Parkadilly kids fair returns July 22

The fair will feature concerts in Lake Sammamish State Park.

A concert in the park is fun, but add in a wide range of activities and four hours of children’s entertainment against the backdrop of Lake Sammamish and it becomes great family outing.

Parkadilly at Lake Sammamish kids’ concert, fair and fun is returning to Lake Sammamish State Park, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 22. The event is free.

This is the third year of Parkadilly and now it is a sanctioned Seafair community event. Last year’s Parkadilly attracted an estimated crowd of 3,000. With a lineup of children’s entertainers and the addition of a petting zoo, organizers expect that this year’s event will be bigger than ever.

Recess Monkey is a trio elementary school teachers who bring catchy songs and high-energy concerts to wildly enthusiastic young audiences. The Not-Its! Have rocked kids and families with their up-tempo concerts, bringing kids and parents screaming for more. Gansango Music and Dance will provide traditional and contemporary dance and music from West Africa using live drums, percussion and colorful costumes. Back by popular demand will be Rhythms of India dancers teaching the crowd a few Bollywood moves. King 5’s Steve Bunin will be guest emcee.

A petting zoo including wallaby, Patagonian maras, dwarf and pygmy goats, several sheep, a pig, bantam chickens and rabbits will be a new addition to Parkadilly this year.

Returning is a Recycled Community Art Project with artist Gabi Phillips. She will lead the construction of a large salmon sculpture using recycled tin cans, with everyone free to get involved.

Parkadilly will also have other arts and crafts, children’s story times, Junior Ranger programs, trampoline jumping, a rock climbing wall, games, costumed characters including Seahawks mascot Blitz.

Local business vendors will be on hand, giving parents an opportunity to learn about schools, after-school activities, health care, children’s products, and local non-profits. Food trucks will be available if attendees forget their picnic basket.

Parkadilly is a community celebration hosted by Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park.

Sponsors of Parkadilly include Virginia Mason Issaquah, Bright Horizons, Highlands Kids Dentistry, Grange Supply, the Issaquah Arts Commission, Hilton Garden Inn/Homewood Suites, the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah and many other local businesses.

For more information, go to www.lakesamamishfriends.org.