Mercer Island Light Rail Station Opening Celebration
Saturday, March 28 • 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Free • Family-Friendly • Everyone Welcome
Celebrate a New Era of Connection!
Join us as Mercer Island comes together for the long-awaited opening of the Mercer Island Light Rail Station!
This free, family-friendly celebration features live music, performances, food trucks, interactive booths, kids activities, and
special opening-day surprises.
Bring your neighbors, bring your family, and be among the first to experience our new station.
Location:
Mercer Island Light Rail Station / Mercer Island Park and Ride
Hosted by: Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce
Event Highlights
Live Stage Performances from
- School of Rock Bellevue
- Creation Dance Studio
- Mercer Island Martial Arts
- Simon Okelo & the One Vibe Band
Try your voice at The AirScream karaoke experience.
Special photo opportunities throughout the event.
Kids Zone with crafts and family activities
Interactive community booths
Food trucks & treats
Commemorative Giveaways — The first 75 riders receive a special commemorative magnet at the Laser Luxe Studios booth.
Live broadcasting and emceeing by KMIH Radio 88.9 - The Bridge.
And more surprises throughout the day!
Thank you to our sponsors for helping to make this event possible:
Presenting Sponsor: Sound Transit
Silver Sponsors:
Bronze Sponsors:
Angel's Royal Academy
Partners:
City of Mercer Island
Explore Mercer Island is a digital book created especially for first‑time visitors, curious explorers, and light rail riders discovering Mercer Island for the very first time. Designed as a simple, welcoming guide to our Town Center, it highlights the local shops, restaurants, services, and experiences that give the island its small‑town charm and community feel.
Whether you’re stepping off the light rail, visiting for the day, or exploring between Seattle and Bellevue, Explore Mercer Island makes it easy to see what’s nearby, what’s local, and what’s worth checking out. The guide also features businesses and sponsors who supported the Mercer Island Light Rail Station Opening—helping connect visitors with the businesses that help keep our community thriving.
Start exploring, stay awhile, and experience Mercer Island like a local.
Main Stage Lineup
Stage Schedule
10:00–10:50 AM — School of Rock Bellevue
11:00–11:30 AM — Creation Dance Studio
11:35 AM–12:25 PM — School of Rock Bellevue
12:30–12:50PM — Mercer Island Martial Arts
1:05–1:55 PM — Simon Okelo & One Vibe Band
Emcee and broadcast live by KMIH Radio- The Bridge.
Kids Zone
Kid Zone Activities provided by Angel's Royal Academy.
Face painting
Corn Hole
Yard Games
Jump rope & Active Play
Custome Coloring Books
and More!
Food Trucks & Booths
The Crawlspace Gastropub
Vivienne's Bistro
L'Experience Paris
Copa De Oro Fruits
Zylberschtein's Delicatessen & Bakery
Oh jah Jamaican Corner
Yummy-Fresh LLC
Pike Street Nuts
HOLA CAFE
Thai Street Gourmet
The North Bend Bakery
T’Juana Tacos
Pizzadillaz
Chillz, LLC
Interactive Booths
Visit these interactive vendor and community booths:
John L Scott Mercer Island
Hali Health & Wellness
Soccer Fun Camp
Center for Children & Youth Justice
Eastrail Partners
Girl Scouts of Western Washington
Mercer Island Rowing Club
RE-VESTA Group
LifeWire
Mercer Island Martial Arts
Hopelink (Mobility Program)
ICHS PACE
Windermere Real Estate
Mercer Island Farmers Market
Noire Essentials Candles
Mercer Island Visual Arts League
Stroum Jewish Community Center
Jason Rogers Woodworking, LLC
Port of Seattle
BECU
Pumarosa
Chinese Wushu & Tai Chi Academy
SmallRiniLady
Bows and Knots Co
All Hearts inc.
The Hun Buns
The Sweetest Things llc
Move Redmond
Liana Mei Pottery LLC
Island Books
Island Treats
Mercer Island Rotary
Mercer Island Auto Spa
Neil Kelly Company
NMDP (National Marrow Donor Program)
HOSA (Healthcare Occupation Students of America)
The Spring District
Laser Luxe Studios
The Book Project
Sound Transit Bike Program
Sound Transit DSW Program
Seattle Subway
Mercer Island Library, KCLS
Mercer Island FC
TOT Thinking Of Them
MIYFS Foundation
City of Mercer Island
Zen Dragon Martial Arts
Puget Sound Energy
Hello Junco
Old World Handyman
Photo Spots & Activities
Look for the fun photo op with the Mercer Island marquee letters.
Grab a snap shot of you and your besties at the themed photobooth by the Chamber tent.
Then try your hand- I mean voice- at The AirScream karoke airstream!
Sponsors Booths
Stop and say hi to our sponsors who are on site.
PSE
Island Books
Island Treets
Green Latrine
The AirScream
Stages Northwest
Alexander Party Rentals
Getting to the Celebration
Light Rail: Opens for service - ride directly to the event!
Bus: Local connections available nearby.
Bike: Bicycle parking at the station
Parking: Limited -walking, transit, or rideshare encouraged.
Parking facilities along the 2 Line include:
South Bellevue Station: 1524 stalls
BelRed Station: 300 stalls
Redmond Tech: 323 stalls
Marymoor Village Station: 1403 stalls
Accessibility: Elevators, ramps, and ADA parking available
FAQ
Is the event free? YES
Do I need to register? No, just come celebrate
Is it family-friendly? Absolutley
Can I bring my dog? We ask that you leave your furry friends at home.
Is riding the light rail the day of the event free? No, but there are community booths offering limited Orca cards in giveaways.
For more infoamation on riding the light rail visit www.soundtransit.org
More Station Happenings Across the 2 Line!
Judkins Park Station
Button
Spring District Station
2 to the zoo! A petting zoo, food trucks, vendor booths, and Meta’s Market Hall.
BelRed Light Rail Station
Collective celebration featuring:
- Women’s History Month artist exhibition across all businesses
- Painting pottery workshop at Pottery WA
- Live music and art installation at Evolution Rehearsal Studio
- Drum lesson drive and live drumming demonstration at West Coast Drum Shop
Bellevue Downtown Station
ButtonInternational District/Chinatown Station
Live entertainment, children’s activities and community booths.
Lynnwood City Center Station hosted by Sno-Isle Libraries
Sno-Isle Libraries is activating the “Book Stop”, with their Bookmobile, giant games, face-painting, story time readings, giveaways, and more.
South Bellevue Station
Live entertainment, food, touch-a-firetruck, children’s activities and community booths.
Redmond Technology Station hosted by Microsoft
Free food and coffee from Dote.
Symphony Station hosted by the Seattle Symphony
Hear a live performance from Symphony musicians.
Marymoor Village Station hosted by Seattle Orcas
Learn about playing cricket and enjoy a photobooth with the Seattle Orcas mascot, a DJ and a chai drink truck.
Event produced in partnership with
Consent to Photography and Video Recording:
Attendance at this event constitutes consent to the use of the attendee’s image, likeness, and voice in photographs and audiovisual recordings for publicity, promotional, and other lawful purposes by the event organizers, without compensation or further approval.