Time to say GOODBYE to summer; not just because Cliff Mass says so, but because it’s Ravenna tradition!

Ravenna-Eckstein Playground on dedication day, September 5, 2008

The Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center (6535 Ravenna Ave NE) is hosting its annual Final Fling party TOMORROW, Wednesday, August 25th, from 6-8pm. It does cost a whole dollar to partake, but there’s a barbecue dinner and CAKE in it for you. Balloon Buffoon will also be on hand to create his impressive balloon creations.

The balloon line on dedication day.

This event has also become the Ravenna-Eckstein Playground’s annual birthday party. Technically, the current version of the playground was dedicated on September 5, 2008 (read our post “You may now commence the fun” for a look back at the ceremony), but why take a chance on September weather?

Fantastic (and Cheap) Family Fun at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center (6535 Ravenna Ave NE) continues with Wacky Western Wednesday!

From the Summer 2010 Seattle Parks and Recreation catalog (pdf):

Wacky Western Wednesday
Ages: 12 & under
Attention cowboys and cowgirls! Throw on your best western attire and cowboy duds and head on over to the community center! Eat some good ol’ fashioned cowboy chow, and come ready to party like cowboy, minus the campfire! Special guests include a mobile petting zoo (complete with a pot belly pig, goat, donkey, chicken, and bunnies) and pony rides on miniature and regular horses!
8/11 Wed Noon–2 p.m.
Activity Fee: $3

Did you see that?! Pot belly pig! Bunnies! And horses! And CHOW…all for three bucks.

We say: YEE HAW.

Tonight is the 27th Annual National Night Out, and Seattle is once again celebrating the event.

Throughout the city there will be streets closed for block parties and bouncy houses (well, we know of ONE in Tangletown, and it sounds FUN), and other community-building, crime-preventing  events. Visit the Seattle Night Out homepage for more info.

I know of at least one block party here in Ravenna (at 70th and 23rd) and there may be others. Let me know where they are, and I’ll add them to the post.

And even if your block has nothing planned for tonight, the good folks at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center have you covered.

From the Parks and Recreation Summer 2010 catalog (emphasis mine):

National “Night Out”
All Ages
“Night Out” is a national crime prevention event. It is designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, increase neighborhood support in anti-crime efforts, and unite our community. It is a great chance to learn about crime prevention, while also celebrating your community and spending time with your neighbors. Meet firemen and policemen and explore a real fire truck and a police car!
Location: Ravenna-Eckstein CC
6–8 p.m. Activity Fee: Free

Yes, we’ll go check it out for the toddler, but maybe I’m pretty excited to see the fire truck, too.

Don’t forget, me hearties: Pirate P”ARRRRRRRRR”TY today at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center, from 11am-1pm.

From the Seattle Parks and Recreation Northeast Summer 2010 catalog:

Ahoy mateys! We be a meetin’ at 11 a.m. at Ravenna fer adventure as you hunt fer hidden treasure. Lads and lasses, come dressed in yer finest pirate garb and be prepared fer some swashbuckling fun, grub, and kiddie spirits.

To help prepare you for this event, here’s a YouTube primer on “The Five A’s,” brought to you by the originators of International Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19th) — Ol’ Chumbucket and Cap’n Slappy:

And here’s Cap’n Slappy again, with some random pirate phrases you may want to use AFTER the party. Or, at least, not around the childrens:

Britt over at Seattle Parks and Recreation was kind enough to send me a list of the free or nearly-so family events (and one fundraiser) happening this summer at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center.  The first one is coming up THIS WEDNESDAY. *bounce bounce bounce*

$1 Super Summer Economy Busters

Big Bounce Bonanza
Ages: 12 & under
Bounce your way down to Ravenna for our 3rd annual Big Bounce Bonanza! Big and little kids will have age appropriate bouncers along with other activities guaranteed to wear ‘em out!
6/30 Wed 1–3 p.m.

Pirate P”arrr”ty
Ages: 5 & under
Ahoy mateys! We be a meetin’ at 11 a.m. at Ravenna fer adventure as you hunt fer hidden treasure. Lads and lasses, come dressed in yer finest pirate garb and be prepared fer some swashbuckling fun, grub, and kiddie spirits
7/22 Thurs 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Annual Kids Carnival
Ages: 12& under
A Ravenna tradition! Celebrate summer with your friends! Laugh and play while you enjoy carnival games, a bouncy toy, face painting, bingo, and lots of fun!
7/14 Wed Noon–2 p.m.

Final Fling/Playground Birthday Party
All Ages
Salute goodbye to the summer and help us celebrate our playground’s 2nd birthday! Balloon Buffoon will be on hand to create his impressive balloon creations! Barbeque dinner and cake provided.
8/25 Wed 6–8 p.m.

Fantastic Family Fun at Ravenna

Chalk it Up for the Community Garden
All Ages
A first-of-a-kind event here at Ravenna-Eckstein, the Chalk it Up Event is a fundraiser for our Community Garden Project. It’s simple! Teams of one or more purchase a 5’ x 5 ‘ space on our hard court play area at the back of the center. This year’s theme… of course… is “How I grow my Garden…” Join us for an evening of family fun, farm to table food, creative energy, and a little community building! Registration forms available on June 28.
7/28 Wed 6–9 p.m.
Activity Fee: $25, Teams of 1 or more.

National “Night Out”
All Ages
“Night Out” is a national crime prevention event. It is designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, increase neighborhood support in anti-crime efforts, and unite our community. It is a great chance to learn about crime prevention, while also celebrating your community and spending time with your neighbors. Meet firemen and policemen and explore a real fire truck and a police car!
8/3 Tue 6–8 p.m.
Activity Fee: Free

Wacky Western Wednesday
Ages: 12 & under
Attention cowboys and cowgirls! Throw on your best western attire and cowboy duds and head on over to the community center! Eat some good ol’ fashioned cowboy chow, and come ready to party like cowboy, minus the campfire! Special guests include a mobile petting zoo (complete with a pot belly pig, goat, donkey, chicken, and bunnies) and pony rides on miniature and regular horses!
8/11 Wed Noon–2 p.m.
Activity Fee: $3