Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!
Your weekly update on all things Kent is here!
The city has a bunch of fun events planned through the end of the year as well as some great opportunities to get involved and give feedback on projects.
I hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving, find this week's update informative, and enjoy the holiday weekend!
Dana Ralph, Kent Mayor
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It's Small Business Saturday in Kent! When you Shop Small, you’re not just supporting neighborhood favorites – you’re investing in our community.
Whether you’re a local or in town for the holidays, explore small businesses near you—and shop small all season long. Shop Small Saturday started as a Saturday, but really is no longer just a single day event.
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Winterfest
Our annual Holiday Tree Lighting celebration and parade is happening Saturday December 7 at Town Square Plaza in Downtown Kent!
We'll have community booths, goodies and photo opportunities. The fun starts at 2 p.m. at ends at 7 p.m. Check out the full details online at KentWA.gov/Winterfest.
Join us for food trucks, community booths, and local craftspeople, the Winterfest parade, performances from local students, Santa, tree lighting ceremony, and more!
Bring your kids, friends and family for a fun evening full of holiday cheer. Thanks to the Kent Lions Club, Kent Station and Kent Downtown Partnership.
📅 Saturday, December 7
⏲ 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.
📍 Town Square Plaza
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The Christmas Rush is a beloved holiday event in our community, and I am looking forward to seeing those runners and walkers take to the course again this year!
📅 Saturday, December 14
⏲ 9:50 a.m.
📍 Hogan Park, 25500 Russell Road
Learn more and register online at KentWA.gov/ChristmasRush.
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2024 Santa Photos at Santa's Cozy Cottage
in front of AMC!
Santa is BACK at Kent Station! Reserve your appointment online. Walk-ins are allowed until one hour before the end of the day.
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Letters for Santa!
Drop off your holiday wish list in Santa's mailbox at Kent Commons. He will have cards to fill out on site. If you would like to get a letter back from Santa, include your mailing address on the card!
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Winter Parks Guide
The 2024 Kent Parks Winter Recreation Guides are landing in mailboxes now! Copies are also available at the Kent Commons Community Center and the Kent Senior Activity Center.
Check out the digital guide online now and bookmark our registration site at MyKentParks.com/Register.
Browse the guide and bookmark your favorites before registration opens on Tuesday, December 10! From new youth programs to outdoor adventures for adults age 50+ and everything in between, our parks team offers something for everyone in the family!
Kent Valley Figure Skating Club
The talented skaters of the Kent Valley Figure Skating Club have been working hard to bring you a spectacular holiday performance!
Join us at the Kent Valley Ice Centre for their Home for the Holidays Ice Show and get into the festive spirit while supporting these incredible athletes.
If you are looking to get more involved with the community, apply to join the City of Kent Parks & Recreation Commission! Learn more and apply online at KentWA.gov/BoardsAndCommissions.
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Yard Waste Removal
The recent windstorm left many of us with downed branches and debris. Last week, King County Executive Dow Constantine has issued a proclamation allowing for free disposal of wood debris and yard waste at select King County Recycling and Transfer Stations.
Residents can drop off tree limbs and other storm-related woody debris for free at Bow Lake, Cedar Falls, Enumclaw, Factoria, Shoreline, and Vashon facilities. This service is specifically for storm debris and does not include grass clippings, sod, or soil. Remember, stumps and logs must be under six feet in length.
Please note that Algona, Houghton, and Renton stations do not offer yard waste recycling. Storm debris dropped at these locations will incur the standard garbage fee.
This is a great opportunity to clear your property of storm debris at no cost. Let’s work together to keep our city clean and safe!
As always, secure your loads before heading out and take advantage of this service available to all King County residents within the 37-city and unincorporated service area. Here's the link to more information or call 206-477-4466.
Applications are now being accepted for the Land Use and Planning Board! This board holds public hearings on city codes and ordinances, comprehensive plan updates, and matters typically associated with long range planning. Learn more and apply online.
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Coffee with the Chief
Join Chief Padilla and the Kent Police Department for Coffee with the Chief!
📅 Wednesday, December 11
🕕 8 - 10 a.m.
