July 8 - 11, 2010

                               Kent Cornucopia Days 2010 - "The Festival of the Valley" - A community service project of the Kent Lions, Kent WA
 

(We would like to thank the Kent Historical Society & Museum, the White River Museum, the King County Journal for contributing to this history page.  Kent Lions Club member Bill Westcott has spent many years researching this festival and is responsible for putting together the following.)

History of Kent Cornucopia Days

The Kent Cornucopia Days has a long and historical presence in Kent.

In the 1890's, the community of Kent had some form of a "Festival" to celebrate that harvest of the lettuce in the Kent Valley, which at the time was a well known lettuce farming region of the country.  However, details are very spotty about the festival or event during this time period. 

We do however have documentation of the 1st annual "Kent Lettuce Festival" in 1934, a run that ended in 1937 (we do have some evidence that it also accord in 1938).  This four year run was primarily sponsored by the Kent American Legion.  Also involved with the event were the Kent Commercial Club (which became the Kent Lions Club in 1938), the Kent Breakfast Club, the Kent Eagles, the Kent Kiwanis Club, the Young Men's Breakfast Club, and the Izaak Walton League.   The festival ended when its chief promoter William Harn left the area for Bellingham, where he soon became Mayor.  You should also note that this is the time of the "Great Depression" (starting at the end of 1929 until the early 1940's) and "World War II" (which for our country was from 1941 until 1945).

Shortly after World War II, the festival was resurrected and ran for several years starting in 1946 and was known as the "Cornucopia Festival"  to represent the now newly diversified crops being grown in the Kent Valley.  We are not sure who organized it at this time, but there was a group that was formed and incorporated in 1951 at "Kent Cornucopia Inc".  This group appears to have run the festival until the end of 1954 when the Kent American Legion was asked to run this festival, and ran (we believe) until at least 1965.  It is unknown why it ended this time around.

We are not sure yet if a "festival" per se was in existence during the years of 1965 - 1969.  However, there was a short lived "Home Show" that was held indoors for a couple of years during this time period.  It was advertised as a resurrection of the "Cornucopia Festival".  The chairman of this event was area businessman and Kent Lions Club member Ed Jahn.

We do have documentation of the Ezra Meeker Days in 1969 & 1970, and possibly 1971 from a very short news clip but not much else.  Then in 1971 (with the first festival held in 1972), the Kent Lions and other community organizations (all now non-existent except for the Kent Lions Club) named the festival "Meeker Days" since the club's Street Fair took place on only a couple of blocks along Meeker Street (named after the Ezra Meeker business).  Credit for founding this newer festival goes to Dave Hillemeyer, a Kent Lion and original chairman of the festival.   The Kent Lions worked closely with the Kent Federated Women's Club (no longer in existence), and together these two groups brought our festival through it formative years.

In 1980, it was agreed that the City of Puyallup would retain the title of "Meeker Days" due too the Ezra Meeker Mansion being in that city even though Meeker Street in Kent was named after the same man.   In that decision, the Kent Lions agreed to have the Kent Festival renamed to "Cornucopia Days" (after the downtown association of merchants in Kent, which owned the rights to that title, disbanded its corporation) an adaptation from the 1940's when the event was known as the "Cornucopia Festival", with a permanent theme of "The Festival of the Valley".  In 1981, we have the first appearance of "Kent Cornucopia Days Festival".  The Kent Lions Club exclusively maintains this festival, and our festival is now commonly referred to as "Kent Cornucopia Days", "The Festival of the Valley".

Our Logo

The current Kent Cornucopia Days logo is a stylized version of the original logo produced by Kent Lion John Solis in 1987.  The original represented the “Kent Valley” between the west & east hills with the Sun shinning above.  The standard Cornucopia basket was also incorporated in this artwork.  The newer logo is a similar way of representing that “Valley” & “Hills” with the “Sun”, which was started by the Metro Advertising agency on one of our advertising campaigns and finalized in its final version by Kent Lion Bill Westcott.

