Kent breaking ground for new projects

KENT -- Groundbreaking ceremonies are planned today for a new park and another major downtown redevelopment project.

Mayor Jim White, City Council members, developer Ben Errez and others will symbolically break ground for a planned $20 million complex that will include a hotel and conference center, condominiums and an indoor water park.

City officials also will take a few digs at the asphalt parking lot that is the site of a future park.

The City Council has approved about $2.7 million in councilmanic bonds for the new 33,500-square-foot park.

Construction of the park won't begin until July, but work crews are expected to be moving in early next year to launch construction of what's been dubbed Project Springboard by Plan B Developments.

Errez, general manager of Plan B, earlier announced that Project Springboard will include a 74-unit La Quinta Hotel, 120 condominiums, a conference center, and an indoor water park for hotel guests and condo owners.

Plan B also will build a four-story parking garage with 369 stalls, which will be open to the public.

The new park, currently known as Town Square Plaza, will include landscaping and a water feature and a raised area that can be used for performances and other events. City officials say it also will become the home of the Kent Lions Club Farmers Market on Saturdays during spring and summer.

The park and Project Springboard are located on the south side of Smith Street between Second and Fourth avenues.

The site is just south of the new Kent Station complex, which White and other city officials credit with helping bring Project Springboard and other projects to downtown Kent.

Kent Station includes a 14-screen cinema complex which just opened, plus a variety of restaurants, stores and a branch campus of Green River Community College.

Park is latest project in plan to redevelop Kent

Public can comment on new park plan

Citizens can view preliminary plans for a new Kent downtown park at an ``open house'' from 4:30-8 p.m. Tuesday.

It will be at the new Green River Community College branch campus at Kent Station, 417 Ramsay Way, in Room 238. The campus is in the building west of the Sounder commuter station parking garage.

Visitors can drop by anytime during the open house, look at the plans and talk with city staff.

By Bruce Rommel

Journal Reporter

KENT -- A new downtown park is another key project in the city's goal to revitalize the downtown area.

The planned park near the Second Avenue North and Smith Street is between two major downtown construction and redevelopment projects.

City officials hope the new park will become a ``bridge'' to encourage movement of pedestrians and shoppers between the new Kent Station theater, restaurant and retail complex on the north and the city's historic downtown to the south.

The project has been dubbed Town Square Park by city staff, but the City Council could change the name when it's completed sometime next summer.

The new park is on the south side of Smith Street between Second and Fourth avenues, where it will be flanked by a planned $20 million complex that includes a hotel and conference center, condominiums and office and retail space.

The proposed park design features a plaza or open area, with fountains and some landscaped areas.

``This will be an urban type park, rather than a neighborhood type park with a children's play area,'' said Perry Brooks, a city parks planner.

City officials envision the new park as an open pedestrian area as well as a place that can be used for a variety of public events to draw people to the area, Brooks said, such as the Farmers Market on Saturdays during spring and summer months.

The new park will be about 34,000 square feet on the west side of Second Avenue North, across the street from the Kent Regional Library.

The proposed park plan was developed after open houses with residents and downtown business owners, Brooks said.

Citizens can look at the plans and offer comments at an open house on Tuesday.

Briefly

KENT

Safety will be Saturday focus at farmers market

The Kent Farmers Market will host its ``Public Safety Day'' on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the market at Fourth Avenue North and Smith Street.

Officers and vehicles from the Kent police and fire departments will be there with displays and activities, including free blood pressure checks.

Palmer Chiropractic will offer information on injury prevention and the Puget Sound Blood Center Bloodmobile will be there to accept donations.

The Kent Farmers Market, sponsored by the Kent Lions Club, is open every Saturday through Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Briefly

KENT

Farmers market now accepts WIC coupons

The Kent Farmers Market has been approved by state officials to accept coupons for the Washington State Women, Infants and Children Program. The coupons, which can be redeemed at stores to purchase nutritious food approved by the program, also can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.

Other farmers markets have been approved to accept WIC coupons.

The Kent Farmers Market this season is open every Saturday through Oct. 15 at the city's municipal parking lot at Fourth Avenue North and Smith Street.

Vendors at the market offer fresh produce, flowers, plants, and hand-crafted goods. The market is sponsored by the Kent Lions Club. For information, call 253-486-9316, or see the Web site at http://kentfarmersmarket.com.

Puget Sounds: Kinney finds community best for artists

KEVN KINNEY with RYAN ADAMS, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle. 206-443-1744. $27. All ages. KEVN KINNEY, 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Hattie's Hat, 5231 Ballard Ave. N.W. Seattle. 206-784-0175. Free. 21 & older.

As a rule, performers visiting King County are interested in talking about urban nightclubs, Pike Place Market or the Experience Music Project. It was a surprise, then, when folk-rocker Kevn Kinney expressed his fondness not for Seattle, but for Kent.

Speaking by telephone, Kinney said, ``My father used to live in Kent. I know downtown Kent well. He used be in the Lions Club. I spent a lot of time there. We used to go golfing at the little nine-hole course. He lived in Kent for probably five years. He was the first person to turn me on to Nirvana. You know where the Goodwill (thrift store) is in downtown Kent? We were walking through it and he goes, `Oh, Kev, there's a music over here kind of like your old punk rock days. It's called grunge.' I said, `Really?' He says, `Yeah, there's a band here. I think they played the Kent Days (Cornucopia festival). They're called The Nirvana.'''

Kinney laughed at the memory. ``I said, `Really? Wow! I'll have to keep my eye open.' So, my dad was the first person to tell me about Nirvana. He was totally cool. He was a hipster. In the early, Milwaukee punk rock days, he was really involved in the music scene. He always supported my music. We'd always have little barbecues in the backyard with bands like The Bodeans.''

Kinney cut his teeth in the music communities of not only Milwaukee, but also Athens, Ga., where he forged a personal and professional friendship with R.E.M. Like King County, which gained international attention thanks to the work of Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and their peers, those areas were allowed to develop their own arts communities without pressures being exerted upon them from outside forces.

Nobody expected Athens, Milwaukee or Seattle to become hotbeds of musical talent. As a result, most everyone who played did so for fun, not fame. When the world did take notice, it was a surprise, simultaneously flattering, delightful and worrisome. Nobody quite knew how to handle the acclaim, which is why so many acts have since split up.

Asked about the importance of a sense of community within artistic circles, Kinney said, ``Bands that are trying to make it, young bands, will say to me, `What do I need to do to make a CD? Do I go to a club? How do I send it to a record company?' I'm like, `Man, you've got to have a union of musicians that are all together, bands that aren't anything like you and bands that are a lot like you, and become friends. Make a network.' That's what we did in Milwaukee, that's what we did when I moved to Atlanta. We had, like, seven, eight bands like Drivin' N' Cryin', Uncle Green, Mr. Crowe's Garden, 86. Mr. Crowe's turned into The Black Crowes. 86 became The Jesus Lizard. There was this really nice little family of friends. It seemed like in Seattle, there was a little bit of that going on.''

Kinney's four appearances here next week will be in support of his new album, ``Kevn Kinney's Sun Tangled Angel Revival.'' It's a fun slab of rootsy rock 'n' roll which proudly displays its creator's fondness for Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie and Bruce Springsteen. He writes -- and often sings -- like all three men. The verses of the title track are raging storms of electric guitars, but the choruses are quiet. The transitions from one to another are surprisingly smooth. ``Fly Your Flag High'' is a jangly beam of sunshine that could almost pass as a lost classic by The Byrds.

The members of Kinney's band -- guitarist Gibb Droll, bassist Bryan Howard and drummer Dave Johnson -- are perfectly in synch with their leader. There's a fluidity to their performances which only comes from constant collaboration backed by mutual trust. It may be Kinney's name on the CD cover, but like a baseball player who's singled out for individual praise, he owes much to his teammates.

``It took a while for them to read me,'' Kinney said. ``I'm a little bit selfish as far as following me, and following what I'm going to be doing. I am, in a metaphysical sense or whatever, kind of channeling when I do a show. I don't put together set lists (of songs to be performed each night). I only do what I'm feeling. The band has to learn a hundred songs and be able to play them whenever I drift into them. It takes a couple of years for me to get to know how Bryan works and how Dave works, and what they feel like doing. Do they feel like playing a song? That all goes into the computer.

``Eventually, when it reaches its peak, its zenith, is when we can all know what's going to happen. We know that this song is going to lead into that song because of the way the lights are in the club and the reaction we got and the weather outside and the political situation. We just feel it.''

A tradition of fun: Cornucopia Days return to Kent

After 34 years, one of south King County's largest family festivals continues to attract thousands of visitors. Nearly 300,000 moms, dads, brothers, sisters, cousins and friends are expected at Kent Cornucopia Days today through Sunday.

The festival -- a sanctioned SEAFAIR event -- also is one of the largest street fairs in the Northwest, with nearly 600 food booths, vendors, displays, a full-size carnival and lots of entertainment. That list doesn't include one of the main attraction's at Kent's annual celebration: the Cornucopia Dragon Boat Races.

Crews of 24 from Washington, California, Oregon and Canada will race in giant 45-foot boats in the Dragon Boat Races today and Saturday at Lake Meridian Park. Local teams will participate in the Battle for the Paddle tonight and the Lions Cup races Saturday.

This year's festival will feature land-based sports as well. The Cornucopia Cup Soccer Tournament has more than 125 youth teams from throughout the Puget Sound competing. The games began this week and will end Saturday. Most matches will be held all day today and Saturday at the Pea Patch Soccer Fields, Green River Road and South 265th Street. Other games will be at Kentwood or Kent-Meridian high schools or at Wilson Playfield on Kent's East Hill.

