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 "Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul."
- John Muir -
We are excited to share the power of parks, arts and recreation in supporting strong, vibrant and resilient communities.
This year's theme — “Where You Belong” — celebrates the many ways parks and recreation can foster a sense of belonging in communities by providing welcoming and inclusive programs, essential services for all ages and abilities, and safe, accessible spaces to build meaningful connections.
Make plans to check out all the fun events and programs offered by Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation this month. For a complete list of parks, programs and events - visit auburnwa.gov/play.
 I'm willing to bet it's the most fun you'll ever have at an airport!
Come learn more about aviation and the Auburn Airport at this free event while enjoying great food, great company and the chance to be up close and personal with the people, planes and helicopters that make flight possible!
 Register for a Young Eagles flight online in advance to be one of 200 kids (ages 8 – 17) to fly for free, high above the Puget Sound. We look forward to seeing you!
Visit www.auburnmunicipalairport.com/airport-day for full details.
 Another year, another spectacular 4th of July in Auburn! The holiday typically begins with a fireworks show at Emerald Downs, which is always amazing. And the best part is, even if you don't have tickets to the races, you can watch the show for free in several locations around the city (or catch our photo gallery by clicking the button below)!
 And of course, Independence Day proper means thousands of us at Les Gove Park for our annual 4th of July festival! The weather was just about perfect this year and it was great to see so many of you enjoying the festivities! One of my favorite parts of festival is the car show, and this year did NOT disappoint! So many beautiful classic cars on display. Did you pick a favorite? I did! Congratulations to Dev Pontious, the owner of the stunningly beautiful 1939 Chevrolet Opera Coupe, the winner of the Mayor’s Choice Award!
Pictured (L-R): City Councilmember Hanan Amer; Senator Claire Wilson (30th LD); City Councilmember Yolanda Trout-Manuel; Mayor Nancy Backus; Councilmember Cheryl Rakes; Councilmember Tracy Taylor; Rep. Kristine Reeves and daughter (30th LD); Senator Claudia Kauffman (47th LD); Rolita Ezeonu, Green River College Vice President of Instruction; Dr. Suzanne Johnson, Green River College President; Rep. Chris Stearns (47th LD)
Thank you councilmembers Yolanda-Trout Manuel, Cheryl Rakes, Tracy Taylor and Hanan Amer, and Rep. Chris Stearns for joining me at the kick-off ceremony!
 Andrew Dobbs, 14, visited our office Tuesday morning after winning a ”Lunch with the Mayor” at the recent Kent-Auburn-Tamba (KAT) fundraiser. Andrew is looking forward to being a 2025 youth ambassador and visiting our sister city of Tamba, Japan for 10 days in 2025! Andrew also served as a page for Senator Claudia Kauffman. I have a feeling he’s going to love Tamba, and vice versa.
 On Saturday, June 27, the Postmark Center for the Arts partnered with Auburn’s Arts of Love to celebrate “Island Festival,” a free community-created event aimed at celebrating culture, diversity, and bringing the community together.
The event featured free hands-on lei-making, dance and singing performances by special guest Miss American Samoa and local community members, a fabulous fashion show by local artist brand Haute Polynesia, food distribution by local non-profit Lend a Hand, and so much more! We had a wonderful turn-out with so much positive energy, and look forward to offering more community arts and cultural events like this in the future!
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Auburn Farmers Market
Pick up goodies for your next family gathering at the Auburn Farmers Market! With over 50 farm, food, and craft vendors to choose from, there's something for everyone.
Visit the information booth for a free Market giveaway while supplies last!
View more information on the Auburn Farmers Market webpage.
Email the Auburn Farmers Market
253-931-3043
Entertainment Schedule:
11 a.m. - 12 p.m., Marianne Binetti - Gardening presentation
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Sundays
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Les Gove Park, 1140 Auburn Way South
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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+.
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Wednesdays
10 a.m. - Noon
Postmark Center for the Arts, 20 Auburn Ave.
Free
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Dancing with Our Ancestors @ White River Valley Museum
Dance, food, taiko drums, and remembering those who have passed makes Bon Odori a beloved celebration in Japan and across the U.S. Learn more about the traditions of Bon Odori right here in Auburn at our newest exhibit.
Created in partnerships with the White River Buddhist Temple and made possible by the City of Auburn and 4Culture.
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Wednesdays - Sundays
Noon to 4 p.m.
White River Valley Museum, 918 H Street SE
Free
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Kids Summerstage
An exciting children's outdoor entertainment series that will be LOADS of fun for kiddos and the adults who bring them! Pack up a picnic lunch and enjoy the performances!
