The Eastside has great activities for families happening this week. Here are a few ideas to jot on your family calendar.
Swedish Mid-Summer Festival in Bellevue
Break out the May Pole and get ready for Swedish meat balls on a stick. It is time for Mid-Summer Festival at Vasa Park. On Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., have tons of fun at this free event that has been happening on the shores of Lake Sammamish for 82 years at the Vasa Park Resort. There will be Swedish dancers, old-fashioned picnic games, a bouncy house, pony rides, and much more. It gets crowded, but it is always a blast. Oh, and bring a swimsuit to try out the water trampoline.
When: Sunday, June 19, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Vasa Park Resort & Ballroom, 3549 W. Lake Sammamish Parkway S.E., Bellevue
Website: http://www.vasaparkresort.com/1521.html
Fall City Days
The Fall City area is one of our favorite parts of the Eastside. It is just beautiful, with lots of trees, rivers, and a real get-away-from-the-city feel. This Saturday is Fall City Days, with one of the earliest parades of the summer season. The festival and parade have a small-town feel, but there is plenty to do to get you in the summer spirit. So pack up the kids and head east. The parade is at 11 a.m. and the fun zone, food booths and vendors last long after.
When: Saturday, June 18
Where: Fall City
Website: http://www.fallcity.org/fallcity_days.html
Washington Brewers Festival in Kenmore
If you are looking for a Father’s Day event that has more beer than you can imagine, but is also family-friendly, look no further than the Brewers Festival. The fest celebrates local breweries, but also has bouncy houses, craft tents, face painting, and even a Root Beer Garden for the kids. There will be lots to do at this popular event. The whole thing happens at St. Edward State Park in Kenmore this weekend (it is 21 and older on Friday), starting at 11 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
When: Saturday, June 18, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, June 19, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; all ages
Where: St. Edward State Park, 14445 Juanita Dr. NE, Kenmore
Website: http://www.washingtonbeer.com/wa-brewers-fest/
Cost: $25 at gate, $20 advance tickets, $15 on-site parking fee.
Lexie Tigre and Michele Johansen are the founders of Ruby Slipper Guide to the Eastside, a website full of ideas for families around the Eastside. Visit www.RubySlipperGuide.com to sign up for the weekly newsletter for more local events, local giveaways, and local family fun.
