There’s no midsummer lull in the fun offered at King County Parks – Your Big Backyard

It’s a good thing that there’s so much daylight in early August, since there are enough outdoor activities at King County Parks to fill even the longest of summer days.

Whether it’s a live concert at Marymoor Park’s heralded outdoor venue, a competitive trail run through the natural beauty of Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, or a relaxing bike ride along a portion of King County’s 175-mile regional trail system, there’s always something fun to do in King County Parks – Your Big Backyard.

Here’s a partial list of activities and events in early August:

Marymoor Park

Movies@Marymoor
Seating opens at 7 p.m., and movies begin at dusk. Admission is free, but a donation of $5 for individuals and $15 for families is suggested. Proceeds support King County Parks.

Aug. 6 (Movie begins at 8:35 p.m.) – Singin’ in the Rain [G]
Aug. 13 (Movie begins at 8:23 p.m.) – Hairspray [PG]

New this year is the “Viewer’s Choice” series finale, where movie-goers can vote for one of three popular movies, “Footloose,” “The Wedding Singer” or “Whale Rider.” Voting ends Aug. 13, and the winning movie will be shown Aug. 27. You can vote for your favorite movie at each movie night, or go online and cast your vote at http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=988262. To add to the fun, Nintendo DS will be there for the Aug. 6 and 13 screenings with free game demonstrations and other fun.

The Concerts at Marymoor

Ongoing through Sept. 12
The Concerts at Marymoor
Information at http://www.concertsatmarymoor.com/
Concert tickets can be purchased at the Marymoor Office during business hours (9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday), call 206-205-3661, or via e-mail at marymoorpark@kingcounty.gov. A fee of $8 per ticket supports maintenance and operations of King County Parks. Tickets can also be purchased through ticketmaster.com.

August 7 – 6 p.m.
Tickets are $29.50; $5 parking fee

Tailgate 2008 – Slightly Stoopid with Pepper & Dub Masters Sly & Robbie
Self-described as a band that plays “acoustic rock and blues, with reggae, hip-hop and punk,” Slightly Stoopid hails from Southern California and has issued nine albums since their inception back in the mid-1990’s. The group tours incessantly, often playing more than 200 gigs a year. Joining Slightly Stoopid on the Tailgate 2008 tour is Pepper, a band that was formed in Hawaii but now calls southern California home, where they play a blend of reggae, dub and rock. Sly and Robbie, one of reggae music’s most-prolific and inventive groups, is also on the bill.

August 9 – 7 p.m.
Tickets are $39.50; $5 parking fee

The Doobie Brothers
With more than 27 million albums sold through their 35-plus-year career, the Doobie Brothers have achieved the kind of iconic status that most bands can only dream about. Hits such as “China Grove,” “Takin’ it to the Streets” and “What a Fool Believes” remain popular standards for this well-respected California band.

August 15 – 7 p.m.
Tickets are $$39.50; $5 parking fee

A Prairie Home Companion, featuring Garrison Keillor and special guest Suzy Bogguss
Join National Public Radio icon Garrison Keillor as he spins stories from the shores of mythical Lake Wobegon. Keillor’s popular “A Prairie Home Companion” radio program dates back to the early 1970s and features live skits, live music, amusing “commercials” and old-fashioned sound effects. Country singer Suzy Bogguss has topped the singles and albums charts numerous times.

Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park

Aug. 9 – Packet pick-up and race day registration from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.; Race start at 8:30 a.m.; Awards and prize drawings at 11 a.m.

Cougar Mountain Trail Running Series
Participate in this fourth and final race of the annual trail-running series, which pits runners against each other and 13 miles of Cougar Mountain’s undulating terrain. Registration and race start will be at the Sky Country trailhead, off 166th Way Southeast. Visit http://www.seattlerunningcompany.com/Events/Cougar/cougarmtn1.html for more information.

King County Parks – Your Big Backyard – offers more than 25,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, plus pools and a world-class aquatic center. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities while reducing costs. Learn more at http://www.kingcounty.gov/parks/.

Related Information

King County Parks – Your Big Backyard

Recreation and Leisure Opportunities