This Week in Renton: Thank you, Renton River Days sponsors!

Published on July 18, 2025

Thank you, Renton River Days sponsors

In 2024, nearly 25,000 visitors gathered for the Renton River Days festival, a testament to Renton’s vibrant spirit and tight-knit community.  

One of the things that makes the Renton River Days experience so unique is its wide variety of activities that are accessible to all, thanks in part to our generous sponsors.  

  • Thank you, Seattle Children’s, for helping bring joy to the Activity Zone, providing FREE interactive experiences for all ages.
  • Thank you, Boeing, for helping our epic drone light up the skies Friday night.
  • Thank you, BECU, for supporting local vendors, businesses, and shoppers at the two-day Summer Bazaar!
  • Thank you, to Brotherton Cadillac, for helping drive a joyful and memorable Saturday parade!
  • Thank you, McLendon Hardware, for helping us nail down every detail for a warm and welcoming community parade!
  • Thank you to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee for supporting the incredible talent featured on the Renton River Days stage! 

Lastly, thank you to all of our sponsors for bringing our community together for our festival born from local collaboration and community pride! 

  • Allied Arts of Renton 
  • Caffee Accident & Injury Lawyers 
  • Global Credit Union 
  • Jacuzzi Bath Remodel of Seattle 
  • Puget Sound Energy 
  • Rain City Catering 
  • Renton Chamber of Commerce 
  • Rotary Club of Renton 

Sponsor the fun! Interested sponsors can contact jspencer@rentonwa.gov for more details. 

Outside of being a sponsor, there are still ways to help out during Renton River Days. Join our amazing team of Renton River Days volunteers and help bring this festival to life at rentonwa.gov/volunteer

Learn more and see Renton River Day's complete schedule and brocure at rentonwa.gov/riverdays

 


The city's Finance Department receives two awards from Government Finance Officers Association

The City of Renton's Finance Department received two Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) awards. The first award was for Excellence in Financial Reporting, and the second was the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.  

The city was selected for the Excellence in Financial Reporting Award for its annual comprehensive financial report for the 2023 fiscal year. The report is judged by an impartial panel to meet the program's high standards, which include clearly communicating its financial story and motivating potential users and user groups to read the report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.  

The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award reflects the staff's commitment to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting with a special recognition for the presentation for the capital investment program. The department had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation to receive this award. These guidelines assess if the budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device.   

Every two years, the city develops the biennial budget, which begins with the mayor and council reviewing the city's current service levels and projected revenues for the new biennium to determine whether significant changes are needed. For the 2025-2026 Biennial Budget, before the completion of the budget, the department provided residents with a citywide budget survey for the first time to help understand the community priorities and expectations for city services that will help influence budget decisions.   

Both recognitions highlight the department's focus on prioritizing creating an inclusive and balanced budget for the needs of Renton residents.

 


The newest StoryWalk is here! 

Since 2021, Renton Parks & Recreation has been partnering with King County Library System to bring StoryWalks to our parks.  

The newest StoryWalk has landed at Sunset Neighborhood Park, 2680 Sunset Ln. NE and is available until Friday, August 8. Come explore the enchanting pages of “Noah and His Red Cat” by Silvina Rocha - Illustrated by Lucía M. Prieto. The story is available in both English and Spanish. 

How does it work? 

  • Start your journey at the first story sign/page across the street from the Highlands Library.   
  • Experience the whole story by following the 17 signs/pages around the park. 

This StoryWalk will move to Liberty Park, 1101 Bronson Way N., from August 11 to September 5 and will begin next to the park playground.

 


South 7th Street update 

The South 7th Street Corridor Improvements Project develops the street as a key east-west bicycle route into downtown.  

Improvements will serve as key non-motorized access to the future Sound Transit BRT station, the existing WSDOT Park and Ride, and downtown destinations like the Transit Center and Piazza. 

Completed improvements to this multi-use path include:  

  • Newly installed sidewalk 
  • Temporary pavement markings   
  • Accessibility upgrades to curb ramps east of Shattuck Avenue South
  • Raised concrete trail crossing across Burnett Avenue South   
  • Several changes in traffic patterns 

Improvements on the way include: 

  • Landscaping 
  • Permanent pavement markings 
  • Green bike lanes through conflict/crossing zones  
  • Upgraded marked crosswalk with flashing beacons west of Rainier Avenue South 

Temporary closures continue through this week and next, so please continue following signage as seen.  

