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July 19, 2024

"Auto racing began 5 minutes after the second car was built."

- Henry Ford - 

Start your engines!

The 35th annual NHRA Northwest Nationals have begun at Pacific Raceways and will continue all throughout the weekend!

Tonight has plenty of qualifying races, live music, food and more. If you were at the track in the late 70’s, then you’ll remember “Qualifying Under the Lights” and the always fun “Cacklefest”! Well, both are back on Friday night at the track! I’ll be there, and I hope you will be, too. Imagine the glow of the flames and the smell of the rubber after the sun has set. NHRA fans are in for a treat!

The fun extends into Saturday, with autograph sessions, qualifying rounds for pro stockers, funny cars, top fuel dragsters, sportsman elimination rounds, and so much more. Sunday will be more elimination rounds for all categories, with the winners in all categories being crowned.

I would be remiss to not mention John Force and wish him a full and speedy recovery. John has been an amazing champion and ambassador for drag racing for many years, and his daughters Adria, Ashley, Brittany & Courtney followed him into the “family business” (Brittany still racing & Ashley & Courtney have retired). I understand a granddaughter and two grandsons have also begun their journey in racing. What a family and what a legacy!

I'll see you there Sunday as we begin with a Track Walk & Pre-Race Ceremonies before the elimination rounds get underway. Good luck and good health to all the drivers and their teams this weekend!

###

July 19 - 21
All day
Pacific Raceways, 31001 144th Ave SE, Kent, Wash.
Buy tickets online

Kicking off NHRA weekend with one of the greats

Thank you NHRA and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe for inviting me to the NHRA Northwest Nationals press conference Wednesday. 

I was honored to welcome everyone to Auburn and the beautiful Muckleshoot Casino and Resort. I was especially honored to share the stage with Ron Capps, a three-time Funny Car world champion, with 76 event wins under his belt. He's raced dozens of times at Pacific Raceways and he's seeking his third career win here. He’s a quality individual and dedicated to his family. The Casino Resort put his image up on the side of the hotel, and he shared with us that he had to call his mom to tell her. It was all fun today, but it will be serious business this weekend.

Good luck, Ron! I know I'll be cheering for you. 

Become an NHRA racer this weekend

If you're interested in racing and want to take your own car to the track to race in a legal and controlled environment, the NHRA's Become a Member program might be the perfect opportunity.

Since its inception in 1951, NHRA has worked to eliminate illegal street racing by holding controlled and street legal racing events on a professional track, like the one at Pacific Raceways!

For just $65, a participant can sign up to earn their NHRA License and break into the Street Legal club, driving anything from a daily driver to high-performance street-driven cars.

Learn more at NHRA's website, or ask an NHRA rep this weekend!

Bluegrass and BBQ in the barnyard!

Any excuse to visit the Mary Olson Farm is an excuse worth taking! Next Friday, the little farm that could is hosting a Barnyard Dance! 

Enjoy delicious BBQ from KC Deez, live country music, and a variety of fun activities, including roping, meeting some barnyard animals, or exploring the beautifully restored historic farm along Green River Road.

RSVP below, and we'll see you there!

###

Friday, July 27
5 - 7 p.m.
Mary Olson Farm, 28728 Green River Road
RSVP

Relive Auburn Airport Day with social media video and photos!

The weather was perfect Saturday for Auburn Airport Day, a yearly tradition where we celebrate and appreciate our municipal airport! I was happy to see so many of you enjoying the day, too. Almost 200 kids were able to pre-register and get a flight with one of the pilot volunteers from the airport. For some kids, it may have been their first flight, and possibly the beginning of their love of aviation. They could be the next generation of pilots, who knows?!?

#NextStepAuburn multimedia/communications intern Angee Pogosian snapped these photos and recorded a video for social media -- at times, hundreds of feet in the air! Great job Angee and thank you Auburn for coming out to support our airport!

Next weekend we dance and celebrate at the Bon Odori Festival

I'm excited for the Bon Odori Festival next Saturday at the beautiful White River Buddhist Temple.

The Bon Odori Festival holds a cherished place in both Japanese culture and our lively Auburn community. This joyful event is a time-honored tradition that enables us to celebrate the rich heritage and cultural diversity that makes our city so distinctive! I recall my first experience at this festival when I was nine years old. I was captivated by the stunning outfits and the people coming together to dance.

And my admiration endures. As we move in harmony to the captivating rhythms of taiko drums and the tunes of traditional music, we honor our ancestors and loved ones who have passed, keeping their spirits vibrant in our hearts. My dancing might not be perfectly synchronized, but it’s not for lack of trying!

The importance of this festival transcends the dance and festivities; it brings us together in a spirit of camaraderie, friendship, and harmony. The Bon Odori Festival embodies the values we cherish—respect, gratitude, and unity.

I extend my deepest gratitude to the White River Buddhist Temple for hosting this beautiful event year after year, reminding us of the profound impact that cultural celebrations have on fostering a sense of belonging and understanding within our community.

