Submitted by City of Sumner
Sumner is getting ready to celebrate all things golf and Northwest with the 2015 US Open coming to nearby Chambers Bay, the first Open in 115 years ever held in the Pacific Northwest. Recognized locally and internationally for its small-town charm, Sumner is celebrating in its own way with Open in Sumner, June 13 – 14. This festival will feature an outdoor movie and concert, Main Street Parade, and putt-putt tournament created by local businesses for the opportunity to be Sumner’s guest at the Sunday Championship round.
All proceeds from Open in Sumner will go to the Friends of American Lake Veterans Golf Course.
This is the only course in the nation specifically designed to serve disabled veterans, and the course is currently raising money to complete their back nine holes, designed for free by Jack Nicklaus. Jim Martinson, a veteran originally from Sumner, has shared how important such a course is for veterans, especially those who have been injured in combat, to recover physically and mentally.
Twilight Round Cinema & Music Off Main Concert
June 13, 2015
The celebration will begin on Saturday evening in the heart of historic downtown Sumner. Reuben A Knoblauch Heritage Park features a gazebo and grassy hill, built to replicate the old park where Sumner would hold open-air dances at the turn of the last century. In keeping with that tradition, Northwest favorite The Shy Boys will perform. Covering everything from The Beatles to Santana, they get the crowd up and dancing. After the concert, Sumner will show Disney’s “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” The 2015 Open is making history, being the first one held in the Pacific Northwest. Fittingly, the movie tells the story of history being made over 100 years ago at the 1913 US Open, when 20-year-old Francis Ouimet played against his idol, the 1900 champion, Englishman Harry Vardon. Everyone is invited to bring blankets, chairs and picnics to enjoy this modern take on a nostalgic tradition. Because the sun sets late in June in the Pacific Northwest, the movie will be preceded by an outdoor concert guaranteed to get feet dancing, toes tapping, and everyone in the mood for a celebration.
Putt Around Sumner
June 14, 2015, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The celebration continues the next day with a special nine-hole putt-putt course in Downtown Sumner. Local businesses are designing each hole, with a special prize for the most creative design. Already underway is a hole from Windmill Gardens, a local nursery that is providing all the flower arrangements for the US Open and truly features the putt-putt classic, a windmill. Other holes are being built by McLendon Hardware, the Washington State Fair, the YMCA and Downtown Sumner. Holes will feature rhubarb, Mt. Rainier and other special surprises. Guests of all ages can sign up to putt for no fee (donation recommended). Those completing all nine holes may have the opportunity for special prizes including two-some in the Sumner Golf for Life Tournament, bottles of Harmon Brewery’s special Open Brew and being Sumner’s guest at the Open’s Championship round on Sunday, June 21, the day that sold out months ago.
Main Street Parade
June 14, 2015 3:00 p.m.
At 3:00 p.m., the grand finale will begin with the Main Street Parade, sponsored by The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse and Sunset Chevrolet. Sumner loves a parade, and this one will feature a few sights familiar to locals, including the award-winning Sumner High School Marching Band, The Old
Cannery’s double-decker red bus and Sumner’s antique Kenworth fire engine, the first engine the Kenworth company ever made. Special VIPs will ride in Sunset’s Chevrolets, and a procession of historic cars will celebrate the past 115 years of the US Open’s history, with each car representing a decade and the players who won the Open in that decade. Regional mayors will ride in the cars and help tell the Open’s history through these vintage vehicles. (Neighboring City of Fife’s Mayor Tim Curtis quickly reserved the 1960s!) Sumner is also inviting all high school golfers through WIAA to march in the parade and celebrate the future of golf. There will also be other special guests, including the Caddies of the Chambers Bay Golf Course.
Sumner Village
June 14, 2015, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
As visitors are putting and exploring Sumner, a special Village in Heritage Park will help introduce them to the Northwest and golf. Sumner is inviting local attractions, golf courses and golf tournaments to offer special golf-themed activities to all ages. There will also be a “Selfie Station,” sponsored by the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Sumner that allows visitors to snap a photo of themselves as the champion of Chambers Bay. First Tee of South Puget Sound is also bringing SNAG, Starting New at Golf, a fun way to try out the game for the first time for children and children of all ages.
The Tee Box
June 14, 2015, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
No golf celebration would be complete without whispered commentary. The Tee Box will be at the corner of Main Street and Alder Avenue, and Sumner is inviting local and regional sports commentators to add their description of the day’s events. The Tee Box will also host the “Dancing Caddies” who will come out onto Main Street periodically.
The 19th Hole & Birdies
June 13 – 14, 2015
For many, Sumner is a hidden gem, including its unique boutiques and restaurants. Visitors will have the chance to explore and enjoy the 19th Hole (local restaurants), trying locally roasted coffee, locally brewed beer and Sumner’s famous rhubarb pie. (Since the early 1900s, Sumner has been known as the Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World.) With Birdie Sponsors, visitors will also have the chance to shop unique, independent boutiques, the classic Main Street merchants, with golf-themed celebrations within each store.
Friday: Girls Night Out & Sounders U-23
June 12, 2015
It’s a full weekend in Sumner with Friday night before Open in Sumner busy for all ages. Each year, Girls Night Out welcomes women gather to shop, sample wines, and enjoy a magical evening at Windmill Gardens. The event is hosted by Sumner Rotary to raise money to build the local YMCA. At the same time, Sunset Stadium is host to a Sounders U-23 game. With tickets only $10 each and easy access to Sunset Stadium, there’s no better way to watch the future of soccer. Sounders U-23 also build in many ways for you to meet the young players. After all, only a few years ago, the Sounder U-23 team included DeAndre Yedlin!
More information and details will continue to be updated at www.openinsumner.org.
