A Weekend of Fun in Redmond: A Guide to Derby Days 2013

Redmond is getting ready to celebrate its 73rd Annual Derby Days Summer Festival.  Thousands of residents, visitors and families are expected to attend the two day celebration beginning on July 12th from 5:00 pm -10:00pm, and Saturday, July 13th from 10am-10pm, culminating in a fantastic fireworks finale.  

Derby Days is held at Redmond City Hall Campus, 15670 NE 85th Street.

The same weekend, be sure to visit the Redmond Town Center Arts Festival, free to the public and running from July 12 at 10 a.m. to July 14 at 7 p.m. Get the full event details here.

Don't forget to stop by the Interactive Vendors area, with food vendors and a multitude of community groups, including a chance to meet Naturalist Lara Vyas with all of your questions about wildlife friendly backyard design at the Redmond Wild booth.

Friday night events

• First Tech Friday Night Live kicks off the festival with headliner, The Dusty 45’s.  The opening act, The Nowhere Men, will get people ready for a night of dancing and great music.  Food vendors are on hand for dinner or a snack; the beer and wine garden will provide a great spot for both people and band watching.

• After the concert enjoy the movie, 007: Skyfall, from 10:00 pm to midnight on the great lawn at City Hall, presented by RYPAC.

Saturday Events

• Saturday events begin at 8am at the Redmond Fire Department Pancake Breakfast, Station 11, and 8450 161st Ave NE.  The breakfast is free, donations accepted; all proceeds benefit the Redmond Firefighters Benevolent Fund.  

• At 9:00 am, the Derby Days Dash, a 5K run/walk, begins and ends at the Redmond Downtown Park, 16101 Redmond Way.  Race registration begins at 7:45am. All proceeds benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. The race is fast, flat, and USTAF Certified for competitive racers.

• At 10:00 am come join the Ben Franklin Kids Parade, one of the nation’s largest children’s parade.  Children and families are encouraged to decorate their “wheels” and themselves. Parade registration begins at 9:00am, at the new location, the Old Redmond Post Office, along 85th, 16135 NE 85th Street.  Arriving early is strongly recommended in order to register before the parade starts. Want to participate with Tiny Treks, dressed up like animals and a forest? Find out how here.

• Immediately following the Kids Parade is the City’s Grand Parade.  The best viewing of the bands, drill teams and floats is at the corner of NE 85th Street and 161st Avenue NE and along 85th Street to City Hall. This year's Grand Marshal is Claude Comair, DigiPen Founder & President, as DigiPen celebrates its 25th Anniversary.

• The Criterium, sponsored by Swedish of Redmond, is the City’s oldest event and is the nation’s longest running bicycle race.  The race begins at 1:15pm with the last race at 7:00pm.  

• Don't miss the Fireworks Finale at Redmond City Hall at 10 p.m. Enjoy!

Saturday Music

• Musical entertainment continues at Noon on Saturday at the Main Stage with Mango Son, a seven piece traditional Cuban band.  

• At 2:30pm, Recess Monkeys, a kid-driven, high energy group will rock the stage.  The Tall Boys, a popular Seattle, old time early country and blues trio, will perform at 4:00pm.

• At 6pm, Mycle Wastman, Seattle native and 2012 “The Voice” contestant will take the stage and get the crowd ready for the headliner of the night, The Paperboys, who take the stage at 8:00pm. Prepare to sing and dance and have a good time!

As always, families with children will enjoy the free activities that include bouncy houses, the Cadman Sand Box, a climbing wall, and Wet and Wild Sprinklers; carnival rides and games, (which will be at the City Hall Campus Park and Ride on 160th Street). Hours of operation are Friday, July 12th, from 5:00pm -10:00pm and Saturday, July 13th, from 10:00am-10:00pm.

“Every year we add new activities to attract new attendees while keeping our devoted Derby Days fans coming back to this long running festival,” stated Lisa Rhodes, events and marketing administrator for the City of Redmond. “We have a terrific line-up of free entertainment that the whole family can enjoy,” she adds.

Parking 

Ample parking is available at the City Hall Parking Garage, Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, and Redmond Town Center. A free shuttle will run on Saturday only, July 13th between parking sites from 9:00am - 10:30pm. 

Come join the fun and be part of Redmond’s Derby Days. For additional information, visit The Derby Days Website here or via a link on the City’s main web site at: http://www.redmond.gov/ or call 425-556-2300.

*Information from the city of Redmond