Many children at Kent\u2019s Fourth of July Splash at Lake Meridian Park ask the same question.<\/p>\n
They want to know when the pie- and watermelon-eating contests start.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt started off as a fun little activity,\u201d said Mark Hendrickson, Kent Parks cultural programs coordinator, of the eating contests. \u201cNow it\u2019s one of the highlights of the event.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 10th annual Fourth of July Splash runs from noon to 11 p.m. at Lake Meridian Park, 14800 S.E. 272nd Street. The pie- and watermelon-eating contests, sponsored by the Kent Senior Activity Center, are from 3-4:15 p.m. The pie-eating contest has been around for several years. This marks just the second year of the watermelon-eating contest, which proved to be popular in its debut last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe get parents going head-to-head with their kids,\u201d Henderickson said. \u201cWe also try to get a police officer or city staff involved.\u201d<\/p>\n
There also will be plenty of entertainment, including dancers, bands and a juggler.<\/p>\n
Sub-Motive, a blues, rock and alternative band from Kent, will play from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The band, which has been together for eight years, has played several times at the Fourth of July Splash.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have a good following,\u201d Hendrickson said. \u201cThey write their own stuff and they do covers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hendrickson said he has enjoyed the Jimi Hendrix numbers played at past performances by Sub-Motive, which started playing in Kent when the three band members were still in high school.<\/p>\n
Local singer Jim Abernethy, an elementary school teacher, will return for the second straight year to entertain the crowd. He plays from 12:45-1:15 p.m.<\/p>\n
With the event\u2019s regular juggler traveling out of the country, city officials hired Rhys Thomas as the juggler who will perform from 7-7:45 p.m. Thomas, who started juggling as a Seattle street performer, has opened for James Taylor, the Smothers Brothers, Leon Redbone and Weird Al Yankovich.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know Rhys and he\u2019s a natural fit,\u201d Hendrickson said. \u201cKids and adults will enjoy him.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Rainier Symphony plays starting at 9 p.m. and will continue to play during the 10 p.m. fireworks display.<\/p>\n
The event will feature six food vendors, selling hamburgers, hot dogs, roasted corn, shaved ice and waffle cones. A new Hawaiian food vendor has been added this year.<\/p>\n
Free shuttle buses escorted by police will stop every 20 minutes or so at parking lots at Kentwood High, 25800 164th Ave. S.E.; Kent Fire Station No. 75, 15635 S.E. 272nd St., and the Metro Park and Ride lot, 26805 132nd Ave. S.E. Four 48-passenger school buses will be rotated through the lots. A fifth bus will be added at 7 p.m. to help handle the people showing up for the fireworks display.<\/p>\n
City officials are uncertain whether crowds will be larger or smaller this year with the holiday falling on a Friday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not sure what to expect,\u201d Hendrickson said. \u201cPeople might go out of town or because of fuel costs they could stay in town.\u201d<\/p>\n
Attendance at the free event generally ranges from an estimated 15,000 to 18,000 people, Hendrickson said.<\/p>\n
For more information, go to www.ci.kent.wa.us\/arts or call 253-856-5050.<\/p>\n
Kent July 4 Splash<\/p>\n
\u2022 When: Friday, July 4, noon to 11 p.m.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Where: Lake Meridian Park, 14800 S.E. 272nd St.<\/p>\n
Schedule of Events<\/p>\n
Noon-12:30 p.m.- Allegro Precision Dance Company, dancers-ages of 8-18<\/p>\n
12:45-1:15 p.m. – Jim Abernethy, local singer\/songwriter<\/p>\n
1:30-2 p.m. – Heel Klickin\u2019 Cloggers, energetic dancing<\/p>\n
2:15-2:45 p.m. – The Po\u2019Boys, bluesy, rootsy\/pop rock<\/p>\n
3-4:15 p.m. – Pie and Watermelon Eating Contests sponsored by the Kent Senior Activity Center<\/p>\n
4:30-5 – Steve & Kristi Nebel, travel adventures in song<\/p>\n
5:30-6:30 p.m. – Sub-Motive, local rock trio<\/p>\n
7-7:45 p.m. – Rhys Thomas, juggling<\/p>\n
9 p.m. – Rainier Symphony<\/p>\n
10 p.m. – Polygon Northwest Lake Meridian Fireworks Display and the Rainier Symphony<\/p>\n
Transportation<\/p>\n
Free shuttle buses will run approximately every 20 minutes from three parking lots to Lake Meridian:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Kent Fire Station 75, 15635 S.E. 272nd St.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave. S.E.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Metro Park and Ride lot, 26805 132nd Ave. S.E.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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