FRIDAY, JUNE 1 The celebration will actually begin on Friday evening with parties inside the museum walls, providing a variety of fun experiences that will include cars from the collection, interactive exhibits, live music, dancing and much, much more!

Tickets for our Friday preview parties go on sale March 27, and can be purchased from our website at www.lemaymuseum.org.

Partygoers have their choice of three dinner party themes:

“Great Gatsby” – This grand affair will take place in the Showcase Gallery, with a beautiful view of downtown Tacoma for guests who will be dressed in black tie or 1920s-era attire. Guests will enjoy a sit-down dinner and jazz surrounded by Deusenbergs, Lincolns, and other Gatsby-esque cars! (Members: $225 per person; Non-members: $250)

“Start Your Engines” – If you’re a fan of Formula One, NASCAR, LeMans or Indy cars, this is the party for you! Guests are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite driver, team member or crew chief to party in the “LeMay-burg-ring” on the museum’s 2nd floor. You’ll fuel up at the “Pit Row Buffet” and a DJ will entertain this high- octane party! (Members: $150 per person; Non-members: $170)

“Sock Hop” – Like crazy, like wow! If you love the curves of a 1950 Mercury or a ’57 Chevy, get out your black leather jackets and poodle skirts and let the good times roll! When you’re not being entertained by Elvis, the jukebox will crank out the hits in Club Auto as revelers hang out after a delicious buffet dinner. Let’s go Daddy-o! (Members: $75 per person; Non-members: $90)

“Afterglow” – While the night begins with three separate dinner parties, all partygoers will be able to enjoy the entire museum after dinner, and are invited to the “Rev it up” Club to mix, mingle and continue the celebration. Coffee and dessert will be available and a cigar tent will be set up outside. There are plenty of surprises and delights in store – this is a night you won’t want to miss – there’s only going to be one grand opening. Get in on the fun!

SATURDAY, JUNE 2 The long-awaited grand opening of the museum will be filled with more fun and festivities for all. The day starts with a free outdoor car show at 9 a.m., which will fill the Haub Family Field with hot cars and cool rides. At 10 a.m., we’ll hold our official grand opening ceremonies, also on the Haub Family Field.

SUNDAY, JUNE 3 Day two at ACM will see another free car show on Haub Family Field, go-karts in the parking lot and another opportunity to show the museum and its exhibits to friends and family.

Please join us the third Thursday of every month from 5 pm to 8 pm for Tacoma’s Artwalk. Enjoy extended hours, meet participating artists and take in the sights at the museums and galleries listed on the venues page.

Family Days at the Museum of Glass encourage visitors of all ages to tap into their imaginations and make their own art, guided by a professional artist.  Performances by local dance and music groups add an extra element of inspiration and energy.

About the Artist:

Caspar Babypants is better known as Chris Ballew, a twice Grammy-nominated songwriter and lead singer for the four-time platinum rock and roll band The Presidents of the United States of America. He began writing children’s songs in 2008. He has also written two books, My Woodland Wish and Bunny Rabbit in the Sky, with is wife, Kate Endle. Their third book, Augie to Zebra, will be released in April 2012. Besides recording songs and writing books, Ballew volunteers his time helping non-profit organizations that focus on parent education and outreach to abused, homeless and neglected kids. He lives with his wife and two kids in Seattle “by the beach and the woods and the big wide Pacific Northwest sky.”

Family Days at the Museum of Glass encourage visitors of all ages to tap into their imaginations and make their own art, guided by a professional artist.  Performances by local dance and music groups add an extra element of inspiration and energy.

In 1936, seven year-old Flora Wong, her parents, and her seven siblings left their home in Boston and set out across the Pacific Ocean on a twenty-one day voyage. Their goal: to return to their parents’ home village in rural southern China. Flora’s father and mother sought a new, quiet life for their young family in their native land.

What they found was a different China, and Flora’s family would not find the peace they sought. China’s Communist Party had begun its rise toward revolution. And in 1937, Japan launched an invasion of China. Within a few years of her arrival, full-scale world war engulfed Flora’s new home.

Amid the turmoil, Flora and her family managed to build a modest life in their small village. In time this young girl, whose only home had been Boston, learned to tend the rice and vegetables, draw water from the town well, sew simple clothes and trap frogs and beetles. Her education ended in the second grade. At eighteen, Flora learned she was engaged to be married. Working to ensure the survival of her six daughters, Flora’s mother had set a plan in motion to arrange marriages for each in the United States so they could return to the safety of their home country.

Flora began a new life in rugged Montana, worlds away from her small village. It was here that the timid girl grew into a wife, mother, business owner and athlete. Flora Wong, husband Charlie Wong, and their family lived and operated their Wing Shing Grocery in downtown Helena for more than 20 years. After her husband died in 1968, leaving Flora with five children, she opened the Chinese Kitchen in partnership with George and Irene Wong.

In retirement, Flora took up competitive running and swimming. Through the years, she has participated in four National Senior Games and one World Senior Game. Flora was named Montana Big Sky Athlete of the Year in 1999. In 2009, the Helena Sports Hall of Fame named Flora to its list of honored athletes. She has completed the Portland Marathon four times.

In Long Way Home, Wong retraces her family’s odyssey as she shares candid insights, heartbreaking tragedies and personal triumphs. Hers is a story of an authentic, ordinary person facing extraordinary challenges-the story of one Chinese Montanan’s long way home.

About the Author

Born in Boston in 1928, Flora Wong moved to a tiny village in Southern China with her family in 1936 at age seven. During the Communist Revolution, Flora escaped China through an arranged marriage in 1947. She and her husband, Charlie Wong, owned and operated Wing Shing Grocery on Main Street in Helena. In 1968, Charlie died, leaving Flora with five children. She operated the store until 1970, then worked at McDonald’s department store in downtown Helena for two years. In 1973, she opened the Chinese Kitchen in partnership with George and Irene Wong. In retirement, Flora took up competitive running and swimming.

Open Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Third Thursdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Store is also open Tuesdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Summer hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day): also open Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day

On Saturday, March 24, 2012, Altrusa International will have their 22^nd annual fashion show. Attendees will enjoy an afternoon of tea catered by the Hawthorn Tea room in Tacoma. The fashion show will feature Christopher & Banks and JC Penney clothing. There will be a raffle with great prizes donated by local businesses and community members. The event will be held at the United Methodist Church located at 1919 W Pioneer Puyallup, Washington 98371.