A bit of diverse culture and international flavor came to the Plateau on Saturday as a big crowd turned out to celebrate Sammamish Days at the .
Aimed at celebrating various cultures that help make up the , the annual Sammamish Days included art, entertainment, fashion and food from the Pacific Northwest and all over the world.
The free event was expected to attract about 2,000 people throughout the day, Dawn Sanders, city of Sammamish volunteer coordinator and a key organizer said.
The five-hour event next to and at the featured a variety of cultural performances, such as Indian dance, a Chinese harpist, a steel drum music group, Tahitian dancers, a Spanish storyteller and Alaskan Tlingit dancers.
Vendors from all over the region were on hand to pass out information about local organizations and businesses, and local artisans were selling their wares. One of the more popular attractions challenged kids to chop sheets of wood with their bare hands at the display.
Many of the day’s activities were for kids. The kids parade, which involved about 60 young people, started at . Kids dressed in traditional garb from India, Korea and China - as well as two youths dressed as ketchup and mustard bottles - followed a red convertible Corvette on 228th Avenue Southeast to City Hall.
Parents, also were dressed in traditional clothing, walked along with their kids. Some stopped to snap photographs and record the moment for family memories. Many adults and kids walked behind a banner from Sammamish-based .
At Sammamish Commons, kids bounced on a trampoline ride and let their creativity flow with sidewalk chalk art.
Chris and Bill Hemmenway of Issaquah were really impressed by the effort made to appeal to youngsters. “This is wonderful for the kids,” Chris Hemmenway said.
The Hemmenways had stopped by to see what more they could learn about the community and local goings-on. “Just to see what’s going on in the area,” Chris Hemmenway said.
The Hemmenways had a fun time talking with the various organization representatives and learning about how to be more involved with the Plateau community.
Another popular attraction was the appearance of the pig-shaped Maximus Minimus catering truck. There was always a line leading to the big-grey truck and the sandwiches within.
Federal Way’s Hunter Watkins had come to Sammamish Days with a friend and was blown away by the sandwich he got from the big pig.
“This might be the best pulled pork sandwich of all time,” Watkins said as he bit into the juicy snack.
Other treats on hand included Indian curry and ice cream.
Sammamish Days also was a good opportunity to prepare for the upcoming City Council election, as several candidates were on hand to meet voters. The event followed a companion summer festival, Sammamish Nights, which featured wine, food and live music.
On the lighter side at Sammamish Days, kids were entertained by a friendly green dragon and a performer who was dressed as a cowboy and appeared to be riding on a black-and-white chicken. Kids also went home with a smile thanks to one of the many balloon animals that were handed out.
Editor's note: If you have photographs from Saturday's Sammamish Days, feel free to upload them to this story on Sammamish Patch. Just register your name and email address in the upper right hand corner of the website. A full list of the performers can be found here. Sammamish Patch, along with other groups and companies, was an event sponsor.
