Mayor Ralph's Weekly Update

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Mayor's Update

July 12, 2024


Kent Cornucopia Days


corn days

Happy Friday, Kent!

Kent Cornucopia Days is here! Our downtown streets are filled with smiles, great food, fun vendors and fabulous performances.

This is South King County's largest and longest-running family festival, brought to you by the Kent Lions for free. Bring the family out for some street fair fun, a grand parade and more. kcdays.com 

Enjoy this week's update and have a great weekend!


corn1

📅 Cornucopia Days: Friday, July 12
🎪 Street Fair & Vendors
🌯 Taste of Cornucopia
🎨 Kent Valley Artists Association Art Show & Sale
🎶 Live Music and Entertainment
🚂 Kids Zone Activities
📝 Educational Events


corn2

📅 Cornucopia Days: Saturday, July 13
🚗 Car & Truck Show
🏃‍♂️ 5K Run & Walk
🎪 Street Fair & Vendors
🌭 Taste of Cornucopia
🎭 Kent Valley Artists Association Art Show
🎸 Live Music and Entertainment
🧸 Kids Zone Activities
📝 Educational & Special Events
🩸 Give Blood


corn3

📅 Cornucopia Days: Sunday, July 14
🎠 Grand Parade on 4th Ave
🎪 Street Fair & Vendors
🍲 Taste of Cornucopia
🖼 Kent Valley Artists Association Art Show
🎙 Live Music and Entertainment
🪀 Kids Zone Activities
📝 Educational & Special Events


There is still time to join the 2024 Kent Cornucopia Days 5k Fun Run & Walk!  There will be registration available onsite tomorrow morning!

Race will start at Three Friends Fishing Hole Park, head north around Briscoe Park and slightly into Tukwila before heading back to Three Friends Fishing Hole Park the same way. 

📅 Tomorrow, July 13
⌚ 9 a.m.
📍 3 Friends Fishing Hole Park (20025 Russell Road)

corn run+

drinks in the driveway

Last night myself and other city staff stopped in the North Park neighborhood for another Drinks in the Driveway event!

The neighborhood came ready with great questions and concerns. Special thanks to Wendy for hosting this fun evening.


Thursday afternoon I had the opportunity to join mayors and delegates from across King County to celebrate the 161st year of the King County Fair!

kcfair2

good eggs

King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer's “Good Eggs” breakfasts are always so fun and educational! Earlier this week we heard from Bob Donegan, President/CEO Ivar’s and Kidd Valley. He talked about the revitalization of the downtown Seattle Waterfront.


Join Josh and Tracy as they host the Kent Lions Club Grand Cornucopia Days Parade live on Kent TV 21! See the floats, bands and Seafair Pirates live at 1 p.m. on Kent TV 21!
📅 Sunday, July 14
🕐 1 p.m.
📍 4th Ave from Willis to James

KentNow at Corn days

kentquest

Help us plan Kent's future!  We need your input to ensure Kent Parks and programs offer a sweet time for everyone. We aren’t ready to build a licorice forest just yet, but we do want to know what’s important to you! Share your thoughts with us at bit.ly/3zKXjg9


Join us at Airways Taproom and Brewery from 4 - 7 p.m. next Thursday to Play KentQuest! We need your expertise and feedback to discuss growth in Kent over the next 20 years. This will be an interactive activity where members will break into groups to play a game to help us understand potential growth impacts, trade-offs and priorities. Feel free to drop in at any time!

kentquest

DEIS

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Kent Comprehensive Plan has been released and the city is accepting public comment on the DEIS through July 15 at 5:00 PM.

There will be a public workshop at Land Use and Planning Board on June 24. For more details about the meeting, to read the DEIS, and learn how to provide comment, visit our website.


Salsa in the Streets


salsa in the streets

The Kent Downtown Partnership is bringing Salsa in the Streets! This is set to be an electrifying 1st time event celebrating the vibrant rhythms and passionate dance moves of salsa.

There will be performances by Mambo Cadillac, Flor de Luna, Supersones,
and Elere Salsa. Get your tickets now!

Tantalize your taste buds with mouthwatering food, unique crafts from local vendors, and refreshing drinks at our lively beer and wine garden, featuring 23rd Avenue Brewery, 2 Towns Cider house and Washington wine selections.   

📅 Saturday, July 13
⌚ 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. 
📍
Titus Railroad Park (238 1st Avenue South) 


Coffee with the Chief 


coffee with the chief

Join Chief Padilla and the Kent Police Department for Coffee with the Chief!

