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 “Summer afternoon – summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.”
-- Henry James --
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 Get ready to kick back, relax, and enjoy summer evenings in downtown Auburn!
Our free, family-friendly Party on the Plaza series is the perfect way to wrap up the week — complete with live music, mouthwatering food trucks, and ice-cold beverages.
 This Friday, Aug. 22 it's Cheeseburger in Paradise
A tropical-themed evening filled with burgers, fries, and cool summer vibes. Are there any other Parrot Heads out there? I’ll be there enjoying the entire event, and I hope you will be, too! Who doesn’t love a little Jimmy Buffett?!?!?
Since this is our final plaza party of the year, “Come Monday”, we’ll have to take another “Trip Around the Sun” before we get to do it again. We’ll have to wait until “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere” next year. Tonight, if you’re not here we’ll “Miss You So Badly” cuz we have a “License to Chill.” Sorry for that, but “It’s My Job”!
📅 Friday, Aug. 22
⏰ 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
📍 City Hall Plaza | 25 W. Main Street
💲 Free
 When disaster strikes, will you be ready?
The City of Auburn invites you to join our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) this fall. CERT training provides the skills and knowledge you need to help your family, neighbors, and community during emergencies.
Fall 2025 Class Schedule
- Thursdays, 6 - 9 p.m. | Sept. 4 - Oct. 18
- Saturdays | Sept. 27 (9 a.m. - noon) OR Oct. 18 (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Why join CERT?
As a graduate, you’ll be prepared to:
- Serve as a credentialed emergency worker
- Participate in training and field exercises
- Support disaster preparedness, safety demonstrations, and community events
Cost: Free
Spots are limited -- don’t wait!
Register today at auburnwa.gov/CERT
 As much as I hate to admit it, the sun is setting sooner, the leaves are waiting to turn brown and the kids are almost back in school -- yep, summer is just about over! While that means a lot of things to a lot of people, in Auburn it also means that our Hops and Crops music festival is right around the corner.
To celebrate the event this year, we're highlighting a handful of local and regional breweries, cideries and meaderies on the City of Auburn's Instagram page. Give it a follow and stay tuned for videos on Top Down Brewing in Sumner, Valhalla Mead in Lakewood, Offset Ciderworks in Mountlake Terrace, and Republic of Cider in Seattle.
But while we have ya -- here's our first episode on Rail Hop'n in Auburn!
Mark your calendars for Hops and Crops, and we'll see you in September!
📅 Saturday, Sept. 13
⏰ 12 - 6 p.m.
📍 Mary Olson Farm | 28728 Green River Road
💲 Tickets ($35 general admission, $10 designated driver admission)
 This weekend, Auburn and much of Western Washington will be experiencing a major heat risk, with the National Weather Service forecasting high temperatures in the 90s. A Heat Advisory is in effect.
We know that extreme heat disproportionately impacts seniors, young children, and those without reliable access to air conditioning. Because of that, we are making sure that cooling centers are open and available to anyone who needs them. During the week, many of our public facilities naturally serve as places to cool down, but with this event happening over the weekend, our teams are working to ensure safe and accessible options remain open.
- Auburn Community & Event Center Lobby Area
- Saturday - 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Auburn Library
- Saturday - 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Sunday - 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
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The Outlet Collection Seattle - We are also encouraging folks to head to the The Outlet Collection Seattle as another option to #BeatTheHeat.
Please check in on your neighbors, stay hydrated, and avoid extended outdoor activity during the hottest hours of the day. You can also learn more about heat risk and safety tips here: www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk or on the City of Auburn website.
Weekend series of westbound SR 18 lane, ramp and directional closures
 The weekend's work on westbound SR 18 has been postponed due to a scheduling issue. The original release is below.
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THE FOLLOWING HAS BEEN POSTPONED!!!!!! Including for your reference of the project details.
People traveling on westbound State Route 18 through Auburn should expect a weekend-long series of lane, ramp and directional closures beginning Friday night, Aug. 22, as part of a pavement and bridge joints repair project.
The closures along westbound SR 18 will occur in two stages between 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, and 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 25. Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will use the closures to replace worn expansion joints on the C Street Southwest bridge.
People should expect delays on westbound SR 18 during each stage, especially during peak travel times. Eastbound SR 18 through Auburn will remain open throughout the weekend.
First stage
From 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, to 1 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, the right lane of westbound SR 18 will close between M and C Streets Southeast.
