The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard officially opened July 4, 1917 and is adding events to the 28th Annual Free Summer Concerts and Events series to help commemorate this year’s Centennial Anniversary.

Events begin with a Water Safety Day May 5, the day before the Seattle’s official opening day of boating season sponsored by the Seattle Yacht Club. As the nation’s largest water-based recreation provider, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which owns and operations the Locks, is dedicated to making sure public lands and waters are safe places to enjoy America’s great outdoors.

For the Corps’ Seattle District it is even more important since the 100-year-old Locks are the busiest in the nation, locking through about 50,000 vessels annually. Federal, state and local groups will be on hand with boater safety information.

With May being National History Month, the Friends of the Ballard Locks is hosting events and children’s activities throughout the month. Corps partner Discover Your Northwest (DYNW) is hosting a Centennial 5K and Kids Dash May 7. To sign up visit https://tinyurl.com/Locks100-5K.

The Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Gardens, are also helping kickoff the growing season May 21 with gardening displays and information from the Lock’s gardeners and many other local gardens and clubs.

Beginning May 28 and running through September 16, visitors can enjoy the free concerts beginning at 2 p.m. almost every Saturday and Sunday. There are other special performances, so check out the schedule and downloadable calendars at www.nws.usace.army.mil/locks100.

July 3 KNKX and DYNW are hosting a Jazz Festival 1-5 p.m., leading into DYNW’s “Dance for a View,” a 1900 to 1920 themed dance between 5-9 p.m. Donation boxes will be set up during this time for canned goods to benefit the Northwest Harvest.

At 10 a.m., Independence Day the Corps will hold an official Centennial ceremony to commemorate 100 years of serving Seattle and the Nation.

On July 9, the historic schooner Adventuress and the Corps’ Puget will lock through at 11 a.m., kicking off a historic boat parade which will make its way in and around Lake Union.

All events are open to the public. Limited concert seating is available on a first-come basis, but blankets or lawn chairs are welcome with plenty of space on the grounds. The first weekend concerts include the Boeing Employees Concert Band May 28.

All concerts and events are subject to change. For up-to-date information or weather cancellations call (206) 783-7059 or follow us on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/chittendenlocks and www.twitter.com/chittendenlocks.

There are many other groups and organizations also hosting or sponsoring events for the Chittenden Locks Centennial throughout the summer. For a list of these events visit, www.makingthecut100.org.