📅 Thursday, July 18
🕕 8 - 10 a.m.
📍 Starbucks (22431 84th Ave S.)

The KPD staff will also be on hand to answer any questions.
We look forward to seeing you there!


National Night Out 


NNO

National Night Out is August 6! 

National Night Out elevates the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Most importantly, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

It's time to start planning that neighborhood party! 

Kent PD's Community Education Unit will help you with the sign-up process. Let's give crime a going away party!


blood drive

Blood banks across the United States are reporting critical shortages, with donor levels lower now than they were before. Let's help patients in our community by making an appointment at the pop-up blood drive happening at Kent Station.


Our friends at the Greater Kent Historical Society are excited to present Experience Historical Kent this August!

Join them at the Kent Historical Museum August 9-10 to explore the many parts of Kent's history. On Friday, August 9, participate in a historic tour, then pop by Kherson Park for a screening of The Boys in the Boat under the stars! Visit the museum again on Saturday for performances, activities, food, and more. More details will be available soon at KentHistoricalMuseum.org.

greater kent historical society

Cajun Fest

The Kent Downtown Partnership is holding their 3rd Annual Cajun Fest this August!

This annual extravaganza promises to immerse attendees in the rich traditions of Louisiana with delicious food and drink, live music that'll have you dancing, and a community spirit that'll warm your soul.

📅 Saturday, August 17
🕑 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
📍 Burlington Green Park 


Farmers Market


june 15

It's farmers market season! 

Living Well Kent and the Kent Lions Club have partnered to bring their Farmers Market downtown! This is a community driven market, increasing access to fresh, healthy, and culturally relevant produce to our community. 

📅 Every Saturday until September 14
⏰ 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.​
📍 2nd Ave between Smith and Gowe


Parks and Recreation Month


parks month

It's our favorite month of the year! Every year since 1985, Americans have celebrated National Parks & Recreation Month during the month of July to recognize the importance of parks and recreation and the professionals in this field.

Come and celebrate with us at free pop-up events throughout the month!

📅 Wednesday, July 17
⚽ Kick it with Kent Parks
⌚ 1 - 2:30 p.m.
📍 Diego's Field at West Fenwick Park

📅 Wednesday, July 24
🍧 Popsicles in the Park
⌚ 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
📍 Morrill Meadows Park

📅 Wednesday, July 31 
👑 Kent Parks Royal Party
(with special guests Elsa, Tiana, Moana, Woody, and Miles Morales!)
⌚ 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
📍 Van Doren's Landing Park


The fun started on Wednesday with a Friendship Bracelet making event and formal Ribbon Cutting ceremony to celebrate an exciting partnership with Kent School District on the joint management of the newly named “School’s Out Park” at Kent Laboratory Academy. 

parks&recmonth1

life vests

Hot weather is here!  As you look for places to cool off,  note no lifeguards are on duty at Lake Meridian Park.

Swim safe this summer with afree life vest rental from Kent Parks! You can check out a life vest for a single day, or the entire summer season through September 6.

Life vests must be checked out in person from the Kent Commons Community Center. All sizes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 253-856-5100!


Free Summer Programs


Kent HERO

Our Parks team kicked off their free summer programs this week!

Both programs run Monday- Friday now through August 9 (no programs on July 4) at various locations throughout the city.

The Summer Playgrounds program is a great way for you and your child to enjoy some free fun at local parks in our community. Plus, Kent School District Food Services provides a free lunch every day for school-aged students.

Lunch is served from 12 - 12:30 p.m. Program runs from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Chestnut Ridge Park, West Fenwick Park, and Morrill Meadows Park. Stop by for games, sports, arts & crafts, water games, and more!

HERO stands for Health, Experience, Recreation, Outreach. This mobile health and nutrition program stops by numerous locations throughout the city, including parks, apartments, and enrich the experience of our campers in the Camp Walkapala program. HERO offers weekly activities, games, special treats, and more.

Check out the schedule of program locations online at KentHERO.com.


We’re excited to announce that more movie nights are coming to Kherson Park this summer! Grab some blankets, pack up the family, and come on down for a movie under the stars. Sprawl out on the lawn and enjoy a FREE showing of new blockbuster hits! All movies will begin at dusk.

2024 Summer Movie Series

Friday, August 9: The Boys in The Boat
Shown in partnership with the Greater Kent Historical Society.

