Queen Anne Days returns with smaller set up

The annual Queen Anne Days celebration returns this year, but with a few changes.

This year’s two-day event takes place Sept. 16 and Sept. 17. Instead of taking place at the Big Howe ballfield because it is closed until the lights are replaced, this year festivities will be moved to Crockett and First Avenue West, using the same footprint as the Queen Anne Farmers Market, Queen Anne Chamber of Commerce executive director Charley Shore said.

“Even though we had to scale it way down as far as lots of space, I still think we’ll have a great time as a community,” Shore said.

The first night kicks off with the beer, cider and wine garden from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and music featuring nine-piece smooth rock band Point of Sail from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

“I think everybody will really enjoy them,” Shore said, adding they play a wide variety of songs from the late ’70s and early ’80s.

Festivities return the following day with the Kids ’N’ K-9s Parade from 12 p.m. to 12:15 p.m. featuring an Elvis impersonator as the grand marshal. The children or families with pooches will line up beginning at 11:45 a.m. in front of McClure Middle School, and the parade route will go down around the ballfield on the sidewalk, turn right on Blaine and right again on Second. It will finish in front of the stage, where the participants will receive prizes and treats.

The bands will provide the afternoon entertainment, beginning with the SeaCHORDSMEN from 12:15 through 12:30 p.m., Martin Ross from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Davanos from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Elvis from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and, lastly, Stonesy, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

A Kid Zone will be set up for children in the parking area next to the pool, with fun activities including coloring and do-it-yourself face painting. The Community Center gym will have pickleball games for adults, as well.

“It’s just a whole bunch of little things, which is fun,” Shore said.

A family movie will be shown in the teen room at the Queen Anne Community Center, as well.

Firefighters from Queen Anne’s station 8 will bring out a fire truck in the afternoon, from 1:30 to 2:30, at the corner of Crockett and Queen Anne Avenue North. Booths will also be set up on Crockett and around First, Shore said.

“Again, we don’t’ have very much space, but we’ll have a little bit of everything so people can come and have fun,” Shore said.

For more information about the Queen Anne Chamber of Commerce or its activities, go to www.queenannechamber.org.