State of the City and Community Appreciation Night Honors Volunteers

Published on April 14, 2026

Media Contact:
David Wolbrecht
Communications Program Manager
dwolbrecht@kirklandwa.gov

All Kirkland community members are invited to attend the annual State of the City and Community Appreciation Night on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m. This free event celebrates connection and community pride, starting with a dinner and social hour at the Peter Kirk Community Center, followed by desserts and entertainment at the Kirkland Performance Center. The program features the Mayor’s annual State of the City address, a musical performance, and a fun-filled volunteer appreciation ceremony in the style of a live podcast, This Night in Kirkland: All Together Now.

“Every day, dedicated volunteers strengthen Kirkland in ways big and small,” said Councilmember Neal Black. “This event is our opportunity to come together, celebrate that spirit of service, and say thank you to the people who help our community thrive. We’ve been working hard to put together an entertaining show that honors their many outstanding contributions over the last year.”

The State of the City and Community Appreciation Night became a joint event in 2025. Each year, the show features a musical number performed by City staff and volunteer awards presented by Councilmembers. The 2026 celebration will debut a podcast live show, This Night in Kirkland: All Together Now, a twist on This Week in Kirkland, the award-winning weekly news podcast produced by the City Manager’s Office. Members of the City Council will participate as podcast guests, and the audience will be invited to join in interactive games that celebrate Kirkland volunteers.

Event admission is free, and dinner and dessert are included. Registration is required as seats are limited. To register, learn more about the event, and find answers to frequently asked questions, please visit: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Government/City-Managers-Office/Volunteer-Opportunities/Community-Appreciation-Night.

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