Coming Soon - History by topics

• Who or what did the festival benefit

• Festival Parades over the years

• Who owned or controlled the festival

• Festival Royalty over the years

• Other long term events within the festival

• Logo's and Buttons over the years
   

Historic newspaper clippings

"Queen to Start Lettuce Train of 50 Cars"
Sitting in the cab of a huge engine at 1:30 Saturday afternoon, June 9, a beautiful Kent young lady will pull the throttle that will send rolling on its way to eastern markets a great train of 50 cars loaded with Kent grown lettuce.  The young lady at the throttle will be the queen of Kent's first annual lettuce festival.  While the great lettuce train is not an unusual sight in Kent during the lettuce harvest, it will tend to give visitors some idea of the importance of the Green River Valley as a lettuce producing section.   Each of the 50 cars will contain 300 crates averaging five dozen heads to the crate.  That means 18,000 heads of lettuce to the car or a total of 900,000 for the entire train.
Balloting on the selection of the queen will close next Saturday evening at 6 o'clock.  Results will be announced as soon as possible.  Progress made by the vote counters will be announced by loud speaker at the Kent theater Saturday night, according to arrangements made with Manager Czerny.  There will be no appeal from the findings of the judges.  Interest in the selection of queen continues to grow and rivalry between the various candidates is keen but friendly.  Her Royal Highness will have a busy day Saturday, June 9.  She will be crowned at 1 o'clock by Mayor-Elect Smith of Seattle, unveil the world's largest salad, and officiate at all the various activities during the day.  She, with her court and maids of honor, will occupy a place of honor in the big parade scheduled to start at 7 o'clock, and lead the grand march which will open the big street dance at 9 o'clock.
(From" The Kent Advertiser-Journal" - 1934)
(Courtesy of the Kent Historical Society & Museum)

"Queen's Float Takes Seattle Parade Honors"
Entered in Seattle's two-mile long fourth of July parade the Kent Lettuce Festival Float bearing Queen June Miller and her attendants was awarded first place in the non-commercial float section.  The large cream and white float was constructed by the Kent post of the American Legion Auxiliary and was first exhibited as the Queen's float in the Lettuce Festival parade two weeks ago.  As the artistic float was drawn along, Queen June sat on a raised dais studded with imitations of the famous Kent lettuce and surrounded by her court.  (This predates SEAFAIR, which started in 1949)
(From "The Kent News-Journal" - July 9th, 1937)
(Courtesy of the Kent Historical Society & Museum)

"Final Festival Meeting Held"
Appreciation expressed for cooperation and assistance in making 1937 festival outstanding.
The final meeting of the Kent Lettuce Festival Committee was held Wednesday night at the offices of the Puget Sound Power and Light company to complete all business transactions relative to the festival.  All bills presented were paid and a small balance remained in the treasury to be carried over for the 1938 festival.
General chairman Ernest Engstrom and Commander W. J. Minehart of the Kent Post No. 15, American Legion, expressed their appreciation to everyone who so loyally cooperated and assisted in making the fourth annual festival an outstanding event.   Suggestions for improving the festival were received and studied by the committee and filed for reference next year.
(From "The Kent News-Journal" - July 9th, 1937)
(Courtesy of the Kent Historical Society & Museum)

"Cornucopia Festival parade, Kent, July 26, 1947"
On July 26, 1947, Kent held its second annual Cornucopia Festival to raise money for a war memorial gymnasium. Festival events included a parade through the downtown area, a carnival, and other activities. Teamsters Local 910 provided a wagon pulled by two draft horses to carry the festival's queen. In this photo, the crowd watches as the queen and her attendants ride by.
(From "The Seattle Post-Intelligencer" - July 28, 1947)
(Courtesy of the Kent Historical Society & Museum)

"A Kent Cornucopia Program" - had the following on it from the 1951 event:
The City of Kent welcomes you the annual Cornucopia Festival.  This event was planned for your enjoyment.  All events are free and the Cornucopia committee hopes you will attend all the functions.  Let's not lose sight, however, of the original purpose of this gala event.  Let's get that playfield built for the kids.  If you have not yet purchased a ticket on the Chevrolet to be awarded at the street dance, Saturday night, by all means do so, now.  Remember, every dollar goes toward building the playfield.  Tickets can be obtained from any Kent Merchant.  Friday, July 13 - Free Street Dance at the new Safeway Parking Lot - 9:00pm.  Saturday, July 14 - 10 am Kids Program at the High School Field, races, contests, games.  11 am 4H and FFA Fair at Strain's Auto on 409 West Meeker.  1:30 pm Flag Raising, Kent City Park, 1st & Meeker.  2:00 pm, Renton Civil Air Patrol, sky demonstration.  2:30 pm, Kent Cornucopia Parade, starts at West Meeker and Milwaukee tracks, goes east to Central and thence north to High School.  4:00 pm, Entertainment and exhibitions at High School field, King County Sheriff's Posse, Renton Eagle's Auxiliary Drill Team, Lake City Twirlers, Auburn Eagle Auxiliary Drill Team, Sumner Fire Department.  5:00 pm, Pee Wee Baseball game, all star teams at High School Field.  6:30 pm, Band Concert, Kent Valley Band in the City Park.  7:00 pm, Fastball with Van's Shoe Store versus Renton Cowboys at High School Field.  9:00 pm, Free Street Dance, new Safeway parking lot.  12:00 midnight, awarding of Powerglide Chevrolet, Safeway Parking Lot.
(From the Kent Lions Club archives)

