Renton cancels three upcoming summertime events

Fourth of July celebration, Renton River Days and the city’s Multicultural Festival have been canceled for the public’s safety, mayor says.

By Olivia Sullivan • April 18, 2020 1:30 am
A man in a carrot suit waves to the crowd during the Renton River Days parade in 2018. File photo
A man in a carrot suit waves to the crowd during the Renton River Days parade in 2018. File photo

Three of Renton’s major summertime events have been canceled due to uncertainty surrounding the current health crisis.

Cancellations were announced during Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting (April 13). The events include the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration and Renton River Days, which includes the Multicultural Festival and the annual classic cars showcase Cruz the Loop.

“I don’t think it came as a huge shock, due to the enormous challenges posed by COVID-19,” Mayor Armondo Pavone announced on Renton’s city website. “Keeping you and your family safe is the foundation for all our decisions.”

Renton River Days (scheduled for July 24-26 this year) is a multi-day family festival and celebration of community pride with dozens of events held at Liberty Park, Cedar River Park and the Renton Community Center. The upcoming dates would have been the festival’s 35th anniversary. For the first time, the Renton Multicultural Festival was going to be part of Renton River Days.

Renton’s Multicultural Festival is an event held to celebrate the vibrant diversity of cultures throughout the city.

“I realize cancelling these three major summertime events is disappointing, but I believe it’s the most responsible decision for everyone’s safety,” Pavone noted.

Summerfest, scheduled for August 15, has not yet been canceled.

City officials are still evaluating the possibility of opening a portion of the Henry Moses Aquatic Center and plan to have a final decision by May 1. Officials noted they are committed to having lifeguards at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park and Kennydale Beach Park, if allowed under the governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order.

In wake of the cancellations, the city now has the opportunity to create smaller neighborhood celebrations throughout the city, and the Recreation and Neighborhoods division is working hard to plan these events, the mayor wrote.

Residents are invited to share their feedback and ideas on how we can partner to make these events an example of how the Renton community can adapt, change and succeed together.