This entertainment series will be held at the park shelter beside the Discovery Playground. Bring swimsuits and towels and enjoy the Rotary Spraypark before/after the performances.
*In the event of rain, concerts will be moved indoors, if possible.
2024 Line-up:
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July 10 - Reptile Isle - an educational, interactive reptile performance everyone enjoys.
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July 17 - Ian Dobson's Steel Drum Dance Party
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July 24 - Kelli Welli - songs for kids and the people that love them
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July 31 - Brian Vogan & His Good Buddies - fun, inclusive, interactive music for kids and families
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August 7 - The Magic of Jeff Evans - a fun, unforgettable, interactive magic show
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August 14 - Charlie Williams The Noiseguy - a vocal sound impressionist and kids' comedian
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Wednesday, July 10
Noon - 1 p.m.
Les Gove Park, 910 9th Street SE
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Summer Sounds
The perfect summer entertainment series the whole family will enjoy! Pack up a picnic blanket and dinner and enjoy the various performances. The series will be held at the parks shelter beside the Discovery Playground.
Wednesdays at 6:30PM from July 10 – August 14
Line-up:
- July 10 – 80’s Ladies – The Best Rock n Roll from the Women of the 80’s
- July 17 – Darren Motamedy – Contemporary Jazz Saxophonist
- July 24 – The Fabulous Murphtones – Classic Rock N Roll and more
- July 31 – Hook Me Up Band – Pop, Rock, Jazz & Blues
- August 7 – Auburn Symphony Woodwind Quintet – Pops and Classical
- August 14 – Army 1st Corps I-5 Rock Band – Rock N Roll
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Wednesday, July 10
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Les Gove Park, 910 9th Street SE
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Downtown Auburn Cooperative Historic Walk Downtown
Meet the Downtown Auburn Cooperative team in front of City Hall at 8 a.m. on Friday mornings. Stroll with us on the streets downtown for a casual walk while we talk about about history of our downtown. Everyone has memories of downtown and if you don't because you are new to town, you will hear about a lot of interesting stuff. It is casual walk so bring your pets, kids, grandparents and anyone you would like too. Every Friday from May 3 to August 30, 2024.
Visit www.downtownauburncooperative.org for more info.
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Fridays
8 a.m.
Auburn City Hall, 25 W. Main Street
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Drop -In Painting With Amie 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
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Fridays
10 a.m. - Noon
Postmark Center for the Arts, 20 Auburn Ave.
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Free CPR Training and Career Fair
The South King County CPR Program, which is a partnership between Valley Regional Fire Authority, Renton Regional Fire Authority, and Puget Sound Fire Authority, is hosting a free CPR Event on July 13th at the Accesso ShoWare Center in Kent. At this event, attendees will learn basic CPR, AED operation, and choking safety. Additionally, there will be a job fair where attendees will learn about a variety of public service careers from different agencies throughout the region, and tour fire engines, aid units, military vehicles, and more.
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Saturday, July 13
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Accesso ShoWare Center, 625 W. James Street, Kent, WA 98032
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SISTAHS Closing Reception
Please join us in celebrating SISTAHS once again in this special closing reception. Mingle with artists, and enjoy snacks and beverages at Postmark Center for the Arts.
Ages: All
Fee: Free
Guests: Marita Dingus, Brenetta Ward, Debra Harris-Branham
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Thursday, July 18
5 - 6:30 p.m.
Postmark Center for the Arts, 20 Auburn Avenue
Free
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Summer Makers Market
Please join us for our series of Summer Makers Markets Downtown Auburn, Washington.
We will have a food truck, beer garden and live music at each market. It is kid friendly and Beer Garden will be roped off so children will not be allowed in that area.
Come downtown and have a evening of fun, music, shopping and food.
www.downtownauburncooperative.org
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Friday, July 19
4 - 8 p.m.
131 E. Main Street, parking lot across from Rottles
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 The installation process began Tuesday for a pedestrian bridge that will link Game Farm and Game Farm Wilderness Parks. We'll have more to share soon, including an official opening date!
 Airport Manager Tim Mensonides snapped this picture of the bridge install from his plane!
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 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.
Photo courtesy of White River Valley Museum
Officials from Auburn’s sister city in Japan enjoy some refreshments at this 1974 reception at City Hall. At the time, Auburn’s sister city was named Kasuga, but in 2004 it merged with several of its neighboring small towns to become Tamba. Auburn can relate: the small towns of Christopher, Thomas, Meredith, Hazelwood, and Stuck were once independent towns before being absorbed into the modern boundaries of Auburn.
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