Travels with Charlie: Battle of the Bands at Animal Acres

Photo by Gordon Snyder

Free, All-ages Community Event at Pfingst Animal Acres Park, 17435 Brookside Blvd NE, Lake Forest Park, WA

Charlie and I headed to Animal Acres for a walk and some sniffs. Spotted this Poster for a summer evening Battle of the Bands at our park.

Park gates open at 4:00pm and music starts at 5:00pm. This free, all-ages community event features seven finalist bands competing live.

Hope you can stop by…

Gordon Snyder

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Jazz Walk - photos and survey

Booths, food, people, all to the tune of lively jazz music

By Diane Hettrick

Photos by Relaena Sindelar, Sindelar Communications & Marketing

Survey

This year's Jazz Walk was a wonderful combination of street scene and intimate indoor settings. Thanks to Rod Dembowski and the City of Shoreline, five blocks of 15th NE in the North City Business District were pedestrian only for the night.

Shear Jazz at the Frank Lumber outdoor venue

Foot Stompers - next to the Rotary Beer Garden

The street was full of music with Foot Stompers and Shear Jazz playing sets at a venue created from a parking lot at Frank Lumber annex. 

Beer drinkers could sit inside the fence and sip a cool brew from the Rotary Clubs of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.

In line at the food trucks

By far the biggest crowds were in the lines for the food trucks. Jazz Bites were available at street stations. Mexican Food and Jeremy's Chicken at the trucks. Cookie dough treats in another food truck.

Face painting - wearable art

A Creative in action

Kids had a good time creating art or wearing art from the very popular face painting set up. Some just used chalk to make street art.

Ranger Rearranger at Sodam Chicken

Inside venues were quiet as people absorbed the sounds. Several places had drinks and food. Others were just for the performances.

Pearl Django

Perennial favorite Pearl Django played at the North City Bistro.

It was far better to have a street closure than a pandemic closure. This was possibly the most popular Jazz Walk to date. 

Plan on next year and we'll all do it again.

And speaking of next year, help the planners by taking this survey, which will be open for just a few days.

It doesn't take more than a minute or two: SURVEY

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Cedar Grove Composting Annual Golf Tournament in support of Banchero Disability Partners

Teeing Up for Change at the Cedar Grove Composting Annual Golf Tournament!

It's more than just a day on the greens, it's your opportunity to enjoy yourself while making a meaningful difference! Every swing contributes to Banchero Disability Partners and their efforts to empower individuals with disabilities. So, whether you’re an experienced golfer or simply joining for the experience, unite with us to transform each putt into a force for positive change!
Date: September 30, 2026
Location: The Golf Club at Newcastle 15500 Six Penny Ln, Newcastle, WA 98059
Time: 11am to 8pm
Register Now
Swing into action and be part of something amazing! It's about driving change and making an impact. Join us, support innovative programs, and help build a brighter, more inclusive future!

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Shoreline Music Summit October 3, 2026

Join Sonic Guild and the Recording Academy Pacific Northwest Chapter on October 3, 2026 for a free music industry conference designed for artists, producers, songwriters, managers, students, and music professionals.

The Summit brings together the region's creative community for a full day of inspiring conversations, practical workshops, networking, and live performances.

Whether you're releasing your first song or growing a long-term career, you'll leave with new ideas, meaningful connections, and actionable tools to support your next chapter. We are grateful for the support of 4culture and our other community partners.

Here are the details:
Saturday October 3, 2026
11am to 9pm
Bracken Building 6000, Shoreline Community College 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline 98133
Free with RSVP

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ShoreLake Arts Battle of the Bands 2026 August 22, 2026

ShoreLake Arts Battle of the Bands 2026 is almost here! We will have seven rockin' band finalists playing for a chance to win!

Bands:

• A Long Driveway
• Alter Expressions
• Deft Lips
• The Elephant Room
• Psydela
• Straight to Video
• Washington Creative District

This event is FREE and open to all. There will be food trucks and also a beer garden for our 21+ guests.

Thanks so much to our sponsors & partners:

• City of Lake Forest Park
• 4Culture
• Musicology Co

Come on out and celebrate local live music with us on Saturday, August 22! Performances start at 5pm, park gates open at 4pm.

