Strawberry festival, marathon, more this weekend in Bellevue

Two major summer events in Bellevue – the Strawberry Festival and the Seafair Marathon – arrive today and Sunday. In addition, families can go on an orienteering adventure at Lewis Creek Park.

Strawberry Festival

A longtime favorite event, the Strawberry Festival will be at Crossroads International Park, 16000 N.E. 10th St., 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The festival features strawberry shortcake, historical and agricultural displays, games, clowns, face-painting, music and artistic entertainment, classic automobiles, food and vendor booths and more. Visitors are encouraged to park at Sammamish High School, 140th Avenue Northeast and Main Street, and take the free shuttle to the festival.

On Saturday, at 2:30, local dance Troupe “Phffft!” will perform at the new Crossroads Water Spray Playground. On Sunday, from 3 to 4, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will offer throwing tips, and visitors can win autographed gear.

For information and a complete schedule of activities, call the Eastside Heritage Center at 425-450-1049 or visit www.bellevuestrawberryfestival.org.

Marathon

Virginia Mason Team Medicine Marathon at Seafair Bellevue takes center stage in the world of running Sunday, with thousands competing in the Seafair Marathon and other footraces. This year the marathon and half-marathon start at Husky Stadium, cross the 520 Bridge and go through Bellevue and Kirkland before ending at Bellevue Downtown Park.

Streets along the route will be closed from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents and travelers are urged to plan ahead to minimize any inconvenience. Police will be stationed at major intersections; scores of volunteers will assist at uncontrolled intersections.

For more information about the marathon, including a route map and registration, visit www.seafairmarathon.com/.

Natural History

Orienteering Adventure

People can learn the sport of orienteering while experiencing the beauty of nature at Lewis Creek Park. The course is designed for all ages and levels, and maps are available at the Lewis Creek Visitor Center, 5808 Lakemont Blvd. S.E. The adventure is hosted by Cascade Orienteering Club and Bellevue Parks & Community Services.

The activity is part of Mountains to Sound Greenway Days, a celebration of natural, historic and cultural treasures in communities along Interstate 90.

Another Greenway event – the Greenway Summer Challenge Scavenger Hunt – runs through the summer, from June 28 through Sept. 30. The regional scavenger hunt highlights natural, historic and cultural sites along the entire I-90 Greenway.

Participants can gather information and clues about the hunt in Bellevue at Meydenbauer Marina, 2 99th Ave. N.E, and Mercer Slough Nature Park, 2102 Bellevue Way S.E., both open from dawn to dusk daily. To register for the challenge, visit www.mtsgreenway.org/greenwaydays/.

Bellevue’s Greenway information center will be at the Mercer Slough Blueberry Farm, 2380 Bellevue Way. Greenway Days festival guides, maps and additional information can be obtained at the blueberry farm, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information about Greenway Days events, call 425-452-7106 or visit www.mtsgreenway.org/greenwaydays/.

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