Of course, no city could have a fair without food. Taste of Cornucopia will feature more than 35 food booths throughout downtown Kent and two large food courts near the entertainment stages. A beer garden also will round out the festival.

Free entertainment will be held during the day for kids and during the evening for families at the Muckleshoot Casino Main Stage on the corner of Second and Smith. See everything from the South Side Dance Force to the Heel Clickin' Cloggers to The Ted Neiland Band and the presentation of Miss Cornucopia 2005 by Mayor Jim White on the Main Stage. Jazz music will be featured at the Union 76 Gazebo Stage in Burlington Green Park on Railroad Avenue. For a complete lineup, visit http://www. kcdays.com.

The festival's finale will be Sunday's Grand Parade with floats, marching bands, drill teams and the SEAFAIR Pirates. The parade begins at 2 p.m. and will make its way down Fourth Street, beginning at Saar and ending at James streets.

Other attractions this year include the Children's Therapy Center 5K Fun Run/Walk, health and safety fairs, an Italian Heritage Fair, a carnival, a sidewalk sale, an auction and more.

The festival is a community service project of the Kent Lions Club. For a complete lineup with times and locations of every event, visit the Web site. For more information, call 253-852-5466.

A tradition of fun: Cornucopia Days return to Kent-

After 34 years, one of south King County's largest family festivals continues to attract thousands of visitors. Nearly 300,000 moms, dads, brothers, sisters, cousins and friends are expected at Kent Cornucopia Days today through Sunday.

The festival -- a sanctioned SEAFAIR event -- also is one of the largest street fairs in the Northwest, with nearly 600 food booths, vendors, displays, a full-size carnival and lots of entertainment. That list doesn't include one of the main attraction's at Kent's annual celebration: the Cornucopia Dragon Boat Races.

Crews of 24 from Washington, California, Oregon and Canada will race in giant 45-foot boats in the Dragon Boat Races today and Saturday at Lake Meridian Park. Local teams will participate in the Battle for the Paddle tonight and the Lions Cup races Saturday.

This year's festival will feature land-based sports as well. The Cornucopia Cup Soccer Tournament has more than 125 youth teams from throughout the Puget Sound competing. The games began this week and will end Saturday. Most matches will be held all day today and Saturday at the Pea Patch Soccer Fields, Green River Road and South 265th Street. Other games will be at Kentwood or Kent-Meridian high schools or at Wilson Playfield on Kent's East Hill.

Of course, no city could have a fair without food. Taste of Cornucopia will feature more than 35 food booths throughout downtown Kent and two large food courts near the entertainment stages. A beer garden also will round out the festival.

Free entertainment will be held during the day for kids and during the evening for families at the Muckleshoot Casino Main Stage on the corner of Second and Smith. See everything from the South Side Dance Force to the Heel Clickin' Cloggers to The Ted Neiland Band and the presentation of Miss Cornucopia 2005 by Mayor Jim White on the Main Stage. Jazz music will be featured at the Union 76 Gazebo Stage in Burlington Green Park on Railroad Avenue. For a complete lineup, visit http://www. kcdays.com.

The festival's finale will be Sunday's Grand Parade with floats, marching bands, drill teams and the SEAFAIR Pirates. The parade begins at 2 p.m. and will make its way down Fourth Street, beginning at Saar and ending at James streets.

Other attractions this year include the Children's Therapy Center 5K Fun Run/Walk, health and safety fairs, an Italian Heritage Fair, a carnival, a sidewalk sale, an auction and more.

The festival is a community service project of the Kent Lions Club. For a complete lineup with times and locations of every event, visit the Web site. For more information, call 253-852-LION (5466).

Briefly

KENT

Cornucopia Days to feature street fair, carnival, more

The annual Kent Cornucopia Days festival opens today for its annual four-day run, offering a street fair, sidewalk sale, food vendors, carnival, entertainment and other activities.

The street fair and other activities can be found downtown south of West Smith Street along Railroad, First and Second avenues, and along Meeker Street.

The carnival and rides are on the city's municipal parking lot at Fourth Avenue North and West Smith Street.

The annual Cornucopia Days Parade begins at 2 p.m. Sunday on Fourth Avenue North, just north of Willis Street, and proceeds north along Fourth Avenue past City Hall to James Street, near the King County Regional Justice Center.

The street fair and most activities are open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday; and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The carnival is open from 3-11 p.m. today; 2 p.m. to midnight Friday; 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.

The event is sponsored by the Kent Lions Club. For more information, see the Web site at www.kcdays.com .

Entertainment Calendar

Saturday and Sunday

``Auburn Avenue Bandstand: At the Hop'': Auburn Avenue Theater, 10 Auburn Ave. The dinner theater will be staged at 8 p.m. Saturday and at 4 p.m. Sunday with dinner served at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $17.50-$46.95. Call 253-833-5678.

``Pigoletto'': E. B. Foote Winery, 127-B S.W. 153rd St., Burien. An opera without (much) music, will be staged at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday by Breeders Theater. Tickets are $20, including wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres. Call 206-242-3852 or 206-824-9462.

Algona Days: downtown Algona along Ward Street and Milwaukee Boulevard South. Celebrate 50th anniversary of Algona from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday with a parade at 11 a.m., car show and street dance Saturday, lawn-mower races Sunday, Miss Algona and Algona Days Pageant, art show, food and craft vendors. Free. Call 253-833-2897 or visit http://www.cityofalgona.com.

Day Out With Thomas 2005: The Celebration Tour: Northwest Railway Museum 38625 S.E. King St., Snoqualmie. The family event offers preschoolers and their family the opportunity to take a 25-minute ride to the top of Snoqualmie Falls on a Thomas the Tank Engine between 9 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. daily. Tickets are $16 ages 2 and up. Call 425-888-2206 or visit http://www.trainmuseum.org.

Kent Cornucopia Days: downtown Kent and other locations. Events Saturday and Sunday include a carnival, a community parade (2 p.m. Sunday), and a street fair with more than 600 vendors, a bluegrass music festival, dragon boat races on Lake Meridian, a scholarship pageant, skateboard and inline skate tournaments, bike races and a soccer cup. Free. Call 253-852-5406 or visit http://www.kcdays.com.

``The Broads of Broadway: A Tribute to the Great Ladies of the Stage'': Theatre at Meydenbauer, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., Bellevue. The full-length cabaret/revue show by and about women will be staged at 8 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $26. Call 425-637-1020.

Antique Tractor Show And Farm Festival: Jubilee farm, 230 W. Snoqualmie River Road N.E., near Carnation. Family farm festival with kids and adult activities including hay rides, farm animals, sand box toy farming will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The tractor show is presented by Northwest Vintage Iron Club. Admission is by donation. Call 206-388-9895.

Seattle Bon Odori: Seattle Buddhist Temple, 1427 S. Main St. Seattle. Japanese folk dancing, drumming and crafts, Japanese and American food, beer garden and temple tours will be offered from 4-10 p.m. Saturday and from 3-8 p.m. Sunday. Free. Call 206-329-0800 or visit http://www.seattlebetsuin.com.

Goodguys 18th Pacific Northwest Nationals: Western Washington Fairgrounds, 100 Ninth Ave. S.W., Puyallup. Some of the finest street rods and customs will be displayed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $6-$12; free for ages 6 and younger. Call 253-848-1405 or 925-838-9876.

``42nd Street'': Tacoma Musical Playhouse, 7116 Sixth Ave., Tacoma. The backstage story will be staged at 8 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $14-$21. Call 253-564-7863 or visit http://www.TMP.org.

Saturday only

Sixth Annual Italian Heritage Fair: Kent Senior Activity Center, 600 E. Smith St. Attendees can enjoy hands-on demonstrations, recipes and samples of Italian foods, craft items, learn Italian card games, genealogy techniques, create authentic pasta sauces and much more from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 425-226-8965.

Sno-King International Folk Dance Club: Cedar Valley Grange, 20526 52nd Ave. W., Lynnwood. Galicia and Polish couple dance will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Admission: $3-$5. Call 425-454-6529 or 425-889-0541.

Kirkland Idol 2005 Contest: Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave. The community talent contest will be from 7-9:30 p.m. Saturday. Call 425-587-3350 or visit http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us.

Movies in the Park: Grayland Park, 601 N. Meridian. ``Shark Tale'' will be shown at dusk Saturday. Free. Concessions available. Call 253-842-5457.

Kings, Castles and Cockroaches!: Bellevue Regional Library, 1111 110th Ave. N.E. The program for ages 3 and older will be presented by Charlie Williams, The Noiseguy! at 11 a.m. Saturday. Call 425-450-1765.

Cascade Brass Quintet: Kirkland Library, 308 Kirkland Ave. American Music from the Past 100 Years will be presented at 2 p.m. Saturday. Call 425-822-2459.

Valley Medical Center Cinema on the Piazza: Piazza, South Third Street between Burnett Avenue South and Logan Avenue South, Renton. ``Breakfast at Tiffany's'' will be shown at dusk Saturday on the portable screen with seating beginning at 7 p.m. Free. Call 425-430-6400 or visit http://www.ci.renton.wa.us.

``Nerd'': SecondStory Repertory, 16587 N.E. 74th St., Redmond. An offbeat comedy about an architect who is trying to impress a big client at a dinner party will be staged at 8:15 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $18-$24. Call 425-881-6777 or visit http://www.SecondStoryRep.org.

Community Yard Sale: Bryn Mawr United Methodist Church, 8016 S. 116th St., Seattle. Lunch, yard sale and bake sale will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Call 206-772-0880.

Concert in the Castle: Kingsgate Library, 12315 N.E. 143rd St., Kirkland. A concert for children will be presented at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Call 425-821-7686.

