The Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation Department was recognized with five awards at the annual Northwest Festivals and Events Conference, in Ocean Shores on March 3, a conference that is co-produced by the Washington Festivals & Events Association and the Oregon Festivals & Events Association.
The Parks, Arts & Rec Department was recognized for its efforts in coordinating the inaugural Petpalooza, which was held last May. Petpalooza picked up the gold medal award in the Community Service Program category. The event also was awarded a gold medal award for T-shirt design and a silver medal award for Best Overall Promotional Campaign. These three awards are in addition to LERN’s international award for Best New Program, presented last November.
The department added to its list of credentials with a gold medal award in the Souvenir Pin/Souvenir Button category for the Fourth of July Car Show’s Dash Plaque and added a bronze medal award in the category of Best Overall Promotional Campaign for the 43rd annual Veterans Day Parade & Observance.
“We are thrilled to be recognized for our efforts! There are so many outstanding festivals and events in our state – this is quite an honor,” says Parks, Arts & Recreation Director Daryl Faber. “We have an amazing support system in our community. We couldn’t do it alone.”
The Parks, Arts & Recreation Department would like to extend its thanks to all local veteran service and community service organizations, non-profit organizations, community members, businesses and event sponsors, the City of Auburn staff and the volunteers who help and support the event.
The conference was attended by delegates from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Northern California. WFEA strives to improve the understanding, recognition and appreciation of festivals and events throughout the state, as people come together to share and celebrate their arts, heritage or special characteristics. WFEA has close to 300 member organizations ranging from municipal Parks Departments and downtown associations, to chambers, convention bureaus and non-profit event companies.
ABOUT AUBURN’S SPECIAL EVENTS
• The second annual Petpalooza festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Game Farm Park, 3030 R Street SE. The festival is kicked off at 9:30 a.m. with the Dog Trot 3K Fun Run (registration required). Petpalooza features an animal entertainment stage, Skyhoundz Disc Dog Championships, a petting zoo, a noon pet parade, the ‘Unleashed’ pet contest, a mechanical bull, inflatable rides, vendors and much more.
• Auburn’s Fourth of July Festival will be held on Independence Day at Les Gove Park, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. In addition to the award-winning car show, the free festival features three entertainment stages, eight inflatable rides, a rock wall and euro-bungy trampolines, a trackless train, petting zoo and pony rides, bingo, bocce, free museum admission and activities, a kids’ bike parade, lazer tag, gaming stations and much more. Wristbands can be purchased for $5 for unlimited activities.
• Auburn’s Veterans Day Parade & Observance is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7. The 44th annual parade is expected to have around 200 units, more than 5,500 parade participants and well over 25,000 spectators. Auburn’s Veterans Day Parade & Observance is recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Veterans Day Committee. It is one of the largest Veterans Day Parades west of the Mississippi.
The Parks, Arts & Recreation Department is currently accepting vendor applications and sponsors for Petpalooza, KidsDay and the Fourth of July Festival. Registration for the Dog Trot 3K Fun Run is also under way.
More information about these and other special events can be found at www.auburnwa.gov or by calling 253-931-3043.
