Kirkland SummerFest starts Friday, music, food and art on display | events schedule and map

With SummerFest just around the corner, August 10-11, event-goers should look out for fun, sun and traffic.

Rob Butcher, co-chair of this years’ Kirkland SummerFest, said he expects more than 10,000 people to attend.

People can enjoy Friday night at the beer and wine garden while listening to chamber music by the Parnassus Project. Then later, Shakespeare in the Park presents “The Winter’s Tale” at the Marina Park Pavilion. Saturday will be a full day of art, music, activities, food and entertainment for children and adults. Festivities begin on Saturday at 11 a.m. and end at 10:30 p.m.

Butcher said the goal is to “promote local, economic development” by bringing in Kirkland-based acts, performances and artists. The majority of people involved are from around the Puget Sound area.

“This is entirely community supported and run through a volunteer effort,” said Butcher. “We are benefiting the Lake Washington schools.”

Four stages will be scattered throughout downtown Kirkland: Marina Park stage, presented by Symetra, is located at the Marina Park Pavilion; the Lake Street Stage is on the corner of Lake Street and Central; the Community Stage is located at the corner of Park Lane and Main Street and the Beer and Wine garden, with its own stage, is near Marina Park.

Saturday activities

Duck Dash: At 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, racers should place their ducks in the water at Marina Park for the Rotary Duck Dash, presented by the Rotary Club of Kirkland. Ducks are $5 for one, $20 for a pack of five and each ticket comes with 12 coupons for Kirkland businesses such as George’s, Lucia, St. James Espresso, Wilde Rover, Bella Sirena Salon, Kirkland Bicycle and Sirena Gelato.

Kid Entertainment: Children can expect a slew of activities that last throughout the day but many are clustered Saturday morning. Face painting, story time, “Touch a Truck,” Radio Disney and the Kids Corner – which features a video-game truck, rock climbing wall, inflatable slide and other bouncy toys – all begin at 11 a.m. and end around dinner time. Other special performances include Charles the Clown, Godspell Cameo Performance by Studio East, Zumba with April Norkool and Friends, singer Tim Noah, Three Pigs Cameo Performance by Studio East and The Misadventures of Cap’n Arrr.

Music: Twenty-two music bands, singers, choirs musicians, music compilations and one unannounced ‘special guest’ will be performing Friday night and all day Saturday. Steve Thoreson will sing the National Anthem at 2:30 p.m. followed by Crossfire with the Kirkland Children’s Music Studio. The Retrospectacles will pick up at 3:30 p.m. and unique bands will be sprinkled throughout the day. Some of the most interesting band names include 24 Hour Diesel, Uncle Bonsai, Buckets of Rain, The Spyrographs, Marilyn and The G Strings and Mutha Knows Best.

Art: The Young Artists Exhibit will showcase art ranging from finger painting and pastels to photography and clay art. The preschool-age to 18-year-old artists will be judged for each age category and awarded ribbons at the end. Plein Aire Artists will be painting Lake Washington throughout the day. Other local artists will have the opportunity to showcase sculptures in the afternoon.

Dance: Indian Bhangra and Bollywood, Irish celtic, Italian folk, Contra and square dancers will perform throughout Saturday at the Community Stage with a special presentation by the Merrill Gardens Dancers from Kirkland. Other local performances include the Tony Comerford School of Irish Dance, the Samena Squares and the Folk Horizons.

Food, beer and wine: Sixteen “gourmet” food trucks [http://www.kirklandsummerfest.com/index.php/events#rt-showcase-panel] will be located around downtown Kirkland near the music stages. Organic food, pizza, kettle corn, curry, burgers, sweet treats and more will be provided at the mobile restaurants on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The food truck dishes will be judged by Mayor Joan McBride, former husky coach Don James and Voltera chef Don Curtis, for the Best of the Fest competition. There will also be “people’s choice” award as well. The beer and wine garden is available for adults 21 and older from 5-9 p.m. on Friday and noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday. Butcher said much of the beer will be local micro brews, as well as wine-tasting from four Kirkland wineries.

Parking: All-day parking is offered for free at the Municipal Library garage on 208 Kirkland Ave.

The Kirkland City Council warns commuters of traffic delays and road closures during the Friday-evening, full-day-Saturday events. Lakeshore Plaza Lot, Lakeshore Plaza Drive and Kirkland Ave., from the city dock to Lake Street, will be closed from 5 a.m. on Friday until noon on Sunday. On Saturday from 5 a.m. to midnight, Main Street from Central Way to Kirkland Ave., and Lake Street from Central Way to Kirkland Avenue, will be closed. More information on parking can be found at kirklandwa.gov/parking.

SummerFest schedule of events

Friday, Aug. 10

5 p.m. Beer and Wine Garden

6 p.m. Chamber music by Parnassus Project

7 p.m. Shakespeare in the Park: ‘The Winters Tale’

Saturday, Aug. 11

11 a.m. Young Artists Exhibit, Food Trucks, Charles The Clown, Face Painting, Game Truck, Rock Climbing Wall, Bungie, Inflatable Slide, Godspell Cameo Per formance by Studio East, Radio Disney AM 1250, Story Time, Touch A Truck, 24 Hour Diesel