Derby Days theme is "Team Redmond"

C.O.R. photo

It will be fun to see what the council candidates wear!  

The Redmond Derby Days Summer Festival is celebrating 77 years of fun and takes place Friday evening and all-day Saturday, July 7 and 8 at Redmond City Hall campus. The theme this year, “Team Redmond,” invites the entire community and surrounding areas to enjoy all that Redmond has to offer. Join in the fun by wearing your favorite team apparel including a sports team, alma mater, company gear or any other team you are proud to represent. New this year to encourage the Team Redmond theme, attendees can join other participants for team trivia in the Beer and Wine Garden, human foosball competitions, team races as a part of the kids’ race line-up or register to join a volunteer team at the event.

READ MORE for a description of all the exciting events.

“Derby Days is a long-standing tradition that kicks off the City’s summer events,” said Mayor John Marchione. “This festival connects Redmond’s diverse and vibrant community. Come out and join Team Redmond on July 7 and 8 for this year’s Derby Days celebration.”

Derby Days begins Friday night with the family-friendly Derby Dash 5K Walk/Run presented by Overlake Terrace Assisted Living and a great music lineup on the main stage. Grab a snack or dinner from over 15 food vendors, enjoy the Derby Days Beer and Wine Garden or hop on an opening night carnival ride.

The following day join the City’s local team of heroes, the Redmond Fire Department for Saturday breakfast at Fire Station 11. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. and a suggested $5 donation benefits the RFD Benevolent Fund. Immediately following breakfast, bring the kids to sign up for the Ben Franklin Kids’ Parade, the longest running kids’ parade in the nation. Since its start in 1940, Redmond’s children have decorated their wheels and circled the block, making way for the Grand Parade - a tradition not to be missed!  Kids’ Parade sign-in begins at 9:00 a.m. in the Opportunity Building parking lot, 8383 158th Ave., with a Redmond Police officer leading the kids on their ceremonial lap at 10:00 a.m.

After the Kids’ Parade find your seats for the Go Redmond Grand Parade, featuring our honorary “team” of Grand Marshals – local Eastside father and son team and Olympic track and field athletes, Joe and Jeremy Taiwo. Stick around after the parade for a meet and greet and photo opportunity with the two Olympians in front of Redmond City Hall!

Derby days continues all afternoon with a lively main stage lineup, the ever-popular Northwest Carnival, Kids’ Races and a Youth Criterium (bike race) with fun prizes for all participants. Other festival elements happening during the weekend include Derby Days Criterium bike race, food from a variety of vendors, local microbrews and wine in the Beer and Wine Garden, the Redmond Arts Festival, and plenty of free kid’s activities.

As the sun sets, bring a blanket and settle in on the grass or put on your dancing shoes! You will not want to miss the closing act Kalimba, The Spirit of Earth, Wind and Fire, starting at 8:30 p.m. Following Kalimba, stay seated for the Derby Days finale, a spectacular fireworks display that will close out the weekend at 10:00 p.m.

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 8between parking sites from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.  For additional information, schedule or to register for activities visit www.RedmondDerbyDays.com.