It’s time to start planning your perfect summer on Mercer Island! While city budget cuts mean fewer events on the calendar, there’s still lots of fun in store. From the Sunday Farmers Market to Shakespeare in the Park, here’s our round-up of events and activities providing great amusement and entertainment during the beautiful summer months on Mercer Island:
Mercer Island Farmers Market
Sundays, June 2nd – September 29th, 10 am – 3 pm + a special Harvest Market on November 24th
No market August 4th (SeaFair Blue Angels Air Show)
Come and experience the fun of the Farmers Market during some of the best weather of the year. The market features beautiful produce, sustainably caught fish, pasture-raised meats, flowers, artisan and read-to-eat foods, and so much more. It’s also all about building community, and the market features the following programs:
- Children’s Table – Volunteers offer activities every market day to enhance children’s understanding of food, gardening, and nature.
- Master Gardeners offer advice and consultation to gardeners on every market day.
- Music is offered every Sunday market, adding a fun, entertaining element to 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.
Families with young children should save the date for the highly anticipated Caspar Babypants Concert at the Market on August 18th.
Letterboxing in Pioneer Park
June 1st – October 31st
Pioneer Park, SE 68th St & Island Crest Way
Celebrate the trails of Pioneer Park and start your letterboxing adventure! Pick up a letterbox clue book, make a stamp, and start hunting! For each letterbox you find, put a stamp in your Clue Book and stamp the letterbox notepad with your own stamp. Families and kids can turn in their clue books by October 31st to the Community & Event Center or the Luther Burbank Administrative Building to be recognized for their accomplishment by the Open Space Trust Board in November. Have fun and see how many letterboxes you can find this summer!
Summer Reading at the Mercer Island Library
June 1st – September 7th
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Starting June 1st, come to your library to pick up a reading log booklet or start tracking your time online. After reading 500 minutes, bring your log to the library for a prize (starting on July 1st). After reading 1,000 minutes, return to the library with your log for a final prize. The last day to pick up prizes is September 7th. The Mercer Island Library will distribute one halfway prize and one finisher prize per person, while supplies last. Read anything you want, including reading to someone else or listening to a book.
Why Summer Reading? It’s important for all ages! Research shows when children and teens select their own reading materials and read for enjoyment, they retain their reading skills. Summer is a critical time to keep reading and prevent the “summer slide” or reading skills loss while not in school. Reading for pleasure also benefits adults; it improves brain health, reduces stress and offers opportunities for learning and growth. No matter your age, King County Library System (KCLS) invites you to be a part of our community of readers!
Shakespeare in the Park
Performances Thursday – Sunday in July & August, starting July 11th
Luther Burbank Park Amphitheater, 2040 84th Avenue SE
Sponsored by The Mercer Island Arts Council, Wooden O brings Shakespeare plays to life, engaging audiences of all ages, in the beautiful, outdoor setting of Luther Burbank Park. This year, Wooden O will feature Twelfth Night and Romeo and Juliet.
Twelfth Night synopsis: Why do fools fall in love? One of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies, Twelfth Night brims with a lust for life and a longing for love. The intrepid heroine Viola matches wits with vivid and captivating characters who keep sidesplitting antics rolling.
Romeo and Juliet synopsis: A star-crossed classic. The cultural influence of the world’s most enduring love story can’t be denied. The story of two love-struck teenagers resonates with both young and old viewers. Everyone should experience Romeo and Juliet at least once in their lifetime; what better opportunity than on a summer evening in the park.
Mostly Music in the Park
Thursdays in July & August, 7 – 8:30 pm
FREE!
Mercerdale Park, 77th Avenue SE and SE 32nd Street
Join us in Mercerdale Park in July and August for the Mercer Island Arts Council’s annual summer concert series. Concerts feature various bands and artists from around the region, performing a wide variety of music. While concerts will be on Thursdays at 7 pm, the final concert on August 24th will start at 5 pm with a Food Truck Rodeo, and the concert will begin at 6 pm. Bring the family for dinner and stay to enjoy the music. All concerts will be held at Mercerdale Park in downtown Mercer Island. Sponsored by Mercer Island Center for the Arts (MICA).
Mostly Music in the Park 2018 Schedule:
- July 11: Duende Libre – High-Energy Jazz with Global Influences & a Local Connection
- July 18: Donovan Keith – Soul Pop Sensation from Austin
- July 25: Jessica Lynne – Pure Country Gold
- August 1: Joe Blue & the Roof Shakers – East Coast Classic Rock with West Coast Vibes
- August 8: Mōtus – Musical Mix of Horns, Harmonies, & Grooves
- August 15: Filé Gumbo – Swamp Rockin’ Boogie
Seafair Weekend – Boeing Seafair Airshow
Friday, August 2nd – Sunday, August 4th
The best spots to watch on Mercer Island: Landings on 60th Ave, Park on the Lid, Groveland Park, I-90 floating bridge!
Dubbed as an unofficial Seattle holiday, Seafair Weekend culminates with one of the most impressive air shows in the country: the Boeing Seafair Air Show. Don’t miss your favorite aircraft flying high in the sky over Genesee Park and Lake Washington during Seafair Weekend. 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. Full details and schedules will be announced on June 21, but this year, the Blue Angels will be flying from 3 pm to 4 pm daily.
And more!
Still need ideas for fun things to do this summer on Mercer Island? Here you go:
- Take a Taste of Mercer Island food tour and sample culinary creations at partnering food establishments.
- Visit a Mercer Island playground!
- Discover Outdoor Art on Mercer Island.
- Have a picnic and play in the sand at a public beach on Mercer Island.
- Take a hike! Mercer Island has an amazing trail system.
- Enjoy story time at Island Books! This beloved bookstore hosts a free weekly storybook corner (on Wednesdays) and a monthly family story time (first Saturday of the month).
- And more!
Did we miss your favorite Mercer Island summer event or activity? Let us know – we’d love to add it!
Feature image: Wooden O’s 2018 King Lear performance | Image courtesy Seattle Shakespeare Company
