Believe it or not the official word is: Summer has arrived.
As the temperature on the thermometer goes up (we hope), food costs and gas prices inch skyward too.
These money pressures mean that packing a picnic and staying closer to home might be just the ticket this year for fun in the sun with or without the kids.
There is much to do with kids during the summer months when school is out. Visit one or all of the county’s spray water parks at North Lynnwood Neighborhood Park and Daleway Park in Lynnwood. Further north the new Willis Tucker Community Park and Forrest Park in Everett offer the same cool adventures.
For adults looking for a night out, the Tulalip Amphitheatre has been a great local venue for live concerts in the summer months since opening in 2005.
“I think that every year it is getting better,” said Teresa Meece, events and entertainment manager at Quilceda Village.
The close to home but intimate feel makes this outdoor destination a gem in North County where between 1,800 and 2,200 can each have a good seat. This year the venue is offering satellite beer gardens and tribal member Les Parks will be, once again, on hand with traditional salmon.
Returning this year is country superstar Trisha Yearwood, who performed during the opening season three years ago. Back then, just as now, Meece talks to people about their experience at the amphitheatre.
“I’ve seen it grow,” she said. “I personally spoke to people at every concert and asked why they were there. They always say they can’t believe how beautiful it is there.”
Customer service is taken seriously at amphitheater concerts, with staff handing out plastic ponchos and wiping down seats if rain is in the forecast. “It’s part of Tulalip. It represents us,” Meece said. “Our culture is to be hospitable.”
With international stars performing in our ‘back yard’, being able to get up and dance, and not having to travel to Seattle is a great way to get in tune with a favorite band or singer and kick back to summer sounds.
The line-up at Tulalip this season offers something for everyone. From rock to country and with a smattering of pop and Motown in between, Tulalip amphitheatre will be a hot bed of fun.
Kenny Loggins (remember “Footloose” and “Dangerzone”) opens the season on July 8, and legendary blues performers George Thorogood and Buddy Guy play July 24. Grammy award winning singer Trisha Yearwood returns to the amphitheatre Aug. 3, and shake, shake, shake to KC and the Sunshine Band on Aug. 20.
An incredible trip back to the Motown Days with The Temptations and The Four Tops will soothe many audience members on Aug. 24, and Huey Lewis and The News will rock out their greatest hits on Sept. 11.
Doors open to all these shows at 6 p.m. and tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster. Log onto www.ticketmaster.com or call 800-326-4000.
The following is a sampling of what is happening in Snohomish County throughout the summer. For a full list of events in your area visit www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/county_information/snococities and click on the city for dates, times and changes.
Everett:
Port Gardner Landing on West Marine View Drive offers live music with a Sunday Afternoon Waterfront Series and the very popular Thursday Night Waterfront Series against the beautiful backdrop of Everett Marina.
The Sunday series will bring a more relaxed musical fare from 2 to 4 p.m. each week beginning July 6. Thursday evenings provide visitors with a mix of music from salsa to rock from 6 to 8 p.m. beginning July 3. Go early and hang out to get a good seat or dance yourself to the front of the stage for a really good time.
Families can enjoy great acts like Tim Noah, The Blues Berries, and Wiggle Like a Fish, on a new day, time and location for the Children’s Series this year. Gather from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursdays beginning July 3 at Silver Lake, Thornton A. Sullivan Park, 11405 Silver Lake Blvd., Everett.
A new series for teens will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays July 12 and 26 at Wiggums Hollow Park Skate Park, 2808 10 th St., Everett. Thornton A. Sullivan Park will be the venue for the Everett Park and Recreations’
Cinema Under the Stars pre-show entertainment begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday nights beginning July 18. Movies, which include “Back to the Future” and “The Bee Movie” show at dusk.
Arlington:
Fourth of July celebrations include a pancake breakfast, auction, Stilly duck dash and parade. After the festivities cool down comes the 40th annual Arlington Fly-In, running from July 9 to 13. The third largest general aviation event in the nation, it features daily airshows with some of the country’s best aerial performers.
Hundreds of aircraft are on display or parked for the weekend, a Veterans parade is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, and there are evening movies at the Runway Theater.