``The Incredibles'': Kent Covenant Church, 1201 240 S.E. 240th St. Enjoy the movie at 7 p.m. Saturday and come back on Sunday at 8:30 or 10 a.m. to hear what the Bible has to say about the movie theme. Nursery care through pre-kindergarten is available at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Call 253-631-0222, ext. 131.

``Patience'': Bagley Wright Theatre at Seattle Center. Presented by the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society, this is a spoof of the ``aesthetic movement'' and its devotees that took England by storm in the latter half of the 19th century. It will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $12-$29. Call 206-341-9612 or 206-292-ARTS or visit http://www.pattersong.org.

Chris Isaak: Cingular Summer Nights at the at South Lake Union Park in Seattle. The Retro rocker will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $50 at Ticketmaster.

Kings of Leon: Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle. The band will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $25 at Ticketmaster.

Beck: Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle. The performer will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $37.50-$39.50 at Ticketmaster.

Sunday only

Newcastle Community Yard Sale: 7935 136th Ave. S.E., Newcastle. Sponsored and hosted by Beit Tikvah Messianic Congregation from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Features kids' activities, food, live music and folk dancing. Call 425-793-3000 or visit http://www.beittikvah.us.

Naby Camara: Anderson Park in Redmond. The master on the Balafon will perform music from Guinea and West Africa at 7 p.m. Sunday. Call 425-556-2392 or visit http://www.redmond.gov.

Anger Management Tour 3: White River Amphitheatre, 40601 Auburn-Enumclaw Road, Auburn. Included in the show at 7 p.m. is Eminem, 50 Cent, Lil Jon & the Eastside Boyz, D 12, G Unit, Obie Trice and Statquo. Tickets are $63-$73. Call 206-628-0888 or visit http://www.ticketmaster.com.

Cornucopia Cars for Kids 5K Fun Run-Walk: King County Journal, 600 Washington Ave. S., Kent. The benefit will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. Sunday for all ages. Registration fee is $20. Registration forms are available at G. I. Joe's in Kent, Big Five in Kent, Children's Therapy Center and online at http://www.ctckids.org, http://www.ontherun.com, or http://www.signmeupsports.com.

Shambala: Mercerdale Park, 77th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 32nd Street, Mercer Island. Mostly Music in the Park Concert Series presents a classic rock tribute to 3 Dog Night at 7 p.m. Sunday. Free. Call 206-236-3445.

SEAFAIR 2005 Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon: Seward Park. Event will be held Sunday with a ˝ mile swim, 12-mile bike, 3.1-mile run for adults beginning at 7 a.m. and a 25-yard swim, 1-mile bike, -mile run for kids beginning at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 206-728-0123, ext. 103, or visit http://www.seafair.com.

Entertainment calendar

Today

Circus Chimera's Magic Mystical Tour will be presented at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. today at Westfield South Center Parking Lot, Intersection of I-5 and 405, Tukwila. Tickets are $10. Call 888-663-7464. Web site: http://www.CircusChimera.com.

Eric Ode, a children's singer/songwriter, poet and entertainer, will perform at noon today for Picnic Performances at West Fenwick Park, 3824 Reith Road, Kent. Call 253-856-5050. Web site: http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/arts.

Hot Club Sandwich, an electric string band, will perform at 7 p.m. today at Lake Meridian Park, 14800 S.E. 272nd St., Kent. Call 253-856-5050. Web site: http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/arts.

Music in the Park, City of Maple Valley, presents The Machine performing classic rock from 6:30-8:30 p.m. today at Lake Wilderness park Amphitheatre, 23601 S.E. 248th St., Maple Valley. Bring picnics, chairs and blankets for an evening of family fun and music. Free.

World Music in the Park presents Johnny B Connolly & Band, the Dublin accordionist, from 6:30-8 p.m. today at Saint Edward State Park, outdoor stage, Kenmore. Performance will be presented rain or shine. Free. Call 425-602-3107.

Mostly Music in the Park Concert Series presents Soul Kata performing jazz, funk and R&B at 7 p.m. today at Mercerdale Park, 77th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 32nd Street, Mercer Island. Free. Call 206-236-3445.

Woodinvillie Summer Concert Series features Maya Soleil at noon today at DeYoung Park, 13680 N.E. 175th St., Woodinville. In case of inclement weather the concerts will be held at the Woodinville Community Center, 14701 133rd Ave. N.E., Woodinville. Call 425-984-2346.

Five Wishes: An End of Life Planning Tool will be presented at 6:30 p.m. today at the Covington Library, 27100 164th Ave. S.E. A tool for facilitating the discussion of difficult decision of being a surrogate parent. Call 253-630-8761.

The Princess and the Pea, for ages 3 and older, will be presented by Snapdragon Puppet Productions at 2 p.m. today at the Fairwood Library, 17009 140th Ave. S.E., Renton. Call 425-226-0522.

Secrets of Wizards will be presented by Jeff Evans at 2 p.m. today at the Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, Issaquah. Call 425-392-5430.

The Dragon Who Came to Visit will be presented at 2:30 p.m. today, for ages 5 and older, at the Kirkland Library, 308 Kirkland Ave. Call 425-822-2459

Kent Cornucopia Days begins today in downtown Kent and other locations. Carnival will continue through Sunday. A community parade will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, plus street fair with more than 600 vendors, bluegrass music festival, dragon boats on Lake Meridian, scholarship pageant, skateboard and in-line skate tournaments, bike races and soccer cup. Free. Call 253-852-5406. Web site: http://www.kcdays.com.

``The Fantasticks'' will be previewed at 7:30 p.m. today at Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., Seattle. Tickets are $17-$29. Call 206-781-9707. Web site: http://www.taproot.org.

The Chieftans will perform at 7:30 p.m. today at the Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle. Tickets are $27.50-$42.50. Call 206-682-1414. Web site: http://www.theparamount.com.

Seattle Chamber Music Society Summer Festival at Lakeside School presents an Emerging Artist Concert at 7:30 p.m. today at St. Nicholas Hall, Lakeside School, 14050 First Ave. N.E., Seattle. Tickets are $10-$15. Call 206-283-8808. Web site: http://www.seattlechambermusic.org.

Entertainment Calendar

Wednesday

Circus Chimera's Magimystical Tour will be presented at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Westfield Southcenter parking lot, intersection of I-5 and I-405, Tukwila. Tickets are $10. Call 888-663-7464. Web site: http://www.CircusChimera.com.

``The Big Time!'' will be presented by theater simple at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Bothell Regional Library, 18215 98th Ave. N.E. Call 425-486-7811.

Planet Kid Free Family Film Festival features ``Jonah -- A Veggie Tale'' and ``A Cinderella Story'' at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Regal Cinemas at the SuperMall. Web site: http://www.supermall.com.

Auburn Shades of Summer Concerts present Steve the Pretty Good with a magic show at noon Wednesday at Les Gove Park, 11th and Auburn Way South. Call 253-931-3043. Web site: http://www.auburnwa.gov. Rainout line 253-931-3095.

Duvall Arts Commission Summerstage Concert Series presents Winners of the 2005 Cedarcrest Battle of the Bands from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at McCormick Park at the west end of Northeast Stephens Street on the Snoqualmie River. Free. Call 425-788-2983, Web site: http://www.cityofduvall.com/dac.

Rick Hartman's ``Wonderglobe'' Toys to the World will be presented at noon Wednesday during the Picnic Performances at Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks Park, 742 E. Titus St., Kent. Call 253-856-5050. Web site: http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/arts.

``Lighten Up,'' a hooked on history event, will be presented at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the White River Valley Museum, 918 H St. S.E., Auburn. Admission is free. Call 253-288-7433.

Jude Bowerman performs power blues and rock at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday during the Summer Concert Series at Redmond Town Center, Center Street Plaza, Redmond. For more information, call 425-867-0808. Web site: http://www.RedmondTownCenter.com.

Cry of the Rooster Theatre presents The Salt of the Earth, a puppet show for family audiences of all ages, at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Kirkland Library, 308 Kirkland Ave. Call 425-822-2459.

Meet a Medieval Knight will be presented by Seattle Knights, for ages 6 and older, at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave. S.E. Call 206-236-3537.

``The Princess and the Pea'' will be presented by Snapdragon Puppet Productions, for ages 3-8 and families, at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth (425-888-0554) and at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Black Diamond Library, 24301 Roberts Drive, (360-886-1105).

Secrets of Wizards will be presented at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the White Center Library, 11220 16th S.W., Seattle. Call 206-243-0233.

The Dragon Who Came to Visit, for ages 4-12, will be presented at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Black Diamond Library, 24301 Roberts Drive. Call 360-886-1105.

A Princess Program, for ages 7-9, will be presented at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Bothell Regional Library, 18215 98th Ave. N.E. Call 425-486-7811.

Medieval `Armor -- Link by Link,' for ages 6-16, will be presented by AKT -- The Interactive History Co. at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Foster Library, 4060 S. 144th, Tukwila. Call 206-242-1640.

``The Fantasticks'' will be staged 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., Seattle. Tickets are $17-$29. Call 206-781-9707. Web site: http://www.taproot.org.

Seattle Chamber Music Society Summer Festival at Lakeside School presents a recital at 7 p.m. Wednesday of Paul Hindemith and a concert at 8 p.m. of Ludwig van Beethoven at St. Nicholas Hall, Lakeside School, 14050 First Ave. N.E., Seattle. Tickets are $16-$38. Call 206-283-8808. Web site: http://www.seattlechambermusic.org.

Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals will perform at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle. Tickets are $33.50 at Ticketmaster.

Thursday

Circus Chimera's Magimystical Tour will be presented at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Westfield Southcenter parking lot, Intersection of I-5 and I-405, Tukwila. Tickets are $10. Call 888-663-7464. Web site: http://www.CircusChimera.com.

