Yes, it’s summer time. You say you need a little “getaway” and something fun. But not a long vacation because your boss probably would not allow it.
If live music, a wine bistro and a car show sound appealing, the Meet Me in Mill Creek Festival is something you can’t miss this weekend.
“I think a lot of people go to Alderwood mall and just fly right through Mill Creek,” said Linda Martin, festival coordinator. “They don’t know much about their hometown businesses and we want them to know what our local business is doing.”
More than 80 vendors have signed up for the street fair, offering handmade jewelry, local artists’ paintings and other unique crafts.
You can grab a huge slab of the elephant ear (or maybe a margarita if that helps to set your mood) while checking out 50 to 60 vintage and new Corvettes. The car show, called Show ‘n Shine Display and Gathering, will be Saturday.
If you want something even more fast-paced, the three-on-three street basketball tournament and a 10-kilometer noncompetitive walk can relieve you from the daily office hassle and loosen your tensed shoulder muscles.
Music, of course, is always present in a festival. With world fusion, big band, contemporary Christian and funk music, the festival features a variety of music selections.
This is the sixth year since the festival began in 2001. However, it is the first time the festival will take place at Mill Creek Town Center.
The festival used to be a one-day event with different activities happening at five shopping plazas at the same time. However, there will be no more shuttling around this year.
Local businesses are ready to see the festival grow. They believe the location needs to be centralized for the convenience of its 3,000 to 5,000 visitors.
“I think the Mill Creek festival is truly a community festival,” said Theresa Poalucci, a member of Mill Creek Business Association. “I’m very excited because it’s nice to see something to build and grow over time.”
Shindig 2006: We all know there’s nothing more fun than a small town parade.
But the 23rd Sultan Summer Shindig festival has more to offer: Fireworks, a logging contest and carnival rides add to the three-day family event taking place this weekend.
“The festival is a celebration of being in a community,” said Debbi Copple, festival coordinator. “Many places are growing so quickly that they lose the community feel. When you bring people together, you foster a spirit of community and that’s what this festival is about.”
The festival first began in 1983. For the first 90 years of Sultan’s history, logging had been the primary industry. So, the logging contest honors those who have contributed to the growth of the community.
The festival also features a Lip-Sync Encore Show on Friday and different live music performances throughout the festival.
Herald photos
ABOVE: Alexis Westing, Robbin Wilcox and Rosie Cisneros enjoy a carnival ride at the 2003 Sultan Shindig.
LEFT: Justin Albee, 3, of Mukilteo watches his dad buy cherries at a produce stand at last year’s Mill Creek Festival.
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