Thank you for your patience as this project nears completion. 

Learn more at rentonwa.gov/south7th

 


Teen Night Pool Party at HMAC! 

Teens age 14-17 are invited for Teen Night attheHenry Moses Aquatic Center (HMAC) onFriday, July 25,from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. A photobooth, food truck, free ice cream, and plenty of pool games and music will be provided.Registerhere.

 


Senior Day Picnic at Renton Community Center 

Those ages 50 and up are invited for the annual Senior Day Picnic on Thursday, July 24, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Renton Community Center, 1715 Maple Valley Highway.  

Enjoy an afternoon featuring dancing to era classics, live music with Seattle Solid Gold, and a delicious barbecue lunch. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Register here.

 


Around Renton 

Renton River Days is July 25-27. Learn about this three-day festival and tradition at rentonwa.gov/riverdays

Summer Meal Program provides free lunch, snacks, and activities to children aged 1-18 at various places around the city. rentonwa.gov/summermeals 

The Renton Farmers Market has MOVED! Find the market at its new temporary location on Williams Avenue South between South Second Street and South Third Street. The market is open every Tuesday until September 30 from 3 – 7 p.m. rentonfarmersmarket.com 

The 2026 Parks, Recreation, & Open Space Plan is looking for your feedback. Learn more and fill out the survey at rentonwa.gov/pros.  

Renton City Council meets every Monday (excluding fifth Mondays and holidays) at 7 p.m. at Renton City Hall’s seventh floor council chambers. Find the agenda and sign up to speak at rentonwa.gov/council.  

July 23 – Entrepreneur Networking Walk, 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Hyatt Regency, 1053 Lake Washington Blvd N. Hosted by Startup425 and the city’s Community & Economic Development Department. Free. Register here

July 24 – Senior Day Picnic, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Renton Community Center, Ages 50 and up. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation. Register here

July 25 – Teen Night at HMAC, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Henry Moses Aquatic Center, 1719 Maple Valley Highway. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation. Ages 14-17. Register here

July 25 – Live Music & Drone Show at Renton River Days, 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park,1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation. Free.  

July 26 – Parade at Renton River Days,10 a.m. Downtown on South Third Street from Shattuck to Liberty Park. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation. Free.  

July 26 – Chalk Art Competition at Renton River Days,10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Cedar River Park Drive. Hosted by Renton Municipal Arts Commision. Free. Register here

July 26-27 – Summer Bazaar at Renton River Days, Saturday, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.  Renton Community Center. 1715 Maple Valley Highway. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation. Free admission. 

July 27 – Rubber Ducky Derby at Renton River Days, 3:30 p.m. Cedar River. Hosted by Renton Rotary. Free to watch.  

July 31 –  Family Fun: Sing Your Song Concert with Keeth Apgar, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Tiffany Park, 1902 Lake Youngs Way SE. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation and King County Library System. Free. 

July 31 – Summer Concert: Scott Lindenmuth, 6:30 p.m. Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park Kidd Valley Stage, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation. Free. 

August 2 – McCaffrey-Neilson Tournament, 8 a.m. Maplewood Golf Course, 4050 Maple Valley Highway. Hosted by Ed McCaffrey and Gordy Neilson Memorial Golf Tournament and Renton Parks & Recreation. Register now

August 6 – Family Fun: Secrets of Wizards Show with Jeff Evans, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Liberty Park, 1101 Bronson Way N. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation and King County Library System. Free. 

August 14 Family Fun: Music in the Park with Marco Cortes, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Kiwanis Park, 815 Union Ave. NE. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation and King County Library System. Free. 

August 14 - Summer Concert: Between 2 Gregs, 6:30 p.m. Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park Kidd Valley Stage, 1201 Lake Washington Blvd. N. Hosted by Renton Parks & Recreation. Free. 

August 16 - Renton Artist Studio Tour, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Perfect Fit Framing, 309 S. 3rd St. N. Hosted by Renton Municipal Arts Commission. Free. 

 


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