The city of Kenmore is hosting a Waterfront Activities Fair at Kenmore City Hall May 8.

The event is from 5-8 p.m. for all ages. It will be an open house format and will feature various hand-powered watercraft clubs and programs, including the YMCA’s new kayak day camp program being launched at Rhododendron Park this summer, the recently formed Kenmore Crew and Kayak Club (KCKC), WhatsSUP kayak and paddle board rentals.

“Our citizens have consistently told us that they want us to advance the public’s access and connection to the waterfront,” said Kenmore Mayor David Baker. “This event will be a milestone in that effort and will showcase the new waterfront programs that are coming to Kenmore.”

Various vessels will be on display, including sprint kayaks, a stand up paddle board, a rowing shell, recreational kayaks and a surf ski. The event will include a raffle drawing for several prizes and refreshments will be served.

Both crew and kayak enthusiasts have come together to organize the event. The lead organizer of the event, Debra Srebnik, is passionate about Kenmore’s waterfront potential.

“We have such a wonderful resource in our amazing waterfront here in Kenmore, and it’s exciting to be a part of launching these new programs that will bring the public to the water,” Srebnik said.

KCKC’s president, Duncan Cox, hopes the event will attract a wide range of people.

“The May 8 event and the upcoming programs are not for the elites — these new programs are intended for all skill levels and abilities,” Cox said. “Regardless of whether you’ve never been in a kayak or canoe or have been paddling for years, we hope everyone feels welcome and will be drawn to the event.”

Berit McAllister, a long-time Kenmore resident and rower, is especially excited for the potential of growing a crew program in Kenmore. McAllister and other residents have been in talks with the George Pocock Rowing Foundation in Seattle to possibly expand and bring rowing programs to Kenmore.

“We already have a private school that sponsors a crew club here in Kenmore,” McCallister said. “But we should grow a robust crew program for the public as well.”

In addition to working with citizens and organizations to bring waterfront activities to Kenmore, the city has funded capital projects to improve water access, including a new float and ramp to be installed at Log Boom Park later this summer. The city is also working with the Muckleshoot Tribe and will be applying for a permit to install a new dock for handpowered watercraft on the shore of Rhododendron Park, just east of the Sammamish River bridge. The recent improvements to the Kenmore Boat Launch, including new restrooms, were a result of a financial partnership between the city of Kenmore and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Kenmore City Council members have directed the city manager to explore potential waterfront property acquisitions.

“Both the hardware and the software of our waterfront are coming together,” Baker said. “These are exciting times for Kenmore.”

For more information or to learn how to get involved, call the city of Kenmore at 425-398-8900 or visit the KCKC website at www.kenmoreboathouse.com.