2023, and in celebration, Tacoma Venues & Events invites the community to join us on April 28 and 29. T-Town: Play. Explore. Learn. – City Services Expo is a free, family-friendly community event at the Tacoma Dome. The event is a unique, hands-on experience for the community to engage with City of Tacoma departments, celebrate the Tacoma Dome’s birthday, and learn about career and trade opportunities with the new Work element added to this year’s T-Town.
Schedule
Friday, April 28th - 10:00am to 1:00pm
| Doors Open | 10:00am |
| Tacoma Public Schools & Korsmo Construction Trades & Hiring Fair |
10:00am - 1:00pm |
| The Bridge Music Project (Entertainment) | 10:00am - 1:00pm |
Saturday, April 29th - 10:00am to 3:00pm
| Doors Open | 10:00am |
| Sensory Hour (No lights, sirens, loud music, and dim lights) |
10:00am - 11:00am |
| Tacoma Public Schools & Korsmo Construction Trades & Hiring Fair |
10:00am - 1:00pm |
| Tacomarama Marching Band - Roaming Entertainment | 10:00am - 3:00pm |
| Special Appearance by Tacoma Rainiers' Rhubarb the Reindeer! | 11:00am - 12:00pm |
| Radio 80 - Live Entertainment | 11:15am - 12:15pm |
| Tacoma Fire Department Extrication Demo | 11:30am - 12:00pm |
| Sin City - Live Entertainment | 12:45pm - 1:30pm |
| Tacoma Fire Department Extrication Demo | 1:30pm - 2:00pm |
| Sin City - Live Entertainment | 2:00pm - 2:55pm |
* All times are approximate and subject to change
Sensory Hour - Saturday Only
On Saturday, from 10:00am to 11:00am, there will be a sensory hour for guests who prefer a quieter, low-key exploration of T-Town.
Sensory Hour Social Story - click here
The Tacoma Dome is a KultureCity Certified Sensory Inclusive Venue. That means that our staff has taken KultureCity Sensory Inclusion 101 so our venue can be more welcoming and accommodating to guests with sensory needs, not just during Sensory Hour times, but during all events.
What is Sensory Hour?
This time lets guests experience T-Town with lower sensory input to create a less overwhelming environment.
Who is sensory hour for?
Anyone with sensory sensitivities who would prefer a quieter, low-key exploration of T-Town. This includes individuals with autism, military vets with PTSD, adults with dementia, Parkinson's disease, stroke patients just to name a few.
How does sensory hour work?
During this time, we will:
- Dim overhead lighting
- Speak in quieter voices
- Turn off flashing lights on trucks
- Keep sirens and horns silent
- Play calm music quietly
What if a guest has sensory needs and comes outside of the sensory hour time?
We have KultureCity sensory bags and weighted lap pads available to borrow from the Guest Services Desk in the Exhibition Hall Lobby, and a quiet space in Locker Room E with calm activities if guests need a break. Sensory bags have a KultureCity VIP lanyard, headphones, fidgets, and a communication card.
Tacoma Public Schools and Korsmo Construction Trades & Hiring Fair
Tacoma Public Schools (TPS), in partnership with Korsmo Construction, enhance 2023’s T-Town with the Tacoma Public Schools and Korsmo Construction Trades & Hiring Fair. Up to 2,000 students from TPS will visit the Trades & Hiring Fair. With over 100 booths, there is something for everyone in the family - career exploration for high school students, summer job opportunities with higher paying careers in the trades for 16–18-year-olds, and job opportunities for adults considering a new career.
The Trades & Hiring Fair will have representation from these industries: maritime, transportation, logistics, and construction, to name a few. Trades-related companies, local educational and apprentice-related exhibitors will be present.
Companies that are participating:
- Abbott Construction
- Air Force
- Almond Roca
- Ambrosia QSR- Popeyes
- ANEW
- Arceda Accounting and Business Services
- Ashley Furniture
- BCRA Architects
- Boeing
- Centerline Logistics
- Clover Park Technical College
- Commencement Bank
- Compass Plumbing
- COPE Health Scholars
- DTG Recycle
- Express Employment Professionals
- Fircrest Golf Club
- Foss Maritime
- Gensco
- Goodwill of the Olympics
- Governer's Office of Equity
- Greater Western Washington Pipe Trades
- Greentrike
- Hellas Construction
- Hope Development
- Ice Cream Social
- International Union of Training Engineers
- Job-Corps
- Korean Women's Association KWA Home Care
- Laborers Local 252/LIUNA!
