Naval Station Everett’s big birthday party kicks off Saturday with a community event at Everett Mall.
The "Salute to the Navy," honoring the 10th anniversary of Naval Station Everett, will include indoor and outdoor displays and demonstrations of Navy gear, entertainment on two stages, games and an art contest with entries by schoolchildren.
Sailors from the Navy base will be on hand, including Seabees from Construction Battalion Unit 421, firefighters from the frigate USS Ingraham, Navy divers from the base’s maintenance facility, and the demolition team from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
Navy supporters plan on a ceremonial cake-cutting, complete with sabers, and for those who don’t get a piece, Top Foods has donated 1,000 red, white and blue cupcakes to be given away.
"We’re just thrilled to be the host for this," said Kristi Keene, marketing director at Everett Mall. "It’s the least we can do for all of the things that our Navy does for us."
Red, white and blue ribbons have been wrapped around the 220 trees that surround the mall, and supporters today pumped up two large balloons — a 25-foot-high Uncle Sam and an equally big American eagle.
At 1 p.m. today, a 100-foot-high crane will hoist a huge 70-foot American flag at the mall.
The community celebration kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday with speeches by local dignitaries. The celebration runs to 4 p.m.
There will be souvenirs available, from sailor hats for kids to a commemorative coin minted for the 10th anniversary.
Keene said the mall expects thousands of visitors.
The "Salute to the Navy" is the first of three events marking the 10th birthday of the base. A "Navy Night" at the Everett Costco will be April 3.
And on April 8, an invitation-only luncheon will be at the Everett Events Center to honor the Navy’s years in Snohomish County. Gov. Gary Locke and other dignitaries will attend.
Navy officials were taken aback by the latest show of support for Everett’s Navy base and its sailors.
"This is going crazy, it’s gotten so big," said Capt. Dan Squires, commanding officer of Naval Station Everett.
The community has made the Navy part of its family, said Squires, who recalled the huge homecoming for the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln last year and the tickertape parade for sailors in downtown Everett.
"This is very humbling to have a community go out of its way like this to honor the work that is done by sailors. I’m humbled by it," Squires said. "We’re just not used to getting this kind of attention."
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