School is out, and summer is here! From Summer Celebration to Shakespeare in the Park, here’s our round-up of Mercer Island summer events you won’t want to miss.
Mercer Island Farmers Market
Sundays, June 5th – October 9th, 10 am – 3 pm + a special Harvest Market on November 20th
No market July 10 (Mercer Island Summer Celebration) or August 7 (SeaFair Blue Angels Air Show)
The Sunday visit to the Mercer Island Farmers Market is a ritual for many throughout the summer. The market features beautiful produce, sustainably caught fish, pasture-raised meats, flowers, artisan and read-to-eat foods, and so much more. Additionally, the Mercer Island Farmers Market is not just about fabulous food, it is also about building community. The market features the following programs:
- Children’s Table volunteers offer activities every market day to enhance children’s understanding food, gardening and nature.
- Master Gardeners offer advice and consultation to gardeners every market day.
- Music is offered every Sunday adding to the hospitality of the farmers market.
- Tastings are offered several times a month during the season to educate the community about farmers market products and promote healthy cooking and eating.
Check out the complete calendar HERE and families with young children should save the date for the highly anticipated Caspar Babypants Concert at the Market on August 28th.
Learn more >>
Mercer Island All Comers Track Meet
Thursday, July 7
Kick off Summer Celebration weekend with Mercer Island’s 3rd Annual All Comers Track Meet! What does “All Comers” mean? It means all able bodies ages 1-99 are welcome to run, jump, or throw. Gather a team for a relay – whether the members of your family or your employees for a fun team-building activity. No need to sign up. Just show up ready to have fun! And don’t forget to stretch. There is a $5 entry fee. Check out the event flyer for a list of competitive events.
Mercer Island Summer Celebration – Symphony of Summer!
Saturday & Sunday, July 9 & 10
Mercer Island’s only community-wide festival, drawing crowds between 20,000 and 30,000 over festival weekend. Held annually on the second full weekend in July and boasts a new theme each year. This year’s theme is Symphony of Summer.
The festival consists of many events; parade, car show, fireworks, children’s rides, art/craft vendors, food vendors, musical entertainment, Obliteride Kids Ride, Swedish Pancake Breakfast, and boat rides around the Island.
Photo Credit: Jazz Underground
Mostly Music in the Park
Thursdays in July & August
Mercerdale Park
FREE
The Mostly Music in the Park program, organized by the Mercer Island Arts Council, features a great line-up of music performances.
Here is the schedule:
July 21: Ben Rice Trio ~ Roots – Rock & Soul Blend
July 28: Coco Loco ~ Latin
August 4: Maya Soleil ~ Afro-World Fusion
August 11: Jazz Underground ~ Contemporary Big Band Jazz
August 18: Swamp Soul ~ Cajun/Zydeco
Sat, Aug 14, 5 pm: Luther Burbank Park Amphitheatre
Special Bonus Concert: Russian Chamber Music Foundation of Seattle Concert
Families are encouraged to bring picnic dinners, lawn chairs, and blankets for an evening of musical entertainment.
Seattle Shakespeare Company’s Tempest performance at Luther Burbank Park
Shakespeare in the Park
Performances in July & August
Luther Burbank Park Amphitheatre
Sponsored by The Mercer Island Arts Council, Wooden O will bring plays to life, engaging audiences of all ages, in the beautiful, outdoor setting of Luther Burbank Park.
Love’s Labour’s Lost
Synopsis: The idealistic resolve of four young men gets tested by four young ladies who show up at their doorstep. The King and his friends vow to abstain from women’s company for three years. They plan to devote their time to academics. The Princess of France and her ladies arrive for a visit just as the vows leave the men’s lips. It’s will against want and heart against head in this delightful summer romance.
Hamlet
After receiving news of his father’s death, a young man comes home to a much changed world. Doubt, uncertainty, and grief dog him at every turn. Struggling to make sense of the new order, Hamlet faces a crossroad. He can consent or rage against the injustice around him. Rich with soaring language, Shakespeare’s masterpiece opens up with fresh insights with each new viewing.
Blue Angels over Seattle City Skyline
Seafair Weekend – Boeing Seafair Airshow
Friday, August 5th – Sunday, August 7th
One of the most impressive air shows in the country, the Boeing Seafair Air Show is back in 2016 with more exciting acts and daring aerial maneuvers than ever before! Don’t miss your favorite aircraft flying high in the sky during Seafair Weekend, August 5 – 7th, 2016 over Genesee Park and Lake Washington. Attendees won’t mistake the familiar roar of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels ripping through the air as they return for yet another heart-pounding performance in our great city. Best spots to watch on Mercer Island: Landings on 60th Ave; Park on the Lid; Groveland Park.
National Night Out
Tuesday, August 2, 5 – 7 pm
Sculpture Park, 7800 block of Sunset Highway
Downtown Mercer Island residents are invited to join City officials and the Police Department for a free hot-dog cookout at sculpture park in recognition of National Night Out.
National Night Out is a community-police awareness-raising event in the United States, held the first Tuesday of August annually in cities around the country. The event is designed to increase awareness about police programs in communities, such as drug prevention, town watch (Paws on Patrol), neighborhood watch, and other anti-crime efforts. Island residents also encouraged to host an event in your own neighborhood – whether a block party or simply a backyard cookout.
