Saturday, April 6th, 2019 – Kent residents packed downtown as they went course to course at the fourth annual Putt Around Downtown event, hosted by Main Street Kent.

“Putt Around Downtown is our way of getting people out to explore downtown Kent on a spring day, so it gets people into businesses that they may not visit regularly,” Heather Malarcik, the event organizer said.

Stores that participated each designed their own course. Putt-putter’s were then invited inside after attempting their best shot at a hole-in-one.

“We’ve been able to incorporate some of our items from the store and people have been really interested in them, asking a lot of questions, and it really geared them inside,” Leah Williamson, Handcrafted employee said.

Though the event was a fun for many, putters were putting for a purpose: to raise money that goes right back into the beautification of downtown Kent, ultimately helping the small businesses.

“Especially on beautiful days like this, everyone comes out, and everyone talks about each other’s business, we all point each other to other businesses and everything, it’s a good way to get the community altogether.”

Danielle Gordon, Popped! employee

“Especially on beautiful days like this, everyone comes out and everyone talks about each other’s business, we all point each other to other businesses and everything, it’s a good way to get the community altogether”, Danielle Gordon, Popped! employee said.

Though Saturday was not the first time residents have seen the course, Main Street Kent did not hold the event in 2018, but bringing it back this year was a good move.

“We took 2018 off and brought it back in 2019 and I think it’s been a good move. We sold way more tickets for this years’ event than two years ago,” Malarcik said.

All proceeds benefit Main Street Kent, a non-profit organization focused on promoting downtown Kent and its businesses. For a look at upcoming events, click here.