More summer concerts and festivals coming to state parks

OLYMPIA – Though Washington’s state parks might be known for their acres of natural beauty and recreational opportunities, they’re also a place where families can kick back and enjoy live music or experience new foods and activities at a cultural festival.

The Folk and Traditional Arts Program (FTAP) at Washington State Parks has recently added even more concerts and festivals to its summer lineup. The additions include the return of the popular Rhythm on the River and Mountain Melodies concert series in Central Washington.

Check out “Rhythm on the River” on Friday evenings at Lincoln Rock State Park and enjoy “Mountain Melodies” concerts on Saturday evenings at Lake Wenatchee State Park. The series showcase an eclectic range of music – experience everything from Appalachian clogging and Yiddish Klezmer to Bluegrass, Son Jarocho and more.

Both concert series will also feature Trío Guadalevín, a renowned group of musicians, educators, storytellers and cultural artists based in Tacoma and Seattle. In partnership with FTAP, Trío Guadalevín produced a suite of songs with music videos highlighting historic and contemporary Latino/Hispanic contributions in the Pacific Northwest.

Their three-song cycle showcases the origins of Latine music and covers historical eras from the early Spanish maritime explorers to current-day lives and occupations. The project, made possible by a 2023 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), used state parks as a backdrop for the music videos.  

On the west side of the state, FTAP is hosting three cultural festivals that invite visitors to experience cultures through song, dance, food, demonstrations and more. On Aug. 9, head to Saltwater State Park for the Cambodian Cultural Celebration. Then, visit Lake Sammamish State Park on Aug. 23 for the United Communities of Laos Summer Festival and Aug. 30 for the Southern African Ubuntu Sankofa Cultural Festival. 

State Parks is grateful for the continued support of its visitors and partners. The Central Washington concerts and festivals were made possible by funding from The Washington State Parks Foundation, Northwest Public Broadcasting and KOHO 101.1. These programs and events are also directly supported by the Washington State Parks specialty license plate program.

Summer concerts: 

New:  Rhythm on the River at Lincoln Rock, Friday evenings 7 – 8 p.m. 

• July 11 – Seattle Steel Pan Project
• July 18 – Trío Guadalevín
• Aug. 1 – Tzepl
• Aug. 15 – Chumlilies

New: Mountain Melodies at Lake Wenatchee, Saturday evenings, 8 – 9 p.m. 

• July 5 – The Litch Brothers
• July 19 – Trío Guadalevín
• Aug. 2 – Tzepl
• Aug. 16 – La Familie Léger
• Aug. 23 – Eclectic Cloggers
• Aug. 30 – Chumlilies

Waikiki Beach Concert Series at Cape Disappointment, Saturday evenings, 7 - 8:30 p.m.

• July 12 - Brownsmead Flats
• July 26 - Bruce Thomas Smith
• Aug. 9 - Trío Guadalevín
• Aug. 23 - Tora'dan

American Roots Concert Series at Deception Pass, Saturday evenings,| 7 - 8 p.m.

• July 12 - ShiDaa
• July 19 - SeaNotes Big Band
• July 26 - Lady A Gospel Choir
• Aug. 2 - Trío Guadalevín
• Aug. 9 - Les Coeurs Criminels
• Aug. 16 - Dunton Sisters
• Aug. 23 - Schmid & Guest

 New: Cultural festivals

• Cambodian Cultural Celebration, Aug. 9, noon to 5 p.m., Saltwater State Park 
  • Join Cambodian Classical and Folk Dance Northwest to enjoy and learn about Cambodian culture: traditional dance, martial arts, food vendors, traditional games, live music and more. Aug. 9 is a Discover Pass free day. 
• United Communities of Laos Summer Festival, Aug. 23, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Lake Sammamish State Park 
  • Join UCL for Lao and Khmu music, food, fashion, performance art, textile shopping and a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first arrivals of Southeast Asian refugees to the state of Washington.
• Ubuntu Sankofa Cultural Festival, Aug. 30, noon to 7 p.m., Meadow Shelter, Lake Sammamish State Park
  • Celebrate Southern African cultures and philosophy of togetherness with food, fashion, dance, community, games and more!