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FWPS Fourth Graders Storm the Sound
with Salmon
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Salmon release season has arrived in Federal Way. Over the past two weeks, Hylebos Blueberry Farm Park has been filled with the energy and excitement of fourth-grade students participating in “Storming the Sound with Salmon.”
Through a partnership with Federal Way Public Schools, these students have spent the school year raising Coho salmon right in their classrooms, transforming everyday lessons into a hands-on science experience.
Throughout the program, students developed practical skills in observation, data collection, and environmental science. More importantly, they gained a deeper understanding of the critical role salmon play in the Pacific Northwest’s ecosystems, cultures, and economy.
The culmination of their work is a moment they won’t soon forget: releasing thousands of young salmon into West Hylebos Creek. After months of care and learning, students watched as their fish begin the next stage of their journey toward the Puget Sound.
Thank you to our Public Works staff members who worked tirelessly to make this event a success, and thank you to the additional support provided from Parks and Recreation!
| | Community Members Ask Questions at Town Hall Meeting | | |
Community members joined Mayor Jim Ferrell, members of the City Council and city staff for a Town Hall Meeting at Olympic View K-8 last week. The event included important updates from the City along with an opportunity for community members to ask questions.
"Listening to you is at the heart of our work as Mayor and Council," said Mayor Jim Ferrell. "Opportunities like this to connect, hear your perspectives, and engage in meaningful dialogue are incredibly important."
| | Federal Way Kids Wrangle Fish at Steel Lake for Hooked on Fishing | | |
Our annual "I'm Hooked" Kids Fishing event brought families to the shores of Steel Lake for a fun day of sun and fishing. Community mentors helped guide children and families in the art of fishing, nature, health and wellness to instill a love and passion to enjoy for years to come
The event is a partnership with the Federal Way Parks Department, I'm Hooked Inc., and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to provide families with angler education, fishing fun, and health and wellness activities.
| | Mayor Ferrell and City Council Celebrate Centerstage | | |
Mayor Jim Ferrell joined members of our City Council at the annual Centerstage Fundraiser at Twin Lakes
Golf & Country Club on Saturday night. The contributions from the event allow Centerstage Theatre to
continue providing great entertainment for our community with their plays and shows at the Knutzen
Family Theatre at Dumas Bay.
Centerstage is one of the many great organizations that make our city a great place for families and those
interested in the arts.
| | Opening Day of the Federal Way Farmers Market on May 9 | | | | |
Join us on Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for Opening Day of the 2026 Season of the Federal Way Farmers Market.
We’re excited to move to our new location on South 316th Street between Town Square Park and the Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center.
On Opening Day, we will be giving away free tote bags to the first 150 visitors. Come early and take one home!
Parking is available at Town Square Park and in and around downtown Federal Way, including nearby public lots within walking distance of the market.
| | FWPD Officer Darnell Hogan Honored with Life-Saving Award | | |
On May 17, 2025, officers were dispatched to reports of a shooting in which an 11-year-old child had been struck by a stray bullet. Upon arrival, Officer Hogan quickly assessed the scene and located the severely injured child. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, he remained calm under intense pressure and immediately began providing emergency medical care.
Drawing on his training and composure, Officer Hogan applied a chest seal to the child’s wound to help prevent further blood loss. His swift actions stabilized the child and significantly increased their chance of survival until medical personnel arrived. Throughout the incident, Officer Hogan demonstrated exceptional professionalism, compassion, and presence of mind.
In recognition of his extraordinary actions, unwavering dedication, and the direct role he played in saving the life of a young child, Officer Hogan was presented with a Life-Saving Award.
We are proud to recognize Officer Hogan with the Life-Saving Award and thank him for his compassion and commitment to our community!
| | City Staff and Community Partners Conduct Road Safety Audit | | |
City staff recently joined community partners and a local community member to conduct a Road Safety Audit along 21st Avenue Southwest and Southwest Campus Drive. This effort is part of the City’s upcoming Citywide Comprehensive Traffic Safety Plan.
Road Safety Audits are used by local agencies to take a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding safety concerns in specific areas. These audits help identify potential road safety issues and highlight opportunities to improve conditions for all road users.
Led by the City’s consultant team Transpo Group, participants in the audit included staff from the Federal Way Public Works Department, Federal Way Police Department, Federal Way Community Development, South King Fire, King County Metro Transit, and Federal Way Public Schools. Community member Mike Bollich-Ziegler also took part, joining the group as they walked the corridor, all wearing neon yellow vests, for much of the day to better experience the area from a pedestrian’s perspective.
“It’s nice to see every one coming together and spending time to walk the area,” Bollich-Ziegler said. “I live in this neighborhood, so I feel like having the opportunity to give first-hand experience can make an impact.”
This effort supports the City’s “Vision Zero” goal of eliminating all serious injury and fatal crashes in Federal Way by 2045. Staff plan to conduct additional Road Safety Audits at other locations in the near future.
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Thank you to our silver sponsors – Dick's Drive-In, Fatbeam Fiber, Ezee Fiber – and bronze sponsor – Dude Wipes – for your support of Kickin' It Federal Way.
Kickin' It Federal Way is a three-day festival, June 19-21, celebrating soccer, culture, and community at the Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center.