The Auburn Way South/SR 164 on-ramp to westbound SR 18 will close at the same time. A signed detour during the ramp closure will use city streets to the Third Street Southwest on-ramp to westbound SR 18.
Second stage
From 2 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 25, westbound SR 18 will close 24 hours a day at Auburn Way South/SR 164.
All westbound vehicles will exit at the Auburn Way South/SR 164 off-ramp and may use the on-ramp to return to westbound SR 18. Police officers will direct people through the intersection between the on- and off-ramps.
Real-time travel information is available via the WSDOT mobile app, the WSDOT travel map or by signing up for WSDOT's email updates.
Hyperlinks within the release:
 Many of you have likely heard about the closure of the White River Bridge on SR 410 between Enumclaw and Buckley. On Monday, August 18, the bridge was struck and sustained significant damage in several areas. Because safety is our top priority, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) closed the bridge immediately to all vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Over the past several days, WSDOT bridge crews have been on site conducting detailed inspections. Engineers will next analyze the inspection results to determine what repairs are needed and how quickly they can safely reopen the bridge.
 We know this closure is a major disruption. The detour adds at least 45 minutes of travel time, and sometimes more depending on traffic. Please allow extra time if you are traveling between Buckley and Enumclaw and follow the signed detours via SR 164, SR 18, and SR 167.
I want to reassure you that WSDOT is working as quickly as possible, but safety must come first!
For more information, visit WSDOT’s website.
 This month, King County Wastewater will begin Phase 1 of the M Street Trunk Rehabilitation Project here in Auburn. Over the next two summers, crews will repair more than two miles of aging sewer pipe, along with more than 100 side connections and 45 maintenance holes.
You may notice temporary lane closures, parking restrictions, and some noise during construction. Phase 1 runs this summer between 14th St NE and 22nd St NE, with the remainder scheduled for summer 2026.
Thank you for your patience as this important work moves forward to keep our infrastructure strong and reliable. To stay up to date, visit King County’s project webpage.
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Party on the Plaza: Cheeseburger in Paradise
Spend your summer Friday nights in downtown Auburn at Party on the Plaza! This FREE event series features live music, delicious food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and a rotating lineup of fun, themed evenings. Enjoy the Taco Festival on June 27 with a free car show, Rock the Block on July 25, and Cheeseburger in Paradise on August 22 with another car show! With great eats from Dick’s Drive-In, La Costenita Cuisine, Paparepas, Tacos Cortes, El Koreano, Alaskan Dumplings, Tabassum, Boss Mama’s Kitchen, DelFino's, Bean Hut, and Swanky Scoop!, there’s something for everyone. Bring your friends, grab a drink, and kick back in the heart of the city!
📅 Friday, Aug. 22
⏰ 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
📍 City Hall Plaza | 25 W. Main Street
💲 Free
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Auburn Farmers Market
The Auburn Farmers Market provides a convenient venue for local farmers and artisans to provide access to healthy, fresh, locally sourced food and products to area residents. The Market serves as a vibrant gathering place where visitors can learn about healthy food choices, and overall health and well-being. View more information on the Auburn Farmers Market Page.
Shop from 40 farm, food, and craft vendors! Visit the information booth for a free Market tote.
Entertainment Schedule:
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Rock Wall is open
Many Market vendors accept EBT, SNAP Market Match, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and WIC dollars.
Email the Auburn Farmers Market
253-931-3043
📅 Sunday, Aug. 24
⏰ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
📍 Les Gove Park | 1140 Auburn Way South
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Strings in the Garden - Auburn Symphony Orchestra
Join us for one of our favorite summer traditions. Auburn Symphony’s String Quartet returns to the beautiful Soos Creek Botanical Garden for a relaxed afternoon of live music surrounded by blooming flowers and winding garden paths.
Bring your picnic, find a shady spot, and enjoy a program of light classical and jazz-inspired string music. Whether you're a longtime fan or simply looking for a peaceful way to spend your Saturday, this outdoor concert is all about good music and good vibes.
Tickets are on sale through the Symphony office and at the gate 1 hour prior to the show.
More Information: https://www.auburnsymphony.org/202526-season/strings-in-the-garden
📅 Sunday, Aug. 24
⏰ 2-4 p.m.