###

Saturday, July 27
4 - 9 p.m.
White River Buddhist Temple, 3625 Auburn Way North

Summer Makers Market Please join us for our series of Summer Makers Markets Downtown Auburn, Washington. We will have a food truck, beer garden and live music at each market. It is kid friendly and Beer Garden will be roped off so children will not be allowed in that area. Come downtown and have a evening of fun, music, shopping and food. www.downtownauburncooperative.org ### Friday, July 19 4 - 8 p.m. 131 E. Main Street, parking lot across from Rottles

Auburn Farmers Market The Auburn Farmers Market hosts a variety of farm, food, and craft vendors every Sunday. Browse over 50 vendors in a beautiful park setting! View more information on the Auburn Farmers Market webpage. 100 Free Kid Kits will be given away at the Info Booth on July 21. The kits include materials to add wheels and decorations to a veggie to make your own veggie vehicle. Vegetable not included in kit. Pick up your kit on Sunday July 21 and then return the following Sunday, July 28 to race your veggie vehicle at Auburn's first event Veggie Races! Prizes will be awarded for the top 3 fastest vehicles plus most creative! Entertainment Schedule:  12 - 1:30 p.m., Flight Club Foundation parrot presentation ### Sundays 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Les Gove Park, 1140 Auburn Way South

Make and Mingle @ Postmark Stop by the Postmark for our Make & Mingle session! Join us for a cup of coffee with whatever art project you might be working on. A free, no-pressure environment for artists and creatives to gather... you can talk with other artists, ask for feedback or critique from on-site staff if available, bring your sketchbook to work out ideas, or just quietly draw in the gallery or work on your art! Intended for ages 18+. ### Wednesdays 10 a.m. - Noon Postmark Center for the Arts, 20 Auburn Ave. Free

Dancing with Our Ancestors @ White River Valley Museum Dance, food, taiko drums, and remembering those who have passed makes Bon Odori a beloved celebration in Japan and across the U.S. Learn more about the traditions of Bon Odori right here in Auburn at our newest exhibit.  Created in partnerships with the White River Buddhist Temple and made possible by the City of Auburn and 4Culture. ### Wednesdays - Sundays Noon to 4 p.m. White River Valley Museum, 918 H Street SE Free

Kids Summerstage An exciting children's outdoor entertainment series that will be LOADS of fun for kiddos and the adults who bring them! Pack up a picnic lunch and enjoy the performances! This entertainment series will be held at the park shelter beside the Discovery Playground. Bring swimsuits and towels and enjoy the Rotary Spray Park before/after the performances. *In the event of rain, concerts will be moved indoors, if possible. 2024 Line-up: July 24 - Kelli Welli - songs for kids and the people that love them July 31 - Brian Vogan & His Good Buddies - fun, inclusive, interactive music for kids and families August 7 - The Magic of Jeff Evans - a fun, unforgettable, interactive magic show August 14 - Charlie Williams The Noiseguy - a vocal sound impressionist and kids' comedian  ### Wednesday, July 24 Noon - 1 p.m. Les Gove Park, 910 9th Street SE

Summer Sounds The perfect summer entertainment series the whole family will enjoy! Pack up a picnic blanket and dinner and enjoy the various performances. The series will be held at the parks shelter beside the Discovery Playground. Wednesdays at 6:30PM from July 10 – August 14 Line-up: July 24 – The Fabulous Murphtones – Classic Rock N Roll and more July 31 – Hook Me Up Band – Pop, Rock, Jazz & Blues August 7 – Auburn Symphony Woodwind Quintet – Pops and Classical August 14 – Army 1st Corps I-5 Rock Band – Rock N Roll ### Wednesday, July 24 6:30 - 8 p.m. Les Gove Park, 910 9th Street SE

Downtown Auburn Cooperative Historic Walk Downtown Meet the Downtown Auburn Cooperative team in front of City Hall at 8 a.m. on Friday mornings. Stroll with us on the streets downtown for a casual walk while we talk about about history of our downtown. Everyone has memories of downtown and if you don't because you are new to town, you will hear about a lot of interesting stuff. It is casual walk so bring your pets, kids, grandparents and anyone you would like too. Every Friday from May 3 to August 30, 2024. Visit www.downtownauburncooperative.org for more info. ### Fridays 8 a.m. Auburn City Hall, 25 W. Main Street

Drop -In Painting With Amie Sie @ Postmark Amy Sie is offering Drop-In Gongbi Painting sessions at the Postmark! A free, no-pressure environment for you to start a new painting, or work on an old one. Please bring your own tools and materials for watercolor painting. On-site help for critique/questions/advice. All are welcome.  Ages: 18+ Fee: $0 Instructor: Amy Sie ### Fridays 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Postmark Center for the Arts, 20 Auburn Ave.

If you missed Auburn Airport Day, don't worry! You can already start looking forward to next year's event in July 2025!

Auburn is rich with history — from historical Main Street to the artifacts preserved throughout White River Valley Museum — I am excited to share these stories with all of you each week. 

A fit so classic it's been in style for 60 years

Photo courtesy of White River Valley Museum

Auburn Yard section crew on their lunch break in the summer of 1964. Railroad workers are stereotyped as wearing blue-and-white striped overalls, but this image shows the variety of practical workwear being used by local rail workers. Bib overalls can provide protection and storage for equipment, but long sleeve flannel shirts were more likely to be worn to help protect worker’s arms from sun and injury despite the heat.