Your Weekly Update on What's Happening at the King County Council  

Councilmember Dunn joins fellow dignitaries to officially open the King County Fair.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I love the King County Fair! And this year, I once again had one of the best, if not the best, jobs at the fair’s opening ceremony: crowning this year’s King Critter. The recipient of this year’s prestigious award was Grainger, a herding dog owned by Summer Kuzminsky. Congratulations to both canine and owner!

It was such a privilege to join Enumclaw Mayor Anthony Wright, General Manager Rene' Popke, and so many other elected officials and good friends from across King County to kick off what will be another great year at the fairgrounds. The King County Fair is a wonderful tradition and celebration of our heritage. It is the oldest fair west of the Mississippi, dating back to 1863. The long-standing event at the Enumclaw Expo Center features numerous attractions including 4-H & FFA exhibits, carnival rides, pig races, kid tractor pulls, chainsaw carving, free musical entertainment, shopping vendors, and a variety of food vendors. The fair is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and a wide range of activities that appeal to all ages.

Grainger Crowned “King Critter” by Dunn at the King County Fair

CM Dunn announces Grainger as the 2026 King Critter.

The Critter Crowning marks opening day of the fair, but it runs from yesterday through Sunday, July 19. The fair hours are 10 AM – 10 PM on Thursday, July 16th – Saturday, July 18th, and 10 AM – 6 PM on Sunday, July 19th—the fair’s final day.

General admission is $15 for adults ages 13-59, $10 for kids ages 5-12, $8 for seniors ages 60 and up, and free for kids under 5. Military admission is $8 with a valid military ID.

Call 360-505-4673 or visit www.kingcofair.com for more information. Additional information can also be found at the King County Fair Facebook page.

I’ve been proud to support the fair for years, and I encourage everyone to grab a ticket and head to the Enumclaw Expo Center this weekend!

All my best,

Reagan Dunn
King County Councilmember
District 9

King County Flood Control District Invests Over $12.2 Million in 80 Watershed Restoration and Salmon Recovery Projects

WRIA 9 Restoration Project

This week, the King County Flood Control District Board of Supervisors approved more than $12.2 million in grant funding to support 80 local watershed restoration and salmon recovery projects through the 2026 Cooperative Watershed Management Grant Program.

As Chair of the King County Flood Control District, I’m so proud to support the critical salmon habitat and ecosystem restoration work led by our watershed partners throughout King County. Through these grants, we are helping local communities, organizations, and Water Resource Inventory Areas improve watershed health, support salmon recovery, and strengthen our region’s natural environment for future generations.

This is the 14th year of the CWM Grant Program, which is a cornerstone of the District’s investment in healthy ecosystems and community resilience. The grant program received more applications than last year, and the total amount requested exceeded available funding in the budget by more than $9 million. This demonstrates strong community interest in this important grant program and underscores the growing regional demand for environmental restoration and water quality improvements.

The CWM Grant Program serves as a financial foundation for the four Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIAs) in King County. The grant funding will support projects and activities in the King County portions of the WRIAs. Following a rigorous technical review process and committee deliberations within each WRIA, local advisory groups submitted funding recommendations.

For more information about the flood risk reduction projects and grant programs funded by the District, visit: www.kingcountyfloodcontrol.org.

Fairwood 60th Anniversary Celebration

Fairwood is turning 60, and you’re invited to help us celebrate! Bring your family and friends to Petrovitsky Park on Saturday, August 29, for a full day of community fun, including children’s activities, inflatables, local vendors, food trucks, live music, and more. Then, grab your blankets and low-backed chairs and stay for a special Big Backyard Movie showing of Zootopia 2 under the stars! Be sure to visit the Fairwood 60th Anniversary Celebration webpage for the most up-to-date information. Hope to see you there!

Ravensdale Movie Night Returns

It’s almost time for our annual Big Backyard Movie at Ravensdale Park! Gather your family and friends, grab some low-backed chairs and blankets, and get ready to enjoy a movie under the stars. Bring a picnic or enjoy offerings from a local food truck! This year, we will be hosting a screening of Pixar's Hoppers. Start time is 8:30 p.m. but feel free to come snag a seat starting at 7pm.  I'm proud to have fought to ensure Big Backyard Movie Nights were hosted not just in King County's cities, but also in our unincorporated communities. I can't wait to see you there!

Substance Use Recovery Conference is less than a week away!

We are less than one week away from the 2026 Substance Use & Recovery Conference hosted at Renton Technical College! I’m so excited for this year’s conference.

The event is SOLD OUT! If you have RSVP’d but are unable to attend, please let us know so we can give your spot to someone on the waiting list. You can cancel your registration through Eventbrite, or email Darren.Nguyen@kingcounty.gov.

This year, we are welcoming as our keynote speaker Regina LaBelle, Professor of Addiction Policy at Georgetown University and former Acting Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. 

• DATE: Thursday, July 23 

• TIME:  9:00 AM – 3:00 PM 

• WHERE: Renton Technical College | Renton, WA 
• WEBSITE: 2026 King County Substance Use Recovery Conference - Keynote Regina LaBelle Tickets, Thursday, July 23  •  9 AM - 3 PM | Eventbrite

See you next week!