Renton River Days
July 22 and July 24 - 26, 2009, in Liberty Park
The 24th Annual Renton River Days is a week-long family festival and a celebration of community pride. It is a time to get together with family, friends and neighbors and to enjoy the amenities and activities which make Renton a great community in which to live, work and play. Originating in 1986, this celebration joins residents, businesses, organizations, and Puget Sound region tourists together for a wonderful variety of events, special features for kids, arts & crafts, recreation, food and stage entertainment. Liberty Park, in the heart of Renton, is the focal point for the festival. Cedar River Park is also host to many events in and around the Renton Community Center.
Download the 2009 IKEA Renton River Days Festival Schedule
Download the Daily Schedules for July 24-26
Please note: We regretfully announce that the Cascade Canoe & Kayak Regatta, scheduled for July 25-26 at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, has been cancelled for 2009.
2009 Festival Highlights
Wednesday, July 22, Kids' Day, 11am-5pm, Liberty Park.
This special day just for kids includes free face-painting, inflatables, 40 activity booths with crafts and games, stage entertainment, and the Wenatchee Youth Circus (showtimes at 1:30pm and 6:00pm, $1/pp).
Thursday, July 23, Senior Day Picnic, Renton Community Center.
Friday-Sunday, July 24-26, Main Festival Weekend, Liberty Park.
Event hours in Libery Park will be: July 24, 12pm-8pm; July 25, 10am-8pm; July 26, 12pm-6pm
Featuring two entertainment stages, Nibble of Renton, Art Market (arts and crafts booths), Renton Annual Art Show (juried fine art show at the Renton Community Center), Community Information Booths, Quilt Show (inside the Library), Chalk Art Contest (on the sport court), inflatables for kids, plus much more!
Saturday, July 25, Parade
Begins at 10am on South 3rd St., Downtown Renton.
Sunday, July 26, Rubber Ducky Derby
Launched from the Houser Street Bridge at 4:30pm.
Avoid Parking Hassles - Take the Free Shuttle!
Avoid downtown parking hassles and congestion by taking advantage of the free festival shuttle service which will connect you to parking at Renton Memorial Stadium and our main festival grounds at Liberty Park. Stay all day, but leave time to get back to your car at the end of the day.
Free, continuous shuttle service will be available Saturday, July 25, 9:00am - 9:00pm and Sunday, July 26, Noon - 7:00pm from the following two locations:
- Renton Memorial Stadium, next to the Cedar River (Parking)
- Liberty Park on Bronson Way N., near the tennis courts (main festival grounds - stage entertainment, food, arts and craft booths, activities for kids, community non-profit and sponsor booths etc)
Look for the sandwich signs that read, "River Days Shuttle Stop."
Renton River Days Celebrates 11 Years with Title Sponsor IKEA
This year marks Renton’s 24th annual festival and celebrates the 11th anniversary with IKEA as the festival’s Title Sponsor.
Since 1999, IKEA has been the Title Sponsor of Renton River Days. The IKEA-Renton River Days relationship has provided annual financial contributions at the highest level, print material graphic design, and store gift cards to support the festival’s many “sanctioned” events with contest prizes, art awards and appreciation of volunteers. Together with the support of all of the festival’s many sponsors, contributors and the City of Renton, the Title Sponsor relationship with IKEA has enabled Renton River Days to produce a quality, safe and family-oriented festival and continue its longtime tradition of offering virtually all its activities free to families and children. Please join us in thanking IKEA for 11 years of Title Sponsorship!
How to Participate or Apply for the Festival
2009 Parade
Download the 2009 Parade Application - application deadline is July 10, 2009
For questions, more information, please call Tammy, Parade Chair, at 425.306.8450 or email at rrdparade@comcast.net.
River Days may provide a modest contribution to local or visiting marching bands, or other parade entries with musicians, bands or dancers and help offset expenses. Marching bands, musicians, and dancers captivate the crowds and fill the air with music. Our Parade Committee would like more entries like this to consider. Please call Tammy to discuss your marching band or musician based parade entry.
