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Health & Fitness

Simply Fun: How Kirkland's Summer Concert Series Is Like A Slip 'n Slide

As we get older we have the tendency to complicate our fun. Kirkland's Summer Concert Series, like the Slip 'n Slide's from our childhood, is a simple opportunity to have a great time.

My childhood summers were so simple. For example, I loved Wham-O’s Slip ‘n Slide. Each summer my father retrieved that long tattered piece of banana colored plastic from some dusty corner of our attic. My brothers and I ran the hose full blast and washed off the rust colored sludge that had accumulated from three seasons of hibernation. 

That first slide was always the sweetest. The sudden rush of cold water would paralyze our bodies and shock our senses; a deep gasp would follow. Our bodies were fleshy Hydroplane racers spraying water high into the air and far across the lawn. Then, as quickly as it began, the ride was over. Our bodies would slow to a stop in the mushy, soggy backstop of grass. Newly laid spring bark from the rose bed stuck on our wet backs slathered with waterproof sunscreen.

Once, my brothers and I tried to improve the ride. We laid down the blue tarpaulin at the end of our slide that my father used on the garage floor when he changed the car’s oil. We splashed through the rainbow oil streaks that danced in the tarp’s water puddles. But our youthful attempt to extend the summer ride just complicated the fun: the longer scratchy blue surface didn’t compare to the short, sweet, super slick hyper-drive slide machine.

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As we get older, we sometimes forget (or deny) our youthful ability to see the greatness in something simple. We forget that sometimes all it takes to have a memorable summer is a garden hose and a long piece of canary yellow plastic. We complicate fun.

Like our child-selves though, we can simplify our adult-amusement. This is why I love Kirkland’s Free Summer Concert SeriesThe free concerts take place every Thursday evening from 7:00 until 9:00 pm at Marina Park in downtown Kirkland through August 25. (Children’s concerts also take place on Tuesdays from 10:00 until 11:00 am in the same location.) The concerts host a wealth of music styles and feature great bands and artists like Handful of Luvin', Garth Reeves, and Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs.

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In the end, the Kirkland Summer Concert Series is the adult version of the Slip ‘n Slide: it's fun without being overly complicated. Throw down a blanket, grab some sodas, and just let great music wash over your body.  Have fun!

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Trent Latta is an attorney and a member of Kirkland's Cultural Council.  He lives in Juanita and may be reached at TrentLatta@gmail.com.

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