Finn Hill's Annual Bash DennyFest Will Be Celebrated Sunday

will come alive with music, cooking contests, canines and camaraderie on Sunday, Sept. 18 during the Finn Hill community’s annual celebration, DennyFest.

“It a community celebration to say farewell to summer, and an opportunity to get together in a beautiful setting and have a good time,” said Scott Morris, president of the sponsoring Denny Creek Neighborhood Alliance. “If we can raise a little money, great. We’ll have a bucket out, but that’s not the purpose. It’s really just about having a good time.”

DennyFest is probably best known for its good music and great food. About 12 contestants will participate in a chili cook-off -- Morris says it is not to be missed -- serving gallons to fest attendees, and there will also be a best pie contest.

The festivities start at 11:30 a.m. Live music will be provided by the local bands Wynne C. Blue and her Troublefakers , the guitar, bass violin, and drum trio Natch’l Thang and Finn Hill's own Michael-Ellyn & the Sun Breaks.

Another colorful function is the dog parade at 1:30, followed by canine contests ($2 per entry) in categories such as best costume, best kisser, dog and owner look alike and perkiest pup.

A trail walk into the will commence at 2 p.m., and an arts and crafts activity area will provide entertainment for kids. Local author and artist will be sketching her “Wild Child” portraits.

Morris stressed that DennyFest is not just for residents of the Kirkland side of Finn Hill.

“It’s open to everybody,” he said. “But we are particularly pleased to see people from all of Finn Hill, including the eastern side.”

This is an election season as well, so you can expect to meet and chat with most or all of the six candidates for three Kirkland City Council seats that will be contested on Nov. 15.

Many Kirkland business are providing food, refreshments and prizes, and the alliance still needs volunteers to help grill food and staff the arts and crafts area. If you can help, contact info@dennycreek.org.

The park is on Lake Washington at at 12032 Holmes Point Drive, about a mile off Juanita Drive.

The Denny Creek Neighborhood Alliance is a non-proft group formed in the 1990s to protect and preserve the Finn Hill area’s abundant natural resources. It has been instrumental in many local projects, including the acquisition of the 40-acre Juanita Woodlands as park land and the formation of the Finn Hill Parks District, which manages and operates O.O. Denny Park. Find out more at www.dennycreek.org.