Eric Ode, a children's singer/songwriter, poet and entertainer, will perform at noon Thursday at Thursday Picnic Performances at West Fenwick Park, 3824 Reith Road, Kent. Call 253-856-5050. Web site: http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/arts.

Hot Club Sandwich, an electric string band, will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday during Thursday at the Lake at Lake Meridian Park, 14800 S.E. 272nd St., Kent. Call 253-856-5050. Web site: http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/arts.

Music in the Park features The Machine performing classic rock from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday at Lake Wilderness park Amphitheatre, 23601 S.E. 248th St., Maple Valley. Bring picnics, chairs and blankets for an evening of family fun and music. Free.

World Music in the Park presents Johnny B Connolly & Band, the Dublin accordionist, from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday at Saint Edward State Park, outdoor stage, Kenmore. Performance will be presented rain or shine. Free. Call 425-602-3107.

Mostly Music in the Park Concert Series presents Soul Kata performing jazz, funk and R&B at 7 p.m. Thursday at Mercerdale Park, 77th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 32nd Street, Mercer Island. Free. Call 206-236-3445.

Woodinville Summer Concert Series features Maya Soleil at noon Thursday at DeYoung Park, 13680 N.E. 175th St. In case of inclement weather the concerts will be held at the Woodinville Community Center, 14701 133rd Ave. N.E. Call 425-984-2346.

Five Wishes: An End of Life Planning Tool will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Covington Library, 27100 164th Ave. S.E. A tool for facilitating the discussion of surrogate decision-making about difficult issues. Call 253-630-8761.

The Princess and the Pea, for ages 3 and older, will be presented by Snapdragon Puppet Productions at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Fairwood Library, 17009 140th Ave. S.E., Renton. Call 425-226-0522.

Secrets of Wizards will be presented by Jeff Evans at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, Issaquah. Call 425-392-5430.

The Dragon Who Came to Visit will be presented at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, for ages 5 and older, at the Kirkland Library, 308 Kirkland Ave. Call 425-822-2459

Kent Cornucopia Days begins Thursday in downtown Kent and other locations. Carnival will continue through Sunday. A Community parade will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, plus street fair with more than 600 vendors, bluegrass music festival, dragon boat are on Lake Meridian, scholarship pageant, skateboard and in-line skate tournaments, bike races and soccer cup. Free. Call 253-852-5406. Web site: http://www.kcdays.com.

SOUTH COUNTY COMMUNITY SPORTS - Both Chos earn Junior World Golf berths

Grades 3-4 North Division -- Valley Medical Center 9-1, Dreamcraft Homes 7-3, Bell-Anderson Insurance 6-4, Cascade Pharmacy 6-4, Lander Electric 6-4, Old Country Buffet 6-4, Coldwell Banker Danforth & Associates 5-5, Panasonic 2-8, Seattle-Tacoma Box 2-8, Legends Sports Photography 1-9.

Grades 3-4 South Division -- Titusville Lodge #34 9-1, Bowen Scarff Ford 8-2, ATA Blackbelt Academy 7-3, Kent Police Employees Benevolent Association 7-3, Lynden Transport 5-5, Dollarwise 4-5-1, Kentview Elementary Mustangs 3-7, Laser Cutting Northwest 3-7, The Doorman Service Co. 3-7, Dr. Haeger's Hitters 0-9-1.

Grades 5-6 North Division -- Doors West 10-0, Lakeridge Paving Co. 7-3, Valley View Senior Care 7-3, Kent Lions Club 6-3-1, Northwest Water Treatment 5-4-1, Scottish Sword & Shield 4-6, Insurance Claims 101.com 2-8, RJ Braunschweig Construction 2-8, Covington Family Dentistry 1-9.

Grades 5-6 South Division -- Kenworth Northwest 9-0-1, Dana Corp. 8-2, Laser Cutting Northwest 6-1-3, Specialized Janitorial Maintenance Services 6-3-1, Neal B. Wanner DDS 6-4, Round Table Pizza 5-5-1, Dollarwise 3-7, Wilderness Electric 2-8, Earthworks Gem Design Studio 1-8, HILTI 1-8.

It's SEAFAIR time again

SEAFAIR is proof that if people don't have a reason to celebrate, they'll make one up.

When SEAFAIR began in July 1950, people here were in no mood to celebrate. The Korean War was a month old, outnumbered American troops were getting soundly trounced, reservists were being called up and young men between 18 and 25 were glumly awaiting letters from the draft board.

Groan.

But SEAFAIR worked anyway, partly because local boosters gave their all to the cause -- including dressing up in silly admiral's uniforms and pirate outfits -- and partly because the town got lucky. Gentleman sportsman Stan Sayres had just invented the three-point hydroplane with his Slo Mo Shun IV. The boat set world records and won every race it entered, including the Gold Cup, which Sayres brought home. And so Seattle was introduced to the quirky sport of power boat racing. It's been a 55-year love affair.

But even the boats couldn't carry SEAFAIR forever, so in the early '70s organizers began introducing participatory events, like 10K runs and the ever-popular Milk Carton Derby on Green Lake. And it encouraged local communities to hold their own festivals, hence Redmond Derby Days, the Mercer Island Summer Celebration, Kent Cornucopia Days, Renton River Days and others.

It all worked. SEAFAIR is the largest festival in the Northwest and one of the 10 largest in the United Sates. It attracts approximately 2 million people a year.

Here are some of the highlights of this year's festival:

* The Electric Boat Company Milk Derby, southwest corner of Green Lake, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 2. Anyone who can make a boat from milk cartons can enter. Registration is at 8:30 a.m.

* Mercer Island Summer Celebration and Aljoya House Grand Parade, downtown Mercer Island, 5:30-10 p.m. July 8; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 9; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 10.

* SEAFAIR Pirates land, Alki Beach, West Seattle, noon July 9. The landing celebration will go from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

* Redmond Derby Days, downtown Redmond, July 7 to 10.

* Kent Cornucopia Days, downtown Kent, July 14 to 17.

* Virginia Mason Team Medicine Marathon, downtown Bellevue, 6:55 a.m. July 10.

* IKEA Renton River Days, Liberty Park, Cedar Park and Downtown Park, Renton, July 20 and 22 to 24.

* Kirkland Classic Car Show, Kirkland Avenue from Lake Street to Third Street, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 24.

* SEAFAIR Scholarship Program for Women Coronation, Museum of History and Industry, 2700 24th Ave. E., Seattle, 7:30 p.m. July 26.

* Covington Days, 17700 S.E. 272nd St., July 29 to 31.

* Maple Valley Kids Festival, Lake Wilderness Park, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. July 30.

* Torchlight Parade, Fourth Avenue from Seattle Center to King Street, downtown Seattle, 7:30 p.m. July 30.

* SEAFAIR Fleet Week, with the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard fleet, downtown Seattle waterfront, Aug. 3 to 7.

* Chevrolet Cup hydroplane race, Stan Sayers pits, near Seward Park, Seattle, Aug. 5 to 7.

* KeyBank Air Show, featuring the Blue Angels over South Lake Washington, noon to 12:45 p.m. Aug. 5 to 7. Other performers will include the Red Baron Pizza Squadron and Team Oracle stunt planes.

Trees inspire Washington artist

A Washington artist will display his paintings inspired by trees throughout July 1-29 Kent.

A meet-the-artist reception will be held for artist Lee Musgrave from 6-9 p.m. July 8 at the Kent Arts Commission Gallery.

Musgrave, who is based in the Columbia River Gorge region of Washington, gets inspiration for his paintings from the ancient forest of the Pacific Northwest.

The gallery is located on the fourth floor of Kent City Hall, 220 Fourth Ave. S. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, visit http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/arts.

Events

* Pasado's Safe Haven will be on-site at the South Court at Factoria Mall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, to showcase their adoptable cats and dogs, and giving information on adoptions, volunteering and donating.

The animal rescue organization is dedicated to 24-hour rescue and rehabilitation of dogs, cats and farm animals.

Factoria Mall is located at the southeast intersection of I-405 and I-90.

* CorkyCrush: The sixth annual grape stomp will begin at 6 p.m. July 16 at CorkyCellars, 22511 Marine View Drive, Des Moines.

The annual homage to jumping for juice features two-person teams who produce as much juice with their feet in a barrel in four minutes. Prizes will be awarded for the most juice by weight, best costume and best team name.

Spectators are welcome to bring a lawn chair and cheer for their favorite stompers.

For more information, call 206-824-9462.

* 5K Fun Run-Walk will begin at 10 a.m. July 17 on the scenic Green River Trail in Kent starting on Hawley Road in front of the King County Journal Newspaper.

Water will be available on the course. Goodie bags available after the race.

Part of the Kent Cornucopia Days.

Registration will be from 8:30-9:45 a.m. Registration fee is $15, including a short sleeved T-shirt, before July 1; $20 after July 1 and does not guarantee a shirt or size.

To register, download a form at http://www.ctckids.org.

Bellevue Strawberry Festival promises to be a tasteful affair for all ages

You know summer has begun when festivals focused on fruit fill the weekends. This weekend, strawberries are getting all the attention at the Eastside Heritage Center's Strawberry Festival in Old Bellevue. If you love strawberry shortcake, you are in luck. Shortcake eating contests will be held several times throughout the weekend.

Not a fan of the sweet red berry? That's OK.

``The festival is more about celebrating Bellevue's farming and agricultural past -- which included many strawberry farms, mostly farmed by Japanese-Americans,'' said co-coordinator Heather Trescases. ``And to revive an event that is credited as `putting Bellevue on the map.'''

Bellevue's first Strawberry Festival was held in 1925 and was created to attract visitors to the small town. The festival has seen its ups and downs -- it was canceled in 1942 and revived in 1987 -- but festival co-coordinator Daniel Gale expects thousands of visitors this year.

