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Happy Friday, Kent!
It’s hard to believe we’re already in the final stretch of summer, but Kent still has plenty of fun on the calendar before the season wraps up.
This weekend, is the Kent Downtown Partnership Cajun & Creole Fest, where downtown will be filled with music, dancing, and incredible food. Then, Saturday, August 24, we welcome back the Cruisin’ Kent Car Show, where you can see some incredible classic cars and hear the stories behind them.
While we’re savoring what's left of the sunny days, it’s also time to look ahead to fall. Registration is open for our Fall Kent Parks programs, with something for everyone, youth sports, art and music classes, fitness programs, and more. The Fall Kent Parks Guide is your go-to resource for planning the season ahead.
And a quick reminder for parents and students, back-to-school is less than two weeks away! Let’s make the most of these last summer moments.
Have a great weekend!
Dana Ralph, Kent Mayor
It was such a pleasure to spend time at The Lakes neighborhood for another Drinks in the Driveway event! I love these opportunities to connect with neighbors to hear what’s on your mind and celebrate what’s working well.
Thank you to everyone who came out. Our community is stronger when we take the time to come together like this.
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New Link light rail stations will open in Kent-Des Moines, Star Lake, and Federal Way Transit Center as soon as 2026. Metro is seeking feedback from communities in Algona, Auburn, Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Normandy Park, Pacific, SeaTac, and Tukwila on several proposed changes to our transit services in South King County.
Attend an upcoming virtual open house and share your thoughts in a survey by August 31st.
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Keeping our homes safe and comfortable is so important, and for many in our community, a little help can make a big difference.
Kent’s home repair program offers free, small home repairs for income-qualified homeowners, with priority given to seniors and individuals with disabilities.
From plumbing and electrical work to roof fixes, window repairs, and installing safety features, this program helps our neighbors stay safe at home.
If you or someone you know could benefit, click this link to learn more.
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Tickets for the 2025-2026 Spotlight Series show are now on sale!
We’ve curated another season of truly incredible performances, and we cannot wait to share in the magic of each of these shows with you and your crew.
The FREE Kent Parks Summer Movie Series kicked off last week with a showing of The Goonies!
We’re continuing the fun (and the nostalgia!) with GHOSTBUSTERS (1984) on Friday, August 22.
Grab some blankets, pack up your friends and family, and join our Parks crew at Kherson Park for a movie night under the stars. All movies start at dusk. Low-backed beach chairs are allowed.
SCHEDULE:
- Friday, August 22 – Ghostbusters Co-presented with Kent Sunrise Rotary Club. FREE popcorn available, thanks to the Kent Sunrise Rotary Club!
- Friday, September 5 - Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark FREE ice cream available. Don’t miss out!
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Fall FUN is here! Registration for all Fall programming opened earlier this week. From NEW preschool and youth classes and FREE after school programming, to clubs and outdoor adventures for adults 50+ and everything in between, there is something for everyone in the family!
Registration can also be completed in person at the Kent Commons Community Center or Kent Senior Activity Center, via phone (Kent Commons – 253-856-5100, Senior Center – 253-856-5150), or via mail or fax. 🔗MyKentParks.com/Register
Every single day, it takes 1,000 blood donors to save lives in hospitals right here in the Pacific Northwest. That’s 1,000 people stepping up, rolling up their sleeves, and making a real difference. Now, it’s your turn. accesso ShoWare Center is hosting a mobile blood drive on September 4.
Bloodworks Northwest will be located on the East side of accesso ShoWare Center near the Seattle Thunderbirds Team Store from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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The Kent Downtown Partnership is bringing back Cajun and Creole Fest tomorrow!
Spice up your taste buds and experience the soul of Louisiana in the Pacific Northwest. Dance, dine, and have a ragin’ Cajun good time where Southern culture and hospitality turn historic downtown Kent into our own “Little Louisiana”!
Live music and dancing will keep festival-goers entertained throughout the day, with performances by Cajun and Zydeco bands. It’s a perfect opportunity to experience the vibrant and lively culture of Louisiana, Cajun- and Creole-themed food trucks, beer/wine garden, vendors/artists, and activities for the kids. Get your free tickets here!
It's farmers market season!
Living Well Kent is hosting 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
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WSDOT is opening a new SR 509 tolled expressway between South 188th Street near SEA Airport and I-5 near South 212th Street.
The new road will be a four-lane tolled expressway with a toll charged in both directions at the ramps to and from I-5. Only the new portion of SR 509 will be tolled; all existing routes will remain free to use.
