What’s the difference between a piano and a fish? If you already know the answer, congrats on your wide repertoire of Dad jokes and/or being a fan of REO Speedwagon’s first album to break the Top 40.
If you’re in the latter category (or the first, or neither, we don’t judge) make sure you show up at Enumclaw City Hall on July 12 to celebrate the newly-inducted Hall of Rock and Roll-famers as they receive the key to the city, which is a larger version of the actual key to city hall.
Mayor Jan Molinaro said in a recent interview that the band is “one of his favorites” and that several of their songs were “key” in his life, but added that the band has no connection to the Enumclaw area.
“It’s just something that I was able to coordinate with the band,” he said, adding that receiving the key to the city honors the band for “help[ing] people… enjoy life better.”
The celebration is scheduled to begin at 3:15 p.m. Molinaro is also expected to declare the day “REO Speedwagon Day”.
Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate to Plateau Outreach Ministries and the Rainier Foothills Wellness Foundation, both of which will be attending the event.
REO Speedwagon will then go on to perform at the White River Amphitheater.
Other recipients of the keys to Enumclaw include rapper Macklemore (2016) for his work in inspiring teens to stay/get sober; Edward Saylor (2013), known for volunteering as a flight engineer on the Doolittle Raid during WWII; Charles Berg (2010), who helped develop Enucmlaw through his realty business, but also preserved its history through his photography and the work of his father-in-law, the famed local photographer Karl Jensen; Bob Charlo (2009), who was a local artist/photographer, story teller, member of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, and worked to bring an annual pow wow to the Enumclaw School District; Linda Petchnick (2008), an international award-winning acrylic painter who traveled Europe for her scenes; the Olympic Kennel Club (2008), which hosts an annual dog show at the Enumclaw Expo Center; Brian Scalbrine (2007), a professional basketball player who played with the USC Trojans, New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics, and Chicago Bulls over his career; and Kasey Kahne (2005), who rose to fame not just for his success on the NASCAR circuit, but also for his philanthropical work raising money for children with cancer and other chronic illnesses or conditions. (It should be noted the Kasey Kahne Foundation hasn’t filed as a tax-exempt organization since 2019, and its website appears to now be a Thai blog.)
PARKING AND VIEWING
Parking around city hall will be limited, so the best places to park would be the two public parking lots at Cole Street/Stevenson Avenue and Railroad Street/Myrtle Avenue.
Overflow viewing will be available across the street from city hall in the Mutual of Enumclaw (MOE) parking lot, identified with orange cones and no parking signs. Do not park your car in the other MOE lots.
