July 2009

Dear Neighbor,

Summer is here!

As the weather gets warmer, South King County comes alive with festivals, parades, outdoor concerts and local farmers markets. In this e-newsletter, I have highlighted some great neighborhood events, as well as some tips on staying safe and healthy in the coming months.

I hope you enjoy the warm days, fresh produce, beautiful flowers, and many great events that make our Northwest summer truly wonderful!

Sincerely,

Julia Patterson
King County Councilmember - District 5

July 4th Events

Fireworks light up the evening sky at Renton’s Gene Coulon Park.

The Fourth of July holiday is just around the corner and for many families that means a trip to the beach or local waterfront park. Pack up the cooler, grab your towel, and get ready to celebrate at these great events!

Fireworks over Des Moines
Des Moines Marina
22307 Dock Ave. S
*6:00 – 10:00 pm (approx.)
www.desmoines50th.com

Kent’s Fourth of July Splash
Lake Meridian Park
14800 SE 272nd St.
*12 noon – 11:00 pm (approx.)
www.ci.kent.wa.us

Renton’s Fabulous Fourth of July Celebration
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
*12 noon – 10:00 pm (approx.)
www.rentonwa.gov

SeaTac’s Fourth of July
Angle Lake Park
19408 International Blvd.
*5:00 pm – 10:00 pm (approx.)
www.ci.seatac.wa.us

Tukwila’s Family Fourth at Fort Dent
Fort Dent Park
6800 Fort Dent Way
*4:00 – 11:00 pm (approx.)
www.ci.tukwila.wa.us

*Fireworks begin at dusk (approx.)

Farmers Markets

Shop local and seasonal this summer!

As spring turns to summer each year, communities throughout South King County celebrate the opening of local farmers markets, featuring fresh fruits and vegetables, beautiful flowers, elegant handmade crafts, and lots of music and entertainment.

Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market
Saturdays, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, June 6 – October 31, 2009
Wednesdays, 4:00 – 7:00 pm, July 22 – August 19, 2009
South Marina Park, S 227th & Dock Street
www.dmfm.org

Kent Farmers Market
Saturdays, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, June 6 – September 26, 2009
Town Square Plaza, 2nd Avenue & Smith Street
www.kentfarmersmarket.com

Renton Farmers Market
Tuesdays, 3:00 – 7:00 pm, June 2 – September 15, 2009
Piazza Park, 3rd Street between Logan and Burnett Avenue
www.rentonfarmersmarket.com

SeaTac Farmers Market
Sundays, 12 noon – 4:00 pm, July 12 – October 11, 2009
Valley Ridge Park, 4644 S 188th Street
www.ci.seatac.wa.us/services/seatacmarket.htm

Festivals and Parades

Booth vendors line the streets with exciting treasures at Kent Cornucopia Days.

Puget Sound is rich with summer activities for the whole family. These exciting festivals and parades highlight the very heart of our local communities, offering you a chance to meet your neighbors, delight in all of the fun activities, and make the most of these long summer days.

June 26 – 28: SeaTac International Festival
Angle Lake Park - This festival presents an eclectic mix of live entertainment, a parade, children’s area, vendor booths, skateboarding competition and model hydroplane race on Angle Lake!
www.ci.seatac.wa.us

July 9 – 12: Kent Cornucopia Days
(Various Locations) – This nationally recognized event is south King County’s largest Family Festival, offering a 20-block street fair, exciting Dragon Boat races, the Grand Parade and live entertainment.
www.kcdays.com

July 18: Des Moines 50th Birthday Festival
Des Moines Marina – Des Moines will celebrate 50 years with a strong man competition, classic car and wooden boat show, boat tours and races, kid’s fun zone, cultural dances and musical performances, 50s sock hop and Professor Humbug’s traveling flea circus.
www.desmoines50th.com

July 22, 24 – 26: IKEA Renton River Days
Liberty Park – Featuring the Nibble of Renton, Art Market, Annual Art Show, Quilt Show, Chalk Art Contest, inflatables for kids, pony rides, parade and more than 100 vendor booths.
www.rentonwa.gov

August 15: Tukwila Days Community Festival
Tukwila Community Center – Delight in the food, games, music, entertainment, arts and crafts, vendor booths, special kid’s activities, parade, and Vintage Car Show!
www.ci.tukwila.wa.us

Summer Safety Tips

Stay safe and live healthy this summer!

Enjoy a swim in supervised areas, or where others are close by.

Water Recreation:

• Always provide supervision for children when they are in or near water, and opt for swimming areas with a lifeguard on duty.

• Wear a life jacket when swimming or boating in open water; all children under 12 must have an approved life jacket in vessels under 19 feet.

• To avoid water-borne illness, such as swimmer’s itch, always shower directly before and after you swim in pool or lake water.

   

Sun Protection:

• Apply sunscreen liberally and frequently with an SPF of at least 15 to avoid sunburn, which is a leading cause of skin cancer. Even cloudy days require sunscreen.

• Try to stay out of the sun during peak hours of 10 am to 4 pm, when you are most at risk of overexposure.

  Help children learn that safety comes first.

• Always keep a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm and protective clothing handy for those spur-of-the-moment outdoor activities.

Hot Weather:

• Reduce strenuous physical activity and take frequent rest breaks to avoid exhaustion or heat stroke.

• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and provide water frequently to children and pets.

• When trying to keep your home cool by opening a window or using an electric fan, always supervise young children who may be at risk of injuring themselves from curiosity.

Bicycle, Pedestrian and Traffic Safety:

• Summertime brings more people out of their homes and onto the roads and sidewalks. Always, bike, walk and drive with care!

  Wear a helmet while enjoying a bicycle ride.

• No matter your age, always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, and make helmet use mandatory when using riding toys at home or in child care.

• Remember to look both ways before using a crosswalk, and always obey WALK and DON’T WALK signs.

• Motor vehicle drivers should stay alert and proceed with caution through busy intersections and neighborhood streets where children could be playing outside.

For more tips on staying safe and living healthy this summer, visit the Public Health-Seattle & King County website.

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