Maple Valley Days returns to Lake Wilderness Park June 10–12. The community celebration kicks off Friday, June 10 from 4–8 PM, continues Saturday, June 11 from 10 AM–8 PM, and wraps up Sunday, June 12 from 10 AM–5 PM. It’s a great weekend to get outdoors and celebrate our town with neighbors and friends.
The Maple Valley Creative Arts Council is calling for artists to apply for the Maple Valley Days Arts Festival, happening June 12–14, 2026, at Lake Wilderness Lodge. This juried event welcomes painters, photographers, sculptors, ceramicists, jewelers, and other artisans, with a new dedicated Textile Exhibition this year. Selected artists get displayed booths, sales opportunities, and two complimentary tickets to a VIP Opening Gala on Friday where awards will be announced. Applications are now open at mvcac.clubexpress.com, with space filling quickly.
Mark your calendar for Maple Valley Farmers’ Market opening day on May 9, 2026, starting at 9 AM. You’ll have the chance to shop from over 100 local and independent farmers and small businesses. It’s a great way to support our community and stock up on fresh, local goods right here in Maple Valley.
Tahoma High School is presenting the musical Water for Elephants April 30, May 1–2, and May 7–9, 2026. Tickets are available at www.tahomadrama.org. This is a great opportunity to support local student performers and enjoy a beloved story brought to life on stage right here in our community.
Tahoma High School’s PTA is seeking community support for the 2026 Grad Night celebration, a safe and sober event for graduating seniors. The class has about 60 days until graduation. Supporters can sponsor the event, donate items from an Amazon wishlist, make monetary donations, or participate in local fundraisers including 10% nights at House & Hazel in April and a 25% proceeds day at MOD Pizza on Friday, April 24, 2026. Sponsorships close May 1, 2026.
South King County residents, including those from Maple Valley, can attend a free Transit Town Hall on Wednesday, May 13 from 6:00–7:30 PM at Highline College in Des Moines. The event, hosted by Transportation Choices Coalition, will address Sound Transit’s $35 billion cost overruns and regional expansion plans, featuring King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and local leaders discussing projects like the Boeing Access Infill Station and Sounder rail expansion.
Tahoma Bears Dance is hosting a free dance clinic on Saturday, May 16th from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm. Participants will learn two routines, sidelines, receive one-on-one technique coaching, and get a glimpse of what it’s like competing with the team. Register through their bio link, or contact Coach OG at sodegard@tahomasd.us with questions.
A free summer program has been announced for low-income school districts across six Washington counties, including King County where Maple Valley is located. More than 100 schools statewide will participate in the initiative. Maple Valley families in eligible districts should check with their school to learn more about how to access this resource for their students.
University of Washington law professor Anita Ramasastry is advising FIFA and host cities on human rights for the 2026 World Cup, the first tournament to require human rights planning from all bidding cities. Ramasastry drafted Seattle’s human rights action plan, which addresses trafficking, homelessness, protest rights, workers’ rights, and immigrant community protections. She chairs FIFA’s human rights expert advisory group and will discuss workers’ rights in Seattle on May 4 at 5 p.m. as part of the UW Global Sport Lab speaker series.
The Friends of the Black Diamond Library held their annual plant sale on May 2 at Ten Trails Community Center, selling over 300 plants and raising $2,069.95 for library programs. Local businesses including Fred Meyer in Maple Valley and Covington Creek Nursery donated generously to support the effort, which will fund programs for adults, youth, and children throughout the library system.
A Cascadia Daily News feature explores team racing traditions in Northwest Washington, tracing roots back to the 1911 Mount Baker Marathon. The article highlights Ski to Sea (a 93-mile multisport relay selling out faster each year), Ragnar Northwest Passage (a 200-mile overnight running relay), and the decline of adventure racing in the region. Notably, the Fall Cascade 6-Hour Adventure Race is scheduled for November 14, 2026, in Maple Valley.
The Covington Makers Market runs Saturday, May 9, from 10 AM to 4 PM at Covington Town Center Lawn (17070 SE Wax Road). It’s a great nearby option for Maple Valley shoppers hunting for unique Mother’s Day gifts from local makers, though the event is technically in neighboring Covington.
Black Diamond History Museum is hosting three free public presentations in May featuring local and regional history. Events run 1:00–2:00 pm on May 2 (“How Whiskey Won Washington” with author Becky Garrison), May 3 (“The Legacy of the Chinese Exclusion Act” with author Trish Hackett Nicola), and May 16 (“The History of Ravensdale” with historian Michael Brathovde). All programs are free and open to the public.
The International Examiner’s May 2026 Arts Calendar highlights visual arts exhibitions, performing arts events, films, and literary programming across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. While the calendar features numerous Seattle-area venues and events celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage—including exhibits at Gallery B612, Wing Luke Museum, and Seattle Art Museum—the content is primarily regional and national in scope, with minimal direct relevance to Maple Valley residents.
Wedgwood Community Council is hosting an in-person board meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at Wedgwood Presbyterian Church (8008 35th Ave NE). King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski will attend, and the agenda includes board elections, land use updates, and community park discussions. While this is a Seattle-area event outside Maple Valley, county residents interested in regional governance may find it relevant.
Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss is hosting a community meeting with Sound Transit on May 11 at 6 p.m. at the National Nordic Museum in Ballard to discuss potential changes to the Ballard Link Extension. Sound Transit is considering cost-cutting options that could stop the light rail line short of Ballard, prompting elected officials and community members to advocate for the project as originally promised.
About 300 people marched Sunday in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood to support the planned Ballard Link light rail extension, which faces budget cuts and possible indefinite delay. Sound Transit’s project costs ballooned from $12 billion to over $20 billion, prompting the agency to consider truncating the line before reaching Ballard. Local and state leaders, including Seattle Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck and State Senator Noel Frame, urged Sound Transit to complete the project as promised to voters in 2016.
The University of Washington’s ArtSci Roundup highlights May 2026 events across arts, sciences, and humanities—including exhibitions, lectures, music performances, and public talks. While most events occur in Seattle, they’re university-focused and not specific to Maple Valley. However, some online lectures on topics like the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Seattle or environmental issues may interest regional audiences seeking cultural enrichment beyond their immediate community.
West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day is set for Saturday, May 9, featuring a record 640+ sales across West Seattle. The event includes searchable maps and a 38-page printable list to help shoppers find items and locate nearby sales. While this is a fun regional event, it’s specific to West Seattle and doesn’t directly affect or involve Maple Valley.