Let’s Party: North Bend Block Party expands to two days in downtown North Bend

Published 2:13 pm Thursday, July 16, 2015

It may be the finish line for the Tour de Peaks bike rides Saturday, but the fun is only starting when you arrive at the North Bend Block Party Saturday.

The annual pedestrian-friendly party covers North Bend Way and Main Avenue with food and games, plus two stages of live entertainment, headlined Saturday night by Spike and the Impalers at 7, followed by Heart by Heart at 9. There are plenty of children’s activities, as always, with a twist this year — movies inside and video games outside.

“We’re going to have a 4-D mobile game theater,” said Block Party volunteer Stacey Cepeda. Inside the huge van, a small theater setup will show short videos aimed at teens and tweens, while outside, kids can play video games at the attached gaming stations.

Younger kids will definitely enjoy a visit to the petting zoo, with time for them to cuddle up with a bunny or wallaby on their laps. And they may never forget seeing the always popular Reptile Man, with his assortment of cold-blooded creatures on display … (More inside)

Since this is a biking crowd, there will be bikes  on display at the Visitor Information Center, where a North Bend bike collector is loaning out his collection of vintage bicycles for the day.

Newer bikes will also be there, as riders finish up their short, medium, or long rides for the Tour de Peaks event. The Mount Si Mountain Bike Club will host a bike valet service for riders and racers alike. Just check in your bike, then collect it when you’re ready to leave.

Walkers get something new, too, this year, a scavenger hunt that leads them on a search for clues in various businesses located throughout downtown North Bend. Organizer Lynn Fredenburg said there are at least eight businesses involved. All hunters who complete the challenge will be entered in a drawing for a prize. Sign up for the scavenger hunt at various spots around the block party, including at the bike valet and the visitor center.

Serious walkers can also catch a ride, on the Adventure shuttle, from the block party to one of several trailheads all day. Learn more at http://compassoutdooradventures.com/shuttle.

Following on the heels of the 2015 North Bend Block Party will be a car show on Sunday, the first car show that North Bend has hosted in years.

Dave Dunn, the show organizer, member of Legends Car Club, and a newer resident of the city, insists that the show’s debut “had nothing to do with that we just moved out to North Bend… it was word of mouth, 100 percent word of mouth.”

Several local people had been talking with car clubs about having a show in the city, Dunn said, and they wanted one that donated to charities. Legends, based in Issaquah, fit the bill, and has lots of experience at car shows, including at Snoqualmie’s Railroad Days each August.

Since this will be a first, though, Dunn isn’t sure what to expect for turnout, but he’s planning for a lot, at least 150 to 180 cars.  The car show schedule is light that day, he said. “They got really lucky, don’t ask me how that happened.”

Cars will be lined up along West North Bend Way, Main Avenue North, and West Second Street, from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the show. Awards  will be announced at 3 p.m., but Dunn added that there will be things to do throughout the day, including games for kids and adults, and a small raffle.

Stay up to date with the block  party happenings by following the event on Facebook.

Bikes will stream into the Block Party throughout the day, as Tour de Peaks riders reach the finish line in downtown North Bend.

A sad victim of the dunk tank, a fundraiser for Mount Si High School sports;.

Cuddle a bunny or a wombat at the Animal Encounters petting zoo Saturday.

Shelby Washington of Seattle polishes his 1966 Cadillac coupe at the 2014 Legends show in Snoqualmie.

SATURDAY Main Stage

Noon – Mysterious Fat Men

12:45 p.m. –  Lisa D and the Groove

1:30 p.m. – Sonic Soul Redemption

2:30 p.m. – Cascade Dance

3:15 p.m. – Future Jazz Heads

3:40 p.m. – Kelly Eisenhour

4:15 p.m. – Ignite Dance

5:15 p.m. – Eastside Jam

6:15 p.m. – Ultimate Fitness Competition by Mt Si Sports and Fitness

7 p.m. – Spike and the Impalers

9 p.m. – Heart by Heart

SATURDAY Community Stage

1 to 1:30 p.m. – DMW Martial Arts demo

2 to 2:30 p.m. – Cupcake Eating Contest by MyCakes

3:30 to 4:15 p.m. –  Reptile Man

4:15 to 5 p.m. – Loco Motive performs

SATURDAY All Day Activities

Mini-climbing wall

Laser Tag

Inflatable Obstacle Course

Dunk Tank hosted by Mount Si Wrestling

Animal Encounters Petting Zoo

4D Theatre and Gaming Station

SUNDAY

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Legends Car Show