PART TWO: RHS 25th Anniversary / Derby Day Parade

 At the 25th anniversary celebration John Couch dressed up as Mayor Bill Brown

Parks Director of 30 Years John Couch begs RHS Founder Naomi Hardy to shovel manure in a Derby Days Parade  CREDIT/ REDMOND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

       

Derby Days / Council Perspective

In a council meeting Councilmember (CM) Stuart was surprised the city commissioners wouldn't be "on the porch" with Council to converse with the public at Derby Days.  She asked a city Director why the commissioners weren't included and learned it was the Executive Department -- run the mayor -- who decided against it, preferring staff be immediately on hand.   

Commissioners are--vital city volunteers with expertise in:  Parks & Recreation, Arts & Culture, and Growth Planning.  They serve four year terms, giving recommendations and guidance to council after in-depth deliberations. 

CM Stuart asked for a Derby event in the downtown park, saying it is our "Town Square."  The idea was rejected for the second year.  

Side-note:  If you listened to the Mayor's Derby Day video, a "Diaper Parade" is in the line-up. Diapers are needed up to 4-years of age.  Baby carriages?  Sounds cute, but unfortunately, diapers are unaffordable and for some families and they must be subsidized.

-- Bob Yoder,  7/10/24

2023 Redmond Derby Days Drone Show Highlights

Pickleball

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS  (click) 

City MONSTER Truck

 

Pam is sitting in the truck very close to the street surface

On our way to Derby Days we saw this shiny new Redmond Public Works truck blocking and re-directing traffic on 95th.  Cool!  It's a monster truck!!

Just what does this truck do?   Do you see the yellow "buttons?"  

-- Bob Yoder, picture, 7/16/23

Councilmember David Carson Running for Re-election

Councilmember David Carson is running for re-election of Council Position 7 in the Primary.  Here, David is serving up flapjacks at the annual Derby Day Pancake breakfast. 

David M. Carson

16318 NE 50TH WAY

REDMOND, WA 98052

(206) 484-8480

carson4redmond@outlook.com

www.carson4redmond.com

DERBY DAYS! A Smashing Success!

 

                                                          

DERBY DAYS INFO!

Update: 2022 Derby Days Grand Parade

Our City Council members are rounding the corner!  Council member Jessica Forsythe is the festive one in yellow sneakers.  She's Council President.  Do you see Council member Vanessa Kritzer with the baby bump?  She's making modern history in Redmond as the first ever pregnant Council member! 👶 Vanessa is Council Vice President in a very challenging year.  (Rent regulations, Tree regulations, Public Safety Levy, Town Center amendments, Evans Creek realignment, Senior Center funding decisions and on.)  Councilmember David Carson marches as the senior member with over 13 years under his belt.  Councilmember Melissa Stuart (in red) lives in Overlake Urban Center where representation is sorely needed.  Varisha Kahn is back from a long illness marching with hat. Jaralee Anderson poured OJ at the firefighters' breakfast.  Steve Fields wasn't seen. 
 

click to enlarge

Former Mayor of 16 years, Rosemarie Ives and Jerry Torell hold the banner as the Redmond Historical Society members march with organic vegetable and fruit costumes, in concert with the parade's sustainability theme.  

-- Bob Yoder, picture and video, 7/9/2022

Derby Days Returns July 8-9th Of This Year

REDMOND, WA – Redmond’s signature summer festival, Derby Days, returns on July 8 and 9, 2022 at Redmond’s City Hall campus. This year’s event features live music, parades, carnival rides, local food, a beer and wine garden, and more. New this year will be a dedicated craft market with Urban Craft Uprising, elite bike races and kiddie kilo at the Jerry Baker Velodrome at Marymoor Park, and a virtual community bike race for all.

“I am excited for the return of Derby Days, our family-friendly festival that kicks off the summer,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “This event celebrates our community coming together again, in the spirit of friendly competition with the longest-running community bicycle race in the United States. We are proud to continue this legacy in 2022.”

Derby Days begins on Friday evening, July 8, with a lineup of live, local music, and a family-friendly 5K walk/run. Event attendees are invited to watch one of the races at Marymoor Park, then take a shuttle to City Hall to have dinner from the food trucks and booths, shop the craft market, and enjoy the Derby Days Beer and Wine Garden on opening night.

