Aquafest fun starts today in Lake Stevens

Published 3:17 pm Thursday, July 23, 2009

Aquafest takes over downtown Lake Stevens from today through Sunday, again offering dozens of activities that are by turns quaint and — let’s admit it — a bit weird.

Put another way, the three-day festival, now in its 49th year, is pure Americana.

Festivalgoers have plenty to choose from in the quaint category. Firefighters hold a pancake breakfast. Miss Aquafest gets elected. Fireworks go off over the lake. The grand parade rolls down Main Street. Couples take a ride on the Ferris wheel.

The odd activities aren’t quite as extensive, but also may leave an impression. Parents race their infants at a Diaper Dash. Kids compete in a pizza-eating contest. All ages participate in a sidewalk chalk-drawing contest.

Those activities take place on the land, but Aquafest also offers plenty of diversions on the water, including a water ski and wakeboard competition, a boat parade, the Emerald City Show Ski Team’s performance and the $50 boat race.

Visit www.aquafest.org for more information. Organizers can also be reached at 425-397-2344.

Highlights from Aquafest

Today

6 p.m.: Children’s Parade, Main Street

7 p.m.: The Proud Pet Show, gazebo by City Hall

8 p.m. to 11 p.m.: Teen Dance, Boys &Girls Club

Saturday

6 a.m. to noon: Firefighter’s Pancake Breakfast, downtown fire station

9 a.m.: Aquarun 10K, in front of Boys &Girls Club

11 a.m.: Wakeboard Tournament, City Beach

1 p.m.: Grand Parade, Main Street

6:45 to 8 p.m.: Boat Parade, Wyatt Park to North Cove Park

10 p.m.: Port Gardner Fireworks Display, North Cove

Sunday

6 a.m. to noon: Firefighter’s Pancake Breakfast, downtown fire station

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Classic Car Show, North Lake Middle School

11 a.m.: Rotary Club Diaper Dash, North Cove Park

Noon: $50 Boat Race, boat launch

1 to 2:30 p.m.: Water Ski Team Exhibition, North Cove

1 to 3 p.m.: Chalk It Up, North Cove Park

1:30 p.m.: Pizza Eating Contest, North Cove Park

Herald staff