Steilacoom Chamber of Commerce

12/18/2025

If you went to the tree lighting this year share your pictures here!

12/10/2025

The Steilacoom tree lighting was a wonderful event! So many involved and so many enjoyed. A special thank you to and Mike Litt for taking photos.

07/04/2025

🍻 🍷 Support Local & take advantage of the amazing views from the Anchor Room & Roof Top seating!! 🍷 🍻

We will be open tomorrow! See hours below. We wish you a Safe and Fun 4th of July!

07/03/2025

🌟 2025 Organization of the Year: Steilacoom Historical Community Garden 🌟

For the first time in Steilacoom’s history, a group has been honored as Citizen of the Year—and what a deserving one it is!

The Steilacoom Historical Community Garden (SHCG), along with its dedicated gardeners, Friends of the Garden, sponsors, donors, and community partners, has been recognized by Steilacoom Kiwanis for its incredible impact.

In just one year—between September 2023 and September 2024—volunteers transformed the Town’s old water-well site at 2402 B Street in Cherrydale Park into a thriving garden rooted in community, history, and service.

The SHCG’s mission is threefold:
🌱 Educate the community
🏞️ Honor the history of the Town and the Steilacoom Tribe
🥕 Donate fresh produce to the We Love Steilacoom Food Bank to fight food insecurity

And they’ve delivered—donating over ¼ ton of fresh vegetables in their first year alone!

Congratulations to this inspiring organization for cultivating connection, sustainability, and support right here in Steilacoom. 💚🌽

07/02/2025

36th Annual Four on the 4th:

All the information can be found:
https://runsignup.com/Race/WA/Steilacoom/SteilacoomFourontheFourth

Race Website
Additional race information can be found at https://fouronthefourth.org.

Place:
Steilacoom Town Hall
1717 Lafayette ST
Steilacoom, WA US 98388
Description
Course map, results, and photos can be found at https://fouronthefourth.org

Registrations are also accepted on the day of the event for an additional charge of $5

7:30 AM – Registration + Bib Pick Up Opens

8:45 AM – Registration + Bib Pick Up Closes

9:00 AM – Start of 4 Mile

9:05 AM – Start of 1 Mile Kids

Street fair, parade, and fireworks will follow

Electronic Chip Timing: USATF Certified Course and Sanctioned Event

Scenic, mostly flat, road course travels out-and-back along the waterfront

Event shirts available for purchase during online registration until June 30th at 11:59 PM

For everyone's safety, pets are not allowed on the course

Prizes are given to the most patriotic dressed

Awards are available immediately after finishing

4 Mile Awards:

Medals are given to 1st place overall male and female

Ribbons are given to top 3 in each gender and age group

Age Groups:

0-9, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, 90-94, 95-99, 100+

1 Mile Kids Awards:

Every kid receives a finisher ribbon and a small USA flag

For More Information:

Allen Culp

253-219-5252

[email protected]

This event provides funds to purchase shoes and uniforms for local youth runners, as well as provides a college scholarship for a graduating senior.

07/02/2025

🏆 Coach of the Year – Coach Bruce Hayes 🏆
We are honored to recognize a true hometown hero and lifelong educator—our Coach of the Year, a mentor whose roots in Steilacoom run deep and whose impact has spanned generations of student-athletes.

He discovered his love of coaching through Chehalis Community Recreation Services. That passion only grew as he gained hands-on coaching experience at Eastern, Cheney High School, and Monroe High School.

He came full circle—returning to Pioneer Middle School as a P.E. teacher and coach. He led football, basketball, and baseball programs for decades, and in 1983, he joined the Steilacoom High School basketball coaching staff. There, he helped guide the team to back-to-back state championships, among many other state tournament appearances.

He dedicated 40 years to teaching and coaching at Pioneer Middle School before retiring in the 2021–2022 school year—but his legacy is far from over. His love for the game and his students continues as he still coaches basketball and baseball at Pioneer today.