Pfingst Animal Acres Park
17435 Brookside Blvd NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155

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Briarcrest Neighborhood picnic August 22, 2026

 

Briarcrest neighbors

We’d love to see you at the Briarcrest annual summer picnic on Saturday August 22, 3:30 to 6:00pm. We’ll have snacks, drinks, quesadillas, and ice-cream. Please bring a side dish or a dessert to share if you can. 

Most importantly, do come and meet your neighbors, and learn about the work the neighborhood association is doing. We will have kid activities including a cake walk.

If you’re available and interested, we’re also looking for volunteers to help set up and break down, starting from 2:30pm or staying until 6:30pm.

Hamlin Park map

Find us in the Hamlin Park picnic shelter. From 15th Ave NE, come in the main park road, park at the sports field, and look for us right there. From 25th Ave NE, the parking lot is closed for construction of the new park area (woo!) but you can walk in either north of the parking area or south from the high school lot.

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Family Day is Coming to the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market Sunday August 23, 2026

  Family Day is Coming to the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market!

  Sunday, August 23, from 10am – 2pm

Bring the whole family for a day filled with fresh local food, live music, and fun for all ages!

 Live Music

• 10–11:45 a.m. | Mosquito Fleet – Enjoy an energetic blend of bluegrass, old-time, and Americana, bringing timeless traditions to life with a fresh, modern sound.
• 12–2 p.m. | Mariah Fraser – A local favorite, Mariah delights audiences of all ages with fun ukulele covers and interactive music.

 

 Family Fun Includes:

 Bubble Station &  Bouncy House

 Face painting

 Zucchini Races – Build, decorate, and race your own zucchini car!

 Coloring activities & giveaways

 Explore a real City of Lake Forest Park big rig!

 

And while you're here, shop the very best of the season from our local farmers, enjoy delicious prepared foods, sweet treats, artisan goods, beautiful flowers, and so much more.

Celebrate summer, community, and the joy of spending time together at the Lake Forest Park Farmers Market. See you there!

Presented in partnership with the City of Lake Forest Park and with generous support from 4Culture.

The Lake Forest Park Farmers Market is a program of Third Place Commons, a community-supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Market takes place every Sunday (May-October), 10-2, and is located in the parking lot at the Town Center at Lake Forest Park, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155.

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Finding your way around Celebrate Shoreline Saturday August 15, 2026

Celebrate Shoreline site map

Saturday August 15, 2026 -- celebrate the City of Shoreline’s birthday!

Cromwell Park
18030 Meridian Avenue N, Shoreline, WA 98133

The festival has two stages with live music and shows, beer garden, pony rides, children’s theater, food trucks, petting zoo, hands-on activities and more!

This year’s food options include seafood gumbo, smoked BBQ, handmade momos, steak and frites, sweet treats, coffee, and more.

The ACS van is right by the path from the back entrance on Corliss. Just down the street on Corliss is the Touch-a-Truck area0

Did we mention inflatables, art projects, tumbling, and bubbles?

Family activities run from noon to 6pm - beer garden and food trucks go until 9pm (or they run out of food!)

Festival stage has entertainment the entire day:

1:15 – 2:15 pm: Miho and Diego
2:30 - 3:15 pm: Kontagious Dance Company
4:00 – 5:15 pm: Abba Graphs
5:45 – 7:15 pm: MVP
7:45 – 9:00 pm: Randy Hansen

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Have dinner at Celebrate Shoreline on Saturday at Cromwell Park

Dine out at Celebrate Shoreline Saturday
Photo by Wayne Pridemore 2022

Come by Cromwell Park on Saturday, August 15, 2026 any time from noon to 9:00pm to celebrate the City of Shoreline’s birthday!

Cromwell Park (by the Courthouse)

18030 Meridian Avenue N, Shoreline, WA 98133

The festival has two stages with live music and shows, beer garden, pony rides, children’s theater, food trucks, petting zoo, hands-on activities and more!

This is a free family friendly festival. There is a cost for food, beverages and some activities (like pony rides)

Browned and Toasted
Photo by Steven H. Robinson 2022

Foods trucks will offer main dishes and treats in a dazzling display of culinary delights. This year’s food options include seafood gumbo, smoked BBQ, handmade momos, steak and frites, sweet treats, coffee, and more.