2009 Art Market - Artist and Arts & Crafts Booths in Liberty Park
Download the 2009 Art Market Application - Original application deadline was March 31. Extended deadline is May 15, 2009. Applications after May 15 may be considered based on space availability and artist specialty. Jewelry Category is closed for 2009.
The Art Market is the hand-crafted arts and crafts show located in Liberty Park. Load-in and set-up will be on Thursday, July 23, and the show is open to the public Friday through Sunday, July 24-26. Questions regarding booth fees, booth size, screening and jurying process, special considerations, and to receive an application for 2009, may be directed to the Art Market Chairperson, Toni Nelson at 425.226.6124, or email at toninelson2@comcast.net.
2009 Renton Annual Art Show -Juried Fine Art Show at the Renton Community Center
Visit www.rentonannualartshow.com for information or to download the 2009 Artist Prospectus. You may also contact Vicki Hart, Committee Chair, at 425.254.9934, or email at vhart@bannerbank.com. Show dates are Thursday evening, July 23, through Sunday, July 26, at the Renton Community Center.
Commercial Vendor/Exhibitor Booths
IKEA Renton River Days does not have a commercial vendor section. Commercial Exhibitor Booths are reserved for festival sponsors only. If you are interested in becoming part of the festival's family of sponsors, please call 425.430.6528 or Email Festival Director.
2009 Kids' Day Exhibitors and Weekend Community Information Booths
Application process for 2009 is closed. Application deadline was June 17, 2009.
Kids' Day (Wednesday, July 22) and Weekend Community Information Booths (Friday-Sunday, July 24-26) in Liberty Park will be non-profits, social service and public agencies, neighborhood associations, churches, service clubs, and festival sponsors. IKEA Renton River Days does not have a commercial sales or vendor section.
2009 Stage Entertainment & Performers
Bands, Dancers, Children's Variety, Strolling & Cultural/Ethnic Groups
All performance slots are full for 2009. Two separate entertainment stages will feature a variety of instrumental, vocal, percussion, and dance considered "family entertainment" in Liberty Park, July 24-26, 2009.
River Days may provide a modest contribution to local or visiting marching bands, or other parade entries with musicians, bands or dancers and help offset expenses. Marching bands, musicians, and dancers captivate the crowds and fill the air with music. Our 2009 Parade Committee would like more entries like this to consider. Please call Tammy, Parade Chair, at 425.306.8450 or email at rrdparade@comcast.net to discuss your marching band or musician-based parade entry.
Performing artists are encouraged to submit their promotional packs (artist bios, cassettes, cds, photos, etc.) through January 2010, to be considered for the Renton River Days Festival in July 2010. Sound systems are provided on both stages. Please mail any items for review for 2010 to Renton River Days, 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057. To leave a voicemail for Festival Director, Sonja Mejlaender, call 425.430.6528 or Email Festival Director.
Entertainment packs must be received by January 31, 2010, to be considered for the 2010 festival.
Only entertainment that is being considered will be contacted next year.
2009 Nibble of Renton Festival Food Vendors
Food vendor slots are full for 2009.
IKEA Renton River Days approaches local restaurants and catering services, and past participants to fill available spaces. If all spaces are not filled, additional vendors will be considered based on menu variety. All vendors operate from a 10' x 20' booth space provided by the festival. Electrical hook-up available. An application fee is required to the festival. Please email Jace Werre, Nibble Chairman, with your business name, food specialty and menu variety, address and phone. Please note, IKEA Renton River Days does not allow specialty cart food vendors.
How to Contact Renton River Days
Renton River Days
1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
Festival Information Line and Voicemail: 425.430.6528
Fax: 425.430.6603
Email Festival Director
Enjoy the festivities - then please take the Visitor's Survey.