AuburnFest celebration returns to the park Aug. 9-11

Weekend includes a parade, entertainment, kids activities and car show

August 7, 2019 11:00 am
Pacific Ballroom Dance performs on Main Street during the AuburnFest Parade last year. The summertime festival returns this weekend, Aug. 9-11. RACHEL CIAMPI, Auburn Reporter

AuburnFest – a fun, family-friendly summer festival celebrating Auburn and its community – comes to Les Gove Park this weekend.

The festival kicks off with the Almost 5K Poker Fun Run and Walk at 7 p.m. Friday at the park, 910 Ninth St. SE.

The celebration continues Saturday, featuring a downtown parade beginning at 11 a.m.

A classic car show is on tap for Sunday.

The festival offers two entertainment stages; a beer garden; food vendors; craft, specialty, community and nonprofit vendors; a car show; a literary showcase and small press fair; a downtown parade; as well as several free activities including Bocce; face painting; hands-on art activities; an indoor playground; the Discovery Playground; and a spray playground.

AuburnFest will be packed with entertainment for the day with performances from Wally & The Beavs; The Nate Botsford Band; The Fabulous Murphtons; and Folsom Prisim (Johnny Cash Tribute).

There is no admission, with many free activities on-site.

A $10 wristband may be purchased at the festival for access to unlimited rides on the train; ponies; nine inflatables; super slide; ballistic swing; pirates revenge; mini golf; climbing wall and makerspace. Purchase wristbands before Aug. 9 and use coupon code PLAY19 for a discounted price of $5 per wristband. Wristbands may be purchased at the Community & Event Center, 910 Ninth St. SE) or online.

Auburn Poet Laureate Susan Landgraf and Rose Alley Press editor David D. Horowitz present free poetry workshops on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., in addition to a book and small press fair and a take-a-book leave-a-book exchange table at the Auburn Community & Event Center in the park.

The festival – presented by Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation – is sponsored in part by the Muckleshoot Indian Casino and Coordinated Care.

For more information, visit auburnwa.gov/auburnfest.

THE LINEUP

• Friday, Aug. 9, Almost 5K Poker Fun Run and Walk, 7 p.m., Les Gove Park

The run is staged prior to the Summer Sounds & Cinema concert and outdoor movie event in the park. Early registration fee by Aug. 7 is $18. On-site registration fee is $20 (begins at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 9). No registrations accepted Aug. 8. Register online or download the entry form.

• Saturday, Aug. 10, AuburnFest, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Les Gove Park

A downtown parade kicks off the day at 11 a.m. The parade will feature a variety of marching bands, drill teams, dancers and one-of-a-kind cars. The parade honors and celebrates the beauty, hospitality, friendliness, quality of life and diversity of the greater Auburn community. The parade route travels west along Main Street from E Street Northeast to A Street Northwest.

• Saturday, Aug. 11, Cruise-In, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Les Gove Park

Show will accommodate as many cars as safely possible. Cars will be displayed on the grass field adjacent to the farmers market. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. Cruise-In participants must use the entrance at 12th Street SE and J Street SE.