King County has lots of family fun, all summer long

Explore King County this summer, and you’ll discover plenty of family-friendly activities that are close to home.

Whether it’s attending an open-air concert at Marymoor Park, participating in a trail run at the 3,000-acre Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, or volunteering at a habitat restoration event, King County offers lots of great options for the whole family to get out and enjoy summer in the Pacific Northwest.

Here’s a partial list of what’s happening in June and July in King County:

Marymoor Park

Series starts June 5

Concerts at Marymoor

Listen to some of your favorite artists at Marymoor Park – one of the most-popular open-air venues around. The concert series gets under way June 5 with a performance by Erykah Badu and The Roots. Upcoming concerts include 107.7 The End’s Summer Camp II on June 14, and KISS 106.1 Big Freakin’ Deal on June 28. $5 parking fee. For all the details, including additional concerts and ticket information, visit http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/marymoor/concerts-marymoor.html.

Wednesdays, July 16-Aug. 27

Movies at Marymoor

During a warm summer night enjoy a picnic dinner and movie in Marymoor’s outdoor theater. This third annual event will play movies including Juno, Hairspray and the Muppet Movie. Seating starts at 7 p.m. and movies will begin at sundown. Parking is $1. For more information on movies and show times visit http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/movies/index.html.

May 19-Sept. 12

Monday, Wednesday and Friday night racing at the Marymoor Velodrome

Enjoy an exciting bicycle race at the Velodrome, presented by Group Health. Races are Monday and Friday nights beginning May 19 and Wednesdays starting May 28. Spectator admission is free. Racing starts at 7 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. For more information, visit http://velodrome.org/cms/.

Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park

June 14, July 12, Aug. 9

Cougar Mountain Running Series

Compete in the sixth-annual Cougar Mountain trail running series, featuring a seven-mile race on June 14. Additional races follow July 12 with a 10-miler and finish with a 13-mile race on Aug. 9. The registration and start will be at the Sky Country trailhead. Cost is $25 per race ($30 for day-of-race registration). For all the details, visit http://www.seattlerunningcompany.com/Events/Cougar/cougarmtn1.html.

Pools

Escape the hot summer days and take a refreshing splash in one of King County’s four swimming pools. Choose from two indoor pools, including the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, and two outdoor pools, which offer 25-yard lap lanes, public programs, and lessons for participants from infants through seniors. For more information on schedules, lessons and pool facilities visit http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/pools/#.

Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center

May 31-June 2

Washington State Special Olympics Swimming Championships

Four hundred Special Olympic athletes will compete in numerous events at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. The annual state championships also include track and field, cycling, power lifting and soccer, which are slated for Fort Lewis in Pierce County. Spectator admission is free. For more information on Special Olympics, call 206-362-4949.

Enumclaw Expo Center

July 18-20

King County 4-H/FFA Agricultural Fair

It’s not summer in King County without a trip to Enumclaw for the King County 4-H/FFA Agricultural Fair – the oldest county fair west of the Mississippi. There’s plenty to see, do and eat at the fair, July 18-20 at the Enumclaw Expo Center. With a theme of “Grow It, Show It, Know It,” this year’s fair will feature agricultural displays on topics such as sustainable farming, recycling and alternative fuels. There’s great fair food, including hamburgers, hotdogs, ice cream and scones. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/fair/.

Volunteer opportunities and activities

Restoration projects

Volunteer and get your hands dirty by helping to restore fish and wildlife habitat at one of these upcoming restoration events:

June 7 - Dorre Don Natural Area along the Cedar River near Maple Valley

June 14 - Log Cabin Natural Area along Issaquah Creek near Issaquah

June 28 – Red Town Meadow Restoration at Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. To register, contact Laurie Clinton at laurie.clinton@kingcounty.gov, or at 206-296-4452.

Farmers markets

Get the freshest local produce and goods from area farmers at one of the many farmers markets in King County. For a complete list of market times, locations, recipes and what’s fresh, or to find a farm near you, visit http://www.pugetsoundfresh.org/.

U-Pick

Have fun picking and then enjoying the freshest summer fruit at one of the many U-Pick farms in King County. Start summer in June and July by enjoying strawberries and raspberries and then round-out the summer season in August with blueberries and blackberries. To find a farm near you, learn more about harvest seasons and to get recipes visit http://www.pugetsoundfresh.org/.

Related Information

King County Parks and Recreation