He said they are anticipating 10,000 people will attend each day of the free event Saturday and Sunday compared to last year's one-day festival that attracted 6,000 visitors. In 2003 about 1,500 people attended. ``This year's event will put them all to shame,'' he said.

Coordinators expanded this year's festival, which will feature several new or improved attractions. At ``Farming in the Past,'' visitors will be able to see historical agriculture equipment that has been restored and is fully functional. There will be tractors, corn grinders and a hand-crank canning machine. Festival coordinators are encouraging those attending to create mini time capsules. Bring small personal items that will fit in a tin can.

Also at the festival this year are the Eastside Heritage Center's mini-museum, which will feature artifacts from the past, and Sunday's classic car show. This is the first year for the car show and coordinators expect it to be a success. Gale said vehicle entries will be accepted until the show opens at 10 a.m. Sunday. Those wanting to show off their 1985 or older cars can enter a judged competition for $15 or just put them on display for $10.

Not a history buff? The festival also will be featuring JP Patches and many other entertainers, as well as musical acts ``from classical to rap and every type of music in between,'' said Gale. The complete lineup is included on the festival's Web site.

Parking will be available at Bellevue High School, 10416 Wolverine Way; a free shuttle will be making trips to the festival every 15 minutes.

For more information about the event, call 425-450-1049 or visit http://www.bellevuestrawberryfestival.org.

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

* 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

* 103rd Avenue Northeast and 102nd Avenue Northeast, Old Bellevue

* Park at Bellevue High School, 10416 Wolverine Way

* Free admission

* 425-450-1049

* http://www.bellevuestrawberryfestival.org

Summer fun

Festival season kicks into high gear in July. Here's some of the festivals to watch for this summer

FAIRS CELEBRATIONS

* SEAFAIR: July 2-Aug. 6

* Redmond Derby Days: July 7-10

* Kirkland Summerfest: July 8-10

* Kent Cornucopia: July 14-17

* Renton River Days: July 19-24

* Bite of Seattle: July 22-24

* Bellevue Arts Fair: July 29-31

* Covington Days: July 29-31

* Auburn Good Ol' Days: Aug. 12-14

* Bumbershoot: Sept. 2-5

Briefly

KENT

Missing man found after bus ride to Mill Creek

A developmentally disabled man earlier reported missing was found Thursday night in Mill Creek, where he apparently wound up after riding Metro buses earlier in the day, a Kent police officer said.

Police earlier sought the public's help in locating Alan E. Greenway, 42, a disabled Kent man who disappeared Wednesday night when his caretakers took him on a visit to the downtown Kent Library.

Health fair featured at today's farmers market

The Kent Farmers Market is hosting a health fair and seniors day today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the weekly market at Fourth Avenue North and Smith Street. Health evaluations and information will be offered free by local businesses and nonprofit organizations, including the Cascade Regional Blood Services Bloodmobile and Planned Parenthood.

Home and garden calendar

Markets

Ballard Sunday Farmers Market, Ballard Avenue, Seattle. Call 206-781-6776. Web site: http://www.fremontmarket.com. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sundays, year-round. Featuring produce, honey, mushrooms, sauces, spices and herbs.

Bellevue Farmers Market, 1717 Bellevue Way N.E. Call 425-454-8474. Web site: http://www.bellevuefarmersmarket.org. Hours: 3-7 p.m. Thursdays, through Oct. 13. A community gathering place featuring the freshest produce in town with eggs, organic produce, cider, meat, pies, cheese, fish, and more.

Bothell Farmers Market, Country Village, 23730 Bothell-Everett Highway. Call 425-483-2250. Web site: http://www.countryvillagebothell.com. Hours 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fridays through Sept. 30. Organic vegetables, emu oil, roasted hazelnuts, gooseberries, handmade caramels, homemade sassafras soap, organic honey and sunflowers. Musical performances and kids activities.

Broadway Sunday Farmers Market, behind the Broadway Bank of America, at Broadway and East Thomas Streets. Member of the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance. Call 206-632-5234. Web site: http://www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org. Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. Fresh food vendors every week, Master Gardeners, Master Composters and on-site chef demos.

Burien Farmers Market, Fourth Avenue Southwest and Southwest 150th Street, behind Meal Makers Restaurant. Call 206-433-2882. Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays. Fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, hand-crafted foods, and original crafts.

Carnation Farmers Market, Hopelink Parking lot & Stossel Ave., Carnation. Call 425-333-6050. Web site: http://www.carnationfarmersmarket. Hours: 3-7 p.m. Tuesdays, through September. Featuring locally grown produce, plants, eggs, organic meats and potted herbs, baked goods, honey, lavender products, fresh cut flowers, food demonstrations, live music 5-7 p.m., chalk drawing for the kids and more.

Columbia City Farmers Market, Columbia Plaza, Rainier Ave. S., between South Alaska and South Edmunds, Seattle. Member of the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance. Call 206-632-5234. Web site: http://www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org. Hours: 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays, through Oct. 26. Featuring produce, baked goods, handmade pasta and sauces, hazelnuts, cut flowers, nursery stock and prepared foods. Chef demonstrations and special events.

Downtown Tacoma Farmers Market, between Ninth and 11th Streets on Broadway, Tacoma. Call 253-272-7077. Web site: http://www.tacomafarmersmarket.com. Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays, through September. Features produce, nursery stock, craft vendors, prepared food and live entertainment.

Federal Way Farmers Market, Sears parking lot of the Federal Way Commons, (formerly SeaTac mall), intersection of South 320th Street and Pacific Highway South. Call 253-261-8157. Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, through mid-October. Featuring fresh fruits and vegetables, arts and crafts, children's activities, prepared foods, fish vendors, honey and baked bread.

Fremont Sunday Market, North 34th Street near the Aurora Bridge, Seattle. Call 206-781-6776. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays year-round. Fresh flowers, produce, flea market treasures, antiques and hand-crafted items.

Issaquah Public Market, Pickering Barn, 1730 10th Ave. N.W. Call 425-837-3276. Web site: http://www.ci.issaquah.wa.us. Hours: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 15. Fresh produce, organic produce, fresh cut flowers, baked goods, specialty food, sessions with master gardeners and arts and crafts. Kids 18 and under are invited to come to the market and sell products they craft on the last Saturday of each month.

Kent Farmers Market, municipal parking lot at Smith Street and Fourth Avenue. Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 15. Featuring fresh produce, crafters and food vendors. For more information, call 253-486-9316.

Kirkland Wednesday Market Park, Park Lane East, downtown Kirkland. Call 425-485-1042. Web site: http://www.kirklanddowntown.org. Hours: noon to 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Featuring produce, organic breads, local seafood, Washington wines, hand-crafted foods, entertainment and artisan crafts.

Lake City Farmers Market, corner of Northeast 127th and Northeast 30th, Seattle. Member of the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance. Call 206-632-5234. Web site: http://www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org. Hours: 3-7 p.m. Thursdays, through Oct. 21.

Magnolia Farmers Market, Magnolia Community Center, 2550 34th Ave. W., Seattle. Member of the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance. Call 206-632-5234. Web site: http://www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org. Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, through Sept. 24.

Maple Valley Farm Fresh Market, Maple Valley Highway and 214th Street. Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Featuring fresh produce.

North Bend Farmers Market, North Bend Senior Center, 411 Main Ave. S. Call 425-888-3434. Hours: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturdays, through Oct. 1; 3-7 p.m. Thursdays, July 9-Aug. 20. Featuring fresh produce, arts and crafts, music and food.

Pike Place Market, downtown Seattle. Call 206-682-7453. Web site: http://www.pikeplacemarket.org. Open year round. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Fresh produce, fresh seafood and meats, fresh and dried flowers, specialty handmade crafts and a bonanza of other items. * Organic Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. * Chef Demo, June 19, noon, Carol Nockold from Dandelion.

Puyallup Farmers' Market, Pioneer Park, 330 S. Meridian St. Call 253-845-6755. Web site: http:/www.puyallupmainstreet.com/farmersmarket.html. Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays through Oct. 8; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 28. Featuring produce, nursery plants, fresh flowers, ice cream, local seafood, Washington wines and microbrews, doggy cookies, outdoor furniture and bird houses.

Redmond Saturday Market, 7730 Leary Way N.E., Redmond, Northwest corner of Redmond Town Center. Call 425-556-0636. Web site: http://www.redmondsaturdaymarket.homestead.com. Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, through Oct. 29. Features products made in Washington State, produce, vegetable starts, flowers, specialty food items, crafts, specialty foods, and occasional entertainment. * 30th Anniversary Celebration, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 18. Alpaca's will graze the market from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; cake and lemonade served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Renton Farmers' Market, Piazza Renton, South Third Street and Burnett Avenue, Renton. Call 425-226-4560. Web site: http://www.renton-chamber.com/farmersmarket.asp. Hours: 3-7 p.m. Tuesdays, through Sept. 20. Featuring fruits and vegetables, cut flowers, eggs, baked goods, herbs, live music, master gardener lectures, cooking demonstrations and children's activities.

South County Community Market, Park Ridge Chapel fields, 3805 Maltby Road, Bothell, 1 mile east of Thrasher's Corner at the intersection of 35th Avenue and Maltby Road, 425-481-8801. Fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, fresh berries, fresh cut flowers, food, hand-crafted products, live music, children's activities. Each Wednesday, 4 p.m. to dusk, through September. To be a vendor call 425-481-8801.

University District Farmers' Market, corner of University Way Northeast and Northeast 50th. Member of the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance. Call 206-632-5234. Web site: http:/www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org. Hours: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, through Dec. 17. Farmers-only market featuring fresh produce, honey, cider, fresh pasta, wild mushrooms, herbs and farmstead cheeses.