"Jaeger Elected Head of 1952 Cornucopia"
A. E, "Gus" Jaeger, manager of the Kent branch, National Bank of Washington, has been elected president of Kent Cornucopia Inc. for the coming year.  Board members of the festival group cast a unanimous ballot for Jeager Tuesday night.  Jaeger, though comparatively new to the Kent  Cornucopia committee, is experienced in activities of this type.  He was active in civic promotion work while at Kalama.  Dr. Mel Charbonneau, optometrist, was elected vice-chairman of the group.    Re-elected to their respective positions for another year were Alex Thornten, treasurer, and Lillian Painter, secretary.  Several standing committee heads were also named.  These include Thornton, finance; Gib Austin, publicity; and Owen Buxton, special events and projects.  Parade and membership committee chairman will be named within two weeks.  Recommendations on the method of selecting a queen for this year will be brought to the Cornucopia meeting of February 26 by Mrs. Larry Seeman, Mrs. Al Baines, and Mrs. Christin Sipe.  A promise of help on this year's festival came from Mayor Dave Mooney who stated that an easing of city business this year would give him enough time to work on the celebration.   Mooney and Larry Seeman, a former city councilman, also discussed a proposal for financing construction of a Kent municipal auditorium.   The Cornucopia group further decided to press the city park board for further improvement of the nine-acre park site on North Central this year as an incentive in promotion of the 1952 event.
(From "The Kent News-Journal" - February 14, 1952)
(Courtesy of the Kent Historical Society & Museum)

"Cake-eating contest at Cornucopia Festival, Kent, July 13, 1956"
Kent, Washington's second annual Community Festival opened on Friday, July 13, 1956, and ran for three days. During the first day, area youngsters entered cake-eating contests and boys competed to catch a greased pig or climb a slippery pole. The festival also featured a parade, the crowning of a queen, livestock judging and a farm show.
In this photo of the girls' cake-eating contest, taken at the 1956 Kent Community Festival, one girl licks cake off of the face of another girl as other children look on in delight. The photographer identified three of the girls as Mary Lou Linnell, Susan Alf and Sally Johnson but did not specify which was which.
(From "Seattle Post-Intelligencer" - July 16, 1956)
(Courtesy of the Kent Historical Society & Museum)

"Miss Cornucopia Days a 'community symbol'"
Reigning as Miss Cornucopia Days means being a "community symbol" says 18-year-old Bonnie Stewart.

Ms. Stewart, runner-up in last year's Miss Kent pageant, will be queen of next July's Cornucopia Days parade in downtown Kent.  She also will give musical performances on the stage during the three-day summer festival and will ride the Cornucopia Days float in other parades.

Next August, she will be Kent's entry in the Miss SEAFAIR pageant in Seattle.

A lifelong Kent resident, Ms. Stewart is an engineering student at Green River Community College with plans to transfer to a four-year program at the University of Washington.   Her father, Warren Stewart, is a Boeing engineering supervisor.

Ms. Stewart is a pianist and flutist who gives beginner flute lessons.  A 1981 Kentridge High School Graduate, she is a member of the eight-month-old Christian music group, Follower.  The six musicians perform original tunes.

Of the Miss Kent pageant, she recalls, "It wasn't a competition until the last couple of weeks or so.  It was fun, getting to know the girls.  We were all going through the same thing."

As Miss Cornucopia Days, Ms. Stewart is appropriately enthusiastic about her hometown: "I really like the area.  I've traveled a little bit.  It's the best place I've been to, the most variety.
(From a newspaper clipping we have, no date or paper, but is from 1982)
(From the Kent Lions Club archives)

"Cornucopia Days in Kent"
Planning has gone into full gallop for Kent's Country-Western Cornucopia Days July 16, 17 and 18.

Twenty committee members have net to update plans for the three-day celebration.

New events this year will include the first downtown Kent bed race, to be sponsored by the Northwest Washington Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The race will be Sunday, July 18, at 12:30 p.m., on First Avenue, between Gowe and Smith Street, preceding the Grand Parade.

There will be trophies for first through third place and a special award for the best decorated bed.

Entry blanks and information can be obtained from Carole Henry, community chairperson, at the Pied Piper Tavern, 852-9914, or the MDA offices, 624-5220.

A new highlight of Cornucopia Days will be a "pops" concert by Rainier Symphony at Kent Commons, Saturday evening.  Conductor and music director Richard Polf has selected music from popular hits, including Star Wars.  Free Tickets will be available starting July 1 in the City Hall, Library, Park Department, Senior Center and Kent Commons.

