Last weekend, crowds from Redmond and beyond came out for Derby Days.

From birthday-themed floats in the parades to birthday cake-eating contests people were in a celebratory mood to mark the annual festival’s 75th anniversary.

With the festival running for three-quarters of a century, many attendees have made Derby Days part of their families’ annual traditions.

Cynthia Olson, who has been living in Redmond since 1993, has been coming to Derby Days every year.

“I have a kid,” she said by way of explanation.

In addition, Olson said her husband races in the criterium and they come out to support him.

Olson has also participated in Derby Days activities as well, having previously ridden in the grand parade as a business owner.

“That was fun,” she said.

And while many festival-goers hail from Redmond, Derby Days also attracts people from other communities.

Scott Straka and his 7-year-old son Erik of Kirkland have been coming to Derby Days four or five years.

“It’s a good family event,” Straka said.

He said some of the things he enjoys are walking around and checking out the activities on the City Hall lawn, the food and watching the bike races.

For Erik, who chimed in while his father was listing his favorite festival activities, the highlight of Derby Days is the carnival.

In addition to everything happening downtown at City Hall, festival-goers were also able to take a shuttle or walk along the Sammamish River Trail and Redmond Central Connector to Redmond Town Center to visit the annual Redmond Arts Festival.

The juried arts fair featured more than 70 artists showcasing and selling their work. Food trucks were stationed to offer culinary delights and performances from local musicians and ethnic performances provided live entertainment.

Another long-time Derby Days-goer is Redmond Mayor John Marchione, who first attended the festival in 1970 at the age of 5.

“I’ve been part of this for 45 years,” he said, adding that he has missed Derby Days only a few times during that time.

Some of his memories from that first time include participating in the Kids Parade and decorating his bike spokes with crepe paper. Marchione also remembers watching cartoons on the Friday of the Derby Days weekend at a movie theater that had been located in the middle of downtown.

He said Derby Days reflects small-town Redmond. Community members can participate in the parades — one way or another — and socialize with each other.

For Marchione, Derby Days is such a big tradition that he and his wife Debbie planned their wedding around the festival. He said it used to be the third weekend of July, which is why they scheduled their wedding for July 11. But then the festival shifted to the second weekend of the month and so now their anniversary typically falls on or around Derby Days weekend — as it had this year.

“Today’s our anniversary,” Marchione said with a laugh on Saturday.