Saturday kicks off with the Kids’ Bike Parade - a tradition dating back to the first Derby Days in 1940 that ushers the way for the Derby Days Grand Parade directly after. Derby Days continues throughout the afternoon with live music, kids’ performances and activities, and carnival rides. Attendees can sign up for the Derby Days Cornhole Tournament in the Beer and Wine Garden, walk through the new craft market, and relax with the music from the main stage.

For additional details and information on how to participate, visit redmond.gov/DerbyDays or contact events@redmond.gov.

-- City press release

Derby Days was COVID cancelled in 2020 & 2021 

"Lodging Tax Advisory Committee" Stimulates Tourism

The community role of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) might be described as a business tourism alliance to "increase heads and beds."  It's funded by a 1% sales tax on participating hotels. 

Dan Angular, General Manager of the Redmond Marriott of Redmond Town Center said LTAC brings Redmond Chambers, Realize Redmond, and Redmond Economic Development Alliance (REDA) together to stimulate tourism.  

Over $337,300 was raised by the LTAC last year from a 1% hotel tax. So far, 50% of the tax revenue pays "Bullseye Creative" to rebrand the "Realize Redmond" website e.g. "Paint the Town" tag was removed. $31,365 pays promoting private and city sponsored events. Councilmember John Stilin recommended allocating more funds towards the events to attract more people and less emphasis on the website. 

Derby Days 2012! "Read all about it!"

Join in the 72nd Annual Redmond Derby Days THIS weekend!

And don't forget to say hi to the informational booth exhibitors from 10-6pm!   "Redmond Neighborhood Blog" is exhibiting the Heron Rookery story and hosting a nature photo raffle at 3:00PM and 4:15PM!   Some booths will have water dishes for your pets. 

Redmond, WA –Redmond will celebrate the 72nd Annual Derby Days Summer Festival this year, in conjunction with it's 100th Year Anniversary Centennial:  

Friday, July 13 from 6-10pm,

Saturday, July 14 from 10am-10pm  fireworks!

Sunday, July 15th from 9-Noon and 4-8pm.

Events are at the Redmond City Hall Campus, 15670 NE 85th Street, with the exception of the 4-8pm Concert in the Park, on Sunday, at Redmond’s Downtown Park, 16101 Redmond Way.

Friday Night Live kicks off the festival with headliner, HIT Explosion! The opening act, Clinton Fearon & the Boogie Brown Band, will get people ready for a night of dancing. Food vendors are on hand for dinner or a snack, and the beer and wine garden will provide a great spot for both people and band watching. After the concert enjoy the movie, Sherlock Holmes – A Game of Shadows from 10 to midnight on the great lawn at City Hall, presented by RYPAC.

Saturday’s events begin with an old fashioned Fire Department sponsored public Pancake Breakfast, Saturday, July 14, 2012, 8:00a.m. to Noon at Fire Station 11 located at 8450 161st Ave NE, Redmond located by the downtown Post Office. All proceeds will go to the RFD Benevolent Fund which supports local residents when they are facing personal tragedy. Additionally kids can tour the Fire Trucks, try spraying water on a mock fire, and try on real firefighter gear.

Beginning at 10am, the Derby Days Kids Parade, one of the nation’s largest kid’s parade will take place. Parade registration begins at 9am behind Redmond Medical Center. Arriving early is strongly recommended in order to register before the parade starts.   Read More >>

The Redmond Derby Days Criterium Bicycle Race - "Then and Now!"

The second Derby Day Bicycle race was held in 1941 at this starting point.  What will your photo look like?
Courtesy of Redmond Heritage Society

It's hard to pinpoint the exact location of the race in this photo but the Derby Days Bicycle races are so symbolic of Redmond that "The Friends of Redmond Library" (FB) want to include it in their photo contest.  $100 Grand Prizes!

The races began in 1940 and this is a photo of the second year they took place. Note the starting ribbon being held across the competitors to ensure a fair start.  Question?  Will Mayor Marchione hold a ribbon this Centennial year?  The name has changed to The Swedish Medical Center Criterium but the tradition continues.   According to the City of Redmond, the races are in their 72^nd year and are the longest running bicycle race in the nation!  

The Swedish Medical Center Criterirum is a series of multi-lap races running through the downtown and starting at the Courtyard.  Races will be held between 1:15 to 4pm on Saturday.  A kid's race is at 3:15.  Don't miss the Pros's from 7-8pm!  