📍 Soos Creek Botanical Garden | 29308 132nd Ave SE
💲 Tickets ($22 adult, $12 student, free for children 12 and under)
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Yoga in the Garden
Yoga in the Garden Join certified yoga instructor Vicky Lee French at Soos Creek Botanical Garden for Yoga in the Garden this Summer! Enjoy a series of 8 classes in a beautiful garden setting in their outdoor pavilion. Classes are weekly on Wednesdays starting July 9th and ending on August 27th. Come for one or the entire series. Just drop in. No pre-registration required. Each participant will be asked to sign a hold harmless agreement. Classes begin at 8:45am and end at 9:45am. The charge is $10. per class, cash or check, payable to Soos Creek Botanical Garden. No charge for Garden volunteers. Proceeds go toward Garden maintenance. Bring a yoga mat, water, and wear loose fitting clothing. All levels of yoga experience are welcome.
📅 Wednesday, Aug. 27
⏰ 8:45 - 9:45 a.m.
📍 Soos Creek Botanical Garden | 29308 132nd Avenue
💲 $10
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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
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Drop-In Drawing @ Postmark
Come stop by for our new Drop-In Drawing sessions at the Postmark! A free, no-pressure environment for artists and creatives to drop-in to draw from a still life or the gallery. Stay for whole two hours or only 10 minutes. Bring tools to either shade or color with, and your own sketchbook or drawing pad. There will be on-site help for critique/questions/advice. All are welcome.
Ages: 15+
Registration: $0
Instructor: Postmark Staff
📅 Fridays
⏰ 10 a.m. - Noon
📍 Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave.
💲 Free
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Drop-In Painting With Amy 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. - Noon
📍 Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave.
💲 Free
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Auburn Farmers Market
The Auburn Farmers Market provides a convenient venue for local farmers and artisans to provide access to healthy, fresh, locally sourced food and products to area residents. The Market serves as a vibrant gathering place where visitors can learn about healthy food choices, and overall health and well-being. View more information on the Auburn Farmers Market Page.
Shop from 40 farm, food, and craft vendors! Visit the information booth for a free Market tote.
Entertainment Schedule:
Celebrating Vendor Appreciation Day!
Many Market vendors accept EBT, SNAP Market Match, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and WIC dollars.
Email the Auburn Farmers Market
253-931-3043
📅 Sunday, Aug. 31
⏰ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
📍 Les Gove Park | 1140 Auburn Way South
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Big Apples, Big Business: How Washington Became the Apple State
Why do so many apples in the grocery store look the same? And why do so many come from Washington?
In this talk, explore how Washington became the top apple producing state in the country, and how, in the process, it transformed apples into an industrialized commodity. Many regions in the West attempted to grow apples, but in Washington, big apples became big business thanks to the work of scientists, investors, irrigators, railroad corporations, marketers, and apple growers. How does the history of Washington apples reflect larger changes happening in the American food system—changes that continue to affect our environment and the way we eat today?
📅 Thursday, Sept. 4
⏰ 6 - 7 p.m.
📍 Mary Olson Farm | 28728 Green River Road
💲 Free
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Auburn Farmers Market
The Auburn Farmers Market provides a convenient venue for local farmers and artisans to provide access to healthy, fresh, locally sourced food and products to area residents. The Market serves as a vibrant gathering place where visitors can learn about healthy food choices, and overall health and well-being. View more information on the Auburn Farmers Market Page.
Shop from 40 farm, food, and craft vendors! Visit the information booth for a free Market tote.
Entertainment Schedule:
Giveaway: Farmers Market Shirt
Many Market vendors accept EBT, SNAP Market Match, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and WIC dollars.
Email the Auburn Farmers Market
253-931-3043
📅 Sunday, Sept. 7
⏰ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
📍 Les Gove Park | 1140 Auburn Way South
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Hops & Crops Music and Beer Festival
Food Trucks: Thai U Up, Longhorn BBQ, Stacks Burgers, and Pizza Maniac
Bands: Happy Chems, Sugar Bones, General Mojo’s, Jaws of Brooklyn
Breweries and Cideries: Republic of Cider, 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Offset Ciderworks, Wheat Head Brewing, Top Down Brewing, Acorn Brewing, Rail Hop’n, Valhalla Mead, Jotunn Ciderhouse, Chateau Ste. Michelle… more to come!
Hops & Crops is a rain or shine, 21 and up only event. Dogs of all ages are welcome (leashed please)! Camp chairs and blankets are encouraged, outside food is discouraged. Outside alcohol, drugs, and firearms are prohibited
Bold Type Tickets is the official ticketing agency for Hops & Crops Music and Beer Festival.
General Admission: $35, includes 5 oz. taster glass and 6 taster tickets
Designated Driver Admission: $10
Buy online to save on General Admission before September!
