DennyFest returns with live music, dog parade, food contests, and other family fun on Sunday, September 8th

Kirkland's 5th annual DennyFest, a waterfront celebration of family, food, music and arts for the Finn Hill neighborhood, is happening on Sunday, September 8th. The event takes place from noon to 4 pm at O.O. Denny Park, on the shores of Lake Washington. All members of the local community are invited to attend. As always, admission is free.

DennyFest will feature live music, a dog show, chili and pie contests, guided hikes, and activities for kids. Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance (FHNA) President Scott Morris says “DennyFest is a great family event that draws hundreds of local residents.”

For more updates and information about DennyFest, follow FHNA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/finnhillalliance.

O.O. Denny Park is located at 12032 Holmes Point Drive, about a mile off Juanita Drive. Access Holmes Point Drive either at the intersection where Fire Station 25 is located or across from Inglewood QFC.

Live Music

Eastside favorite Finn Hill Jazz with vocalist Kay Bailey will entertain the crowd with their special blend of vocal jazz standards and a mix of Latin, Blues and contemporary tunes. The Geoffrey Castle Band is also performing. Castle is a pioneer on the electric six-string violin and popular draw at Eastside venues.

Dog Parade and Contests

Always a fan favorite, the dog parade and dog competitions will return this year. The parade will begin at 1:30 pm and will be followed by a variety of competitions including Most Talented, Best Dressed, and the ever-popular Dog-Owner Lookalike Contest. Prizes will be awarded to the top dog in each category.

Registration occurs at the event. For more information, e-mail Meg Tally at meg@finnhillalliance.org.

Chili Cook-off and Pie Contest

Visitors to DennyFest always enjoy samples supplied by contestants in a chili cook-off contest and dessert competition. Looking for bragging rights? The top three vote-getters, as determined by the attendees, will receive a medal commemorating their efforts. If you have a great chili recipe, contact Jane Burgan at jane@finnhillalliance.org. To enter a delicious pie, contact Marianne Christian-Griffith at mchristian369@gmail.com or Marlien Paine at marlienp@comcast.net for details. It’s a fun, popular event, and the more participants the better.

Trail Tour

Lou Berner will be leading an interpretive forest walk as part of the DennyFest celebration. Berner will share his passion for the outdoors and describe area vegetation, wildlife, and history.

Activities for Kids

Fun activities and entertainment are targeted specifically at kids and include organized arts and crafts and hands-on interactions with fire trucks. Ruben Barron will entertain with his magic tricks and great sense of humor.  Additionally, Wild Child Portraits will be sketching her subjects with fur and feathers, webbed feet and wings, channeling a Noah's ark of creatures from our own woodlands and waterways -- and beyond.

Kirkland Fire Department and Other Participants

The Kirkland Fire Department will be offering public safety awareness information, with the City of Kirkland also having representatives from different departments on hand.

Volunteers Welcome

You can be a part of DennyFest if you would like to volunteer.  Volunteers are needed to help with the Arts and Crafts projects (one hour shifts), the Dog Show, set-up, and clean-up.  Please contact meg@finnhillalliance.org if you would like to help. Tents, tables and chairs are also needed for the day of the event.  Please contact meg@finnhillalliance.org if you can loan us any of these items.

About Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance

FHNA, formerly known as the Denny Creek Neighborhood Alliance, is a 19-year-old non-profit organization which brings neighbors in the Finn Hill area of Kirkland together through land conservation and environmental stewardship, as well as programs that support and enhance the Finn Hill neighborhood. For more information about FHNA, visit http://finnhillalliance.org.