- LeMay America's Car Museum
- MacMillan-Piper, Inc.
- McGee Air Services/Alaska Airlines
- Metro Parks Tacoma
- Molina Healthcare
- MultiCare Health System
- Neltac, Inc. dba Taco Time NW
- Nordlund Boat Co.
- Northwest Youth Corps
- NW Carpenters Union
- NW Furniture Bank
- Old Navy
- Olympic Eagle Distributing
- Operating Engineers Training
- Pacific Lutheran University
- Pacific Power Group
- Palmer Pathways/Scholars
- Panda Express
- Patriot Fire Protection
- Peace Community Center
- Pierce County Human Resources
- Pierce County Roofers JATC
- Pierce Transit
- Plumbers and Pipefitters Training SW Region
- Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
- Puyallup Tribe - TERO
- RailWorks
- Rainier Scholars - Tacoma
- Rock and Secure LLC - Interview Coaching
- SAFE Boats International
- Safe Streets Campaign
- Shop 56 Pipefitters Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
- Sound Transit
- South Sound 911
- Spokane Community College/Pulse Heart Institute/MultiCare Health System
- Starbucks Coffee Company
- T Stone Construction
- Tacoma Community House
- Tacoma Police Department
- Tacoma Public Schools
- Tacoma Rainiers
- The Peace Bus
- The Reach Center Tacoma
- U.S Army - Active Duty & Reserves Component
- United Rentals
- United States Coast Guard
- United States Marine Corps
- University of Puget Sound
- US Marine Corps
- Washington Army National Guard
- Washington State Pipe Trades Association
- Weatherly Inn
- Wild Waves Theme & Water Park
- Windermere Abode
- YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties
- Zydeco Queen Cajun Foods Commissary Kitchen
Getting Here
Travelers using the southbound I-5 off-ramp to Portland Avenue (exit 135) to access Tacoma Dome will detour around the closure using northbound Portland Avenue, westbound Puyallup Avenue and southbound East L Street to East Wiley Avenue. More information
Let us guide your way! Please follow our recommended routes - The use of Exit 133 from I-5 is not advised. For real-time traffic, we suggest using Waze. Parking in Tacoma Dome lots is FREE and may be limited.
Park in downtown Tacoma and take the T Line Link to the Tacoma Dome Station!
Check out the Plan Your Visit page for alternate parking and transportation options.
Parking
Free parking will be available at the Tacoma Dome for this event.
Entry Doors
Guests should use the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall entry doors.
Security & Bag Policy
Security measures are in place for all Tacoma Dome events. The clear bag policy is not in place for this event. All bags are subjected to search. Medical necessity and diaper bags are allowed.
Guests are advised to arrive early and to only bring essential items to expedite security screening.
Outside food & beverages are not allowed. Exceptions are made for health-related needs. See the Food and Beverage Policy in our A-Z Guide for more information.
Weapons of any kind, including pocket knives, are not allowed. If you see something, say something™.
FREE Hotdog Bundle | Food & Beverage
Each guest will receive one (1) free hotdog bundle: a Fletcher's hot dog, a bag of chips, and one drink provided by Pepsi®!
While supplies last. One food voucher per guest. Not valid with other discounts and offers. No cash value. Other restrictions may apply. Management reserves all rights.
Fan-favorite concession food and beverage will also be available for purchase.
Please note: outside food & beverages are not allowed. Exceptions are made for health-related needs. See the Food and Beverage Policy in our A-Z Guide for more information.
Activities for Everyone
Departments from the City of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Utilities will provide interactive experiences, including an opportunity to Touch A Truck with vehicles from Environmental Services, Tacoma Police Department, Tacoma Fire Department, Public Works, Tacoma Water, Rail and Power, and many more. Activities also include backstage tours, live demonstrations, job opportunities, and more. Tacoma Rainiers’ mascot Rhubarb the Reindeer will make a special appearance on Saturday at 11am
Tacoma Dome Documentary
A documentary of the Dome’s history to present day is in production with a local organization. Community members interested in telling their Tacoma Dome story should email info@tacomadome.org. The documentary will be screened at the Dome in August 2023.
Health & Safety Guidelines
Face coverings are not required for our guests (subject to change). Individuals are welcome to wear masks if they choose.
Please visit our Reopening page for current health and safety protocols.
