King County Park events for June 1-10

There are plenty of "must-sees" and "must-dos" happening at King County Parks, "Your Big Backyard," during the first two weeks of June.

At Marymoor Park, Cirque du Soleil gives its final performances of "Varekai," while ‘80s pop favorites INXS kicks off the U.S. Bank Summer Concert Series. There are also plenty of volunteer opportunities to restore park trails and protect water quality throughout King County. Check out all of the fun activities available:

King County's Marymoor Park

June 1 - 4, with extended dates for Cirque Club members
Cirque du Soleil presents "Varekai"

Cirque du Soleil - a celebrated theatrical show that mixes the arts of the circus and the street, and featuring original music, light effects and costumes - presents for the first time the live touring production of "Varekai" under its trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau at Marymoor Park. Show times and tickets are available at www.cirquedusoleil.com.

June 3, 7 p.m.
U.S. Bank Concerts at Marymoor presents INXS
Marymoor Amphitheater

Kicking off Marymoor's Summer Concert Series is popular Australian rock band INXS, featuring new front man J.D. Fortune. Ticket prices are $42.50 for general admission and $65 for reserved seating. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

June 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Marymoor R/C Club Swap Meet
Flying Field

Come out to the Marymoor Radio Control Club Open Air Swap Meet to buy, sell or swap anything and everything to do with radio controlled model airplanes. For more information, contact Norah Gaynor at 206-205-3661, or visit http://www.mar-c.org/ on the Internet.

June 2, June 9, - 7:30 p.m.
Group Health Friday Night Track Racing
Group Health Velodrome

The Group Health Friday Night Track Racing series, "The Show," is thrilling action for racers and spectators alike. World-class cyclists compete under the lights, while family and friends picnic on the lawn or enjoy the view from the stands. The traditional "Kiddie Kilo" happens the first and third Fridays of each month. Spectator admission is $4 for adults and free for kids 16 and under. For more information, visit http://www.velodrome.org/ on the Internet.

June 1 – Aug. 30
Monday and Wednesday Night Racing
Group Health Velodrome

The Monday and Wednesday Night Racing series develops bike racers for the Friday Night Racing series, presented by Group Health. The Monday series is designed for juniors and new bike racers, while the Wednesday series offers masters-only races. Spectator admission is free. Racing starts at 7 p.m. on Mondays, and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. For more information, visit http://www.velodrome.org/ on the Internet.

King County Fairgrounds

June 2 – 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
King County Wastemobile

Help safeguard your family's health and the environment by bringing your pesticides, chlorine bleach, paint products, automotive products, including oil, antifreeze and car batteries, and other household hazardous to the King County Wastemobile. This service is free of charge. For more information, including directions to the site, acceptable materials and quantity limits, call the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program's Household Hazards Line at 206-296-4692 or visit www.govlink.org/hazwaste/house/disposal/wastemobile/index.html

Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
June 10, 9 a.m.
Cougar Mountain Running Series
This 7.5-mile race is the second installment of the annual Cougar Mountain Running Series. The series consists of four races, one occurring each month during summer. The entry fee is $25 per race or $80 for all four races. Proceeds benefit King County Parks restoration projects. Register online at www.seattlerunningcompany.com/Events/.

Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center

June 3 – 4
Washington State Special Olympics Swimming Championships

Four hundred Special Olympic swimmers representing teams from around the state will be competing in this annual, two-day swimming championship. Spectator admission is free. Special Olympics of Washington is also seeking volunteers for these activities. For more information, visit www.sowa.org on the Internet.

June 10
Federal Way Flag Day Celebration

Soroptimist International of Federal Way will host this annual ceremony in the front alcove of the King County Aquatic Center. Festivities begin with the raising of new flags on the 50 flagpoles lining Campus Drive, and include readings of award-winning student essays, live entertainment and patriotic presentations from civic leaders and members of the military. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Mike Dunwiddie at 206-296-4547.

Volunteer Opportunities

Every Saturday - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Native Tree Potting
King County Greenhouse, Maple Valley

Pot native trees and shrubs and exercise your green thumb by moving soil and plants into the nursery. Plants are for future restoration projects that benefit fish, wildlife and water quality. All ages are welcome, and no experience is necessary. To register, contact Tina Miller at 206-296-2990 or tina.miller@kingcounty.gov.

June 3, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Trail Restoration
Grand Ridge Park, Issaquah

Celebrate National Trails Day by helping construct a regional hiking trail system at Grand Ridge Park. This trail will eventually connect Interstate 90 to the Duthie Hill Road on the Sammamish Plateau. Trail work involves clearing vegetation and duff, installing drainage, leveling the trail to mineral soil and placing gravel where needed. For more information or to sign up for the event contact Tina Miller, volunteer coordinator, at 206-296-2990 or tina.miller@kingcounty.gov.

King County Parks looks after "Your Big Backyard" more than 25,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, plus pools and a world-class aquatic center. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities while reducing costs.