Happenings

Published 2:53 pm Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Happenings features community, cultural and nonprofit events; notices are free and printed as space permits. Due to the volume of entries received, we edit submissions and cannot always confirm if a submission will run. Send submissions to editor@vashonbeachcomber.com; include the who, what, where and when. The deadline is noon Thursday for subsequent Thursday publication; The Beachcomber cannot guarantee late submissions will be included.

EVENTS

Juneteenth celebration: The Vashon Juneteenth Committee will host “Juneteenth National Independence Day: Let’s Celebrate!” from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, June 19, at Vashon Center for the Arts. The event marks the federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. This year marks the 161st anniversary of the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Galveston, Texas.

Heritage Museum family day: The Vashon Heritage Museum will host Family Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 20, with a scavenger hunt and crafts, including a butterfly weaving project. At 1 p.m., Theater for Social Change will perform Deb McCabe’s 10-minute interactive play, “Us, Them and We the People,” featuring Thomas Paine, John and Abigail Adams and Benjamin Franklin. Family Days are free and held on the third Saturday of each month at the museum, 10105 SW Bank Road.

Bird walk: Seasoned birder Michael Tracy will lead a bird walk through his forested Christiansen Creek ravine property on Saturday, June 20. The two-mile hike follows a trail through several habitat types, including alder forest, wetlands and mature coniferous forest, with opportunities to see and hear migratory and year-round songbirds. Meet at Ober Park at 8:45 a.m. to carpool. For information, contact Jody Pritchard at 206-920-7833 or jpritchard789@gmail.com

Chess gathering: The Merry Orcas Chess Pod will gather for open chess play from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, June 21, at the Vashon Library. Players of all levels, including beginners, are welcome.

Summer Solstice labyrinth walk: The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit will host a Summer Solstice Labyrinth Walk and open house from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, June 21, inviting community members to reflect on the rhythms of nature and life while walking the labyrinth on their own or with facilitated intention. The church is located at 15420 Vashon Highway SW.

Thunderbird Treatment Center tours: Seattle Indian Health Board will offer public tours of its nearly completed Thunderbird Treatment Center, slated to open later this summer at 15333 Vashon Highway SW. Tours will be held four times daily on June 27, June 29, June 30, July 1, July 6, July 8 and July 9, with up to 20 people per tour. The 92-bed center will provide 45-day inpatient substance use disorder treatment for Native and non-Native clients, blending traditional healing practices with clinical care. Sign up at tinyurl.com/5n7a66nc.

Help wanted: Vashon Park District is hiring part-time lifeguards for the Vashon Community Pool. Applicants must have Red Cross lifeguard certification. Positions are up to 17 hours per week, with the possibility of more hours in summer, including morning, afternoon and weekend shifts.

Pay is $19.82 to $22.30 per hour depending on experience, and ferry fare reimbursement is available for qualified off-island applicants. The application deadline is June 30. For an application and full job description, email dhinzh@vashonparks.org

Eagles flea market: The Vashon Eagles will host its annual flea market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, with music, food and vendor booths. Booth reservations are due by July 15. A 10-by-10 space costs $25 and a 20-by-20 space costs $50. To reserve, contact Susan Pitiger at pitiger@comcast.net

Free community dinners: Free community dinners are served Mondays through Fridays from 5 to 5:30 p.m. at Vashon Presbyterian Church, 17708 Vashon Hwy SW, hosted by the Interfaith Council to Prevent Homelessness.

VASHON LIBRARY

Tech tutors: KCLS will offer Tech Tutor drop-in sessions from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, June 18, at the Vashon Library to help with basic technology questions and digital skills. Registration is not required.

Pride stories and songs: Special guest Auntie Sylvia O’Stayformore will lead Pride stories and songs from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at Open Space for Arts & Community. Participants can also make a fun accessory to celebrate Pride. All ages are welcome with an adult. Registration is not required.

Vashon nonprofit roundtable: Nonprofit organizations are invited to a monthly roundtable from noon to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, at the Vashon Library. Topics are set by attendees and include event sharing, resources and networking, with options to attend in person or via Zoom. Register for updates and Zoom information at 1.kcls.org/vashonroundtable

Multigenerational book group: The Vashon Library will host a multigenerational book group from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24. Participants should read or listen to a book of their choice that fits the monthly theme; June’s theme is historical fiction. The group is open to ages 13 and older and meets in partnership with the Vashon-Maury Senior Center. Supplies are provided by Vashon Friends of the Library.

SENIOR CENTER

Enjoy a hot lunch at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and the following activities throughout the week at the Vashon Senior Center, 10004 SW Bank Road, unless noted otherwise.

Juneteenth closure: The senior center will be closed Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth, with no programs or lunch service.

Women Airforce Service Pilots talk: Board member Ann Stewart Linsley will give a talk on the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II at 1 p.m. Monday, June 22. The program will explore who the women pilots were, how they trained on military aircraft, and how they flew millions of miles in noncombat service before their records were classified.

VCA trip: The senior center will visit Vashon Center for the Arts at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 25, for a viewing of Singer, the monumental whale sculpture in the atrium, and Deep Water Dialogues: Art Beneath the Surface, a group exhibition in the gallery. Call the center for reservations and transportation information.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Vashon-Maury Community Council: The council holds regular in-person meetings on the third Thursday of the month. Visit v-mcc.org. The social mixer begins at 6:30 pm, followed by the council meeting from 7:00–9:00 pm.

Water District 19: Usually holds regular board meetings on the second Tuesday of the month at the district’s board room at 17630 100th Ave SW. Visit water19.com.

Vashon Health Care District: Holds regular meetings the fourth Thursday of the month at Vashon Presbyterian Church at 6 p.m., 17708 Vashon Hwy SW, and on Zoom. Visit vashonhealthcare.org.

Vashon Island School District: The board holds regular meetings on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, at Chautauqua Elementary School, Room 302, 9309 SW Cemetery Road. Visit vashonsd.org.

Vashon Island Fire & Rescue: VIFR’s board typically meets on the fourth Wednesday evening of each month. Visit vifr.org.

King County Cemetery District #1: Meetings are typically held at 1 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month, at the cemetery office at 19631 Singer Rd SW. Visit vashoncemetery.org.