West Seattle Farmers' Market, corner of Alaska and California, behind Key Bank.. Member of the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance. Call 206-632-5234. Web site: www.seattlefarmersmarkets.org. Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 18. Fresh produce, organic produce, herbs, eggs, cheese, honey, fresh flowers, fresh baked goods and nursery stock.

Woodinville Farmers' Market, 17401 133rd Ave. N.E. (next to Woodinville Community Center). Call 206-546-7960. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Produce from local farmers, crafts and handmade art from Washington state artists, wide selection of plants and handmade foods. * June 25, annual Strawberry Social with free strawberry shortcake from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Briefly

KENT

Farmer market will host health fair Saturday

The Kent Farmers Market is hosting a health fair and seniors day on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the weekly market at Fourth Avenue North and Smith Street.

Health evaluations and information will be offered free by local businesses and non-profit organizations, including the Cascade Regional Blood Services Bloodmobile and Planned Parenthood.

The Kent Farmers Market, sponsored by the Kent Lions Club, is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays through Oct. 15.

Renton Farmers' Market opens Tuesday

RENTON -- The Renton Farmers' Market opens for its fourth year Tuesday, offering everything from Shelton blackberries to arts and crafts.

About 40 vendors will sell their wares at the Piazza from 3-7 p.m. every Tuesday through Sept. 20. The city's urban park is at South Third Street and Burnett Avenue South.

One of those vendors is Cheryl Faull of Renton, who is selling her Northwest jams, jellies and toppings for the third year.

``People love to buy the local products,'' she said. For her, business is very good. ``I love doing the market.''

Her most popular flavors are huckleberry and Cascade blackberries. She buys the huckleberries from the nonprofit The Cascade Geographic Society, which uses the proceeds to support its activities. The huckleberries come from such Cascade peaks as Mount Adams.

She gets the Cascade blackberries from the Shelton area, where she spent her early days, and grows some in her own yard for her personal use.

She processes her products at a commercial kitchen in Kent.

Hers is a cottage business, but she's licensed by the state because she sells food products to the public.

The season is two weeks longer this year because of the market's success of past years.

The market is sponsored by the Greater Renton Chamber of Commerce and Renton and is staffed by volunteers.

The market features live music, tips from Master Gardeners, cooking demonstrations and children's activities.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the market can contact the chamber at 425-226-4560.

Dean Radford covers Renton. He can be reached at dean.radford@kingcounty journal.com or 253-872-6719.

Local farmers markets

* Bellevue: 1717 Bellevue Way N.E., 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Oct. 13

* Bothell: Country Village, 238th Street Northeast and Bothell-Everett Highway, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays through Sept. 30

* Carnation: State Route 203 or Tolt Avenue and Bird Street, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesdays through Sept. 27

* Kent: Fourth Avenue South and Smith Street, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 15.

* Kirkland: Park Lane East between Third and Main, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 12

* North Bend: Mount Si Senior Center, Main and Park, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays June 11-Oct. 1 and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays July 7-Aug. 25

A list of farmers markets statewide is available at http://www.wafarmersmarkets.com/.

Market fun

The following activities are planned at the opening Tuesday of the Renton Farmers' Market:

* 4:30-5 p.m.: chef's demonstration, John Fisher, Renton Technical College

* 3-5 p.m.: Cascade Kids Circus

* 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Finnish Dancers

PHOTO by Matt Brashears/Journal: Cheryl Faull of Renton, one of the vendors at the Renton Farmers' Market, grows blackberries in her back yard, 'for fun' but sells her Northwest jams, jellies and toppings at the Renton Farmer's Market.

Briefly

KENT: Farmers market opens for season Saturday

Farmers and flower growers, along with crafts and food vendors, will offer their goods as the Kent Farmers Market opens for the season Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Local fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants and crafts will be offered at the open-air market in the city's parking lot at Fourth Avenue North and Smith Street, just south of the King County Regional Justice Center.

The market is celebrating its 31st year. The Meridian Middle School Jazz Band will perform at 11 a.m. and other groups will perform on future Saturdays.

Saturday marks the second season the weekly market has been sponsored by the Kent Lions Club, which took over the market last year as a community service project.

The Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 15. Area growers, food vendors and crafters of arts and handmade goods are invited to rent space or a booth. For information, see the Web site at http://www.kentfarmersmarket.com or call 253-486-9316.

Latest target for hotel/condo/water park development is Kent; Woodinville is next

A development company headed by a former Microsoft executive will build a hotel/condominium/water park complex in downtown Kent nearly identical to the company's project now under construction in Auburn.

The opening of a third hotel/condominium/water park complex -- in Woodinville -- is planned for no later than the first quarter of 2007, according to the developer of all three projects, Plan B Development.

Ben Errez, the former Microsoft executive who is now general manager of Plan B, said the Kent complex, dubbed Project Springboard, will include a 50-unit hotel with conference center, 100 condominium units, a 200-stall multistory public parking garage, water park, street-level shops and an open public area to be known as ``Town Square Plaza.''

The main components of the Woodinville project will be ``exactly the same,'' Errez said Tuesday.

Errez said the $20 million mixed-use project in Kent will be built on the site of the municipal parking lot bounded by Second and Fourth avenues and Harrison and Smith streets.

The location is adjacent to Kent Station and a block from the Sounder train and transit facility. Construction is slated to begin late this year with completion by the end of 2006.

Errez acknowledged that putting the hotels with water parks so close together in Kent and Auburn is like ``grilling the steak on both ends'' but the locations are actually part of Plan B's marketing strategy to discourage other lodging properties with similar amenities from locating in south King County.

Also, Errez said, hospitality revenues represent ``less than 25 percent of the overall revenues'' of his properties.

Plan B's general manager said his company is optimistic that the Kent project will be successful ``based both on our record in Auburn and the economic synergy created by being across the street from Kent Station and the transit center.''

While retail and parking facilities exist in downtown Kent, it is the owner-occupied residential units that add a new dimension to downtown redevelopment.

The Kent condominium units will be sold at market rate and go on sale about Sept. 1. In Auburn, the 40 units were sold out in four days for an average price of $177,000, Errez said.

``I expect a similar pattern to occur in Kent,'' he said.

Half of the condominium units are designated as senior citizen housing.

Condos may also double as hotel space in a unique arrangement allowing non-resident owners to lease their units to the hotel.

``Having permanent residents in downtown could be a vital part of getting a grocery or other everyday retail like a pharmacy into downtown,'' said Marcelle Pechler, executive director of the Kent Chamber of Commerce. ``Especially with the addition of a group of residents over 55 years of age.''

Reportedly, a number of national hotel chains have expressed interest in the boutique-style property that will be built.

Unlike Auburn, with close access to a major casino, a concert venue and Emerald Downs, the need for the Kent facility seems less obvious, but that is disputed by Pechler.

``This is a small hotel, only 50 rooms,'' Pechler said. ``Much of our occupancy in Kent comes from business travelers from around the country and the world. This is the type of hotel they desire.''

If anything, Pechler would like to see the developer consider Class A office space. ``That is the other facility we need in downtown Kent.''

That could happen. A parcel at the corner of Fourth and Harrison will be owned by local developer Bruce Anderson. He has yet to determine its possible future use.

The property beneath the proposed Project Springboard project is a jigsaw puzzle of ownership. The city of Kent is proposing a series of land swaps that will consolidate the parcels, leaving the city with a 35,000-square-foot area on the eastern end of the development, across Second Avenue from the Kent Regional Library.

``That is a place that will likely become the home of the Farmers Market, some of our outdoor concerts that are currently held in parks and other public events,'' said Nathan Torgelson, economic development manager for Kent. ``It also will serve as a corridor guiding people from Kent Station into historic downtown.''

The hotel/condominium/ water park project comes on the heels of the construction of Kent Station.

That $60 million retail and entertainment complex will open its first phase, including a multiscreen theater, late this year.

In addition to Project Springboard and Kent Station, the neighborhood in September will see the opening of the reconstructed Kent Junior High School, renamed Mill Creek Middle School.

Journal staff contributed to this report.

Farm fresh: Farmers markets are cropping up for summer

When Roy Nettlebeck was 4, looking at photos of bees in National Geographic while his grandpa read him the article, the lad was transfixed.

``Grandpa,'' he said, ``some day I'm going to have honeybees.''

He not only made good on that dream, running Tahuya River Apiaries on the Olympic Pensinsula, but also on bringing that dream's product to thousands of customers.

Each Saturday morning Nettlebeck staffs a honey booth at one of six different farmers' markets where he rents space out of the scores in King County.

Each market day he rubs elbows not only with residents of that community, but also with other enthusiasts and vendors of crafts, flowers and foods -- mostly locally produced.

And each time he shares his story, and that of his raw organic product and its benefits, with customers ranging from youngsters and parents to great-grandmas. He can share how uncooked, unfiltered honey retains vitamins and enzymes, and how locally bee-collected pollen trains the human body to fight local allergies.

He can tell you he pays $250 each for Russian queen bee because they resist mites that threaten U.S. honeybees. Or how he's located his farm three miles from any agriculture to keep the bees -- whose range is up to three miles -- free of pesticides.

He also can tell you how to get rid of bees: Build a large cardboard funnel with a half-inch hole faced outward, and tape the big end to the hive opening. The bees exit through the tiny hole, can't find it when they return, so the starving queen moves out.

With such tales, Nettlebeck represents one of the main appeals of farmers' markets: Neighbors and vendors can exchange information one on one, outdoors in the fresh air, and meet and talk with the folks who made, grew or had a hand in bringing to market the products.

People ask questions. Taste samples. Remember when. Just like at markets in the old days -- or old country.

