Outdoor concerts, exciting trail racing, old-time county fair signal July’s arrival in King County
It’s a good thing that there’s a lot of daylight during early summer in the Pacific Northwest, because King County Parks – Your Big Backyard, offers enough features and activities to keep a family busy for hours on end.
From world-class music at King County’s popular Concerts at Marymoor series, to the quiet of King County’s backcountry hiking trails, there are events and activities to fill the longest of summer days.
Here is a sample of what you’ll find in the next few weeks at King County Parks:
Marymoor Park
Marymoor Concert Recycling Crew
King County needs your help in keeping Marymoor Park a clean and comfortable place during recycles and composts biodegradable cups, plates and food scraps at the summer concert series. Volunteers, who get in free to the shows at which they work, help educate concert-goers about which items go into which bins. Thanks to concert volunteers, more than half of what was thrown away at the 2008 shows was instead recycled.
Volunteers are needed for the 2009 summer concert series. Marymoor Concert Recycling Crew volunteers must commit to a minimum of three concerts and must be 18 years or older. Training is provided on-site and shifts vary depending on show time. Contact Laurie Clinton at 206-296-4452 for more information.
July 5 – 7 p.m.
Tickets are $49.50, $59.50 and $79.50; $5 parking fee
Duran Duran
English pop-rock band Duran Duran was one of the most successful groups of the 1980s and a leader in the MTV-driven Second British Invasion of the U.S. The band has not only sold more than 70 million records with hits such as "Hungry Like The Wolf" and "Rio," but they also became fashion plates to a generation of kids who wanted to emulate their look, which included lots of pastel shirts and suits, plus frosted hair – all ‘80s staples! The band is currently wrapping up work on its 13th album. Their current lineup includes original members Simon LeBon on vocals, Nick Rhodes on keyboards and John Taylor on bass.
July 11 – 1 p.m.
Tickets are $45; $5 parking fee
The No Depression Festival, featuring Gillian Welch and Iron & Wine
Alt-Country, bluegrass and roots rock is at the heart of the No Depression Festival, which takes its name from a music magazine begun in Seattle in the mid-90s. Headliner Gillian Welch calls her Country/Bluegrass style “American Primitive,” and her talents were highlighted on the wildly popular soundtrack of the Coen Brothers’ blockbuster hit, “O Brother, Where Art Tho?” Iron and Wine, otherwise known as Samuel Beam, is a multi-dimensional folk-rock performer with three full-length albums to his credit and a lot of critical praise to boot. Other acts scheduled to participate in this all-day event include Patterson Hood & The Screwtopians, Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter, Justin Townes Earle, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Seattle Roots-Music All-Star Revue, and Zee Avi.
July 16 – 7 p.m.
Tickets are $49.50 to $79.50; $5 parking fee
Counting Crows with special guest Augustana
Counting Crows have had a solid presence on pop/rock radio ever since their first hit, the mid-90s gem “Mr. Jones.” Their six studio albums, one live record and a greatest hits release have all been big sellers. The band even earned an Academy Award nomination for “Accidentally in Love,” which appeared in the popular animated movie, “Shrek 2.” The band has sold more than 20 million records. Opening act Augustana received a lot of attention with their second album, “All the Stars and Boulevards,” primarily on the strength of the single, “Boston.”
Monday, Wednesday and Friday night racing at the Marymoor Velodrome
Enjoy an exciting bicycle race at the Velodrome. All three nights of racing are under way for the season. Spectator admission is free on Mondays and Wednesdays; $5 per person on Fridays; kids 16 and under are free. Racing starts at 7 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.velodrome.org/mva/.
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
Cougar Mountain Running Series – July 11
Compete in the seventh-annual Cougar Mountain trail running series, which continues July 11 with a 10-mile race. The registration and start will be at the Sky Country trailhead. The cost is $40, and Seattle Running Club members receive a $5 discount. Visit http://www.seattlerunningcompany.com/Events/Cougar/cougarmtn1.html for all the details.
Cottage Lake Park
Thursdays, beginning July 2 through Aug. 6 – 7 p.m.
Music in the Park 2009
Sponsored by the Upper Bear Creek Community Council, this six-date concert series will be in Cottage Lake Park, at Northeast Woodinville-Duvall Road and 188th Northeast, Woodinville. The first act in this diverse line-up is Woodinville’s Pacific Cascade Big Band, which plays jazz on July 2. More concert series information is available at http://www.upperbearcreek.com/.
July 16-18 – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday – Saturday.
Admission is free, parking is $5.
Enumclaw's King County Fair
The City of Enumclaw will produce the 2009 King County Fair, the oldest county fair west of the Mississippi. The fair is heading back to its traditional format, with Midway rides and games, fair food, exhibits, shopping, three stages of entertainment and more. It’s all happening at the Enumclaw Expo Center, formerly the King County Fairgrounds. Get all the details at http://www.enumclawskingcountyfair.com/.
King County Pools
For relief from hot weather, or to add variety to your summertime recreation plans, why not stop by a King County pool? From swimming lessons to open swim time, there’s a great variety of recreational opportunities at the nearest King County pool. Visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/pools.aspx for program scheduling, hours of operation and driving directions.
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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
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
King County Parks - Your Big Backyard