Pastor Kirby Unti is Grand Marshal for River Days Parade

For more than three decades, Unti, pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, has helped to make Renton a thriving community to live, learn, work and play. The IKEA Renton River Days volunteer Board of Directors selected Unti as grand marshal for his years of service and dedication to the citizens and families of Renton.

“Serving as Grand Marshal of Renton River Days Parade is an honor and a delight because River Days is all about community,” said Unti.

Under Unti’s leadership, St. Matthew has been actively involved in the betterment of the community through work with public health, the Renton School District, Communities in Schools of Renton, the ARISE men’s shelter program, Congregations for the Homeless, the Emergency Feeding Program and an adult daycare.

Unti was recently elected to a six-year term as bishop of the Northwest Washington Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, where he will be responsible for caring for 105 churches from the Kent/Des Moines border north to Canada.

The public is invited to experience this year’s River Days Parade on Saturday, July 27, starting at 10:00 a.m., on South 3rd Street in downtown Renton.  This year, the Parade features drill teams, cheer squads, community and neighborhoods groups, classic and antique cars, and so much more.

The festival still has volunteer opportunities for both the Parade and other activity stations at Liberty Park for festival weekend, July 26-28.   If you'd like to volunteer helping in the information booth, at various children’s activities, art-related events, helping to keep the park sparkling and litter-free, or for the Parade, email Sharon Murphy, Assistant Volunteer Coordinator at rrdvolunteer@comcast.net or call 425.235.4614.  Most tasks are outdoors and require physical ability.  You can also visit www.RentonRiverDays.org for festival volunteer information and to download a Festival Volunteer Application.