Miller’s debuted its new outdoor space with a bang July 3, ringing in Carnation’s Fourth of July festivities and a new era for the historic event venue.

The outdoor venue, tucked between Miller’s and Carnation Ace Hardware, has a lawn for guests to enjoy the show on a picnic blanket or camping chair, as well as a covered wood stage made of reclaimed California redwood. The opening night included a turnout of at least 300 people, a show by Seattle band The Dusty 45s, and a smashburger pop-up from Carnation Farms chefs.

The lot, owned by someone in the Carnation Farms family, was once the location of Carnation’s historic Cedar Log Tavern, but had sat empty for quite some time. Carnation Farms Executive Director Paul Shoemaker approached Miller’s owners Nancy Colton and Bill Pritchard about activating the space, and it was an easy yes.

“We had, in our dreams, written down this whole plan to have it be an outdoor space and all these things, and then he came along,” Colton said.

The project is the result of a partnership between Miller’s and Carnation Farms, as well as green lights from the city of Carnation. It came together quickly, Colton said, turning the space from a crumbly asphalt patch to a field of lush grass in a matter of weeks.

Colton noted that the project would not have been possible without the support of the community. Pete Nelson, owner of Nelson Treehouse, donated wood. Local chef Kim Aue brought over lunches and dinners for the construction crew. Jules Hughes, owner of the Miller’s property, did architectural drawings, while local artist Simone Oliver did landscape designs and another landscaper designer donated her time to get the place in shape.

The Carnation moms club also donated lawn games like cornhole and a giant Connect Four, and a lot of people donated whatever money they could, Colton said.

“It’s been a total barn raising,” she said prior to the opening. “I will get out of bed to come over here to do some work, and there’s like 10 people working in the yard to get this done. … I want the whole world to be like this.”

When the idea was born, Colton said they estimated needing $50,000 to get it off the ground, not accounting for future operating expenses. But because of the time and craftsmanship put into the project, she estimates its value to be much higher.

Miller’s has a summer concert series planned for the space, and it will also be available for private events, Colton said. Community members have already approached her about wedding receptions.

The space will technically be available all year, she said, but events will be planned according to weather.

To see a complete list of upcoming Miller’s shows, visit millerscarnation.com/calendar.

The Miller’s outdoor venue also has a bar for customers to enjoy.

Carnation Farms butcher Thomas Coss cooks up smash burgers at the opening of the Miller’s outdoor venue, July 3, 2025.

Local band The Dusty 45s perform at the opening of the Miller’s outdoor venue, July 3, 2025. (Grace Gorenflo/Valley Record)

Concertgoers dance to music by local band The Dusty 45s at the opening of the Miller’s outdoor venue, July 3, 2025. (Grace Gorenflo/Valley Record)