As in past years, Cornucopia Days will include a three-day street fair (booth space can be reserved by telephoning 852-5466), the Kent Valley Artists art display and sale, merchants sidewalk sale, Pipe Piper Men's Softball tournament, a carnival operations and live stages and street entertainment.

The grand final of the summer festival will be the grand parade, organized by Kiwanis Club of Meridian.  Persons wanting to enter floats or marching units can telephone 630-1111 for information
(From the Kent News Journal, June 16, 1982)
(Courtesy of the Kent Historical Society & Museum)

History prior to the 1930's Kent Lettuce Festival

In the 1890's, the community of Kent had some form of a "Festival" to celebrate that harvest of the lettuce in the Kent Valley, which at the time was a well known lettuce farming region of the country.  However, details are very spotty about the festival or event during this time period.  As we find any hard evidence, we will place it here.

History of the 1930's Kent Lettuce Festival

1st Annual Kent Lettuce Festival

June 1934
Queen Enes Genazzi
? - Chairman

2nd Annual Kent Lettuce Festival

June 1935
Queen Thelma Saito
?   - Chairman

3rd Annual Kent Lettuce Festival

June 1936
Queen Opal Sorensen
?   - Chairman

4th Annual Kent Lettuce Festival

June 1937
Queen June Miller
E. W. Engstrom - Chairman

5th Annual Kent Lettuce Festival (tentative)

June 1938
Queen ?
? - Chairman
Not sure if the festival was held this year, still researching.

History of our years between the Lettuce Festival and our current modern annual festival

We are still researching our history and as we find documented proof of our existence, we will publish it here.

1st Annual Cornucopia Festival

July 1946
Queen ?
? - Chairman

2nd Annual Cornucopia Festival

July 1947
Queen Winifred Day (From the Kent News Journal, July 21, 1949)
? - Chairman
Parade was on July 26th, 1947

3rd Annual Cornucopia Festival

July 1948
Queen Kay Kruse along with Princess Carole Ward & Darlyne More (Kent News Journal, July 9th, 1958 "Then & Now")
? - Chairman

4th Annual Cornucopia Festival

July 1949
Queen ?
? - Chairman
A meeting was held on November 22nd, 1949 by 14 people interested in incorporating the Kent Cornucopia Festival.
Minutes where taken for the first meeting of the "Kent Cornucopia Inc." organization on December 1st, 1949
The first meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Kent Cornucopia Inc. was held on December 14th, 1949
Elected to office was Howard Edline as President, Allan Sebastian as Vice-President, Mrs. Thelma Alden
as Secretary, and Alex Thornton as Treasurer.

5th Annual Cornucopia Festival

July 1950
Queen ?
Howard Edline - President
"With Kent's 5th Annual Cornucopia Celebration only 2 weeks away, the 1st of two "Walking Concerts" by the Kent Valley Band will be given Saturday.  (From the July 13th, 1960 Kent News Reporter, p10, This Week, 1950)

6th Annual Kent Cornucopia Festival

July 13 & 14th 1951
Queen ?
Howard Edline - President
Kent Cornucopia Incorporated - Dedicated to the creation of a Civic Recreation Park
The Sumner Fire Dept won 1st in the Parade Comics division, the Everett Ladies VFW won the drill teams division,
the Auburn Drum & Bugle won the bands division, and the Kent-Meridian FFA won the youth division.
The Douglas Greater Shows was the festival carnival operator.
A note was made that Kent Cornucopia entered a float into the SEAFAIR parade
The Woman's Club of Kent held a Coronation Ball
In April of this year, there was a letter sent out to several organization requesting help to put on this event as it looked
like the event would not be held.  It appears that the Kent Lions Club, the B.P.W., the American Legion, the VFW, the
Teamsters, and the Chamber of Commerce stepped forward to help.
On Chamber of Commerce letterhead is a "Cornucopia" with the words "Home of the Kent Cornucopia Festival".
The Chamber did not sponsor a Queen candidate this year as most of its members also belonged to Service Organizations
that also sponsored candidates.
There where 55 entries into the parade.
Have a "Announcer" script with the phrase "Plan your time for fun time on July 13th and 14th at the SIXTH ANNUAL KENT
CORNUCOPIA...in Kent, Washington."
See the1951 "Program" info above.

