EVERETT — The clouds may have been gray, but that didn’t keep folks away from the first day of the three-day garden festival Sorticulture in downtown Everett.
A little rain couldn’t stop Sally Peterson, of Marysville, from spending her morning browsing some of the 130 booths set up between Everett and Pacific avenues.
She tries to hit up the festival every year to support local artists.
“Every year there’s something different to see,” Peterson said, like lawn ornaments or plants or anything else an aspiring gardener could desire.
This year Peterson was accompanied by Denise Larson Rice, of Tumwater, and Connie Larson, of Snohomish.
“Is there anything you’re looking for in particular?” a Daily Herald reporter asked the group.
“Well, when you started talking to me, I was looking for my husband,” Peterson said. He had wandered off from the group, but Peterson didn’t seem worried.
Brenda Harper, of Shoreline, displayed glittering glass ornaments at her booth, greeting potential customers with upbeat energy expected from a salesperson. That day she was selling glassware made by her husband Chris Schuelke and 14-year-old son Isaiah Schuelke.
A small gnome figurine is visible in a succulent box with a sold sign during the first day of Sorticulture on Friday, June 9, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A few years ago when school was shut down during COVID her son had the time to learn the tricks of the trade from his father, who works as a professional glass blower. Now the duo make glass pieces together and sell under the name Father and Son Glass.
“It’s fun because no one else my age does it,” Isaiah said. “It’s pretty awesome.”
Sticking out among all the plants and decorations was a booth that advertised “Italian Sausage Sandwiches.” The sizzling grills were operated by members of the Mille Cugini Lodge, the Marysville chapter of The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America. It stood out as one of the few food vendors present Friday.
“Italians and food go hand and hand,” said Rebecca Helling, of Snohomish, who serves as the lodge’s recording secretary. Their booth is a family affair. Working the grill was her father, Patrick Jacoby. The retired chef also serves as the chapter’s president.
And her brother, Robert Jacoby, of Everett, was there to help. He pitched the idea and helped coordinate the group’s first-ever booth at Sorticulture. Along with the food, the group sold raffle tickets for goodie baskets, sunflowers and a handcrafted wooden table.
Tammy Brockmann looks though the different metal cutouts available at the Freeborn Metal Art booth during the first day of Sorticulture on Friday, June 9, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The lodge has about 45 members who raise money for charity and gather to celebrate their Italian heritage. Their big fundraiser used to be a spaghetti dinner banquet.
“COVID squashed that, so we had to get creative,” Helling said.
Nearby about 20 vendors from Everett Makers Market sold their wares along California Street, including Livi Aley, of Marysville. She peddles handmade hula hoops under the name LiviJoyHoops. These are sturdier and heavier than what’s found at the grocery store and come in a plethora of sizes.
This was Aley’s first year as a vendor at Sorticulture. Her typical customers are kids looking for outdoor fun, adults looking for a fun way to exercise and circus performers.
She even makes hoops for fire spinning, but “I don’t bring them out to these kinds of things.”
A person with a red umbrella walks past large flower art installations during the first day of Sorticulture on Friday, June 9, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
What began as a hobby for Aley years ago turned into a business. Aley originally made hoops for friends and family and then sold them at craft fairs.
“About 11 years ago I went down a rabbit hole of YouTube videos. I was inspired to get into hooping for my son initially, who was 5 at the time,” Aley said. “Then I got interested in it for myself.”
A few years ago, she was laid off from her retail job. She had worked there for two decades. It was then Aley took the plunge and decided to be self-employed instead of unemployed.
“And here we are,” she said.
Kay Franklin, left, helps Rosemary Cooper fit all of her plant into her wagon during the first day of Sorticulture on Friday, June 9, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A few blocks away a mobile ax throwing range was set up. Hit the bullseye, win a hat. PNW Axe Throwing Company owner Nate Feaster, of Everett, anticipated giving out a few prizes that day.
“Surprisingly, it’s the older ladies that love it and actually do pretty well at throwing axes,” Feaster said.
Sorticulture continues 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit visiteverett.com/1400/Sorticulture
Eric Schucht: 425-339-3477; eric.schucht@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @EricSchucht.
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