Many children at Kent’s Fourth of July Splash at Lake Meridian Park ask the same question.
They want to know when the pie- and watermelon-eating contests start.
“It started off as a fun little activity,” said Mark Hendrickson, Kent Parks cultural programs coordinator, of the eating contests. “Now it’s one of the highlights of the event.”
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.
“We get parents going head-to-head with their kids,” Henderickson said. “We also try to get a police officer or city staff involved.”
There also will be plenty of entertainment, including dancers, bands and a juggler.
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.
“They have a good following,” Hendrickson said. “They write their own stuff and they do covers.”
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.
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.
With the event’s 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.
“We know Rhys and he’s a natural fit,” Hendrickson said. “Kids and adults will enjoy him.”
The Rainier Symphony plays starting at 9 p.m. and will continue to play during the 10 p.m. fireworks display.
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.
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.
City officials are uncertain whether crowds will be larger or smaller this year with the holiday falling on a Friday.
“We’re not sure what to expect,” Hendrickson said. “People might go out of town or because of fuel costs they could stay in town.”
Attendance at the free event generally ranges from an estimated 15,000 to 18,000 people, Hendrickson said.
For more information, go to www.ci.kent.wa.us/arts or call 253-856-5050.
Kent July 4 Splash
• When: Friday, July 4, noon to 11 p.m.
• Where: Lake Meridian Park, 14800 S.E. 272nd St.
Schedule of Events
Noon-12:30 p.m.- Allegro Precision Dance Company, dancers-ages of 8-18
12:45-1:15 p.m. – Jim Abernethy, local singer/songwriter
1:30-2 p.m. – Heel Klickin’ Cloggers, energetic dancing
2:15-2:45 p.m. – The Po’Boys, bluesy, rootsy/pop rock
3-4:15 p.m. – Pie and Watermelon Eating Contests sponsored by the Kent Senior Activity Center
4:30-5 – Steve & Kristi Nebel, travel adventures in song
5:30-6:30 p.m. – Sub-Motive, local rock trio
7-7:45 p.m. – Rhys Thomas, juggling
9 p.m. – Rainier Symphony
10 p.m. – Polygon Northwest Lake Meridian Fireworks Display and the Rainier Symphony
Transportation
Free shuttle buses will run approximately every 20 minutes from three parking lots to Lake Meridian:
• Kent Fire Station 75, 15635 S.E. 272nd St.
• Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave. S.E.
• Metro Park and Ride lot, 26805 132nd Ave. S.E.
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