``Some of the immigrants, especially those from Eastern Europe or the Ukraine, really know their honey,'' he said. ``They hold a jar up to the light. The more tiny objects, like a bee leg, the better, because they know they honey's not filtered.''

One of Nettlebeck's favorite spots to sell his honey, and honey soap, is Redmond Farmers' Market, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

Nettlebeck, who at 10 years there is the Market's longest food vendor -- has seen changes, both in layout and clientele.

``When you go back 10 years, before Town Center was built, it was an open field. More like a country setting, with more trees, and the market spread out through the trees,'' he said. ``The average age of people then was older, and parking was easier. Now you have all the Microsoft employees and families.''

His voice drifts off as he remembers a simpler time.

Still, he definitely likes today's brisk trade from these ``newer'' people in their Mercedes, Cadillacs and luxury SUVs.

He also likes that people today are more health conscious, more environmentally aware, and appreciate natural products.

``More and more natural food people are popping up and buying honey from me, and telling their friends,'' he said. ``And that's what's good about it.''

Nearly 300 farmers like Nettlebeck are selling directly to the public at King County farmers markets. They can triple or quadruple their profits over wholesale by selling this way.

And they're doing better than ever, according to Cascade Harvest Coalition: A survey showed that local farmers' sales at the market jumped up to 20 percent over last year's sales. over previous years.

Here are some of the top farmers markets in the region:

Eastside markets

* Bellevue Farmers Market, 1717 Bellevue Way N.E. Open 3 to 7 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 21. Offers fruit, vegetables, flowers and crafts.

* Bill Pace Fruit and Produce Market, 2380 Bellevue Way S.E. Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Featuring seasonal produce, field for blueberry picking in mid-July.

* Bothell Farmers' Market at Country Village, 23730 Bothell-Everett Hwy. Open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays through Sept. 30. featuring produce, emu oil, handmade candy, sassafras soap, honey and sunflowers.

* Carnation Farmers Market, Tolt Avenue and Bird Street. Open 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Sept. 27. Offers produce, plants and crafts.

* Issaquah Public Market, 1730 - 10th Ave NE (Pickering Barn). Open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 15.

* Kirkland Market, Park Lane East, between Third and Main Street. Open noon to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 13. Features foods, flowers, art and handcrafts.

* North Bend Farmers Market, North Bend Senior Center, Main Street and Park at SR 202. Open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m Saturdays, June 11 through Oct. 1. Offers produce, plants and crafts.

* Redmond Saturday Market, 7730 Leary Way at Bear Creek Parkway (Redmond Town Center). Open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 29. Features arts and crafts, organic produce, plants and apparel. 30th anniversary celebration with entertainment and other features, June 18.

* Woodinville Farmers Market, next to City Hall at Sorenson School. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 15. Offers seasonal fruits and vegetables, sweets, plants and crafts.

South County markets

* Burien Farmers Market, Fourth 4th Avenue Southwest, between 150th and 152nd. Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 6. Fresh produce, handcrafts and flowers.

* Federal Way Farmers Market, SeaTac Mall in the Sears parking lot, South 320th Street and Pacific Highway South (99). Open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 29. Fresh produce,, plants and crafts.

* Kent Farmers Market, municipal lot at Smith Street, from Fourth Avenue to Second Avenue. Open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, June 5 through October. Featuring fresh produce and handmade goods.

* Maple Valley Farm Fresh Market, Maple Valley Highway and 214th Street. Open daily 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Offers seasonal produce and crafts.

* Renton Farmers Market, South Third Street between Logan and Burnett South. Open 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, June 7 through Sept. 20. Features fruits, vegetables, crafts and flowers.

Hot times: Prepare for the season of festivals

Whether your tastes lean toward pie-eating contests, beer gardens or servings of strawberry shortcake, there's an event to sink your teeth into this summer.

Northwest Folklife Festival on Memorial Day Weekend is Seattle's unofficial leap out of spring, kicking off a festival season full of waterborne activities, super-powered jet fly-over, and other activities in the great outdoors.

Some pastimes are past ordinary. Try a ``three-bangs-for-a-buck'' car bash in Maple Valley, Cow Pie Bingo in Duvall or vintage auto races in Kent. Build a boat on Lake Union, witness a balloon glow in Arlington or sample a string of festivals celebrating cultures of the Philippines, China, Italy, Brazil, Tibet and elsewhere at Seattle Center.

And, of course, there's 4th of July fireworks, and mid-June and first-of-August hydros, too.

So enjoy. Pack a picnic. Bring some light reading. Just be sure to protect yourself from mosquitoes bearing West Nile virus and sunbeams bringing skin cancer.

And bask in the lazy haze that just won't last.

MAY

Northwest Folklife Festival: Friday through Monday, May 27-30, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, Seattle Center. The traditional Memorial Day weekend celebration features four days of music, dancing, crafts, exhibits, children's activities, foods and art from cultures all over the world. Tickets: Free ($5 suggested donation). Call 206-684-7300 or visit http://www.nwfolklife.org.

Pike Place Market Street Festival: May 29-30, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Pike Place, between Pike and Virginia streets. 33rd annual event turns Pike Place into a ``plaza of tastes.'' Memorial Flag Walk, food booths, beer and coffee gardens, live music and more than 80 crafts booths, plus zucchini car races and other activities for children. Call 206-682-7453 or visit http://www.pikeplacemarketstreetfestival.com.

JUNE

Edmonds Waterfront Festival: June 3-5, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Port of Edmonds Marina, 400 Admiral Way, Edmonds. New family boat-building opportunities join the annual arts and crafts booths, entertainment stages, and a beer and wine garden. Tickets: $2 with children under 10 free. Call 425-771-1744 or visit http://www.edmondswaterfrontfestival.com.

Welsh Day: June 4, noon-3 p.m., Black Diamond Depot Museum, 23627 Railroad Ave., Black Diamond. Stories, pictures and traditional music, costumes, Welsh cakes and other refreshments. Call 360-886-2142 or visit http://pugetsoundwelsh.org/blackdia.htm.

Duvall Days: June 4-5, 9:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, downtown Duvall. Kiddie Parade at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Grand Parade at 11 a.m., plus Cow Pie Bingo, games, Logging Show, entertainment 12:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. and fireworks at 10 p.m. at McCormick Park on the Snoqualmie River. Firefighters pancake breakfast Sunday. Call 425-788-1185 or visit http://www.cityofduvall.com.

Chinese Arts & Culture Festival: June 4-5, noon-6 p.m., Seattle Center. Chinese drums, music, dance, Wushi and Lion dances, plus an extensive exhibit of traditional Chinese and cross-cultural painting, calligraphy and sculptures; fashions, food, traditional medicine, arts and crafts, Chinese-style family and children's activities. Call 206-684-7200 or visit http://www.seattlecenter.com.

Boeing Dreamliner Arts Festival: June 8-13, various Seattle locations. New festival celebrates contemporary and traditional arts in Asia and the United States, including Kabuki theater from Japan, a New Music Summit, Worlds in Translation (literature); and the China Central Song and Dance Ensemble. Includes free and ticketed events. For information, visit http://www.dreamlinerartsfestival.org.

Maple Valley Days & Arts Festival: June 10-12, 3 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday, noon- 9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Lake Wilderness Park, 23601 224th Ave. S.E., and Lake Wilderness Lodge, 22500 S.E. 248th St., Maple Valley. Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, musicians, dancers, poets, indoor art exhibit, classic car show Saturday, motorcycle show Sunday, plus a car bash (three bangs for a buck), radio-controlled hydros, circus, carnival rides, demonstrations and hands-on art activities. Free. Call 425-432-1003 (Maple Valley Days) or 425-432-5285 (arts festival), or visit http://www.maplevalleydays.com.

Tastin' N Racin': June 11-12, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (plus Hydro Happy Hour 4:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, free admission), Lake Sammamish State Park, Issaquah. Hydroplane racing, motorcycle stunt shows, vintage and new boats, cars and motorcycles on display, live music, arts and crafts, children's play area, food, beer garden. Admission: $3, $5 both days. Parking: $5 (free with State Park yearly pass). Call 425-427-9828 or visit http://www.tastinracin.com.

Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival: June 11-12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Seattle Center House, 305 Harrison St., Seattle. The Filipino Cultural Heritage Society and Seattle Center's Festál present the annual festival featuring music, dance, drama, film, textile and visual arts, traditional handicrafts, workshops, children's activities, a Filipino style public market and food court. Free. Call 206-684-7200 or http://www.seattlecenter.com.

Washington Summer Microbrew Fest: June 17-19, 5-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, St. Edward's State Park, 14445 Juanita Drive N.E., Kenmore. Sixth annual Father's Day weekend event features food and hand-crafted beer from more than 50 artisan brewers, plus craft and import booths, brewers' keg toss, live music, and playground, Zucchini 500 races and rootbeer garden for kids. Tickets: Friday, $15 ($5 for non-drinkers), Saturday and Sunday, $12-$15 in advance, $20 at the gate (under 21 free if accompanied by adult). Call 206-633-0422 or visit http://www.washingtonbrewfest.com.

Seattle International Juggling Festival: June 17-19, noon-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Seattle Center and Fisher Plaza rooftop. Workshops, performances and roving juggling entertainment. Free, donations accepted. Call 206-684-7200 or visit http://www.cascadejugglers.org.

Fall City Days: June 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., downtown Fall City (15 miles east of Redmond on the Redmond-Fall City Road). 34th annual event with a pancake breakfast, kiddie parade, main parade, fun run, hoopfest, fire department water fights, celebrity dunk tank, live music, children's activities, arts and crafts, food. Free. Call 425-222-6251 or visit http://www.fallcity.org.

