The city of Kent, Washington, is located in King County and is the eighth largest city in the state with an estimated population of 86,607 residents. Often identified as an outlying suburb of Seattle, it is also near the town of Renton to the north, Covington to the east, Auburn to the south, and SeaTac and Federal Way to the west. Officially incorporated in 1890 with just under 800 residents, it was the second city established in the county after Seattle.
Once known as the "Lettuce Capital of the World," Kent is still blessed with some of the most fertile soil in the area. Some say the soil in Kent is among the most fertile in the world. The city is home to the companies of Boeing, R.E.I., and Oberto Sausage Company; as well as Maytag/Whirlpool and G.E. Appliance regional distribution centers. Kent is also known as the third-largest industrial area in the United States, due in part to its proximity to several key transportation routes.
Kent residents and visitors enjoy an extensive park system that ranges in size from a few thousand square feet to over 16 acres. This system includes over 60 parks, miniparks, playfields, greenbelts, and other related facilities. The area is also going through an active revitalization with the construction of Kent Station that houses a movie theater, restaurants, and music venues. Sports Illustrated named Kent "Sportstown of the Year" in 2003.
Local events draw crowds from the major metropolitan areas and include the Canterbury Faire, an annual arts festival in mid-August at Earthworks Park, Kent Cornucopia Days in July, the Kent Farmers Market, the Kent Saturday Market, and the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Nationals at Pacific Raceways.
