Crowds pack River Days, boosted by weather

Crowds packed into IKEA Renton River Days events, thanks to favorable weather and a general inclination to find entertainment close to home, according to city officials.

Kids’ Day on Thursday, July 23, was particularly well-attended, with a crowd estimated at about 6,000 people, according to Sonja Mejlaender, the festival’s coordinator for the City of Renton.

Typically, about 25,000 people attend the festival and associated events over the five-day run.

“I think we were very, very proud of how everything went this year,” she said.

She said Kids’ Day was “an enormous day,” as families stayed longer than usual, enjoying what was a comfortable day outdoors, she said.

“Mother Nature was in our favor,” she said. “We were very grateful to her.”

Sometimes, temperatures can run into the 90s during the festival, which can overheat festival-goers, she said.

A popular attraction this year was the new KidsZone at Liberty Park and the new Australian Outback Experience, which provided a third entertainment venue, Mejlaender said.

Two events that weren’t held this year, but could return next year with new sponsors or coodinators, were the skateboard exhibition at the Liberty skatepark and the fun run, according to Mejlaender.

In the past Skatebarn West has coordinated the skateboard exhibition and Communities in Schools the fun run.

Boatstock, a chance for vendors to show off their boats at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, was canceled because not enough vendors signed up for the show, hosted by the Northwest Marine Trade Association, Mejlaender said. Usually, about 30 vendors are needed for the show.

The city is looking for feedback about River Days in an online visitors survey at rentonriverdays.org.

2008 Brotherton Cadillac River Days Parade Awards

Division 1 FLOATS

1st Place: St. Andrews Masonic Lodge

2nd Place: Renton High School Excellence in Education

Division 2 DRILL TEAMS

1st Place: The Baby Dolls

2nd Place: Zionette Drill Team

Division 3 NOVELTY

1st Place: Seafair Pirates

2nd Place: Seafair Clowns

Division 4 BANDS

1st Place: Torero’s

2nd Place: Jr. All City Band

Division 5 ANIMALS

No entries in this category

Division 6 CARS

1st Place: STAR 101.5 FM Van

2nd Place: 31 Model A Coupe

Division 7 CHILDREN

1st Place: Little Ninjas

2nd Place: Cub Scout Pack 159

Rotary Club of Renton Rubber Ducky Derby winners

First Prize: 1973 Volkswagen “Thing”, donated by Art Swanson

Winner: Kiwi Ijiomah

Second Prize: $1,000 cash, donated by Sam’s Club

Winner: Brenda Webster

Third Prize: $500 cash, donated by Seattle Seahawks

Winner: Nancy Osborn

Fourth Prize: $500 gift certificate to King & Bunny’s Appliance

Winner: Todd Lantz

Fifth Prize: $400 gift certificate to Renton Western Wear

Winner: Martin Nauert

Proceeds from the Rotary Club of Renton’s Rubber Ducky Derby will benefit Communities In Schools of Renton, Northwest Burn Foundation, Renton Rotary/Salvation Army Food Bank and other organizations and projects.

Contact Renton Reporter Editor Dean Radford at editor@rentonreporter.com or 425-255-3484, ext. 5050.

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