Beamaes Seafood
Photo by Steven H. Robinson 2022

Check out the variety:

• Beamaes Seafood Gumbo
• Sugar + Spoon owners are Shoreline residents who focus on large events. They sell safe to eat cookie dough!
• Sages Coffee Company
• Trio Truck
• Seattle Pops
• HPs Smokehouse BBQ
• Kathmandu MomoCha
• Charred
• Elotador
• Isidros
• Browned and Toasted
• Matcha Muna
• Mike’s Shave Ice
• In His Hands Kettle Corn

If you are attending without the kids, there will be a beer garden coordinated by Seattle Bartending Company serving Beer, Wine, and Cider

Visit shorelinewa.gov/CelebrateShoreline to learn more and plan your visit.

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Battle of the Bands in Lake Forest Park - August 22, 2026

🎶ShoreLake Arts’ 6th Annual Battle of the Bands 🎶

Saturday, August 22, 2026

5:00pm - 8:00pm

Pfingst Animal Acres Park, Lake Forest Park

17435 Brookside Blvd NE, Lake Forest Park, WA

Open Call for New Bands

Get ready for a summer night full of music, energy, and local talent! ShoreLake Arts proudly presents the 6th Annual Battle of the Bands, a dynamic showcase of emerging and developing bands from across Washington State.

This all-ages event features a diverse lineup of musical styles, offering something for everyone—from indie rock to funk, pop, and beyond. Enjoy the show from the comfort of your lawn chairs and blankets, and soak up the lively, family-friendly atmosphere.

🍻 21+ Beer & Wine Garden
🍔 Local Food Vendors
🎸 Live Performances by Rising Artists

The Battle of the Bands is more than a concert—it's a stepping stone for up-and-coming musicians, offering them a chance to build their skills, connect with industry professionals, and shine on a public stage.

Don’t miss this chance to support the arts and discover the future of Washington’s music scene—right in your own backyard!

All ages welcome. 21+ access required for Beer & Wine Garden.

The ShoreLake Battle of the Bands aims to support the development of emerging musical talent in Washington State. The competition provides these up-and-coming musicians a platform and a unique pathway to build their musical skills and network with industry professionals.

 

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Children's Activities at Celebrate Shoreline

Celebrate Shoreline, Saturday August 15, 2026 at Cromwell Park 18030 Meridian Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133 has food and beer gardens, but is a determinedly family event.

Look at all the activities planned for children - and most of them are free.

Last Leaf Productions will perform Bayou Bug Tales, an original musical adapted from Aesop's fable about the Ant and the Grasshopper. Performances at 1:15pm and 3:30pm.

Other children's activities:

• Pony Rides: Seattle Pony Party: ($)
• Petting Zoo: Animal Encounters, Free
• Kids Theater: “Bayou Bug Tales” by Last Leaf Productions (free) presented by King County Library System, Performances at: 1:15 & 3:30 pm
• Inflatables: (free)
• Roving Entertainment: Louie Foxx Magic
• Hands on Art: Pip cleaner flowers (free)
• Bubble Play Area: (free)
• NEW: Touch a Truck
• Community Engagement
• Sponsor Engagement
• Tumbling: Seattle Gymnastics
• Police, Fire and Emergency Management booths
• Game Booth
• Photo Booth
• Face Painting

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Celebrate Shoreline Saturday noon to 9pm at Cromwell Park

Join us on Saturday August 15, 2026 from noon to 9pm to celebrate the City of Shoreline’s birthday at Celebrate Shoreline!

Cromwell Park

18030 Meridian Avenue N
Shoreline, WA 98133

The festival has two stages with live music and shows, beer garden, pony rides, children’s theater, food trucks, petting zoo, hands-on activities and more!

This is a free family friendly festival. There is a cost for food, beverages and some activities.

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Jazz Walk tonight - Tuesday August 11, 2026

We can't wait to see you tonight! We will be on hand to capture the excitement at this year's 18th annual North City Jazz Walk, brought to you by countless dedicated volunteers, sponsors, and local businesses in and around our community.

Starting at 6pm, festivities kick off with special "Jazz Bites" food and beverages at the venues, two beer and wine gardens, and a Street Festival filled with your neighbors, friends, and community enjoying all sorts of family activities, games, food trucks, face painting, fire truck tours, and more.

At 6:30 pm, bands begin playing at the two outdoor stages; indoor venue musicians begin playing at 7:00 pm. Each band plays three sets at the same venue all night, with a fifteen minute break between sets.

If you haven't had a chance to get your tickets, you can get them online or purchase them this evening at the ticket kiosk, located by Sodam Chicken.

Questions about timing, directions, parking, musicians, food, et al? Visit the Jazz Walk's FAQ page

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