Friday, September 6: IF

Summer movies

uplands

Our Parks team is in the early planning stages for the upcoming renovations at Uplands Playfields and is looking for community feedback on the future of this downtown park. As part of these renovations, we are planning for an extra special addition: a spray park! 

Tell us what you want to see in your park as part of these renovations.

Voice your thoughts by filling out this survey,


Parks & Recreation Commission


Parks & Rec Commission Graphic

In case you missed it, we’re looking for City of Kent Parks and Recreation Commissioners!

Beginning this month, changes are being implemented to the operation of the Parks Commission to ensure that our commissioners are engaged and enjoy serving their term with us.

Moving forward, during each year of their term, Commissioners will be required to join us for an annual Parks tour, attend quarterly meetings to provide critical feedback and insight on our parks and recreation system, and immerse themselves in the Parks department at volunteerism activities.

Learn more and apply online at KentWA.gov/BoardsAndCommissions.


Kent Summer Concerts


summer concerts

Kent Summer Concerts are back starting July 10! Super excited for this annual series of musical performances presented throughout the summer. Learn more about specific performers and dates on our website.

Wednesday Picnic Performances
12-1 p.m. at West Fenwick Park 

Wednesday Family Date Night
6-8 p.m. at Kent Station

Thursdays at the Lake
7-8:30 p.m. at Lake Meridian Park


soccer

Registration is now open for our Youth Fall Soccer program!

Sign your child up to learn the game, hone their skills, make friends, and have FUN! Program is open to all students in Pre-K to Grade 8. Pre-K participants must be 3 years of age by August 31, 2024. Teams are formed by grade. Deadline to register is August 6!


Kent Library Summer Reading Events


Kent Library Events

The Kent Library is hosting a Summer Resource Fair to provide information about activities and programs for families while kids are out of school.

Check out some of the free programs during their Summer Reading Program through August 31.


Conservation Event


conservation event

Join the Kent Parks team on Saturday, July 20 as we celebrate Conservation Day at Morrill Meadows Park!

Conservation Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of preserving and protecting our natural resources and ecosystem.

At this event, we'll be removing invasive plants to care for recent plantings of native trees and shrubs! Register to join us and give back to our community through hands-on conservation as a Green Kent volunteer.

📅 Saturday, July 20
9 a.m. -12 p.m.
📍 Morrill Meadows Park

PARKING: 10600 SE 248th St 


Summer Parks Guide 


Registration Open

Registration for Summer programming through Kent Parks is open!

From preschool classes and free summer concerts to youth sports and programs for adults aged 50 and older, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

If you haven’t received a guide, browse a digital copy to check out upcoming events and all available programs.


pottery

Kent Parks is partnering with Soos Creek Studio to offer a parent and youth pottery experience, which will be held at the Kent Memorial Park Building.

The programs start in August! Learn more and register online!

 


Do you need some help with your garden? Get free gardening advice from the Master Gardners. 

The WSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers are local and university-trained. They are providing free research-based information to home gardeners in King County. 

📅 Saturdays
⌚ 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
📍 Kent McLendon's Hardware

master gardner

jobs of the month

We're hiring! Check out our featured jobs and find great opportunities on our hiring page at jobs.kentwa.gov


Get your furry friends licensed with Regional Animal Services of King County to help get them back to you if they're ever lost! 

Your license also helps fund RASKC's life-saving animal shelter work. They reunite lost pets 24/7 and provide shelter pet care 365 days a year.

RASKC

resident question

Something new! I'm going to include a weekly question that I have received from a resident and answer it each newsletter. This week I received the following question:

"Hi Dana, I appreciate the efforts to build up and expand city parks in recent years and was wondering if there was any more that were planned. Thank you."

And the answer is yes! Currently, Springwood Park is closed for construction, and our team is in the early stages of planning the future Uplands Playfield and Spray Park! 

You can stay on top of current and future Parks projects by visiting Engage.KentWA.gov!


Don't forget to check out the KentNOW podcast! Tracy, Josh and Kyle talk to Chief Padilla, Stacy Judd and Sara Wood from KPD Community Education about National Night Out and it's history in Kent. Hear more about amazing events happening in the city, and fun things to do with the family!

Listen to new and previous episodes on:
🔊 Apple Podcasts apple.co/3J2UMkd
🔊 Spotify spoti.fi/3GNCeli
🔊 Amazon Music amzn.to/3jjaOvU

kentnow

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