Kids & Family

Renton River Days Thanks STAR 101.5 Radio Host for 25 Years of Service

IKEA Renton River Festival organizers recognized parade announcer Ken Phillips, a KOMO-TV and STAR 101.5 radio host, for his 25 years of volunteer service to the city.

This year celebrates the 28th anniversary of IKEA Renton River Days, Renton's annual community family festival since 1986, and features the theme "Specquackular!" 

Since 1991, the festival's volunteer Board of Directors has selected an individual or team to receive the Outstanding Service Award (OSA).  This year, the Board selected Kent Phillips of STAR 101.5 and KOMO-TV. 

For more than 25 consecutive years, Kent Phillips has volunteered his time to be the official Parade Announcer for Renton's hometown parade, which takes place Saturday morning during festival weekend, along South 3rd Street in downtown Renton.

Phillips is the Morning Show Host and Program Director of the Kent & Alan Morning Show on STAR 101.5, in addition to helping run the Bellevue Civic Theatre.

The festival has also received resource and logistics support from STAR 101.5 to provide the sound system and amplification to the Parade's Announcing and Judging Area.


The festival's Outstanding Service Award recognizes exemplary pride and dedication towards the continued success of Renton's community festival, and gratefully acknowledges the commitment and efforts of a volunteer or organized entity who help ensure the legacy of Renton's festival traditions and community spirit.   Past recipients have primarily included well-deserving individuals, but also teams such as the City of Renton Parks and Recreation Departments in 1999, and employees of First Savings Bank Northwest who volunteer in large numbers to help organize, manage, and "stage" 125+ parade entries along downtown Renton side streets before the start of the parade.

In a quote from the Volunteer Parade Chairman for more than twenty years, Joyce Williams said "Kent was always so dedicated and professional.  His commitment and service to the IKEA Renton River Days Parade was an enormous help to the Parade Committee.  He always knew exactly what to do and what was needed to be the voice of our parade.  It was one of the most important pieces to have locked in each year, and was a huge relief once I knew Kent was confirmed for another year.  When I knew I was going to be able to work with Kent again, it gave me one less thing to worry about.  For a volunteer chairman of a parade, that's a big big deal."

In a statement from the festival's current Volunteer Parade Chairman since 2008, Tammy Kaiser stated, "Working with Kent Phillips and the STAR 101.5 crew for the past six years has been nothing but a pleasure. They are consummate professionals and their execution is flawless in every aspect of the parade. Kent Phillips, in my opinion is the face of the IKEA Renton River Days Parade and is the perfect choice to foster the family and community environment that is so important to our event."

Originating in 1986, Renton River Days celebration joins residents, businesses, organizations, and Puget Sound region tourists for a wonderful variety of events and special features for youth, families, and seniors.  Annual favorites include arts and crafts, visual and performing arts, parade, recreation, food, exhibitions, children's activities, and stage entertainment.   Producing nearly 35 events and special programs over several days and at locations within Renton, the main festival is held the fourth weekend of July.  Estimated attendance is 35,000 for the multi-day celebration.

The public is invited to experience this year's "Specquackular" IKEA Renton River Days Parade on Saturday, July 27, starting at 10:00 a.m., along South 3rd Street in downtown Renton.  This year, the parade features drill teams, cheer squads, percussion drum lines, community groups, classic and antique cars, plus much more.  The River Days Parade is sponsored by Brotherton Cadillac.

The festival still has volunteer opportunities for both the July 27 parade and other activity stations at Liberty Park for festival weekend, July 26-28.   If you'd like to volunteer by helping in the information booth, at various children's activities, art-related events, helping to keep the park sparkling and litter-free, or for the parade, email Sharon Murphy, Assistant Volunteer Coordinator at rrdvolunteer@comcast.net<mailto:rrdvolunteer@comcast.net> or call 425.235.4614.  Most tasks are outdoors and require physical ability.  You can also visit www.RentonRiverDays.org for festival volunteer information and to download a Festival Volunteer Application.

IKEA Renton River Days - Outstanding Service Award recipients include (1991-2013):

*         Doug Kyes
*         Char Baker
*         Don Persson
*         Toni Nelson
*         Sylva Coppock
*         Pat Newberry
*         Joyce Williams
*         Sam Chastain
*         City of Renton Park Maintenance & Recreation Divisions
*         Sandy Chastain
*         Tim Searing
*         Jeff Lukins
*         Chuck Tiernan
*         Jerry Rerecich
*         Pat O'Dell
*         Mark Kotlan
*         Suzanne Thompson
*         First Savings Bank Northwest Parade Volunteers
*         Helenanne Botham
*         Kiwanis/Lions/Rotary Service Clubs
*         Norm and Carol Abrahamson
*         Rene Hart
*         Kent Phillips




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