Ready for some footfall? Then get over to Kirkland’s O.O. Denny Park on the shores of Lake Washington to hear the sounds of footsteps parading with dogs, lined up for food, and dancing to live music in the Finn Hill neighborhood annual celebration known as DennyFest. Sponsored by the Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance (FHNA), the fun takes place on Sunday, September 13th from 12pm to 4pm.
All area residents and supporters of FHNA are welcome at the 7th annual event. O.O. Denny Park is located at 12032 Holmes Point Drive, about a mile off Juanita Drive. Get onto Holmes Point Drive either at the intersection where Fire Station 25 is located or across from Inglewood QFC.
Live MusicThe rousing Geoffrey Castle and his band returns with his electric six-string violin explosion. Northwest University’s own Jessie Oliver is back with her personal songwriting vocals. And neighborhood namesake Finn Hill Jazz is back to perform its jazz, Latin, and blues music. See schedule of events below.
Dog Parade and ContestsThe footsteps include lots of furry ones, too, with a dog competition. It starts with a parade of dogs around the park at 2pm. Then several competitions are held. Participants are asked to donate $2 for each competition entry. A panel of judges will handle the canine critiques and awards will be given to dogs judged tops in several categories. Bring your canine companion on a leash.
Chili Cookoff and Pie ContestIt wouldn’t be DennyFest without a Denny feast. The popular chili cookoff has contestants vying to be named top flavor artisan. Contestants are asked to bring a campstove and at least two gallons of chili to serve to festival attendees. The top three vote-getters named by you get bragging rights for a year. The pie contest satisfies the sweet cravings of festival attendees with the same honors to those judged best. Interested participants can contact Kristin at kmpascal@comcast.net. Or show up on time and prepared to dish it out with the best of them.
Food and BeveragesWe’ll have hot dogs and burgers, and salsa and chip to eat and sodas and water to drink. This year, Windermere Real Estate’s Michael “Smit” Smith is bringing his professional smoker and grill to DennyFest, so we should be able to turn out the dogs and burgers more quickly than before.
Neighborhood PlanningWe will also have booths from local organizations and merchants – and this year we’ll have a booth for our neighborhood plan consultant, UW’s Green Futures Lab. Stop by and find out what we are doing to create a plan for Finn Hill that will accommodate growth while preserving the beautiful green spaces that make Finn Hill a fantastic place to live.
Fun for the KidsThere will be an activity area for younger children. This is always one of the most popular activities with arts and crafts that entertain the young ones all afternoon. A bouncy house helps burn off lots of energy courtesy of Windermere Real Estate’s Jim Lloyd. Reuben Barron will entertain with his magic tricks and great sense of humor.
Environmental EducationLou Berner will be leading an interactive environmental education activity. The area’s wooded acreage is one of the main reasons local residents love living on Finn Hill. Lou will describe the area vegetation, wildlife, and history.
Shuttle ServiceA shortage of parking at the park doesn’t have to deter you from visiting. This year the Inglewood Presbyterian Church at 7718 NE 141st Street (a few blocks east past the QFC shopping area) offers up its parking lot and visitors can get shuttled back and forth via bus. See details below.
Volunteers WelcomeYou can be an even more integral part of DennyFest by volunteering. Short shifts are available to help with the dog show, grilling hot dogs and burgers, and setting up and cleaning up. If you’re willing to offer up even a short amount of time to pitch in, contact Marc Ackerman at pcvack@gmail.com.
Schedule of EventsNoon – DennyFest opens! Food and beverages available
Noon – Arts & crafts and bouncy house open
Noon – 1.00
Jessie Oliver performs
Noon – 1.30 Chili contest
1.00 – 2.00
Finn Hill Jazz performs
1.30 – 2.30
Reuben Barron magic show
1.30 – 2.30 Pie contest
1.30 – 2.45 Dog parade and dog show
2.00 – 2.15
Ruben Barron magic show
2.15 – 4.00
Geoffrey Castle Band performs
2.30 – 3.15 Interactive environmental education
3.30 Chili, pie, and dog show prizes awarded
4.00 Event closes
DennyFest ShuttleRide in a 14-passenger van from our satellite parking lot at the nearby Inglewood Presbyterian Church directly to DennyFest at O.O. Denny Park. It’s convenient! It’s fast! It’s free!
The church is located at 7718 NE 141st St. in Kirkland, just a few blocks east from Finn Hill QFC:
Forget about struggling to find a space on Holmes Point Drive. There’s an easier way. Park in the church’s expansive lot and enjoy curb service to DennyFest.
Valet shuttle pick-up/drop-off runs from 12 noon until 4:30pm on Sunday, 9/13, completing a round-trip approximately every 20 minutes.
Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance thanks Pastor James Kumin and the generous volunteers from
Inglewood Presbyterian Church for providing shuttle van and drivers.
And last, but certainly not least,
let’s thank our wonderful
DennyFest sponsorsJim Lloyd, Windermere Real Estate
Michael ”Smit” Smith, Windermere Real EstateInglewood Presbyterian Church
Fred Meyer
QFC
Amante
Finn Hill Shell
Meadows Chiropractic
Padria
Plaza GarciaDooley’s Dog House
Pup Scrub
Denny’s Pet WorldSmith Brothers Farms###Thank you!
Scott Morris, President
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Post by FHNA President, Scott Morris