7th Annual Kent Cornucopia Celebration (or Festival)

July 18 & 19th 1952
Queen Joann Bell
A. E. "Gus" Jaeger - President of the Board of Directors, Manager of the National Bank of Washington, Kent
The Kent Cornucopia Coronation was held on July 18th, 8:30 pm, at Kent-Meridian Junior High School Auditorium
Contestants: Joann Bell, Carol Sipe, Mary Osborne, Mary Jane Christensen, Beverly Dolan, Joan Taylor, &
Joan Stafford
There where 41 entries in the parade
The Douglas Greater Shows was the festival carnival operator
There was a drawing for a 1952 Chevy Styleline Deluxe 4 door Sedan (cost $1,990) from Kent Motors.
These groups appear to have been involved in this event: The Grange did the 4H show, the Jaycees sold
buttons, the Business and Professional Women's Club did the Coronation and Queen, the American Legion
Post did the wrestling, the Kent Lions Club the dance, street decorations and reviewing stand for the parade
was by the Kent Fire Dept and Boy Scouts, the parade was put on by the Chamber of Commerce, the policing
was done by the Civil Air Patrol, Boys Scouts, Kent Police, Sheriff's and State Patrol, the Community Chorus
did the Barbershop Quartet, everyone sold tickets for the car, and the Kiwanis Club also was involved.
A "Barbershop Quartet" Parade was held on July 19th
A "Antique Auto" Parade was also held on July 19th
People still referred to this event as the "Lettuce Festival" according to a letter from Ted Carper of Seattle

8th Annual Kent Cornucopia Celebration (or Festival)

July 16, 17 & 18th 1953
Queen ?
Owen Buxton - President
Parade assemble was at 12:30 pm, and started at 1:30 pm on West Meeker St.
It was the Centennial Year for the Evergreen State and that was the parade theme

?? Annual Cornucopia Festival

June 1954
Queen ?
Owen Buxton - President
A Festival was held this year, appears to have been put on by the Kent Chamber of Commerce.

1st Annual Cornucopia Festival

July 1955
Queen ?
? - President
A Festival was held this year, appears to have been put on by the Kent American Legion.
1st annual "Applebox Race"

2nd Annual Cornucopia Festival (also called Kent Community Festival)

July 13, 14, 15th 1956
Queen Sue Stacie
? - Chairman
A Festival was held this year, appears to have been put on by the Kent Chamber of Commerce.
There was a parade, cake eating contests, greased pigs, a farm show, and a coronation of a queen.

3rd Annual Cornucopia Festival (Youth Jamboree Day or Youth Day Parade)

August 24th 1957
Queen Elsie Marty ?
? - Chairman
Not sure if the festival was held this year (but believe it ran until 1965), still researching.
There was also a "Silver Dollar Day" on August 29, 30, & 31st
(From the Valley Times, Aug 22nd & 29th.  Kent Museum)

History of our years between 1958 & 1968

We are still researching our history and as we find documented proof of our existence, we will publish it here.

History of our current annual festival

Ezra Meeker Days

July 1969
Queen ?
? - President

Ezra Meeker Days

July 16, 17, 18th 1970 (from the Kent News Journal, July 8th, 1970, pg 13)
Queen ?
? - President
An article appears that says if you grow a beard you will not be arrested and sent to jail at the Kent West
Shopping Plaza, or you can buy a button.
There was a sidewalk sale & carnival, and a parade on the 18th, also a children's parade on the 18th.  (From the
Kent News Journal on July 10th, 1970)
A quote appears that say's "Bigger & better then last yeas parade" (KNJ, July 15th, 1970)
A photo with a caption of "Gail Stewart - won 1st prize in the parade", another one says "Best Float - Age of
Aquatics - Des Moines", KNJ, July 24th 1970

Ezra Meeker Days

July 1971
Queen ?
? - President
Not sure if the festival was held this year, still researching.

1st Annual Meeker Days

July 1972
Dave Hilemeyer - Chairman

2nd Annual Meeker Day

July 1973
Dave Hilemeyer - Chairman

3rd Annual Meeker Days

July 1974
"Remember When" - Theme
Dave Hilemeyer - Chairman
Kent Valley Artists Association starts participation in Festival.
Number of vendor booths along Meeker now at Forty (40).

4th Annual Meeker Days

July 1975
"Kent Country Fair" - Theme
First Square Dance ?
With the success of the "Kent Lions Street Fair" during Meeker Days, the Kent Lions Club helped the City of Kent established, in August of 1974, the "Kent Saturday Market" (the oldest market in King County).  This market joins the Festival for it's first year and expands to all three days of Meeker Days.

5th Annual Meeker Days

July 1976
"Bicentennial" -Theme

New - An Hot Air Balloon Rally
First underground utilities placed for festival

6th Annual Meeker Days

July 1977
"It's a Kids World" - Theme

7th Annual Meeker Days

July 1978

8th Annual Meeker Days

July 1979
"Celebration of Clowns" - Theme
Neil Washburn - Chairman

9th Annual Cornucopia Days

July 1980

Since both Puyallup and Kent called each of their Festivals "Meeker Days", it was agreed that Puyallup would keep the title of "Meeker Days" as a tie-in to the Ezra Meeker Mansion in Puyallup, and Kent would rename it's Festival to "Cornucopia Days", a adaptation from the 1930's when the event was known as the "Cornucopia Festival".

