Food, music, art, sports and inflatables. IKEA Renton River Days is bringing all this and more to Liberty Park in less than a week. The 23rd annual festival kicks off with Kids’ Day Wednesday, July 23 and continues Friday through Sunday, July 25-27, with a Senior Day Picnic in between.
The theme for this year’s festival is “Explore the Heart of Renton.” This year’s festival will provide much to explore, from new to old favorites.
“I think it’s going to be a full, full lineup of events for families and all generations,” says Sonja Mejlaender, festival coordinator.
Gone from this year’s festival is the skate park exhibition and the River Days Fun Run.
But this year’s festival has new features to take their place, like kangaroo-and-crocodile-laden performances by Australian Outback Experience. The group from down under will perform four times daily on July 25-27, at Giannini’s Stadium Field in Liberty Park. The performances will include Aussie songs and stories, crocodile experts Outback Annie and Jack and their 12-foot stuffed crocodile on wheels, boomerangs and a didgeridoo, even Matilda, a live kangaroo.
The nearby Art Market also has new elements this year. Under new direction, the arts and crafts show at Giannini’s Stadium Field will host 65 booths of handcrafted items – from jewelry and glass to tea and fudge.
Also under new direction this year is the annual parade. Grand marshal Governor Christine Gregoire will kick off the dancers, floats and music on South Third Street at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 26. New participants include the Seattle Thunderbirds Hockey Club and Vince’s Coffee.
The two festival entertainment stages will also hold some new acts. In addition to the usual lineup of rock and roll, jazz, blues and disco, attendees this year will hear Brazilian and Japanese music.
“We’re really trying to bring back favorites, but also include some diverse music,” Mejlaender says.
With free face-painting, inflatables, 40 activity booths and stage entertainment, Kids’ Day, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Wednesday at Liberty Park, will be as exciting as ever. Miss Jessica of Renton Public Library fame (she’s the children’s librarian) will read stories, and a portion of Carco Theatre’s Summer Teen Musical “Once Upon A Mattress” will be performed. Also performing: The Reptile Man, a magician, and the Wenatchee Youth Circus.
For older grown-ups, the Senior Day BBQ Picnic is at the Renton Community Center from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, July 24. Advance tickets are required, for $1 from Renton
Senior Activity Center.
The main festival weekend is Friday through Sunday, July 25-27 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. in Liberty Park. Activities include the Nibble of Renton, the juried Renton Annual Art Show at the Renton Community Center and the Cedar River Quilters Exhibition and Challenge Show inside the downtown library.
Still more activities include the 12th annual Chalk Art Contest July 26, a variety of sports tournaments, Boatstock and inflatables and pony rides for children.
The launch of thousands of rubber ducks from the Houser Street Bridge into the Cedar River at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 27 signals the last day of IKEA Renton River Days. Sponsored by Rotary Club of Renton, Rotary Club Rubber Ducky Derby is a fundraiser for area charities. Tickets are available along the parade route on South Third Street on Saturday, July 26; at the Rotary booth in Liberty Park on Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27; at select businesses, such as Banner Bank and Warren, Barber & Fontes; and from any Renton Rotary Club member.
Emily Garland can be reached at emily.garland@reporternewspapers.com or (425) 255-3484, ext. 5052.
