Saturday, Aug. 16 marks another year for the iconic Music and Art in Wright Park festival. This free fabulous festival celebrates local, duh, music and art.

It only seems natural then that as a dedicated urban spelunker I commit some time to the area around Wright Park to enable you, as a festival attendee, to unearth all the glorious, shiny gems you can Saturday while enjoying live entertainment from the likes of Fist of Fire, Girl Trouble and 12 other bands, plus art by Carrie Foster, also known as the creative force behind the Shroom Brothers and artist Gilbert Lord.  

Wright Park has been the backdrop to many a Tacoman memories,

The area surrounding Wright Park is rich with food, drink and sights to see. Here are just a few in the immediate vicinity.

Rosebud Revelers

As a beautiful botanical garden, W. W. Seymour Conservatory is an iconic destination for those thirsty for a taste of Tacoma history and those wishing to gaze upon an enchanting display of Mother Nature. The conservatory hosts a variety of events allowing visitors to enjoy the lovely surroundings during concerts, story times and lectures alike. It is a must visit when visiting Wright Park. 316 S. G St., 253.591.5330

Diner, Dives and Drinkers

Though the Hob Nob has recently undergone some renovations, it will always remain a diner destination. A go-to for breakfast grub on one side and stiff cocktails on the other, the Hob Nob is tops if you're looking for some sustenance or a little pick me up while venturing on foot around the park. After all one can become parched whilst indulging in live music shenanigans and need not travel far to refuel before going back for more. 716 Sixth Ave., 253.272.3200

Modern Day Foraging and Hunting

No one expects you to pick berries and hunt wild life to bring sustenance to the familial units because one simply can dine out or visit a grocer for such needs and Stadium Thriftway is just a hop from Wright Park. This means you can take a stroll to find picnic grub to fuel the festival going ons, plus just about anything else that finds your fancy like a bottle of vino, fresh flowers and deli grub. This makes loading up the minivan a cinch equating to less of a load to bring from home. 618 N. 1st St., 253.627.8275

Coffeemongers

Cosmonaut Café(once known as Satellite) is directly across from Wright Park and promises to deliver a quick one-two caffeination uppercut to keep a little pep in your step and swag in your shimmy. And let's face it; a daylong excuse to rock out requires some of that. Besides they brew up Stumptown beans, which are utterly divine. 617 Division Ave., 863.692.6766

Drive Thru Diners

Another iconic Tacomacentric locale lies nearby at Frisko Freeze. Their double cheeseburger, hot fudge shake and onion rings are pretty much mandatory when I visit Wright Park. There's always a line, which is a drag, but also a testament to the deliciousness that is delivered condiment slathered and dripping with grease between two tasty buns. 1201 Division Ave., 253.272.6843

Have a Cold One

For the Kiddies: Gibson's Frozen Yogurt, Shake Shake Shake

For the Grown Ups: The Copper Door, ParkWay Tavern, Doyle's Public House, Harmon Tap Room

It appears we are getting this summer's entire allotment of rain all in one go. And as glad as we are for our parched earth to get the much-needed precipitation, let's face it: After all these straight days of sun all this rain is a little ... shocking?

Let's celebrate. El Toro has introduced new margaritas.

"Yes, we have new margaritas," says Ruben Arias Jr., executive manager of El Toro Restaurants, with locations in Tacoma, Puyallup, Lakewood and University Place. "Our house, Gold and Cadillac are standard and we have always served them. But the rest are new. We put this menu three weeks ago."

Blended or on the rocks, salt or no salt, classic or all fruited up - El Toro has your back today.

Damn, it's toasty outside! I don't know about you but that shiny orb in the sky relentlessly bringing scorching hot temps leaves me only wanting to eat one thing right now - ice cream.

When I think of ice cream in Tacoma, there's one joint at the top of my list - Ice Cream Social. What was once a highly coveted, mobile creamy sweet treat at farmers markets and festivals, now has its own permanent storefront on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue. After opening the door three weeks ago, the Ice Cream Social is the, er, hot treat in town.

I could recommend my go-to flavor chocolate, because ICS knows it well, as well as standards vanilla, strawberry, salted caramel, and cookies and cream. I say be adventurous. If Ice Cream Social's daily rotation of handcrafted flavors lands on Valhalla coffee, lavender coconut or dark chocolate, grab one. You won't be disappointed.

Really, you can't go wrong because ICS delivers heavenly bliss served up in a cone, including a daily dairy free option for you lactose intolerant types.

It's no secret their success lies in the details such as locally sourced dairy from Smith Brother's Farms, and partnerships with locals such as Valhalla Coffee.

Oh, ICS makes fresh waffle cones on site.

If neighbor The Red Hot is hogging all the car and bike slots, you can find ICS scoops at Maxwell's, Gateway to India, Hilltop Kitchen, Taste of Peru, Morso Wine Bar, Grassi's and the Proctor Farmers Market.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2914 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.327.1660

Even if you didn't grow up with it, Southern food is comfort food: big, satisfying flavors that are the antithesis of delicate and calculated haute cuisine. Most attempts to refine it are unsatisfying. It's generally best if the chef just gets out of the way and lets the flavors express themselves.

That's why I was interested to hear about Chef Riley Morgan's summer menu at 1022 South J on Hilltop Tacoma. The Southern-raised Morgan has created a Northwest meets Southeast menu, adding a Northwest touch to deviled eggs, pulled pork, collard greens, grits and other Southern staples. He's taking Southern flavors and airing them out for summer.

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South Sounders head outdoors when the sun shines. In mild weather, we throw on a light jacket and ante up to patio furniture. Summer living - and eating - in the South Sound is even sweeter, especially with a waterfront view. Since we've been hitting 70-degree temps, it's time to take Eat This Now waterside, soak in some Vitamin D while treating the taste buds.

This week's al fresco dining dash takes us to Steamer's Seafood Café at Titlow Beach where you must eat its Blackened Rockfish Tacos ($9) now. A pair of fresh, warm golden brown flour or corn tortilla shells overflow with fresh rockfish. The tender white fish arrives with a little heat, mixed with roasted corn, black beans, cabbage and a creamy dressing.

My, oh my.

Served up with a small side of coleslaw and French fries perfectly seasoned with sea salt, pepper and a hint of sesame, this dish begs for seaside snacking.

Bonus: Steamer's family friendly digs includes a handful of warm weather brews on tap to pair with the tacos and delectable, creamy ice cream concoctions.

Or, skip the beer and introduce your Blackened Rockfish Tacos to the shoreline or neighboring sprayground.

STEAMER'S SEAFOOD CAFÉ, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 8802 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.565.4532

What is the one thing that virtually no one wants to do when the South Puget Sound temperatures push into the upper 80s and beyond?

If you guessed slave over a hot stove to cook dinner, you would be absolutely correct.

Who wants to cook when the temperatures are sweltering? Getting hot and sweaty over a stove burner or by the oven is just no fun whatsoever. Even the barbeque grill on some days can be oppressive.

And who necessarily wants piping-hot food anyway when you're absolutely wilting from the heat?

The easy way out is to prepare a simple green salad, a cheese and fruit plate or maybe cold sandwiches, right?

Yet, do those ideas seem a little, well "yawn-worthy?"

Well, it doesn't have to be that way. There really are some terrific, easy and interesting no-cook dinner ideas out there for those warm days (or really any summer day). Many of them take great advantage of the bounty of fresh and seasonal produce available locally this time of year.

We asked local food experts for their takes on easy and delicious recipes that require no cooking at all.

So sit back, chill out and prepare to be inspired.

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