ReplaceZero-Proof Cocktail Bar Coming to Redmond? Plus the World Cup Legacy Sign & Best Frozen Yogurt in Redmond

Welcome to Best of Redmond! Redmond's twice-weekly newsletter and podcast about all the amazing things happening in Redmond for the next seven days!📰 World Cup Legacy Sign Comes to Downtown ParkRedmond is getting a brand-new landmark, and it's arriving just in time for one of the biggest sporting events on the planet. At 2:00 PM on Friday, June 12, the city will unveil a new World Cup Legacy Sign at Downtown Park. The five-foot-tall letters spell REDMOND and feature artwork celebrating technology, nature, culture, and inclusion. Sounders legends are expected to attend and sign autographs. After the unveiling, head over to Redmond Town Center where fans can watch the United States take on Paraguay on a giant outdoor screen.🚗 Exotics Return to Redmond Town CenterIf you've got a kid who stops and points at every Lamborghini that drives by, Saturday morning might already be booked. Exotics at Redmond Town Center returns June 13 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM in the south lot next to BJ's. Expect everything from Ferraris and McLarens to vintage classics and custom builds. The crowd is usually a mix of serious car enthusiasts and families just looking for something fun to do. Get there early if you want the best photos before the lot fills up.⚽ Opening Day World Soccer Watch PartyThe world's biggest soccer tournament officially kicks off on Thursday, June 11, and Seattle Marriott Redmond is turning the entire day into a fan event. From 11:00 AM until 10:00 PM, they'll have matches on screen, a fan zone, raffle prizes, and plenty of opportunities to soak in the atmosphere. Whether you're following every match or just want an excuse to hang out with fellow fans, this is one of the easiest ways to be part of the action without leaving town. Wear your team's colors and settle in for a long day of soccer.👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parent and Me Art: Fruit and Veggie StampsSometimes the best kids' activities are the simplest ones. On Friday, June 12, from 10:30 AM to noon, the Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village is hosting a hands-on art class where kids use fruits and vegetables to create colorful prints and mini masterpieces. The program is designed for children ages 3 to 6 and an accompanying adult. All supplies are included, so there's no need to show up with anything except a little creativity. Registration is required for the child participant.🚲 Bicycle Bling: Wednesday Night Racing at the VelodromeOne of the coolest sports venues in Redmond is also one that a lot of people have never visited. On Wednesday, June 10, racers hit the Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome in Marymoor Park for weekly warmups beginning at 5:00 PM followed by the Wednesday Night Racing Series at 7:00 PM. If you've never watched track cycling before, imagine bikes flying around steep banking at speeds that seem impossible from a few feet away. Bring a chair, grab a spot near the track, and prepare to become a cycling fan.🌲 Teens Take on Blackberry Removal at Arthur Johnson ParkHere's a volunteer opportunity that's a little different than your usual community cleanup. On Wednesday, June 10, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, the Redmond Youth Partnership Advisory Committee is organizing a work party at Arthur Johnson Park focused on removing invasive blackberry bushes. All ages are welcome, although teens are especially encouraged to participate. Tools and gloves will be provided. It's a simple way to spend a couple of hours outside while helping improve one of Redmond's neighborhood parks.🥾 Hiking Club 21+: Garfield Ledges AdventureIf you're looking for an excuse to get into the mountains without worrying about logistics, Redmond Parks has you covered. The Hiking Club 21+ heads to Garfield Ledges on Saturday, June 13, departing from the Redmond Senior & Community Center. The hike covers about 2.2 miles roundtrip with a solid climb to a viewpoint overlooking the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Valley. Transportation, a guide, and the planning are all handled for you. Bring water, a snack, and be ready for some great views.🕰️ Redmond History MinuteOkay, it's time for the Redmond History Minute, where we share an interesting piece of history, trivia, or tidbit about life in and around Redmond.Before roads were built, how did people and goods get around the Redmond area?A) Horse-drawn sleds on frozen lakesB) Flat-bottomed steamboats on the Sammamish RiverC) Canoe-only portage trailsD) A zip line between Redmond and KirklandAnswer revealed at the bottom of this newsletter.🔮 Redmond Rumor MillOkay, this week's rumor is an interesting one.We've heard from a couple of sources that a Bellevue bartender who's been running zero-proof cocktail pop-ups for the past two years may be looking at Redmond for a permanent location. The concept isn't a traditional bar with a mocktail menu. The entire business would be built around alcohol-free cocktails and a full cocktail-bar experience.What we don't know is whether Redmond will actually land the location, or where it might go if it does.The question is: would a dedicated zero-proof cocktail bar work in Redmond?If you've got a guess or have heard something, head to our Facebook page at facebook.com/BestOfRedmond and drop it in the "Redmond Rumor Mill Guesses" post.🗳️ Your Picks: Best Frozen Yogurt in RedmondAlright, that's it for this week.Head on over to facebook.com/BestOfRedmond, find the post called "Your Picks," and drop your vote in the comments. We want to know who you think is the best Frozen Yogurt in Redmond.📻 Don't Miss the PodcastIf you enjoyed this newsletter, you're gonna love the companion podcast. Find it at bestofredmond.com.We'll see you in the next one... or maybe before then, walking around Redmond.🎯 History Minute AnswerThe answer is B – Flat-bottomed steamboats on the Sammamish RiverIn Redmond's earliest days, the forests were so thick and the roads so few that flat-bottomed steamboats were the only practical way to get around. They chugged up and down the Sammamish River and crisscrossed Lake Sammamish carrying passengers and goods. The steamboat era ended in 1916 when the Chittenden Locks opened and lowered local waterways by nine feet, making the river too shallow for the boats. One piece of infrastructure literally killed another.