It was a day of food, family and fun in the sun as Kent’s annual Cornucopia Days got under way Friday under a beautiful blue sky and 80 degree temperatures.
For Jody Smith of Bonney Lake, who comes to the event every year, that means only one thing.
“It’s just one of those fun things I like to do every year,” she said. “It’s part of what makes it summer.”
Though she usually comes with her daughter Katie, 20, this year, Jody said her other kids were old enough to bring along so the trip became a family affair with Robby, 10, Lou, 9, Reece, 8, Chirs, 7, and Cat, 6. Also along were sister Ginny McAtee and mother Aileen McAtee.
After spending a day out among the dozens of vendors and booths, the family was taking a break and enjoying some street fair delicacies: ice cream, cotton candy and onion rings.
So far, the snow cones and the ice cream were Robby’s favorite part.
Jody, however, likes the wide selection of booths, especially the ones where she gets to meet the shop owners personally.
“I like coming down to see the vendors and see what’s new,” she said. “I’m supporting some of the people that live here and I like that.”
And this year’s fair offers even more options than ever, according to Katie, the Cornucopia veteran.
“It’s gotten bigger and bigger and bigger and this year it’s enormous,” she said.
Also taking a break from the heat was Kelsey Holm of SeaTac, who sat enjoying a quickly melting snow cone with her step-siblings from Spokane and her mother and grandmother.
“They kind of have something for everybody,” she said.
“We just know we need to be here,” said grandmom Charlene Rio about why the family came down.
While dozens of vendors peddled their wares in the hot summer sun, one of the most popular booths was Chill Billy’s Polar Ice, serving shaved ice in a variety of flavors.
“It’s fun. I’m starting to run out of ice already,” said owner Bill Miglino.
The Poulsbo resident said this is his third year at Cornucopia Days. he keeps coming back because of the traffic, but stays for the customers.
“To me, it’s about sharing it with the people around you,” he said. “You see these little kids and those smiles; oh my God.
“We have a lot of fun,” he said.
Speaking of fun, things were hopping over at the carnival in the park and ride lot as well, where Adera and Debrena Gandy of Des Moines screamed and laughed all the way around the Sinbad, one of the first rides past the gauntlet of midway games.
“Oh my gosh, this was intense,” Adera said, pointing back at the ride.
While it was Adera’s first trip to the festival, Debrena said she has come for a few years and plans on coming back again.
“It’s awesome,” she said. “I love the way we have the rides and a few blocks up are the vendors.
“And we couldn’t ask for a better day,” she added, looking toward the blue sky above and aiming toward the bumper cars.
Cornucopia Days continues through Sunday.
(For full schedule, go to Kent Reporter Cornucopia Days Schedule
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