Welcome to Best of Redmond! Redmond's twice-weekly newsletter and podcast about all the amazing things happening in Redmond for the next seven days! 📰 Redmond Buys New Home for Public Works Crews Most of us never think about the people fixing water lines, maintaining parks, repairing city vehicles, or keeping storm drains clear until something breaks. That's why a recent Redmond City Council decision is more interesting than it sounds. The city just approved the purchase of a new 9.1-acre property that will become the future home of Redmond's Maintenance and Operations Center, replacing facilities that have been serving the city for decades. The crews working there help keep Redmond running behind the scenes every day. As the city continues to grow, officials say the new site will give those teams more room and better facilities to keep up with demand. Not the flashiest project in town, but definitely one you'll appreciate the next time everything works exactly the way it's supposed to. 🥕 Redmond Veg Fest Even if you're not vegan, this one sounds like a fun way to spend part of a Saturday. Redmond Veg Fest takes over Downtown Park on June 20 starting at noon with plant-based food vendors, live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, and activities for kids. The whole thing is free, which makes it pretty easy to wander through and see what catches your attention. There will be plenty of opportunities to sample food, meet local businesses, and learn a little more about plant-based living without anyone giving you a lecture. Some people will come for the food, some will come for the music, and some will just be looking for something different to do. Show up hungry and give yourself more time than you think you'll need. 🎵 Buju Banton & Stephen Marley at Marymoor Live Marymoor Live keeps rolling this summer, and next up is a pretty big one. Buju Banton and Stephen Marley bring the Roots and Rhymes Tour to Marymoor Park on Wednesday, June 17, with doors opening at 4:00 PM and the show starting at 6:00 PM. If reggae is your thing, this is one of the biggest shows to hit Redmond this season. The outdoor setting at Marymoor always makes concerts feel a little more relaxed, and this lineup brings together two artists with deep roots in reggae music. Expect a crowd, good energy, and a lot of people staking out spots on the lawn early. Bring a blanket, get there ahead of showtime, and enjoy one of the bigger summer concerts in town. 👨👩👧👦 Summer Reading Launch Party at Farrel-McWhirter Park Summer reading officially gets underway on Wednesday, June 17 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Farrel-McWhirter Park. KCLS is kicking things off with games, activities, reading guides, and plenty of space for kids to spread out with a book and start working toward this year's reading challenge prizes. What makes this one different from a typical library event is the location. Farrel-McWhirter already has trails, open space, and farm animals, so kids can spend time with goats, rabbits, and pigs between activities. Bring a picnic blanket, pack a few snacks, and let the kids get a head start on a summer challenge that might actually get them excited about reading. 🚲 Bicycle Bling: Up to $2,000 Off an E-Bike? Okay, if you've been even a little curious about e-bikes, this might be worth your time. Pedal Forward Eastside is hosting an event at the North Bellevue Community Center on Thursday, June 18 at 6:00 PM where residents can learn about a regional rebate program that could provide up to $2,000 toward the purchase of an e-bike. They'll have bikes available for test rides, experts on hand to answer questions, and information about how the application process works. E-bikes seem to be showing up everywhere around Redmond lately, and a rebate that size definitely gets people's attention. Before spending a bunch of money on a new ride, this looks like an easy way to see what all the excitement is about. 🐾 Father's Day at Pickles Playland If the dad in your life happens to have four legs and a wagging tail, Pickles Playland has something planned for him too. Their Father's Day celebration takes place on Thursday, June 18 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, giving dogs and their humans a chance to enjoy an afternoon of activities together. Pickles has become one of the more unique pet-focused spots in the area, and special events like this tend to attract a pretty social crowd of local dog owners. Expect plenty of dogs running around, lots of photo opportunities, and a chance to meet other people who are just as obsessed with their pets as you are. If your dog enjoys making new friends, this is probably their kind of afternoon. 🎨 Rainbow on the Eastside Opening Reception Pride Month celebrations continue in Redmond with the opening reception for Rainbow on the Eastside at Centro Cultural Mexicano on Thursday, June 18 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. The exhibit features artwork from LGBTQIA+ artists across the Eastside and highlights a wide range of creative styles and perspectives from the local community. The reception gives visitors a chance to meet artists, explore the exhibit, and support creators whose work is rooted right here in the region. It's one thing to see art online, but it's a different experience when you're standing in front of it and hearing the stories behind it. If you're looking for something a little different this week, this is an easy way to spend an evening in downtown Redmond. 🤠 Boots and Brews Line Dancing Not every Thursday night has to involve sitting at home scrolling through your phone. Watts Brewing Company is hosting Boots and Brews Line Dancing on June 18 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and you don't need any previous experience to join in. The combination is pretty simple: grab a drink, learn a few steps, and spend an hour doing something most people don't normally do during the work week. Events like this tend to attract a mix of complete beginners and people who already know what they're doing, so there's no reason to feel intimidated. Bring a friend, laugh at yourself a little, and remember that everyone looks slightly ridiculous while learning line dancing. 🕰️ Redmond History Minute Okay, it's time for the Redmond History Minute, where we share an interesting piece of history, trivia, or tidbit about life in and around Redmond. In 1915, Snoqualmie Pass opened to motorists. The best route over the pass ran through which Eastside city? A) Bellevue B) Kirkland C) Redmond D) Issaquah Answer revealed at the bottom of this newsletter. 🔮 Redmond Rumor Mill Okay, here's this week's rumor. We've heard that a Korean fried chicken and draft beer concept that's already doing big business in places like Lynnwood and Federal Way may be looking at space somewhere along the Cleveland Street corridor in downtown Redmond. The story we're hearing is counter-service, crispy fried chicken, cold beer, and hours that run later than a lot of the places currently open downtown. Now, to be clear, we haven't been able to confirm any of this. No permits, no announcements, and no official word from anyone involved. The question is: if a spot like this does open, where do you think it lands? If you've got a guess or have heard something, head to our Facebook page at facebook.com/BestOfRedmond and drop it in the "Redmond Rumor Mill Guesses" post. 🗳️ Your Picks: Best Food Truck in Redmond Alright, that's it for this week. Head on over to facebook.com/BestOfRedmond, find the post called "Your Picks," and drop your vote in the comments. We want to know who you think is the best food truck in Redmond. 📻 Don't Miss the Podcast If you enjoyed this newsletter, you're gonna love the companion podcast. Find it at bestofredmond.com. We'll see you in the next one... or maybe before then, walking around Redmond. 🎯 History Minute Answer The answer is C – Redmond When Snoqualmie Pass opened to cars in 1915 as part of the Yellowstone Trail, also known as the Sunset Highway, the best route across the Cascades ran through Redmond. Bellevue wasn't yet connected the way it is today, and much of the area was still farmland. For a brief period, Redmond became the gateway for motorists heading east. Local businessman Bill Brown even ran an omnibus service between Kirkland and Redmond to help move travelers through town and take advantage of the growing traffic.