Save $10 by purchasing online before through August with promo code BEER25.
📅 Saturday, Sept. 13
⏰ 12 - 6 p.m.
📍 Mary Olson Farm | 28728 Green River Road
💲 Tickets ($35 general admission, $10 designated driver admission)
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Second Saturdays | KEEP A' LIVIN'
Visit Postmark Center for the Arts gallery, open to the public each Second Saturday from 12-4PM! Each month features FREE, all ages performances, crafts, and events!
Join us for a special presentation, given by author Kathya Alexander! She will be reading an excerpt from her debut novel-in-verse, KEEP A' LIVIN', a coming-of-age tale that follows 12-year-old Mandy and her mother, Belle, as they both experience the extraordinary events of the Civil Rights Movement, finding strength, fearless, and faith along the way.
An audience Q&A will also be held shortly after, focusing on how the gains of the Civil Rights era are being legally dismantled in the current political climate and focusing on injustices suffered by African Americans.
📅 Saturday, Sept. 13
⏰ 1 - 3 p.m.
📍 Postmark Center for the Arts | 20 Auburn Ave.
💲Free
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Unwind and Wine at the Mary Olson Farm
The Mary Olson Farm + Yoga Flow + Wine + Cheese? Yes, please!
Joins us for a yoga flow class in the historic barn and enjoy a tasting of local wine and cheese after class. Grab your your yoga mat and a pal and head out to the farm! Yoga flow is accessible to all yoga levels.
📅 Wednesday, Sept. 17
⏰ 6 - 7:30 p.m.
📍 Mary Olson Farm | 29728 Green River Road
💲Tickets ($25)
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Auburn Farmers Market
The Auburn Farmers Market provides a convenient venue for local farmers and artisans to provide access to healthy, fresh, locally sourced food and products to area residents. The Market serves as a vibrant gathering place where visitors can learn about healthy food choices, and overall health and well-being. View more information on the Auburn Farmers Market Page.
Shop from 40 farm, food, and craft vendors! Visit the information booth for a free Market tote.
Entertainment Schedule:
Last day of the market!
Many Market vendors accept EBT, SNAP Market Match, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and WIC dollars.
Email the Auburn Farmers Market
253-931-3043
📅 Sunday, Sept. 14
⏰ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
📍 Les Gove Park | 1140 Auburn Way South
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Senior Wellness Fair
The Senior Wellness Team has planned an incredible vendor fair and delicious lunch with wonderful entertainment from Jazz Guitarist Michael Powers. Lunch is free for those that pre-register and attend the vendor fair in the gymnasium.
📅 Thursday, Sept. 25
⏰ 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
📍 Auburn Senior Activity Center | 808 9th St. SE
💲Free
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Taylor Made - James Taylor Tribute
Taylor Made consists of seven of the northwest’s finest musicians. Performing all of James Taylor’s classic songs from his vast repertoire of twenty-two studio and live album releases from the 1970’s to the present. Faithfully recreating the magic of James’s classic hits like Fire And Rain, Handy Man, Mexico, Carolina In My Mind, Country Road, Up On A Roof, Shower The People and many more.
📅 Saturday, Sept. 27
⏰ 7:30 p.m.
📍 Green River College Student Affairs Building | 12401 SE 320th Street
💲Tickets ($25 regular, $22 student/senior)
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Auburn Community Players: The Wizard Of Oz
Join the Auburn Community Players as they follow the yellow brick road in this delightful stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s beloved tale, featuring the iconic musical score from the MGM film. The timeless tale, in which young Dorothy Gale travels from Kansas over the rainbow to the magical Land of Oz, continues to thrill audiences worldwide.
📅 Friday, Oct. 10
⏰ 7:30 p.m.
📍 Green River College Student Affairs Building | 12401 SE 320th Street
💲Tickets ($35 regular, $22 student/senior, $30 & 27 at the door)
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If you're asking yourself whether that's famed Washington-bred race horse Stryker Phd, the answer is yes. Read the Auburn Magazine next month to find out why!
 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.
(Image courtesy of White River Valley Museum)
Borden’s Condensery photographed in 1917, once located on 4th Street and D Street NW, close to West Auburn High School today. By 1909 Borden was Auburn's second-largest employer, second only to the railroads, employing 75-100 people. In addition to Borden, many other dairy-related companies were located in Auburn, and about 250 local dairies sold their milk to Borden's. The plant closed in 1931, along with many other industries impacted by the Great Depression.
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