A party at the plaza

City officials will throw a “Party at the Plaza” starting at 10 a.m. Saturday to celebrate the opening of Town Square Plaza Park, and to kick off a community health initiative.

Town Square is site of fete

City officials will throw a “Party at the Plaza” starting at 10 a.m. Saturday to celebrate the opening of Town Square Plaza Park, and to kick off a community health initiative.

Residents are invited to check out the floating, green granite sphere that will be one of the featured attractions at plaza. The park is at the corner of West Smith Street and Second Avenue.

The huge granite ball will float on water in a granite base in the middle of Town Square Plaza Park. Residents will be able to rotate the ball by touching it. The sphere is 63 feet in diameter and weighs 13,000 pounds.

The Rotary Club of Kent and the Kent Sunrise Rotary Club donated the sphere to the city in celebration of the 100 years of Rotary International. Seattle Solstice created the sphere, similar to water sculpture projects the company has built at Green River Community College in Auburn and at the Pacific Science Center at Seattle Center. The sphere is slated to be installed Thursday at the plaza.

The “Party at the Plaza” also will be the kickoff for Kent4Health, a citywide health initiative spearheaded by Mayor Suzette Cooke, and organized by a committee of area residents. As part of the health-related festivities that day, Cooke will lead a “Mayor’s Mile” walk through downtown Kent, in which anyone can participate. The walk starts at 11:45 from the park.

Other activities will include live music, clowns, acrobats, wellness vendors, health screenings, hula hooping, games and prize drawings.

“All of us on the Council have long awaited the event because it will be the focal point of the downtown core,” Councilwoman Deborah Ranniger said at the June 17 City Council meeting. “It’s quite exciting to be able to dedicate the park and to kick off the health initiative.”

The 34,500-square foot urban park hosts the Kent Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Saturday through Sept. 27. The plaza also will be the home to the city’s noon Wednesday Picnic Performances, starting July 9. The Morford Family Carousel will be at the plaza during the Christmas holidays.

JV Constructors Inc., of Seattle, received the $3.42 million contract last year from the city to build the plaza.

Party at the Plaza

• When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

• Where: Town Square Plaza Park, West Smith Street and Second Avenue

• Schedule:

10 a.m. – Wellness vendors and live entertainment

11:10 a.m. – Kent4Health kick off

11:15 a.m. – Park dedication

11:30 a.m. – Warm-up for “The Mayor’s Mile” walk

11:45 a.m. – “The Mayor’s Mile” walk begins

Noon to 2 p.m. – Live entertainment

Town Square is site of fete

City officials will throw a “Party at the Plaza” starting at 10 a.m. Saturday to celebrate the opening of Town Square Plaza Park, and to kick off a community health initiative.

Residents are invited to check out the floating, green granite sphere that will be one of the featured attractions at plaza. The park is at the corner of West Smith Street and Second Avenue.

The huge granite ball will float on water in a granite base in the middle of Town Square Plaza Park. Residents will be able to rotate the ball by touching it. The sphere is 63 feet in diameter and weighs 13,000 pounds.

The Rotary Club of Kent and the Kent Sunrise Rotary Club donated the sphere to the city in celebration of the 100 years of Rotary International. Seattle Solstice created the sphere, similar to water sculpture projects the company has built at Green River Community College in Auburn and at the Pacific Science Center at Seattle Center. The sphere is slated to be installed Thursday at the plaza.

The “Party at the Plaza” also will be the kickoff for Kent4Health, a citywide health initiative spearheaded by Mayor Suzette Cooke, and organized by a committee of area residents. As part of the health-related festivities that day, Cooke will lead a “Mayor’s Mile” walk through downtown Kent, in which anyone can participate. The walk starts at 11:45 from the park.

Other activities will include live music, clowns, acrobats, wellness vendors, health screenings, hula hooping, games and prize drawings.

“All of us on the Council have long awaited the event because it will be the focal point of the downtown core,” Councilwoman Deborah Ranniger said at the June 17 City Council meeting. “It’s quite exciting to be able to dedicate the park and to kick off the health initiative.”

The 34,500-square foot urban park hosts the Kent Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Saturday through Sept. 27. The plaza also will be the home to the city’s noon Wednesday Picnic Performances, starting July 9. The Morford Family Carousel will be at the plaza during the Christmas holidays.

JV Constructors Inc., of Seattle, received the $3.42 million contract last year from the city to build the plaza.

Party at the Plaza

• When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

• Where: Town Square Plaza Park, West Smith Street and Second Avenue

• Schedule:

10 a.m. – Wellness vendors and live entertainment

11:10 a.m. – Kent4Health kick off

11:15 a.m. – Park dedication

11:30 a.m. – Warm-up for “The Mayor’s Mile” walk

11:45 a.m. – “The Mayor’s Mile” walk begins

Noon to 2 p.m. – Live entertainment


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Life

Photos by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Elf Academy cadets in Renton earn their jingle bells | Photos

The annual Elf Academy let’s local kids get their holiday spirit on with fun games, dancing and crafts.

Courtesy of the Grand Kyiv Ballet.
Ukraine’s most prestigious dancers bring ‘The Nutcracker’ to South King County

On Sunday, Dec. 22, the Grand Kyiv Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” will showcase the most prestigious ballet dancers from Ukraine.

The Kent International Festival received a $15,700 grant from 4Culture, one of several Kent groups to get funds. Courtesy Photo, Kent International Festival
Kent cultural groups to receive county grants from 4Culture

Kent International Festival, Kent Downtown Partnership, Greater Kent Historical Society among organizations

t
Kent’s Winterfest kicks off holiday season with tree lighting, parade

‘A fun, fabulous time had by all’ during celebration at Town Square Plaza

t
Donations begin in Kent for annual Toys for Joy program

Firefighters also run Jerry Woods Holiday Engine program to collect toys, money

t
Entertainers wanted for Talent Quest show in Kent on Jan. 30

People of all ages and talents invited to register for event that will feature cash prizes

In early October, the Tahoma National Cemetery donated over 1,000 pounds of food for King County Veterans Program clients. According to the KCVP Facebook page, 34 food bags were made to give away to local veterans. Photo courtesy of King County Veterans Program
Veteran services throughout South King County

When it comes to local services for veterans and their families, the… Continue reading

The Kent Holiday Craft Market will run Friday and Saturday, Nov. 1-2 at the Kent Senior Center, 600 E. Smith St. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
Catch the Kent Holiday Craft Market Friday, Saturday Nov. 1-2

Features one-of-a-kind, handcrafted gifts from local artists and craftspeople

Photos by Joshua Solorzano/The Mirror
Wild Waves 2024 Crypt Keeper Challenge contestants.
Wild Waves 24-hour coffin challenge produces 5 brave winners

The first meal of the night at the Federal Way amusement park was tarantula-covered pizza.

Team Survivor Northwest hike to Twin Lakes in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Courtesy photo.
Team Survivor Northwest leads hiking adventures for women battling cancer

“It’s so wonderful connecting with all these women,” said breast cancer survivor Jennifer Dovey.

Kent Station’s annual Haunted Boo-Levard is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31 at the shopping center. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Station
Kent Station shopping center plans Halloween celebration Oct. 31

Trick or treating at local shops from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

t
Street of Treats Halloween event in downtown Kent set for Oct. 26

A frightfully fun family outing from 2 to 5 p.m. at 11 participating businesses