12/10/2025
Proud of our KCDays Director, Randi Shartin!
Meet Randi Shartin, Director of Kent Cornucopia Days.
For more than sixty years, she has called Kent home; it is here that her story began and where she continues to give back in countless ways.
Randi’s connection with Kent community work started in the late 1960s with her very first job at Kent Parks. Her supervisor noticed her enthusiasm and gave her a piece of advice that would shape her future:
“If you really enjoy what you’re doing, go to Eastern Washington State College and pursue a degree in Parks and Recreation Administration.”
So, she did. Randi went on to earn her degree in Recreation and Parks Administration, began her career with King County Parks and Recreation, and continued working part-time with Kent Parks, setting the stage for a lifelong journey of community involvement.
In the early 2000s, Randi joined the Kent Dragon Boat Association, a team that was connected to the Kent Lions Club. Many of her teammates, known as the “Ladies of the Lake,” were active Lions members, and through them, Randi found her way to one of Kent’s most beloved traditions—Kent Cornucopia Days.
Today, she proudly serves as the Director of Kent Cornucopia Days, a role she’s held for five years.
“Being a lifetime resident of Kent, I have so many fond memories of Meeker Days and Kent Cornucopia Days. I wanted to bring those same feelings of joy and connection back to the festival, to make it something that truly reaches everyone: seniors, children, teens, and everyone in-between.”
Under Randi’s leadership, Kent Cornucopia Days continues to grow and thrive. Each year, the event draws nearly 100,000 visitors to downtown Kent for a weekend of culture, entertainment, and community pride. All proceeds from the festival go right back into local projects and organizations that strengthen the city.
Through the Kent Lions Club, Randi and her team organize pancake breakfasts and summer barbecues at the Kent Senior Center, collect eyeglasses for those in need, and partner with Bloodworks Northwest to host blood drives during Kent Cornucopia Days.
“Our motto is simple: We Serve. I want to give my time and help our communities in any way I can.”
Her volunteerism extends even further. Randi actively participates in the Wreaths Across America initiative, which aims to decorate every veteran's grave at Tahoma National Cemetery with a wreath during the holidays. She’s also volunteered for over 15 years aboard the Virginia V, the last surviving ship of the historic Mosquito Fleet, now 103 years old and moored at Lake Union. She is also a very proud Seafair Parade Marshal.
Beyond her volunteer work, Randi takes pride in her roots. Her son graduated from Kentridge High School, the same school she once attended, a full-circle moment that speaks to how deeply her family is woven into the fabric of Kent.
Looking ahead, Randi is already planning for Kent Cornucopia Days 2026, when she hopes to incorporate America’s 250th birthday into the celebration.
“I think about Cornucopia Days all the time, how to make it better, how to include more people. It gives me the greatest joy.”
When asked what message she’d like to share with her neighbors, Randi doesn’t hesitate:
“Love your city. Kent is a wonderful place to be. There’s so much culture here, so many ways to get involved. Don’t be afraid to reach out and take part.”
