Don’t miss out on the fun this summer

During the summer, the cities of Covington and Maple Valley host an assortment of community events that involve families from all over. Check out this list of things to do this season:

Maple Valley

Maple Valley Family Fourth

The City of Maple Valley will host its annual Independence Day Picnic at Lake Wilderness Park starting at 4 p.m and lasting until 10 p.m. There will be games, face painting, a community sing-a-long, barbecue and live music from UC7, which will bring tunes from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Along with these events, there will also be a pie baking contest. Once the clock strikes 10 p.m., the Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra will perform as a fireworks show lights up the sky. According to the city’s website, the best viewing for the fireworks show will be on the beach lawn at the park. The intersection at Southeast 248th and Witte, as well as Southeast 248th and Lake Wilderness Drive, will be restricted or closed during the exiting process beginning at 10 p.m.

For more information about this event, go to maplevalleywa.gov/departments-services/parks-recreation/special-events/independence-day-celebration.

PB&J in the Park

In parntership with the Maple Valley Library’s annual Lunch Bunch Story Time, the Maple Valley Food Bank presents PB&J in the Park at Lake Wilderness. Kids of all ages are invited to the park at 12 p.m. every Wednesday, starting June 26 and ending July 31 to enjoy lunch from the food bank along with a story from the library.

Kids Festival

The fun continues at Lake Wilderness from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on July 13 for Kids Festival. There will be a “candy cannon” to sound the opening of the festival and Cap’n Arrr! will perform twice and walk amongst the crowds, teaching kids to talk and walk like a pirate.

For more information, go to maplevalleywa.gov/departments-services/parks-recreation/special-events/kids-festival.

Shakespeare in the Park

Another city favorite is Shakespeare in the Park, which also takes place at Lake Wilderness Park with two different performing dates. The event is hosted by “GreenStage,” the longest running Shakespeare Company that is committed to presenting “top-quality” productions of classical theater in a public park setting. The events are free to the public and the first performance is at 5 p.m. on July 21. The show being presented is “Henry IV-Part 2.”

“After the death of King Richard, Henry Bolingbroke is crowned ‘Henry King IV.’ Bolingbroke begins to feel guilty about the removal of Richard and is conflicted,” the event website states.

The second performance will take place at 5 p.m. on Aug. 4. The story being featured is the “Taming of the Shrew.” A story about “headstrong” Katherina who becomes unwilling to participant in a relationship with Petruchio, who is determined to “tame” her with his various psychological torments.

For more information about Shakespeare in the Park, go to maplevalleywa.gov/departments-services/parks-recreation/special-events/shakespeare-in-the-park.

Music in the Park

Come summer time, the city hosts a series of Music in the Park events at Lake Wilderness. This free event brings northwest talent to the park on several Thursday evenings throughout August. Concessions are grilled hotdogs and hamburgers, upon purchase. There is no alcohol allowed at the park. The first of five concerts will take place at 6:30 p.m. on July 25. The Groove Surfers Band will perform classic rock. The last concert of the series will take place 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 22 with a movie to follow. The concert starts with Infinity Project, a Journey cover band. “Mary Poppins Returns” will start at 8:30 p.m. for the movie segment of the night.

For more information about Music in the Park, go to maplevalleywa.gov/departments-services/parks-recreation/special-events/music-in-the-park.

Covington

Summer Splashtacular

The first of many Covington summer events is the Summer Splashtacular event that takes place from 1 – 3 p.m. on June 29. The event will take place at the Covington Aquatic Center. The event is free and families can participate in water safety stations and a free swim. There is also a raffle to win a free lifejacket.

Covington Days Festival

Up next on the Covington events calendar is the annual Covington Days Fest from July 20 to July 21 located at 169th Place Southeast/Southeast 270th Place, and Valley Medical North Lot. The day kicks off with the parade on 272nd at 10 a.m. During the event itself, community members can enjoy around 100 vendor booths, food, live music, the kids zone with inflatables and carnival games and a watermelon eating contest.

For more information about Covington Days, go to covingtonwa.gov/covingtondays/.

Summer Concert Series

Located at Covington Community Park, the city will host its annual Summer Concert Series starting on July 26 with the Gothard Sisters, a Celtic music and Irish dance band. The last of the four events in this series will be on Aug. 16 with Harmonica Pocket. Each of these events start at 6:30 p.m.

For more information about the Summer Concert Series, go to covingtonwa.gov/SummerConcertFlyer2019Lo2.jpg.

KidsFest

Each year, the city hosts KidsFest, an event that takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10. The event will take place at a new location this year, Covington Community Park. At the event, kids will be able to enjoy bouncy toys, contests, face painting, music and games.

For more information, go to covingtonwa.gov/events/.

Summer Spike Volleyball Tournament

This is the second event happening in Covington on Saturday, Aug. 10. This will also take place in Covington Community Park and starts at 10 a.m. and lasts until 3 p.m. This four versus four tournament is a coed, adult activity. It costs $35 for individuals to participate and $125 for teams to participate. There will be three games guaranteed, plus playoffs if the team makes it.

To registar, go tacoma.comebacksports.com/event/summer-spike-2019-volleyball-tournament-1-day/.

Sausage and CiderFest

The annual Sausage and CiderFest will take place at Community Park starting at 3 – 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17. At the event, adults can sample Northwest ciders, enjoy live music, food, lawn games, along with beer and wine. This event is for adults ages 21 and up. The cost for tasting ticks and tasting glass starts at $35. For the VIP experience it’s $50. VIPs can enjoy 20 tasting tickets, along with 20 tasting glasses, one hour early entry and a “swag bag.” For designated drivers, the cost is $15 and include non alcoholic beverages and snacks. This event is organized by the Covington Kiwanis club.

For more information about this event, go to sausageandciderfest.com/.

Outdoor Family Movie

The last event of the summer in Covington is the Outdoor Family Movie event. The movie “Shazam!” will play from 8:30 – 10:45 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, at the Covington Community Park.