Covington’s Sausage & CiderFest returns for its second year after an “extremely positive” response from the public following the inaugural festival last year, Karla Slate said, communications and marketing manager for the city.
She added, no drastic changes were made this year to the festival.
However, the city is fine tuning some things, Slate said. For example, improving the entrance so people don’t have to stand in long lines waiting to get in.
This year, new vendors have been added including five cideries and a local distillery from Auburn, Slate said. The festival will also feature Lind’s Meats, she added.
Live music along with croquet and other activities will be there for people to partake in.
A lot of the feedback, Slate said, was that people were excited about having an “adult” event to attend.
“Our hope is for the event to grow and become a premier cider event in the region,” she said.
This year’s festivities run from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20 at the Covington Community Park. A VIP hour runs from 3 to 4 p.m. and general admission will begin at 4.
Proceeds from the event go toward the Covington Kiwanis and programs that it supports.
Summer’s End Fun Run
Then as the fall begins, the cooler weather will be perfect for an end of the summer race.
The ninth annual Summer’s End Fun Run begins at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 17 at Kentwood High School. The race is supported in part by MultiCare Health System. It is put on by a coalition of dietitians who know the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
The money raised at the race goes to the Coalition for a Healthy Community, which provides South King County with education about living a more active lifestyle, event manager Aisha Allen said.
“It’s a very impactful race,” Allen said.
Because of the money raised, dietitians are able to go to schools, food banks and other outlets to provide nutrition classes.
Raising awareness for living a healthy lifestyle is getting more important and the earlier people can learn about it, the better, Allen said. Providing schools with nutrition classes is a good start.
Between 250 and 300 people participated in the race in past years, and so far, it looks like this year might have a higher turnout, Allen said. They will have a better idea a week or so before the race.
The race includes a 2K for kids, which is free, thanks to Dr. Jeffrey Kashner who sponsored the race. A 5K and a 10K is available with a registration fee of $30.
After the race, vendors will be available for the runners. There will be a small farmers market with fresh fruit and vegetables and the hope is that every participant will receive a few pieces of fresh produce for free, Allen said. Food trucks will also be available.
The city of Covington has been helpful this year spreading the word about the race, and Allen hopes to partner more with the city next year for the 10th annual run.
As a way to get people to participate in more than just one race, the South King Challenge was started three years ago. It is sponsored by Outpatient Physical Therapy. The challenge is to participate in three out of four races that go on in the area. This year, participants had the choice to pick between the Maple Valley Bear Run in June, Kent Cornucopia Days 5K, Federal Way Summer Trails 5K Run and the Summer’s End Fun Run. Participants get prizes and are recognized at the end of the race. About 60 people participated this year.
With nutrition being a big issue, anything to raise awareness is important, Allen said. For more information or to register for the race, visit the Summer’s End Fun Run Facebook page,.