Kent Kiwanis sponsor "Youth Fair"

10th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 1981
"Remember When" - Theme
Laura Blockerl - Miss Kent Cornucopia 1981

11th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 1982
"Country Western" - Theme
Bonnie Stewart - Miss Cornucopia Days 1982
Wayne Hobbs - Chairman

12th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 1983
Rick Holder - Chairman

13th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 1984
"An Olde English Country Fair" - Theme
Rick Holder - Chairman

14th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 1985
Wayne Hobbs - Chairman

The Lions Street Fair has grown to a total of 186 vendor booths (105 craft, 52 commercial craft, 10 non-profit concession, 19 commercial concession)

15th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 1986
Wayne Hobbs - Chairman

New - The Kent Area Council of Parent Teacher Association coordinated the "Children's Parade" just prior to the "Grand Parade"

16th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 10, 11, 12th 1987
"The Festival of the Valley" - Theme
The Bear (Kent Police Dept Mascot) - Parade Marshal
Joanne Waddell - Miss Cornucopia 1988
Wayne Hobbs - Chairman

New - Premier edition of Cornucopia Days brochure.
Due to extreme popularity, food vendors are now by invitation only.

17th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 15, 16, 17th 1988
"Community Service" - Theme
Pete Baffaro (Charter Kent Lions Member) - Parade Marshal
Tammy Smith - Miss Cornucopia 1988
John Solis - Chairman

New - Volksmarch - Federal Way Noon Lions Club
New - Road Rally - KASY Radio, benefits Kent Valley Youth Services.
Kent Cornucopia Days "Kickoff" at East hill Carriage Mall & Kent East Hill Plaza on July 9th
Kent Summer Concert Series in Mill Creek Park
Chili Cook off in Burlington Green Park (Sponsored by Virginia Tavern)

18th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 14, 15, 16th 1989
"The Festival of the Valley" - Theme
Tim Noah (Entertainer)- Parade Marshal
Robbyn Hacker - Miss Cornucopia 1989
John Solis - Chairman

Celebrating Washington's Centennial
New - Car Show - Western Washington Sports Car Club
New - Cornucopia Purse at Longacres

19th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 13, 14, 15th 1990
"The Lettuce Festival" - Theme
Rae Reitan (City of Kent Historian)- Parade Marshal
Annalee Klein - Miss Cornucopia 1990
John Solis & Rick Woods - Co-Chairman's

Kent Alumni Band Established (disbanded in 1993)
Celebrating the City of Kent's Centennial:
A giant lettuce salad was recreated in Burlington Green Park in downtown Kent to honor the Kent Centennial year.  Burdic Feed & Hardware of Kent will loan the City a 10 by 10 foot steel feed trough for mixing the salad, with Washington Lettuce & Vegetables Company in Puyallup and Best Foods in Tukwila contributing crates of lettuce and mayonnaise.  Lettuce queens and princesses from yesteryear will be invited to attend and there will be old-fashioned entertainment.  In 1936, the Lettuce Festival produced what was considered the world's largest salad tossed in a 25 foot diameter bowl by three girls, barefoot, clad in bathing suits and tossing the ingredients with pitchforks.  Kent was at one time the lettuce capital of the world with the entire valley practically covered with lettuce.

20th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 12, 13, 14th 1991
"Spirit of America" - Theme
Col. Joe M. Jackson (USAF Retired) - Parade Marshal
Cynthia Reck - Miss Cornucopia 1991
Diana Ribera - Committee Coordinator

21st Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 10, 11, 12th 1992
"Family Fun" - Theme
Dr. George Daniel (Retired Kent School District Superintendent) - Parade Marshal
Jill Walsh - Miss Cornucopia 1992
Diana Ribera - Committee Coordinator

22nd Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 16, 17, 18th 1993
"Rainbow Over the Valley" - Theme
Michael DeHart (Kent Fire Department Public Education/Information Officer) - Parade Marshal
Sgt. Brian Jones (Kent Police Department) - Parade Marshal
Jennifer Kay Raymond - Miss Cornucopia 1993
Leanne Marie Draeger - Miss Cornucopia 1993
Diana Ribera & Bill Westcott - Event Co-Directors

23rd Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 15, 16, 17th 1994
"Hands Across the Valley" - Theme
Wendy Sue Burke - Miss Cornucopia 1994
Mayor Jim White - Parade Marshal
Diana Ribera & Bill Westcott - Event Co-Directors

July 17th is proclaimed "Wayne Hobbs Family Day" by Mayor Jim White

24th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 14, 15, 16th 1995
"Family Fun" - Theme
Komo 7 - Parade Marshal's
Jerusha Dawn Shumway - Miss Cornucopia 1995
Diana Ribera & Bill Westcott - Event Co-Directors

