Redmond Celebrates 75th Birthday of Derby Days

Redmond, WA – This summer Redmond will celebrate the 75th Annual Redmond Derby Days Summer Festival. The festival begins on Friday, July 10 from 4 pm-10 pm and continues Saturday, July 11 from 10am-10pm at Redmond City Hall Campus, 15670 NE 85th St.

Back after popular demand, Friday Night Live starts off the fun at 4 pm. First Tech sponsors the evening as, The Polyrhythmics, a dynamic world-beat orchestra with a horn-driven funk, and modern afro beat opens the night.  Friday Night Live’s headliner is Cambulache, the area’s premier Salsa band that lays down infectious Latin rhythms. Grab a snack or dinner from Derby Days food vendors and enjoy the music from the beer and wine garden, sponsored by all five Redmond Craft Breweries and Vortex Winery.
On Saturday, start the day off with the beloved Derby Days Kids Parade, the longest-running kid’s parade in the nation. Since the first parade in 1940, Redmond’s children have decorated their wheels, a family tradition, don’t miss it!  Parade sign-in begins at 9 am in the Opportunity Building parking lot, 8383 158th Ave. The parade kicks off at 10 am. We encourage birthday themed decorations this year!
The Grand Parade immediately follows the Kids Parade.  Grab a spot on the parade route and enjoy the 75th birthday celebration. New this year FREE fun community races for all ages will follow the Grand Parade. Seventy-five yards of tricycle riding, costume races and much more!  Read More >>
The Criterium, the nation’s longest running bicycle race, starts at 2 pm, and the last race is at 7:15 pm. Other festival elements include; Fire Department Pancake Breakfast, Derby Dash 5k, and Redmond Art Festival at Redmond Town Center.
The ever-popular Northwest Carnival runs from Friday, July 10 to Saturday, July 11 at Redmond City Hall Campus along 160th Ave.
As always, families with kids will enjoy the free kid’s activities Redmond Toddler Group Diaper Derby, Cadman Sand Box, Interactive Sidewalk Chalk Art, games, face painting, henna, photo booth, crafts and more! There is something for all ages. “Redmond Derby Days has been a cherished community event since 1940. The festival continues to bring our community together every year to celebrate our past, present, and future as a strong and thriving community. I invite all Redmond residents to join me July 10th and 11th to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Derby Days. It is a great time to come together and celebrate  Redmond “, said Mayor John Marchione.
A new element to Derby Days, the Street Scramble, is an urban adventure that encourages teams and individuals to find as many map checkpoints in Redmond as possible before time runs out! It is a free adventure, but you must register at www.redmondderbydays.com
Bring a blanket or beach chair, settle in on the grass and enjoy entertainment all day and night from the main stage. The opening act at noon is Bleachbear, Indie band with layered harmonies, Recess Monkey at 1:30 pm, a nationally acclaimed trio that marries indie rock with childhood themes, Paris Williams rocks with pop classics at 5 pm, Walker McGuire, singer, songwriter team igniting the country music scene at 6pm, and the evening headliner, Heart by Heart at 8 pm, will move and groove the crowd with 80’s Heart songs with power and precision. Heart By Heart includes Heart’s co-founding member and bassist Steve Fossen and original Heart drummer Mike Derosier, both members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Redmond Craft Breweries Beer Garden opens at 12 pm, and is located close to the stage; fans can enjoy a beer and take in the sounds.
At 10 pm, a spectacular fireworks display sponsored by R-Trip will finish off the evening.
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, July 11 between parking sites from 9 am-10:30 pm.  For additional information or to register for FREE activities visit www.redmondderbydays.com
If you have questions, please contact Rachel Van Winkle, Events and Marketing Administrator at rvanwinkle@redmond.gov. This press release is available on www.redmond.gov.