Sammamish Days, Sammamish Nights will provide fun-filled Saturday

Whether 9 months or 99 years old, there is something to do this Saturday in Sammamish.

Whether 9 months or 99 years old, there is something to do this Saturday in Sammamish.

The day begins with the city’s third annual Sammamish Days, starting at 9:45 a.m. with the Kids Parade.

Dressed as their favorite storybook characters, close to 200 children will march from the Mary Queen of Peace Church parking lot to the Sammamish Commons Plaza where entertainment and activities will continue until 2 p.m.

This year’s activities will feature live performances from a variety of cultures, including Carribean steel drums, a Hawaiian dancers, an Irish dancers, belly dancers, a mariachi band and a Chinese Lion Dance group.

“We try to hit as many of our cultures as we can,” said Dawn Sanders, volunteer coordinator for the city.

Students from Skyline High School will make bookmarks for children by writing their names in Chinese symbols. There will also be Henna tattoos, an opportunity to dress in traditional Indian garb and a photo booth to capture the memories.

Saturday afternoon’s celebration will feature a mobile food truck rodeo, with vendors specializing in curry dishes, Asian fusion and gourmet sandwiches.

Sanders said parking will not be available at City Hall. Residents are encouraged to park at Mary Queen of Peace and Skyline High School.

SAMMAMISH NIGHTS

When the sun starts to set, the action shifts to the adults for Sammamish Nights — the city’s only 21 and older event.

Running from 6-9:30 p.m., the celebration features tasting of some of the region’s top wineries, breweries, distilleries and restaurants.

There are 20 options for libations, including Pikes Brewing Company and Project V Distillery, a Woodinville-based vodka distillery.

Nine different area restaurants will be on hand, including Agave, CoHo Café, Cucina Cucina, Mel’s Cheesecake, Pogacha, Sammamish Café, Sip, Sweet Asylum and Tutta Bella. Many of those restaurants will serve small entree-sized dishes.

There will also be live musical performances from the jazz band Ambience and the R&B group @five.

Several artists who are participating in the Sammamish Arts Fair in October will also have their work on display and for sale. A few artists will even provide live art demonstrations.

“This is probably one of the biggest events we’ve ever had,” said Deb Sogge, executive director for the Sammamish Chamber of Commerce. “We really went all out this year.”

The all-inclusive event tickets are $40 per person and $45 at the door. The money acts as a fundraiser for the Sammamish Chamber. Sanders there are about 300 tickets currently sold. She said she expects a high turnout and nobody over the age of 21 will be turned away.

“We get more and more people every year,” Sanders said.

The City and the Chamber have also partnered with Columbia Athletic Club to offer childcare. “Kids Night Out,” will provide supervised gym games, kid movies, pizza and sundaes from 5:30 – 10:00 p.m. for children ages 3 1/2 to 10. Cost is $20 per child. Advance reservations are required and can be made by calling Columbia Athletic Clubs Pine Lake, 425-513-0123.

For more information or to purchase tickets for Sammamish Nights, go to www.sammamishchamber.org, or call, 425-681-4910.