First publication of "Official Guide" by Valley Daily News
10th annual Kent International Balloon Classic is first held in conjunction with Kent Cornucopia Days

25th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 12, 13, 14th 1996
"25 Years of Family Fun" - Theme
Anne Marie Freeman (Kent School District Teacher of the Year) - Parade Marshal
Kristy Hansen - Miss Cornucopia 1996
Bill Westcott - Event Director

New - Kent Cornucopia Days has a new web site
New - Boy Scouts establish Cornucopia "Scout Show"

26th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 11, 12, 13th 1997
"A Growing Family Community" - Theme
Dave Reichert (King County Sheriff) - Parade Marshal
Kelly Beavert - Miss Cornucopia 1997
Bill Westcott - Event Director

New - Cornucopia Old Time Music Festival
New - Skateboard & Inline Skate Tournament
New - Cornucopia Bowling Tournament
New - The Kent Reporter adds its own published guide

27th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 10, 11, 12th 1998
"27 Years for Family community"- Theme
Sheryl Harmer, 1998 National Distinguished Principal for the State of Washington - Parade Marshal
Angela Jordan - Miss Cornucopia 1998
Bill Westcott - Event Director

New - Kent Historical Society selects "Old Timers" King & Queen

28th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 16, 17, 18th 1999
"A Celebration of Life" (in honor of Wayne Hobbs)  - Theme
Barbara Grohe (new Kent Schools Superintendent)- Parade Marshall
Heather Reigsecker - Miss Cornucopia 1999
Ed Brown & Evelyn Thorton - Old Timers King & Queen
Bill Westcott - Event Director
Weather--Thursday thru Saturday, cold, rainy, & cloudy.  Sunday is a beautiful day, festival stays open well past closing time.

Balloon Classic is cancelled due to lack of landing places for pilots in the Kent Valley (build up of industrial complexes)
Cornucopia Bowling Tournament dropped due to lack of participation

New - Addition of  ICS Chili Cook-off and Beer Garden to benefit American Liver Foundation
New - Movement of Kent Market over to Railroad Ave next to future permanent building (under re-construction)
New - Movement of Carnival onto portion of 2nd Ave, with Lions Street Fair expansion to rest of 2nd
New - Live broadcast of Parade on Channel 26
New - Official "Kent Cornucopia Days" Postmark

29th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 13, 14, 15, 16th 2000
"Summer Celebration 2000"  - Theme
Jim White (Mayor of the City of Kent)- Parade Marshall
Colette Garcia - Miss Cornucopia 2000
Grace & Harley McFarland - Old Timers King & Queen
Bill Westcott - Event Director
Weather--Four days of beautiful weather
Closed portion of Meeker between 5th & 6th for safety reason and to accommodate expansion east to Railroad Ave.

New--Kent Market now occupies its new building on Railroad Ave, Kent Lions Street Fair expands into Railroad Ave to tie in with Market.
New--Kent Cornucopia Days Skateboard Tournament expands to include two days, one for inline skates and one for skateboards.
New--The Kent Cornucopia Days Committee has moved to secure major sponsors for the event.
New--The Kent Cornucopia Days Committee obtains its own internet web site domain name of www.kcdays.com
New--The Kent Cornucopia Days Committee officially makes the festival a four day event since the carnival, merchant sale and set up starts on Thursday.

30th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 12, 13, 14, 15th 2001
"30 Years of Family Fun"  - Theme
John Curly (KING TV’s Evening Magazine) - Parade Marshall
Crystal Tullis - Miss Cornucopia 2001
Jack & Mary Lou Becvar- Old Timers King & Queen
Bill Westcott - Event Director
Weather--Progressively colder temperatures, light rain and mist each day

Expanded our new section on Railroad Ave.

ICS Chili Cook-off is dropped as a event at Kent Cornucopia Days

New--Started “Kent Cornucopia Dragon Boats Races” on Lake Meridian, a dozen teams compete.
New--Kent Youth Soccer Association starts 1st annual “Cornucopia Cup” soccer tournament, over 100 teams participate.
New--Italian American Group starts Italian Heritage Fair at Kent Senior Center.