The Cascade Warbirds bring their vintage military aircraft to the fly-in again and the Blackjack Squadron performs with its 12 to 16-aircraft formation flying exhibitions.
Outdoor movies at Arlington’s Terrace Park are always a family hit. They run July 10, 17 and 24 this year.
All’s Well That Ends Well is Last Leaf’s production when Shakespeare In The Park takes place in Terrace Park on Aug. 2. This is a free show.
Music in the Park takes place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday nights in August at Legion Park, 114 N. Olympic Ave., Arlington. Local talent including Voices of the Village, a light rock/easy listening group, and country musician Peter Frothingham will entertain at the new gazebo for free.
Edmonds:
Popular events for the summer include Edmonds In Bloom, with a garden tour and garden competition in July, and The Taste of Edmonds, Aug. 8, 9 and 10, offers a kid’s stage, beer garden, food, and arts and crafts booths.
The Edmonds Arts Commission will present a series of concerts this summer from 3 to 4 p.m. on Sundays beginning July 6 at Edmonds Park on 3 rd and Pine. Get ready for music from around the globe including Celtic, African, Japanese and jazz.
Kids will love the return of the Sand Sculpting Contest at 10 a.m. July 31 at Marina Beach, a contest open to all ages.
If packing a blanket or lawn chair and catching a movie with the whole family at dusk is what you had in mind, head to the Frances Anderson Center Playfield for Edmonds Movie Nites, showing Charlotte’s Web on July 25 and Raiders of the Lost Ark Aug.1.
Lake Stevens:
Music on the Lake is a great way to unwind and relax if you are in the Lake Stevens area. The free concerts start at 7 p.m. on Thursdays, beginning July 10 with the 133 rd Army Band from Fort Lewis. Jazz, bluegrass and a mix of musical melodies will be presented throughout the summer at North Cove Park.
Don’t miss the annual Lake Stevens Aquafest July 25 to 27. This popular weekend is filled with fun for all ages with arts and crafts, Kiddie Carnival, music, food and classic cars. Check out the weekend schedule. There is sure to be something for everyone.
Lynnwood:
If you are in Lynnwood and it’s hot, relaxing outside to watch a movie with or without the kids will seem like a great idea. Head to a viewing of Shrek on July 18 or The Goonies on Aug. 8 at Lynndale Park Baseball Field in Lynnwood.
For those teens with musical ambition, Rock-It Fest might just be the summer show they can get involved in. High school and college bands will play from noon to 6 p.m. at Wilcox Park on Aug. 23. A day of live music includes metal, rock, indie and pop.
The Wonderstage Summer Performance Series for Kids is a great time for children between the ages of 5 and 10. Check out Reptile Man on July 23 or Captain Bogg and Salty on Aug. 6. The many acts performing this year will take the stage at noon on Wednesdays beginning July 2 at Lynndale Park Amphitheatre, 18927 72 nd Ave. W., Lynnwood.
Looking for romance, drama, and suspense all in the one evening? Brush up on your Shakespeare with four of the bards works including Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet. The series begins at 7 p.m. July 16 at Lynndale Park.
Marysville:
Poochapalooza, everything a good boy could dream of, returns to Marysville for the third year from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 12 at Asbery Field, Totem Middle School, 1605 7 th St., Marysville.
Dubbed as “Pooch Central”, this event is dedicated to four-legged, barking friends with highlights such as best in show, wackiest pet trick and longest ears. Not your usual high-brow dog show, this day of doggies includes a flying disc tournament and Emerald City Dog Dancing.
The “Marysville Gorge” in Jennings Park is set to begin the 2008 concert series at 7 p.m. on Fridays beginning July 11. Comeford Park is the venue for noon shows on Thursdays beginning July 10. Whether you want to hear reggae, rock or Gypsy jazz, take a lawn chair and some snacks and kick back.
Snohomish:
Mark the calendar for Kla Ha Ya Days July 17 to 20 in Snohomish. Get ready for events such as The Kla Ha Ya Kid’s Parade, a carnival at Harvey Field, a family stage for entertainment, a soapbox grand prix, a pie eating contest, parades, classic cars and a Taste of Snohomish. There’s so much to do at this event that families might want to return after their first visit.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
