STEPH DEROSA: GO LOCAL TAKES OVER THE TACOMA FARMERS MARKET TOMORROW >>>

If Tacoma were a big college dorm room, we’d have empty cans of PBR covering the floor and a consistently empty toilet paper roll. We’d eat cold Puget Sound Pizza for breakfast, develop a kick-ass Facebook group, and have an immense amount of pride in what we have to offer. So much so that we’d have matching tattoos that said, “Go Local or DIE.” We’d be best friends and never date each other’s ex’s, right?

To be a part of such a community calls for sustainability from all its inhabitants, and it calls for organizations like Go Local Tacoma, a group for local, independent businesses, which offers them a surplus of support. Much like the support found in a lifelong comrade, local business owners and their patrons alike can feel pride within our fair city, and with Go Local Tacoma â€" something not a lot of communities can pull off. In economic times like these, Tacoma can do it â€" and Tacoma will.

Like a big social gathering held in the commons of my little imaginary college campus I made up for you earlier, there will be an extra-curricular event known as “Go Local Tacoma Day” to be held at the opening day of the Tacoma Farmer’s Market Thursday, May 21 in downtown Tacoma on Broadway. In addition to members of “Go Local Tacoma” being on hand, visitors can enjoy the Iron Chef like "Cheffin' Off," to be judged by local celebrities and city officials. (Not to be mistaken with the shirt ironing competition your mom will be in.) Along with local music by Kevin Davis and members of China Davis (oh hell yeah), there will also be a gardening demonstration at the Foodie Fun Clinic and multiple family friendly activities. Shazam! This is going to be awesome.

[Tacoma Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., free, Broadway between Ninth and 11th streets, downtown Tacoma]