Hundreds turn out for Sammamish teen festival
June 23, 2009
By Lauren McLaughlin
Dark gray clouds loomed overhead most of the day, but that did not stop almost 500 teens from coming to the second annual Teen Fest June 19 at the Sammamish Commons.
“It’s really great. There’s music and free food,” said Jane Ronngren, Boys & Girls Club executive director. “It’s nice just to have a place for kids to go, there’s no place up here for kids just to go and hang out.”
Alec Rhodes, 16, launches off his skateboard at the Sammamish Commons June 19. Photo by J.B. Wogan
From 1-5 p.m. there was a skating competition, the first competition in the 2009 BFC 123 Seattle Skateboard Contest Series.
Competitor James Starlin placed third in the sponsored division of the contest.
Starlin likes the freedom of skateboarding.
“It’s an art, there’s many ways to do everything,” said Starlin. “There’s no rules.”
BFC emcee Aaron Fox said he enjoyed the contest.
“As long as the BFC keeps going we’ll be back,” Fox said. “Hopefully for years and years to come.”
Kelsey and Kaitlyn Johns spent the afternoon checking out the skate competition.
“We heard about (Teen Fest) through school friends,” Kaitlyn said.
They said they thought the skateboarders were doing some cool tricks.
“The little ones were really cute,” Kelsey said. Both girls were excited to hear the bands that played in the later half of Teen Fest.
The music started at 5 p.m. and featured bands Bo Tree, With Honest Eyes, Ian Lowery, and If I Were a Gladiator. Headliner Blue Scholars closed out the event.
Scott Moore, one of the owners of Moore Brother’s Music suggested local bands for the Boys & Girls Club to feature at Teen Fest.
“The music is awesome,” Moore said. “I was very impressed with all of the bands.”
Moore also raffled off four 30-minute guitar lessons and a Samick guitar at Teen Fest.
“I’m impressed with the layout, there are pool tables, live music,” Moore said. “I don’t see a bored teen anywhere.”
Aside from the music, once teens entered the Commons there was free pizza, foosball tables, pop-A-shot, and pool tables to entertain the teens.
Boys & Girls Club teen director Andrew Heist said Teen Fest went really well.
“There’s more kids here earlier than there was last year,” Heist said.
“Seeing the kids hanging out and having fun is great,” Heist said.
Ronngren was pleased with Teen Fest.
“It’s a great idea,” Ronngren said. “Every year we intend to do this.”
City of Sammamish Recreation Coordinator Lynne Handlos would have liked to see a larger crowd but looks forward to Teen Fest in the years to come.
“Just by doing it year after year I think the word will get out and we’ll have a larger crowd,” Handlos said.
Intern Lauren McLaughlin can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 244 or samrev@isspress.com.
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Amazing blog for the teenagers. Really good stuff for youth who want to play and celebrate in teen festival. This festival is mainly for teenagers to enjoy the every bit of program. The pool tables are really good ones to enjoy the game and spend time happy with your friends.