The biggest and busiest weekend of the Enumclaw summer is ready to kick off with the annual Street Fair packing downtown streets and the Scottish Highland Games filling the grounds of the Enumclaw Expo Center.
Again under the primary sponsorship of the Enumclaw Rotary Club, the Street Fair will operate from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. both Friday and Saturday.
Visitors to the Street Fair can expect to find more than 100 vendors, live entertainment and a motorcycle show. In addition, there will be assorted food and craft vendors and, in keeping with recent tradition, a Saturday morning fun run.
Entertainment will be different than in years past. Organizers are opting this year for a more informal approach, with acts circulating through city streets rather than perched on one of two stages.
For the eighth year, a Saturday morning 5k run/walk will begin and end on Railroad Street next to the public library. This year’s event begins with a “kids dash,” covering a little less than a mile, at 8:45. The main event gets rolling at 9.
The early sign-up period has passed, but registration will be taken beginning at 7:30 Saturday morning at the race site. The cost – the same as last year – is $15 for the kids’ event and $25 for adults; there’s also a $65 family rate.
Prizes will be awarded to top finishers, both male and female, in a variety of age categories.
Details can be found by visiting www.enumclawstreetfair.com and clicking on the “5k run/walk” link.
Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering
The 69th annual Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering kicks off Friday evening, then gets rolling for the general public at 7:30 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday at the Expo Center. The fun continues until 11 p.m. Saturday and 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
A highlight is the massing of the pipe and drum bands and the parade of the clans, which takes place at 12:30 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
Visitors can stroll through the Avenue of the Clans, delve into Scottish heritage or wind through the Hall of Vendors and the Celtic Marketplace to see the workmanship of Scottish artisans. Others will wander through the Scottish farm with shaggy Scotch Highland cattle and Clydesdale horses, visit the Celtic kennel or perhaps hoist a glass or two of Scottish-style ales.
The musical acts traditionally provide everything from quiet strings to raucous reels. The Seattle Knights return with their acts of choreographed combat and athletes will compete in traditional Celtic events like the caber toss and sheaf toss.
Tickets are $17 for adults per day or a two-day pass is available for $25. Reduced prices are available for senior citizens, children and active military. There’s a $5 daily fee for parking. There is no admission fee for Friday night’s festivities.
Tickets sales at the gate are on a “cash only” basis.
For information call 206-522-2541 or visit www.sshga.org.
