King County Parks hitting its stride at the height of summer

Great live entertainment, outdoor movies, scenic treks some of the options

Ignore the flurry of back-to-school sale advertisements on TV and in the paper – the end of July and beginning of August is no time to think about that. Instead, bask in the glow of long, warm days and pleasant evenings – while enjoying King County Parks, of course.

There’s Grammy-worthy live music, and an outdoor movie featuring an Oscar-winning performance, plus the world-class scenery of King County Parks – Your Big Backyard. Here are the details:

Marymoor Park

Movies@Marymoor, presented by Epic Events

Wednesday, Aug. 4
The Blind Side
Sandra Bullock earned her Best Actress Oscar in this based-in-reality hit from 2009. Leigh Anne Tuohy (Bullock) takes a homeless and disadvantaged young man (Quinton Aaron) under her wing and gives him the opportunity to excel in both life and football – which he does. Bullock’s personal life might be a mess, but her acting chops have never been better than in “The Blind Side,” as the role also earned her Golden Globe and Critic’s Choice awards.

Wednesday, Aug. 11
The Neverending Story
A popular family film from the mid-80s, The Neverending Story tells the tale of Bastian, a daydreaming kid who is trying to come to grips with his mother’s death while dealing with bullying schoolmates. After finding a strange book in a used bookshop, Bastian enters into a fantasy world where he becomes an integral part of the story.

Movies are shown at MacNair Field, located in the center of the King County’s Marymoor Park, on a 40’ inflatable movie screen. A permit is required to park in Marymoor, which movie-goers can pay for at vending machines located throughout the park. Preferred seating for pre-movie activities is $5 per person and children under 5 get in for free. Seating opens at 7 p.m. and movies start at dusk.

Popcorn, coffee and other treats are available for purchase from vendors in the park. Outside food is allowed. Alcohol use is strictly prohibited in King County Parks. This is a dog-friendly event, and people with pets are asked to sit at the far end of the seating area. Pets are required to be on a leash and under control at all times, and owners must clean up after pets. More information about is available at http://www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/inventory/marymoor/movies.aspx and http://moviesatmarymoor.com. The series is produced by Epic Events & Promotion, www.epiceap.com, specialists in outdoor cinema events, services and equipment.

Marymoor Concert Series

Saturday, Aug. 7 – 7 p.m.
Michael Franti and Spearhead
With his seventh studio album just a few months away from release and continued steady airplay of his song, “Say Hey (I love you)” from his last album, it’s safe to say that Michael Franti is on something of a roll. The outspoken advocate for social justice and a popular and frequent act at music festivals around the world brings his hip hop, reggae, jazz and back to Marymoor Park for the second time in three years. Look for Franti to play plenty of fresh tracks off “The Sound of Sunshine,” which is expected to be released in late September.

Friday, Aug. 13 – 7 p.m.
Rodrigo y Gabriela with Xavier Rudd
How many acoustic guitar duos can you name whose path to stardom went from the Mexico City thrash metal scene, to busking in Dublin, then international fame by playing intricate acoustic versions of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” and Metallica’s “Orion?” Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero won’t wow you with their stage presence – they generally play while seated, and keep the in-between-song banter to a minimum – but their sound is deep and full, and they effortlessly connect with the audience. Opening performer Xavier Rudd is an Australian multi-instrumentalist who just released his ninth album, “Koonyum Sun.”

Saturday, Aug. 14 – 4 p.m.
Mountain Music Fest, featuring Jakob Dylan, BoDeans, Sara Barilles and Robert Rudolph and The Family Band
This year’s Mountain Music Fest features Jakob Dylan, who earlier this year released his second solo album, “Women and Country.” Dylan confidently emerged from his father’s massive musical shadow in the 1990s when he fronted The Wallflowers on their debut album, “Bringing Down the Horse.” The Wallflowers went on to sell millions of records, take home a couple of Grammys, and generally serve as the standard bearers of their radio-friendly, roots rock sound for many years. Other acts at this year’s Music Fest includes veteran roots rockers the BoDeans, who just released their ninth studio album (to go along with two live releases, a “best of” release and a b-side compilation), plus Sara Barilles and Robert Rudolph and The Family Band.

Cottage Lake Park

Aug. 5, 7 p.m.
Music in the Park at Cottage Lake
The Upper Bear Creek Community Council sponsors this free, annual outdoor music series, which concludes Aug. 5 with classic rock, folk and funk from Woodrush. Details are at http://www.upperbearcreek.com/.

Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park

Saturday, Aug. 14 – 8:30 a.m.
2010 Cougar Mountain Trail Running Series

The final race of the 2010 Cougar Mountain Trail Running Series is also the longest – 13 miles. Registration and the start of the race will be at the Sky Country trailhead off 166th Way Southeast.

Entry is $40; Seattle Running Club members receive a $5 discount. The good news is that $15 of each entry fee benefits King County Parks; the better news is that last year the running series raised nearly $12,000 for King County Parks; the best news is that the trail running community has some of the most-dedicated King County Parks volunteers around. They’ve donated untold hours of their time to improve trails at Cougar Mountain – a commitment that benefits all park visitors. Visit http://www.seattlerunningclub.org/Events/Cougar/cougarmtn1.html for more information.

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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 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/.