Additionally, thank you to all of our community sponsors: Mindful Floral, Art of the Smiles, Federal Way Public Market, Filamental 3D, Window Nation, McAuley Family Chiropractic, Bricks & Minifigs, Tita Bun Co, Global Credit Union, Impact Public Schools, Jet Chevrolet, Angels Vision, Sound Credit Union, Yo Soy Unico, Lakehaven Water & Sewer District, Columbia Bank, Garden Terrace of Federal Way, and Rotary Club of Federal Way.
| | May 5 City Council Meeting | | | | |
What’s Next: The Federal Way City Council meets Tuesday, May 5, 2026, for a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.
How to Attend: Attend in person at Federal Way City Hall, 33325 8th Ave. S. or watch live on Zoom, the City's YouTube channel, or FW Channel 21.
| | Upcoming Events and Opportunities | | Arts Explosion at the PAEC May 29-31 | | | | |
The Federal Way Arts Commission is excited to announce the fourth-annual “Arts Explosion” Juried Art Show Festival, taking place from May 29-31, at the Performing Arts & Events Center.
This vibrant festival will celebrate the diversity of Federal Way, showcasing the talents of both adult and youth artists, while promoting artistic growth and community engagement.
The fourth-annual Federal Way Arts Explosion Festival brings a juried art competition to both adult and youth artists from around the region.
| | Kickin' It Federal Way June 19-21 | | | | |
Join us June 19-21 for Kickin' It Federal Way, a three-day festival celebrating soccer, culture, and community at the Performing Arts & Event Center.
The festival will feature FIFA World Cup 26™ watch parties, live performances on the outdoor stage, food truck alley, and a wide range of family-friendly activities, turning the PAEC and the surrounding property into a hub of entertainment throughout the weekend.
| | Senior Health & Resource Fair on May 12 | | | | |
The Senior Advisory Commission proudly invites you to join them at the 4th Annual Senior Health & Resource Fair at the Performing Arts & Event Center on Tuesday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This free event will bring together 85 local vendors with direct ties to the senior community.
Thank you to our sponsors: The City of Federal Way, Vickie Chynoweth, St. Francis Hospital, Home Instead, the Federal Way Mirror, Fedelta Home Care, FUSION, and Steel Lake Presbyterian Church. Without you, we would not be able to host this event!
All ages – especially seniors! – are welcome.
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Take the Diversity Commission's
Community Engagement Survey
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The City of Federal Way Diversity Commission wants to hear from you!
Please take just a few minutes to share your thoughts in this short Community Engagement Survey.
Your feedback will help us reach more in our community and help us to make our city even more welcoming and connected for everyone.
| | Provide Your Feedback on Opportunity Zones in Federal Way | | | | |
We are exploring the future of Opportunity Zones in Federal Way, and we want to hear from you!
Opportunity Zones are federally designated areas where new investment is encouraged through tax incentives, with the goal of supporting economic development, creating jobs, expanding housing options, and strengthening community-serving spaces.
Federal Way currently has one Opportunity Zone located in the downtown area with the possibility of a re-designation from the State of Washington.
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The Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center (PAEC) puts on a wide variety of events year-round. Upcoming events include:
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May 6: PAEC Presents: Step Afrika!
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May 9: Federal Way Symphony Presents "Big Band Concert II: Celebrating Generations"
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May 16: Federal Way Chorale: The Sounds of Spring - Americana
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May 25: Zain Zohaib Qawwali Night
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May 30 & 31: Adage Ballet Academy Presents: The Sleeping Beauty - Aurora's Wedding
Visit the PAEC event calendar page for a full list of upcoming events.
| | Friends of Federal Way Libraries Book Sale on May 9 | | | | |
The Federal Way Library is hosting a Friends of Federal Way Libraries Book Sale on May 9. Browse gently used books, DVDs, CDs, and more to help support library programming.
General Sale:
- Saturday, May 9, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pre-Sale for Members Only:
- Saturday, May 9, 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Memberships are available at the door for $5. Cash or checks only. Please bring your own bags.
| | BonsaiFest! Returns May 9-10 | | | | |
The Pacific Bonsai Museum invites the public to BonsaiFEST!, its annual free outdoor festival, on Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10. The event will be open to the public each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This year's event marks the opening of Bonsai United, a groundbreaking new exhibition curated by Aarin Packard that brings together 36 bonsai practitioners from 15 traditions around the world, speaking in their own voices about what makes their regional approaches to bonsai distinctly their own.
| | Blue Poppy Day at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden on May 16 | | | | |
The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way is hosting its Annual Blue Poppy Day on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This event celebrates the rare and iconic Himalayan blue poppy at peak bloom, an uncommon opportunity to see these sought-after flowers in full display.
Visitors can explore a meadow filled with blue poppies, shop an art market featuring local artists, enjoy a live performance from the Jet Cities Chorus, and visit food trucks.
A wide selection of plants will also be available for purchase in the on-site nursery.
| | Rotary Bingo Social at the PAEC on May 20 | | | | |
Rotary Club of Federal Way invites you to an afternoon of bingo and fun at its Bingo Social at the Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center on Wednesday, May 20 from 1-4 p.m.
The event is free to attend and open to all community members ages 55 or older.
Deadline to RSVP is May 10.
If you have any questions, please contact Kim Egge at kim.egge@comcast.net.
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