Free Clothing Swap: Join the South King Tool Library for a free community clothing swap from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10 located at 1700 S. 340th Place in Federal Way. Drop off adult clothing, accessories, and shoes, and take home amazing and new-to-you items while helping reduce textile waste. Items should be clean, usable, and seasonably appropriate (for spring/summer). Items on hangers appreciated. Donations are not required to shop, and all items not claimed will go to local nonprofits for reuse and recycling.

Mother’s Day at the Rhododendron Garden: From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 10 and 11, experience the garden at peak bloom as you explore 13 unique garden features at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden. Shop from local and international artists, dine on delicious cuisine from a food truck, or browse rare and beautiful botanicals for purchase from the onsite nursery.

5K Walk/Run for Recovery: Battlefield Addiction and Stand Up Federal Way are partnering for a fundraiser 5K starting at 9 a.m. May 10 at Roegner Park located at 601 Oravetz Rd. SE in Auburn. Run. Walk. Heal. Together for Recovery. Join the 5K event to celebrate recovery, honor those the community has lost, and raise funds for treatment and sober living scholarships.

FW Farmers Market: The Federal Way Farmers Market opens for the 2025 season from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 10 at The Commons at Federal Way parking lot’s south entrance. Opening ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. and the day will feature Mother’s Day festivities, fresh flowers, photo booth, face painting, treats, kids activities and more.

Hot off the Presses: The Federal Way Mirror invites you to join the paper from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 13 at Poverty Bay Café for informal conversation, coffee, beer, wine and appetizers. You’ll be able to ask the newspaper staff about their work or talk about issues affecting the region, such as homelessness, addiction and development, all while supporting a local business and the work of nonprofit FUSION to serve families in need. Poverty Bay Café is located at 1108 S. 322nd Place in Federal Way, north of Celebration Park.

Yard Waste and Plastic Recycle Collection: Between May 14 and May 24, bring your yard waste and clean plastic to the South King Tool Library for responsible disposal and recycling, located at 1700 S. 340th Place in Federal Way. Bring these materials during open tool library hours, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays and Saturdays and on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Yard waste: Accepting clean leaves, shrubs, and woody branches (no pressure-treated, painted, or metal-containing wood). Plastic Collection: Accepting clean #2 and #5 plastics (e.g., buckets, tubs, jugs, lids), even if cracked or broken, as long as they are free from paints, glues, and oils.

2025 Senior Health and Resource Fair: Presented by the Federal Way Senior Advisory Commission, this free event features 75 vendors and takes place 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 15 at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center.

Touch-a-Truck: From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 17, head to Wild Waves to see police cars, dump trucks, tractors and more. This free family event lets you explore the vehicles and equipment that build, serve, and protect the community, from ambulances and service vehicles to big rigs and tractors. Wild Waves Theme and Water Park is located at 36201 Enchanted Pkwy. S. in Federal Way.

Sounds of Spring: The Federal Way Chorale will present “Sure On This Shining Night,” including a special musical tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber, at 4 p.m. May 17 at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center. For tickets, visit fwpaec.org or call 253-835-7010. To learn more about the Federal Way Chorale, visit www.fwchorale.com.

Himalayan blue poppy event: Celebrate and enjoy the mystical Himalayan blue poppy, Meconopsis, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden.

City Council: City Council Meeting: 6:30 p.m. May 20 in the council chambers (upstairs and to the left) at City Hall, located at 33325 8th Ave. S.

Centerstage Theatre production of Something Rotten!: From May 23 through June 15, catch a performance of “Something Rotten!” by the Centerstage Theatre production company at the Knutzen Family Theater located at 3200 SW Dash Point Rd. The musical is set in 1595 where two struggling playwright brothers, Nick and Nigel Bottom, try to outshine Shakespeare by creating the world’s first musical.

Arts Explosion Arts Festival: This three day event runs from 10 a.m. May 30 through 5 p.m. June 1. The “Arts Explosion” festival is a free event showcasing, judging, and selling artwork across three categories: digital/photography, 2-dimensional, and 3-dimensional art. Artists select the category for their submissions, and youth artists will also be highlighted this year, who will present their stylized self-portrait pieces free of charge. The arts festival will take place at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center, 31510 Pete von Reichbauer Way South in Federal Way.

Free Handgun Safe Distribution: Gun safes will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 7, at City Hall (33325 8th Ave. S. by the Federal Way Police Department. A total of 500 Vaultek brand VE10 ($168 MSRP) and VE20 ($199 MSRP) models will be distributed. Both safes can store one handgun and unlock via electronic keypad. Each family will be eligible to receive one handgun safe, while supplies last. The gun safes are designed to help firearm owners securely store their weapons and reduce the risk of accidents, theft, and unauthorized access — particularly by children or other vulnerable individuals.

Send your Federal Way calendar events to editor@fedwaymirror.com

Centerstage Theatre Company held their annual fundraiser on Saturday, May 3, at the Twin Lakes Country Club. Photo by Bruce Honda

No theater fundraiser would be complete without some kind of dramatic flair and the Centerstage Theatre Company fundraiser did not disappoint. Photo by Bruce Honda.