31st Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 11, 12, 13, 14th 2002
"All American Community"  - Theme
Kent Policeman of the Year - Sergeant Pat Lowery & Officer Terry Orr - Parade Marshall
Kent Firefighter of the Year - Jeff Barsness - Parade Marshall
Senior of the Year - Wilma Mooney - Parade Marshall
Kent School Teacher of the Year - Brad Wills - Parade Marshall
Kent Rotary "Citizen of the Year" - Bill Westcott - Parade Marshall
Alexandrea Conn - Miss Cornucopia 2002
Allan & Bettie Sebastian - Old Timers King & Queen
Bill Westcott - Event Director
Weather--Generally hot, with Saturday over 80 degrees

New--Added VFW Car Show on Saturday
New--Added 2nd large food court in Burlington Green Park as part of our expansion in our new section on Railroad Ave.
New--Added new stage at Burlington Green Park Gazebo
New--Special appearance of Artrain "NASA Art Exhibit"
Reb Baron Plane Squadron flyovers
Purchase of our own Kent Cornucopia Days "Kent Community Float"
Leased three dragon boats for practice and use during Dragon Boat Racing
Dragon Boat Teams from Portland, Tacoma, Seattle, California, Canada, & local
2nd annual Kent Cornucopia Cup Soccer Tournament seeks international approval

32nd Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 10, 11, 12, 13th 2003
"Community Pulling Together"  - Theme
May Miller (City of Kent Finance Director and Sister City Chair) - Parade Marshall
Pattie Carter - Miss Cornucopia 2003
Burt & Reathel Norberg - Old Timers King & Queen
Bill Westcott - Event Director
Weather--Generally hot on Friday & Saturday, cold & rain on Sunday

New--Added Children's Therapy Center "Walk-A-Thon"
New--UPN 11 live broadcast (2 hours) of this years Grand Parade to 2.7 million people
New--Kent Cornucopia Days Float debuts at local area parades and is showcased at this years Grand & Winterfest Parades.
New--Added Fiesta Day at Gazebo Park on Sunday.
New--Battle for the Paddle is added at Kent Cornucopia Days Dragon Boat Races between local city teams
Dropped--VFW Car Show on Saturday
34 teams attend this years Dragon Boat Races

33rd Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 8, 9, 10, 11th 2004
July 16 & 17th for the 4th annual Cornucopia Dragon Boat Races
"Celebrate Good Times 2004" - Theme
 J. A. Jance (best selling author with more then 10 million books in print) - Parade Marshall
Shannon Hutchinson - Miss Cornucopia 2004
Fred and Jane Lamka - Old Timers King & Queen
Bill Westcott - Event Director
Weather--Generally warm nice days each day with short showers on Friday

New--Children's Therapy Center changes from a "Walk-A-Thon" to a 5K Fun Run Walk
The Kent Lions Club now owns and manages the Kent Farmers Market, again part of Kent Cornucopia Days
New--Remolded Kent Cornucopia Days Float goes to local area parades and is showcased at this years Grand & Winterfest Parades.
Kent Cornucopia Days Dragon Boat Races moves to the weekend after the general festival
The Cornucopia Days Dragon Boat Races are the official host of the Pacific Dragon Boat Association
47 teams attend this years Dragon Boat Races

34th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 14, 15, 16, 17th 2005
July 15 & 16th for the 5th annual Cornucopia Dragon Boat Races
"Celebrate Good Times 2004" - Theme
 J. A. Jance (best selling author with more then 10 million books in print) - Parade Marshall
Shannon Hutchinson - Miss Cornucopia 2004
Fred and Jane Lamka - Old Timers King & Queen
Bill Westcott - Event Director
Weather--Generally warm nice days each day with short showers on Friday

New--Children's Therapy Center moves it's 5K Fun Run/Walk next to the Green River just south of Willis Street
The Cornucopia Days Dragon Boat Races now benefit the NW Lions Foundation for Sight & Hearing

35th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

36th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

The City of Kent joins Kent Cornucopia Days

The City of Kent cancels Kent Canterbury Arts Festival

Takes over the "Main Stage"

Adds a "Children's Stage"

Adds a "Children's Area"

Adds a Fine Crafts Market located at Kent Station

Our own Kent Cornucopia Days Kent Community Float goes to additional parades

 Cornucopia Cares For Kids 5 & 10k Fun Run-Walk by the Kent Children’s Therapy Center & Kent Youth and Family Services.
 

 As this event gets even larger, a 10K category has be added
 

 Kent Lions Club now manages the “Kent Farmers Market”
 

Expand dates & new times

Each Saturday June – October 14th, 9 am until 2 pm

Expanded at Kent Cornucopia Days with its own section
 

  Kent “Cornucopia Cup” Soccer Tournament
 

Well over 150 teams for the US & Canada

 Added more sites to accommodate this growing event
 

  Kent Cornucopia Days Dragon Boat Races
 

This event now benefits the Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight & Hearing

Over 40 teams from WA, OR, CA, & Canada

 Same weekend of the Festival

 “Battle of the Paddle” on the 14^th & “Lions Cup” races all day on the 15^th

37th Annual Kent Cornucopia Days

July 10, 11, 12, 13th 2008