👏 Please join us in celebrating a coach who’s given his heart, time, and unmatched energy to the youth of Steilacoom for over four decades. His leadership on and off the court is a shining example of what it means to serve with passion and purpose.

Thank you, Coach. You’ve shaped not only players but lives.

07/02/2025

🎉 Congratulations to Teacher of the Year – Karen Ripp! 🍎✨

After 31 incredible years of shaping young minds, Karen Ripp has recently retired from teaching 8th grade science—10 years at Ford Middle School and 21 years at Pioneer Middle School in DuPont.

Karen shared, “I went into teaching, in part, because my dad was a teacher. On the last day of school, with tears in my eyes, I told my students one of my favorite things about teaching is how we start the year as strangers, and 180 days later, we feel like family.”

Her impact went far beyond the science curriculum. Karen focused on building meaningful relationships, reminding every student that they mattered, were cared for, and were capable of growth—both academically and personally.

Karen’s passion left a lasting impression, inspiring her students to think critically and stay curious about the world around them.

Thank you, Karen, for your dedication, compassion, and the countless lives you’ve touched.

07/02/2025

🚧 IMPORTANT PARADE UPDATE 🇺🇸
Due to ongoing road construction, the Town of Steilacoom and the Chamber of Commerce have worked together on a new plan for this year’s 4th of July Parade. Thank you for your flexibility as we adjust to ensure a safe and smooth event for everyone!

📍 Parade Check-In & Staging

Check-in begins at 11:00 AM at the intersection of 5th Street and Gove Street.

Parade participants will be staged along both sides of 5th Street and the southwest side of Champion Street (from 5th to Union Ave).

After checking in, participants will be directed to their assigned spots.

🚗 Roads have been measured and confirmed to allow ample space for staging while maintaining emergency and resident access.

🎉 Parade Route & Timing

The parade starts at 1:00 PM from Union Ave at Champion Street.

It will proceed along Union Ave to Rainier Street, then follow the traditional route through Main Street, Lafayette Street, and back to Union Ave.

Parade ends where it began: Union Ave & Champion Street.

👀 Best Spot to Watch the Start
The starting point at Union & Champion has limited viewing space, so we recommend gathering near Rainier Street and Union Ave for the best view of the kickoff.

🚲 Kids on Decorated Bikes
No changes here—our young riders will still meet at Perkins Park as originally planned!

📬 All registered participants have been emailed with full details on this one-time route change.

🏡 Residents in the staging area have received flyers with contact information, and we’ve ensured there’s full access for emergency services and neighborhood travel.

📞 Questions or concerns?
Feel free to reach out directly to:
Larry Whelan
President, Steilacoom Chamber of Commerce
📱 (253) 677-7300

Thank you for your support and cooperation as we come together to celebrate safely! 🇺🇸

06/30/2025

July 4th Student Male Athlete of the Year: Seth Tchobanoff! ⚾🎉

Join us in celebrating Seth Tchobanoff, this year’s Student Male Athlete of the Year!

A lifelong Steilacoom resident, Seth is a four-year varsity letterman in Steilacoom High School Baseball and graduated not only with his diploma, but also with an associate degree from Pierce College—a true scholar-athlete! 🎓💪

Seth’s leadership and character earned him the Reese Widman Most Inspirational Award, voted on by his teammates, and the Reese Widman Memorial Scholarship from the Steilacoom Historical Education Foundation.

06/30/2025

🎉 Female Student Athlete of the Year Spotlight: Erin Datu 🎉

We’re proud to recognize Erin Datu as this year’s Female Student Athlete of the Year! 🏆 From the court to the track, Erin has led with heart and hustle.

🏀 Captain of Girls Basketball
🏃‍♀️ Captain of Track & Field
🏈 Football Team Manager
📚 Future Nurse — Erin will be attending Saint Martin’s University, having been accepted into their Bachelor of Science in Nursing program!

Her passion for sports was inspired by one of her brothers, and that spark has grown into a legacy of leadership and excellence. Erin, you’ve made your school and community incredibly proud!