I'm always a bit amazed by the allure of free entertainment.

Some of the booths with the most people are companies offering games -- but usually only after you fill out a survey or hand over your e-mail, which will soon be flooded with cheap prescription drug offers and Nigerians needing a place to harbor their lottery winnings.

Here are some of the highlights I've seen:

● The Emerald Queen Casino is offering a blackjack game. You get a T-shirt for 21. Even if you lose, you still get a coupon book. And if you win the shirt, you'll eventually gamble it away.

● State Farm has one of those arcade-style basketball hoops. But after you win, they deny your claim.

● The City of Tacoma offers a beanbag toss. After that, they beg you to join the Human Rights Commission.

● The longshoreman union was handing out free Rainiers tickets. I'd write something snarky here, except I'm worried I'll be walking to my car one day and have a hook jabbed into my right temple.