Local News and Events for Kent, Washington
I am out of town for a few days, visiting my parents in Indiana, but we are still in full prep mode for Thursday’s Kent Mayoral Candidate Debate. ICYMI, iLoveKent is hosting the debate, presented by Marti Reeder of John L. Scott with gold sponsor Denali Federal Credit Union and silver sponsors 33rd District and 47th District Democrats. The mayoral debate is Thurs., Sept. 21 at the Kent Senior Center, beginning with a 1-hour meet-and-greet at 6 PM and a 1 1/2-hour debate, starting at 7 PM. I hope you’ll join us!
Until then, have a productive week!
REMINDER–Today is the last day to submit questions for the debate
We are accepting reader questions for consideration at the Kent Mayoral and Kent City Council Candidate debates. Do you have questions about commercial development in Kent? Parking? Crime? Growth? The city budget? Submit your questions online now for consideration. We’ll extend the submission period til 5 PM today, Sept. 18.
NEW–Candidates have submitted profiles for our readers
As part of the debates, we have asked all eight candidates (two for mayor and six for city council) to submit candidate profiles. We did not hear from all of the candidates, but you can view the profiles of those who responded on our debate page. For this week’s debate, we have profiles of both of the mayoral candidates.
Jim Berrios, Kent Mayoral Candidate
Dana Ralph, Kent Mayoral Candidate
NEW–Food Trucks are coming to downtown Kent, starting Wed., Sept. 20
Second Avenue and Smith Street (Town Square Plaza) will soon be home to daily food trucks. Starting Wed., Sept. 20, food trucks will be available on weekdays from 11 AM to 2 PM, starting with KC DEEZ BBQ. Get more info. here and schedule here.
NEW–Living Well Kent to host Harvest Celebration and Farmer’s Market Sept. 23
After four successful East Hill Farmer’s Market and Community Bazaar events, Living Well Kent is winding down the season with a Harvest Celebration on Sat., Sept. 23 from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM at Morrill Meadows Park (10600 SE 248th St., Kent, WA 98030). Join local co-ops, craftsmen and vendors for an open air market on Kent’s East Hill. Read more here.
REMINDER–Seattle Thunderbirds battle Tri-City Americans this Sat., Sept. 23
Hockey is back! The Seattle Thunderbirds, our hometown 2017 WHL Champions, return to the ice for the season. In their first regular season home game, the TBirds take on the Tri-City Americans this Sat., Sept. 23 at ShoWare Center. The puck drops at 7:05 PM. Get tickets here. See their full 2017-18 season schedule here.
REMINDER–KDP’s popular HAWKtoberfest car show is this Sat., Sept. 23
Kent Downtown Partnership is hosting its very popular, annual HAWKtoberfest Car Show on Sat., Sept. 23 from 11 AM to 3 PM on Railroad Avenue in downtown Kent. Join hundreds of other Seattle area football fans and car enthusiasts for lots of fun, including music, vendor booths, Hawk-themed cars and more. This event is always a good time, and proceeds support the work of the Kent Downtown Partnership to revitalize downtown Kent. Learn more about the event here.
REMINDER–Greater Kent Historical Society plans annual gala for Sept. 30
The Greater Kent Historical Society is hosting its annual gala next weekend – Sat., Sept. 30 at the Kent Senior Center.Tickets are $60 and available for purchase online This year’s theme is 1917: 100 Years Ago and the guest speaker is Erik Fling, U.S. Army Museum Director at Fort Lewis who will speak about ‘The Military in Washington State in 1917.’ Net proceeds from the event will go to support the work of the Greater Kent Historical Society. I attended last year, and it was a fun event.
NEW–Submit your organization’s news and events to iLoveKent
Readers tell us that their friends and neighbors still don’t know about iLoveKent. To be honest, we are better at telling other people’s stories than our own. However, you can help us change that. Send us your organization’s press releases and calendar listings for publishing on iLoveKent. We tend to favor nonprofit news and events, but will include anything relevant to the community that isn’t overtly promotional (e.g., no retail sales or promotions). Submit your news and events to us at [email protected].
REMINDER–Join us to celebrate iLoveKent’s 10-year anniversary
We may be busy with debate prep, but we have not forgotten that iLoveKent turns 10 this month. We are proud to have grown and to have been able to serve the Kent community for 10 years now. Help us celebrate. Join us Fri., Oct. 13 (6 to 8 PM) at Artsy Fartsy Art Lessons (218 W. Meeker St., Kent, WA 98032) for a family-friendly celebration. RSVP here so we can plan ahead. We hope to see you there.
NEW–Kent West Hill Community Conversation on Healthy Housing
Next Thurs., Sept. 21 from 6 PM to 8:30 PM: Living Well Kent is teaming up with Futurewise and the Cityof Kent to conduct a survey of renters throughout Kent. We are hosting our last community forum to discuss apartments in Kent and need you help. Our goal is to gether information that will help the city create a program that will protect the health and wellness of renters. Any people interested in joining a larger discussion about rental living conditions are encouraged to join us. We want to hear your thoughts and concerns about your homes in Kent.
Other stories from last week you might have missed:
- Food trucks are heading to downtown Kent
- Kent Police identify suspect in fatal hit-and-run
- Unknown suspect fires shots in downtown Kent
- Washington State Patrol asks for witnesses of hit-and-run on I-405, south of 167
Event Highlights This Week
[For details, visit our Sept. 2017 ‘Things To Do’ list or our Google calendar.]
Sept. 19 Kent City Council
Sept. 21 Kent 50+ FD Cares Wellness Fair
Sept. 21 iLoveKent Kent Mayoral Candidate Debate
Sept. 21 Third Thursday Art Night
Sept. 21 Kent Station Access Improvements Project Open House
Sept. 23 Last Farmer’s Market of the season
Sept. 23 Green Kent Event
Sept. 23 Kent Valley Coin Show
Sept. 23 KDP’s HAWKtoberfest
Sept. 23 Kent Has Talent auditions (pre-registration is required)
Sept. 23 GKHS Presents Kent Chronicles – Progressive Era
Sept. 23 Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Tri-City Americans
Sept. 24 3rd Annual Fundraising BBQ at Bubba’s (for DAWN)