The expressway is part of a larger project that, when complete, will create an important north-south alternative to the congested I-5 corridor in south King County and will offer new freight connections between I-5 and the Ports of Tacoma, Seattle, and SEA airport.
WSDOT has published a blog post with additional details about the upcoming tolling plans.
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Put it on your calendar!
Join Chief Padilla for Coffee with the Chief on Wednesday September 3 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
It will be at the new Woods Coffee 15610 SE 272nd St. B101 in Kent.
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There's only a few Kent Summer Concerts left!
The music isn’t over yet! The Kent Summer Concert Series concludes on Wednesday, August 20 with a show by School of Rock Kent at Kent Station Summer Sounds.
Event runs from 4-8pm, with performance running from 6-7:30pm.
Thank you to everyone who has joined us so far this summer, we have had such a ROCKIN’ time with you!
I am already looking forward to our 2026 shows.
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Join us at the 1st Annual Hops Festival at the Kent Historical Museum!
Enjoy beer tasting for ages 21+ (with valid ID), explore and pick hops, learn how to grow and brew your own beer, and watch a live brewing demonstration.
Plus, there will be a book signing for “Images of America – Kent” and fun activities for kids, making it a festival the whole family can enjoy!
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If you are looking for a great way to give back to our community and learn more about hands-on environmental conservation, be sure to check out our Green Kent events.
Green Kent events are held monthly from April – November at parks throughout our system.
Our next event will be tomorrow, August 16. Join us for a work party at beautiful Clark Lake Park working on continuing clearing areas of Himalayan blackberry and scotch broom with some cutting and digging!
Check out more details, or sign up for this event online at MyKentParks.com/GreenKent
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The Kent Police Department is now accepting applications for the 2025 Fall Community Police Academy. Classes will be on Tuesday evenings, for ten weeks, starting September 30, 2025, ending on December 2, 2025. Due to Veterans Day falling on a Tuesday this year (November 11th), we will hold that week’s session on Wednesday, November 12th. Each session is from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and held in person at the Kent Police/Fire Training Center located at 24523 116th Ave. SE.
Applications are available online at Community Police Academy Application. For security reasons all applicants must pass a background check.
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Registration for the Fall Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training starts August 18.
When widespread disasters strike, city workers can be overwhelmed. This course is designed to give people the skills and confidence to safely help themselves and others when help is delayed.
The eight-week program meets 2 different times on Wednesday. 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. or 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
This training provides instruction on disaster preparedness, disaster first aid, triage, fire safety, search and rescue, disaster psychology and team organization.
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Grow & Thrive is a hands-on program designed for business owners who’ve been operating for at least a year and are ready to take the next step. Over 12 weeks, participants will work with experts, connect with mentors, and build a plan for sustainable growth, all in a small, supportive cohort.
The next session begins September 16.
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Get ready to cruise into summer at the 7th Annual Cruisin’ Kent Classic Car Show. Bring the family down for lunch, see some classic cars and win prizes!
We are excited to partner with Kent Station for this fun and free event! Don't forget to pick up your 50/50 ticket where the profits will be donated to the Green River College VET fund. Here's where you can register your car and get all the information!
📆 Sunday, August 24
⌚ 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
📍 Kent Station
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Copper theft is a serious issue that affects everyone in the Kent community. Intentional cable cuts cause significant disruptions to network services.
If you see something, say something. Report suspicious activity to law enforcement by calling 911.
Customers can always check for outages or address common service issues at xfinity.com/status or the Xfinity app. Video produced by Comcast.
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We’re excited to announce that we are offering our FREE life vest loaner program again!
Swim safe this summer with a free life vest rental from Kent Parks. Interested individuals can check out a life vest for a single day, or the entire summer season! Life vests are available to be checked out from the Kent Commons Community Center. All sizes are available. Please call 253-856-5100 with questions.
Please note that life vests must be checked out in-person, quantities are limited. Life vests are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Applications are being accepted for the city's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Board!
The goal of the board is to increase engagement, integration, and access to city services for all cultural communities in Kent.
You can learn about the city's work in these areas and the Equity Strategic Plan at KentWA.gov/Race-Equity and apply to be on the board here!
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Join Tracy, Kevin, Mark and Kyle as they update you on the important, fun, and interesting things happening in the City of Kent.
New episodes every 2 weeks!
Listen now on:
🔊 Apple Podcasts apple.co/3J2UMkd
🔊 Spotify spoti.fi/3GNCeli
🔊 Amazon Music amzn.to/3jjaOvU
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The KentWorks app lets you access information and improve your neighborhood and community by reporting non-emergency issues.
You can request a service, report a problem and find information about the City of Kent all from your mobile device in just a few taps!
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