This photo is one of six historic Redmond photographs being featured in the Redmond Library's "Then & Now Photo Contest." From June until August 15th residents of every age and background will be vying for a chance to have their photographs be the "Now" representations of six Redmond scenes, including this one. Two Grand Prize Winners will receive $100 - one adult, one child.  Read More to See Contest Details >>

And then there were three...'Old Redmond Historic Guided Tours'

Historic Guided Tours usually begin at the "Justice White House" - once a hotel and later
the Club House for Redmond's nine-hole golf course (now Redmond Town Center)   

Three 'Old Redmond Historic Guided Walking Tours' remain:

The Old Redmond Cementary, 7/15

Olde Towne, 9/10

A Haunted History Tour, 9/30

Have you ever taken one of  the guided walking tours of Redmond's historic downtown core?   It is guaranteed to provide facts, figures, and fun, with local historian Tom Hitzroth emcee'ing the stories, gossip, and names.  Did you know in whose building an alleged bordello operated?  Hint:  He would later become Redmond’s longest serving mayor!  Three tours remain.

Walking Tours run from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., usually beginning on the front steps of the Justice White House, 7730 Leary Way NE.,  at the west end of Redmond Town Center where the Saturday Market is held.

Don't miss Tom's tour of the Old Redmond Cemetery on July 15, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., which will begin at the flag pole located inside the Cemetery at 7000 180 Avenue NE. The tour begins at the flag pole, located inside the Cemetery at 7000 180^th Ave NE.   Parking is available in the Home Depot parking lot immediately north of the Cemetery.  Details here.  Tours are cancelled with rain.

Tom is conducting his last Olde Towne tour on September 9 and a haunted history tour on September 30.  Registration is required by the Thursday before the tour.  A fee of $8 per person will help fund Society research.   Contact the Redmond Historical Society (RHS) office  at 425-885-2919,  or  email  at info@redmondhistoricalsociety.org, or go online  at www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org.

Released By Doris A. Schaible, a past Redmond City Clerk of 30 years. 
Community Relations, RHS
Photo By RHS
Android Walking Tour Ap for $2.75
City Walking maps of Olde Towne Loop, Rookery Loop, and Bridle Trails Loop

Mayor Marchione extends Derby Days with fireworks Friday, July 15.

The grand finale fireworks show set for Derby Days will now be held on Friday July 15 at 10pm on the City Hall campus lawn.

"Think of it as an extended Derby Days" said Mayor Marchione at Tuesday's Council Meeting. 

In addition to the fireworks, two bands are scheduled to perform. Beginning at 7pm is LeRoy Bell, one of Seattle’s top performers of blues and soul. At 9pm, Doctor Funk will perform some great funky music until the fireworks display begins at 10pm.  Read More >>

71ST Annual Derby Days - See What's Happening!

CLICK HERE FOR EVENTS!

Redmond Derby Days Dash

The Evergreen Orthopedic Center presents the 2nd Annual Redmond Derby Days Dash. Organized by the City of Redmond and the Dr. John K. McCormick Foundation as the concluding event of Redmond's summer Derby Days Festival, the Dash is a 5k walk/race for non-competitive and competitive participants of all age groups. The participant registration fee is $25 and 100% of net proceeds go to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.  Register online here.

John Marchione's first speech as mayor touches on Derby Days

John Marchione gives his first speech as mayor (1/12/08) to the Redmond Historical Society about Derby Days. Mayors Christine Himes and Rosemarie Ives attended. This video is a snippet from John's talk. Miguel Llanos, today's Senior Vice President of the Redmond Historical Society asks a question about the Centennial.

Video and Report by Bob Yoder

Letter: "Really, this was Derby Days Weekend"?

The 70th Annual Redmond Derby Days expands events, attracts 'larger turnout' (July 19th, 2010 "Redmond Reporter" edition)”

The parade was longer, had more entrants, and had a crowd along the streets present for viewing. However, I was amazed by the number of people I ran into after Derby Days that said “Really, this was Derby Day’s weekend? I had no idea!”

For weeks prior to the Ananda Mela Festival there were signs everywhere. Sandwich boards on streets, signs on cars, flyers in windows. Where were the signs, posters and advertisements regarding Derby Days -- A page on the back of the “Redmond Focus” magazine, a link on the website?

A town I lived in for several years as a teenager had a huge banner at the entrance to the city for everyone coming into the town to see. There was no doubt when our town celebration was held.

Walking around after the parade at the booths I was shocked at how few offerings there were to attract families. Many booth spots were empty. And the carnival on the other side of town (not the first year) was certainly not a draw for families to attend after the parade.