Burien Strawberry Festival: June 18-19, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Dottie Harper Park, Burien Arts Gallery and Burien Community Center, Southwest 146th Street at Fourth Avenue Southwest. Food and crafts vendors, music, children's activities including an art car, strawberry shortcake and more. Free. Call 206-433-2882 or visit http://www.discoverburien.com.

Fremont Fair: June 18-19, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, downtown Fremont and Gasworks Park. Solstice parade at noon Saturday, Art Car Blowout, Solstice Pageant with masks, puppets, live music, dancing, art, children's activities, crafts and food booths. Free. Call 206-694-6706 or visit http://www.fremontfair.com.

Midsummer Family Fun Day at Vasa Park: June 19, Vasa Park, 3560 West Lake Sammamish Parkway S.E., Bellevue, one mile north of I-90 at Exit 13. Folk dances at the maypole at 1:30 p.m. Entertainment and children's activities, snacks and picnics. Sunday dance at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Free. Call 425-746-3260 or visit http://www.vasaparkresort.com

International Festival: June 24-26, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Angle Lake Park, 19408 International Blvd., SeaTac. Parade at 10:30 a.m. Saturday on South 188th Street from Tyee High School, live entertainment, arts and crafts, international foods, children's area, model hydroplane races. Free. Call 206-973-4680 or visit http://www.ci.seatac.wa.us.

Bellevue Strawberry Festival: June 25-26, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Old Bellevue (west of Bellevue Way on Main Street). A Classic Auto Show and Strawberry shortcake, plus agricultural and historical exhibits, contests, clowns, vendors and entertainment. Call 425-453-1655 or visit http://www.bellevuestrawberryfestival.org

JULY

Pacific Northwest Historics Vintage Auto Races: July 1-3, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Pacific Raceways, Highway 18, Kent. Races will feature more than 250 vintage race cars. Gates open at 8:30 a.m. each day. Tickets: $5-$25. Multiple-day passes available. Call 206-389-5200 or visit http://www.northwesthistorics.com.

Seattle International Beerfest: July 1-3, 4-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-7 p.m. Sunday, Seattle Center Mural Amphitheatre. Taste more than 100 world-class beers from more than 15 countries. Visit http://www.seattlebeerfest.com.

SEAFAIR Milk Carton Derby: July 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., southwest end of Green Lake, Seattle. Kick-off to 56th SEAFAIR features children, teens, parents and corporations racing milk carton boats in competition to win nearly $10,000. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Free. Call 206-728-0123 or visit http://www.seafair.com.

Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival: July 2-4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, south end of Lake Union. About 200 wooden vessels, boat-building contest, toy boat-building workshop, book-and-tool swap, maritime demonstrations and vendors, sailboat races, music. Suggested donation: $5-$15. Call 206-382-2628 or visit http://www.cwb.org.

Issaquah's Down Home 4th of July and Heritage Festival: July 4, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Memorial Field, 115 Second Ave. N.E., Issaquah. Kids, Pets 'n Pride Parade starting at 425 Rainier Blvd. N., old-fashioned field games, hands-on activities, pie-eating contest, live entertainment, food, Sky High Rummage Sale, pony rides. Free. Call 425-392-0661 or 425-392-3500 (Heritage Festival).

Bellevue Family Fourth Celebration: July 4, 6-11 p.m., Bellevue Downtown Park, one block south of Bellevue Square at the corner of 100th Avenue and First Street Northeast. Musical entertainment, fireworks after dark at approximately 10:05 p.m. Children's activities include Mad Science and magic shows, jugglers, stilt walkers, roaming puppets, a climbing wall and more. Free. Call 425-452-4106 or visit http://www.bellevuedowntown.org.

Celebrate Kirkland Fourth of July Event: July 4, 9 a.m.-10:30 p.m., various locations. Big bash for Kirkland's 100th birthday includes Kids Parade through downtown at 11:30 a.m., followed by Grand Parade at noon, with a fly-over by U.S. Marines, plus a community picnic with live music, food and old-fashioned games at Juanita Beach. Microsoft Orchestra starts at 8 p.m. at Marina Park. Two fireworks displays at 10 p.m. at Juanita Beach and Marina Park. Free. Call 425-822-0284 or visit http://www.celebratekirkland.org.

Sammamish Valley Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration: July 4, 6-11 p.m., J.B. Instant Lawn on Northeast 145th Street, west of State Route 202, Woodinville. Co-sponsored by Redmond and Woodinville. Free shuttles. Limited parking $5. Visit http://www.ci.woodinville.wa.us/events/.

Kent Fourth of July Splash: July 4, noon-11 p.m., Lake Meridian Park, 14800 S.E. 272nd St., Kent. Community Showcase of local talent, classic car show, old fashioned games, giant Lego display, pie-eating contest, food, and fireworks choreographed to performance by Rainier Symphony. Free. Call 253-856-5050 or visit http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/arts/events/index.asp.

Auburn 4th of July Festival: July 4, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Les Gove Park, 11th Street and Auburn Way South, Auburn. A children's parade with a bike brigade starts at noon, plus arts and crafts booths, vintage car display, food booths, children's games, entertainment on two stages, and rides. Free. Call 253-931-3043.

Enumclaw's Stars and Stripes Celebration: July 4, downtown Enumclaw and King County Fairgrounds, 45224 284th Ave. S.E., Enumclaw. Entertainment and activities begin at noon, with a parade at 6 p.m. along Cole Street. The event concludes with a fireworks display at dusk at King County Fairgrounds. Call 360-825-7666.

Tukwila's Family Fourth at the Fort: July 4, 4 p.m., Fort Dent Park, 6800 Fort Dent Way, Tukwila. Children's activities and entertainment through the evening and fireworks at 10 p.m. Call 206-768-2822 or visit http://www.ci.tukwila.wa.us/july4.htm.

Washington Mutual Family Fourth at Lake Union: July 4, noon-midnight, Gas Works Park, north end of Lake Union, Seattle. Sporting activities, children's activities, food, performers, culminating in a fireworks show around 10 p.m. over Lake Union. Free. Call 206-281-7788 or visit http://www.onereel.org.

Fourth of Jul-Ivar: July 4, noon-11 p.m., Myrtle Edwards Park, just north of Pier 70, Seattle. Live entertainment on three stages, free children's play area, food and fireworks over Elliott Bay starting around 10 p.m. Free. Call 206-587-6500 or visit http://www.ivars.net.

Freedom Fair & Tacoma Air Show: July 4, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Ruston Way waterfront, Tacoma. Live entertainment on nine stages, family activities, international food, classic car show, night air show and fireworks over Commencement Bay starting at about 10 p.m. Free. Call 253-756-9808 or visit http://www.freedomfair.com.

Burien Fourth of July Family Days: July 4, downtown Burien. Bike race, family activities start at 8 a.m., parade starts at 3 p.m. along Southwest 152nd Street. Bands, floats and antique cars in the parade's 81st anniversary. Karoake and music afterward. Free. Call 206-433-2882 or visit http://www.discoverburien.com.

Arlington EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Fly-In: July 6-10, gates open at 8 a.m. daily, Arlington Municipal Airport. Aircraft fly-bys and air show each day showcasing recreational planes. Hot-air balloon glow, live music, outdoor runway theater, children's entertainment, aviation workshops. Night pyrotechnic air show and auto show. Tickets: $7-$15. Call 360-435-5857 or visit http://www.nweaa.org.

Redmond Bicycle Derby Days: July 7-10, various locations in Redmond. Derby Days Carnival Thursday-Sunday outside Old Redmond School House Community Center, 16600 N.E. 80th St. Kids Parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, followed by Grand Parade; both start at 8301 161st Ave. N.E., plus entertainment stages and beer and wine garden, noon-9 p.m., Xtreme Cycling Shows, 1-5 p.m., Derby Days Bike Race Criterium, 2-8 p.m. Call 425-556-2299 or visit http://www.ci.redmond.wa.us/recreationarts/derbydays.

Kirkland Summerfest!: July 8-10; 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Marina Park, downtown Kirkland. Fine arts and crafts, artist-in-action demonstrations, children's activities, food booths, entertainment. Call 425-822-7161 or visit http://www.kirklandartscenter.org.

Summer Celebration, Mercer Island's Community Festival: July 8-10, I-90 Park on the Lid (Friday) and Mercerdale Park and Central Business District (Saturday and Sunday). Live entertainment, food and craft vendors and a fireworks exhibition at about 10:15 p.m. Friday. A street fair will take place in the downtown business district and Mercerdale Park Saturday and Sunday. Parade starts at 10 a.m. Saturday. Call 206-236-7285 or visit http://www.ci.mercer-island.wa.us.

Return to Renton Car Show: July 9, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Renton Stadium, Logan Ave. N. and N. Fourth St. More than 500 classic cars, music, contests, scavenger hunt, music and car trivia contest, followed by procession of old cars through downtown Renton immediately following the show. The event benefits the Renton Police youth programs. Car registration $20. Admission to the show is free. Call 425-255-0466.

Tukwila Days: July 9, Tukwila Community Center, 12424 42nd Ave. S., Tukwila. Community festival with a parade at 10 a.m., a pancake breakfast, an art show, live music, arts and crafts. Other days in summer offer sporting events, a senior picnic and play performances. Free except for special events. Call 206-768-2822 or visit http://www.ci.tukwila.wa.us/tukdays.htm.

Viking Days: July 9-10, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 N.W. 67th St., Seattle. Celebration of Nordic heritage features an outdoor marketplace of crafts, basketry and food, music and dance performances, craft demonstrations, and children's area. Free. Call 206-789-5707 or visit http://www.nordicmuseum.org.

International District Festival: July 9-10, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Hing Hay Park and surrounding areas, International District, Seattle. Asian dance and music, Asian food,