📍 The New Local Restaurant & Bar (10432 SE Kent-Kangley Rd.)
The KPD staff will also be on hand to answer any questions.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Emergencies can happen at any time.
They can vary in severity and impact, and you may have limited time to react.
That's why you should make a plan, and be prepared. Learn more about how to be prepared at KentWA.gov/Prepared or Ready.gov/Plan!
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Indoor Park is back at the Kent Commons Community Center! On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 9:30-11am, drop by with your little one to experience a traditional playground brought indoors!
No registration is required. Open to all kids 10 months to 4.5 years old. Cost is $2 per visit for the first child and $1 for each additional child. Come by and PLAY!
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2024-25 Spotlight Series
Our incredible Spotlight Series is underway!
The Boulding Family’s musical celebration of the holiday season is a treasured tradition in Kent. Once again, Pam and Philip Boulding are joined by their children, grandchildren, and guests for an afternoon of enchanting Yuletide music.
The Bouldings perform on Celtic harps, hammered dulcimers, whistles, strings, percussion, and harp-like instruments from around the world. Guests add Irish step dancing, drumming, and storytelling for a festive and memorable performance.
The Spotlight Series brings the best entertainment to local stages here in Kent. Tickets are now on sale for all shows. Read more about the performers, see ticket prices, and purchase tickets online at KentWA.gov/SpotlightSeries.
Sign your child up for a season of learning, new friends, and having FUN with Kent Parks!
The registration deadline for our Youth Basketball program for kids in grades 3-6 was earlier this week, but we are still taking registrations for this league on a space-available basis!
Registration is still open for students in K-2 and 7-12! The registration deadline for these leagues closes December 10. Learn more and register your child online.
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Campus Park Redevelopment Project
In case you missed it, one of our upcoming Park projects is the Campus Park Redevelopment! This park was purchased and assembled in 1982 as part of the French Field Renovation.
Today, the park is a wooded natural area with steep walking paths. This space has so much potential, and we need YOU to provide the Parks team with your feedback!
Activity boards are currently posted at the Kent Library, located at 212 2nd Ave N. Stop by now through late December to provide your input!
If you can’t make it to the library, take the survey online at EngageKentParks.com! Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to help shape the future of Campus Park.
The Kent Parks ShoWalk program is back at accesso ShoWare Center!
This free indoor walking program offers a warm, safe place to walk on Monday and Wednesday mornings during the cold, dark months of Fall and Winter. Learn more and check out program dates online!
If you have any questions, please call the Kent Commons Community Center at 253-856-5100.
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This week, Tracy, Josh and Kyle talk to Mark Hendrickson and Ronda Billerbeck from our Parks Department to talk about Winterfest and more. Also, Maria Tizoc from our Race and Equity team stop by to discuss the city's new Language Access Plan.
Listen to new and previous episodes!
🔊 Apple Podcasts apple.co/3J2UMkd
🔊 Spotify spoti.fi/3GNCeli
🔊 Amazon Music amzn.to/3jjaOvU
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Please help our senior residents by contributing to the Senior Living Communities Winter Food Drive!
Drop your donations by the Kent Senior Activity Center December 5 between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. and be entered to win a raffle basket!
Donations benefit senior residents at Arbor Village, Aegis Living, Cogir of Kent, Weatherly Inn, and Hillside Assisted Living. Call the Senior Center at 253-856-5150 with any questions.
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Yeti Scavenger Hunt
The Kent Downtown Partnership is coming up with a clever way to celebrate Small Business Saturday and the holiday season and show support to our local businesses!
Tiny yetis have made their way to historic downtown Kent, and they need your help to track them down. Search for the hidden yetis, complete your passport, and submit it below for a chance to win awesome prizes! Such a fun way to explore our city!
Here's how you can participate!
"Mayor Ralph, over the Summer you, the police chief and someone from public works came by our neighborhood to discuss some of our concerns. Will you be doing that again this Spring/Summer?
Great question, and absolutely. Drinks in the Driveway has been super popular over the past 2 years, and it just continues to grow. We are now scheduling dates in 2025. If you would like a neighborhood visit, sign-up!
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