Festivals and Events Associations in Washington and Oregon bestowed five awards on the Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation Department at the annual Northwest Festivals and Events Conference March 8 in Seaside, Ore.
These awards recognize city staff for coordinating the annual Petpalooza event last May. Petpalooza picked up the silver medal in the specialty print category, a bronze medal for T-shirt design and a silver medal for best overall promotional campaign. The event, now in its third year, scooped up a bundle of awards at the 2009 conference. It also took home the Learning Resources Network (LERN)’s best new program at their international awards banquet in November of 2008.
Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation bulked up its list of credentials by winning a gold medal award in the souvenir pin/souvenir button category for the 4th of July Car Show Dash Plaque. It earned a second gold medal for the inaugural ArtRageous: Artist in Action Fair last July at Les Gove Park.
Among the other large-scale festivals showcased were the Bite of Seattle, Issaquah Salmon Days and the Fremont Oktoberfest.
“We are thrilled to be recognized for our effort,” said Daryl Faber, director of Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation. “There are so many outstanding festivals and events in our state. This is quite an honor. We have an amazing support system in our community. We couldn’t do it alone.”
Delegates from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Northern California attended the conference.
The 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. It has close to 300 member organizations, ranging from municipal parks departments and downtown associations to chambers, convention bureaus and non-profit event companies.
Here are some of the events the Parks, Art and Recreation Department has scheduled for this year:
• The 3rd annual Petpalooza festival, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, May 22 at Game Farm Park, 3030 R St. S.E. The Dog Trot 3K/5K Fun Run gets things going at 9:30 a.m., and registration is required. Events include an animal entertainment stage, Skyhoundz Disc Dog Championships, a petting zoo and pony rides, a noon pet parade, the ‘unleashed’ pet contest, the National Canine Cancer Foundation’s Lure for a Cure course, an agility area, the K9 Kings High Flying Dog Show, kids’ face painting, inflatable rides and almost 100 vendors hawking their wares.
• Auburn’s 4th of July Festival, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., July 4 at Les Gove Park. In addition to the award-winning car show, this free festival features two 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.
• ArtRageous: Artist in Action Fair, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 7 at Les Gove Park. The second annual event will feature professional artists demonstrating their techniques, sharing their enthusiasm for the arts, and offering hands-on art-making activities. This free fine arts festival is an introduction to a wide variety of art making in a fun, family-friendly environment.
The Parks, Arts and Recreation Department is accepting vendor applications and sponsors for Petpalooza, KidsDay and the 4th of July Festival. Registration for the 3rd annual Dog Trot 3K/5K Fun Run is also underway.
For more information about these and other special events. go to www.auburnwa.gov or call (253) 931-3043.