I have lived in Redmond for over 20 years. I am constantly amazed at what the city considers important. This is our town celebration, a SeaFair event, something people should look forward to all year. I’m sure they would if there were any advertising about it.

Once again, the City just doesn’t get “it”

Paige Norman
Education Hill
7/26

Photo:  Paige with grandchildren

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Derby Days 2010

Redmond Derby Days Summer Festival July 9 and 10

Redmond, WA— This summer, Redmond will celebrate the 70th Annual Redmond Derby Days Summer Festival. The festival begins on Friday, July 9 from 6 to 10pm and continues on Saturday, July 10 from 10am to 10pm at Redmond City Hall Campus, 15670 NE 85th Street.

Back by popular demand is the free multi-band concert, Friday Night Live. The first group on the Nintendo sponsored stage is Gentleman GaGa, an Old Firehouse Classic Rockathon finalist, followed by The Daily Flash, playing classic 60’s rock. The headliner is the area’s premier Beatles tribute band, The Nowhere Men. They play all the Beatles classics, sounding just like the original Fab Four. Food vendors are on hand for dinner or a snack and the beer and wine garden, sponsored by Black Raven Brewery, provides a great spot for both people and band watching.

New this year is the REI Friday Night Poker Ride, benefitting Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center. The 22.5 mile ride through Redmond and Issaquah begins at the Redmond REI store from 5 to 7pm and ends at City Hall Campus, where riders will pick up prizes and enjoy the entertainment, food and drinks. Participants can register at REI.com.

Saturday begins at 10am with the Derby Days Kids Parade, the longest running kid’s parade in the nation. Children and families decorate their “wheels” and themselves in one of the many parade categories. Parade sign-in begins at 9:15am in the Redmond Medical Center parking lot, with the parade beginning at 10am. Arriving early is strongly recommended in order to sign-in before the parade starts.

The Grand Parade immediately follows the Kids Parade. Best viewing of the bands, drill teams and floats is at the corner of NE 85th Street and 161st Avenue NE and along 85th to City Hall.

The Criterium, the nation’s longest running bicycle race, starts at 1:15pm with the last race at 7:15pm. Race spectators can enjoy the fast paced race from the Black Raven Brewery Beer and Wine Garden, located just off the first corner. The beer and wine garden opens at 1pm and offers a prime view seat.

Redmond Derby Days Kids Parade is 10 a.m. and starts at Redmond Medical Center

Hello  -

I wanted to see if you would possibly consider an article on the Redmond Derby Days Kids Parade. It is Saturday July 10th - Sign up starts at 9:15 at the Redmond medical Center Parking lot - with the actual parade starting at 10.  (Before the adult parade).  The children sign up for one of 10 categories- everything from Toons and tales to Red White and Blue- Each child receives a goodie bag from their group and upon completion of the parade if the child still is wearing their helmet they receive 2 golden dollars. I would love to chat with you if you are interested in an article.   It's a FREE event and children must wear a helmet. 

Thank you,

Shay

5K Derby Days Dash supports cancer research

old story - 2010
The Dr. John McCormick Foundation is organizing a 5K Race Walk called the Derby Days Dash that will run on July 11. The goal is to raise funds and awareness to support pancreatic cancer research.   John, a 22-year resident of Redmond  lost his battle to pancreatic cancer in 2007 at the age of 56.  Dr. McCormick left behind his wife, Ann, and  four children--Kinsey, Kerry, Johnny, Meghan.  

REGISTRATION & START LINE: 
Redmond Town Center Mall
Bear Creek Pkwy & Leary Way
Redmond, WA.

WHEN:
July 11, 2010 at 09:00 AM

REGISTRATION WEBSITE:
http://www.redmonddash.com/
EMAIL:  info@RedmondDash.com 

John received his undergraduate degree from Stanford University, and graduated from USC Medical School. After moving to Redmond in 1985, John practiced orthopedic surgery on the Eastside for  for over two decades while raising four children with his wife, Ann. 

John McCormick's son, Johnny is organizing the event and is excited about your participation and any support you can give!   Brian and Elizabeth Hansford of  Zephyr 47  is supporting the event with promotions and registration.  They have also helped organize the PTSA Hawk Run/Walk. 

Cancer Resources:
Swedish Pancreatic Cancer Web Page
Evergreen Hospital general cancer patient information
Overlake Hospital Cancer Center patient resources