Sixth Avenue is a major avenue in Tacoma, Washington, which throughout a large portion of the city provides the division between the north and south numbered streets.
Previous to the construction of State Route 16, Sixth Avenue was a portion of the designated route through Tacoma to reach the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. As such, it developed as the primary east-west business corridor through Central/North Tacoma. The historic business district of Sixth Avenue from approximately Sprague to Proctor remains one of the most active business districts in the city, hosting numerous shops, restaurants, and nightclubs. Newer strip mall style shopping centers have developed in the portions of Sixth Avenue between Orchard and Jackson.
The Sixth Avenue Merchants Association has an art committee that actively promotes the creation and installation of public art projects in the district. Works include murals, artist decorated garbage cans, sculpture and more.
Sixth Avenue plays host to the yearly "Art on the Ave" event, featuring art, food, cars, and live music in a section of the historic business district.
Day of the Dead is also celebrated on Sixth Avenue. Several paper mache classes are held and the public is invited to learn to make Day of the Dead figures. On November second a procession is held. There are musicians on several street corners and after the procession participants gather for Mexican hot chocolate and cakes.
Famous quotes containing the words sixth and/or avenue:
“The real dividing line between early childhood and middle childhood is not between the fifth year and the sixth year—it is more nearly when children are about seven or eight, moving on toward nine. Building the barrier at six has no psychological basis. It has come about only from the historic-economic-political fact that the age of six is when we provide schools for all.”
—James L. Hymes, Jr. (20th century)
“Like art and politics, gangsterism is a very important avenue of assimilation into society.”
—E.L. (Edgar Lawrence)