Mayor's corner

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Fourth of July this year! It was fun to see so many residents and visitors enjoying our beautiful city at the parade and festival. I’m always amazed by all the hard work that goes into Everett’s summer events, and by the partnerships between the City and the community. Our volunteers and community partners help make our Everett summers so fun!

Everett’s volunteers are incredible: Parks volunteers beautify our City every summer by planting thousands of flowers, 78 volunteers contributed more than 1,000 hours of service this Fourth of July, and hundreds of volunteers and community partners come together throughout the year to support Senior Center activities, the animals in our shelter, police programs like Casino Road Soccer Camp and so much more!

Thank you to all of our volunteers and community partners for your dedicated service. We truly appreciate you!

Mayor and directors at 4th of July parade

Rucker Renewal construction begins

Construction has begun on the Rucker Renewal project that will transform five blocks of downtown Everett into a more pedestrian-friendly corridor. This project will help improve the roadways, make ADA improvements, improve landscaping, and replace the water main in the street. Detours are now in place around the construction zone for phase one. Pedestrian access and businesses along Rucker, Hoyt and California are open during construction.

Keep suds out of streams

Did you know that storm drains in Everett lead to streams and creeks? Washing your car at home is a dirty business. When you wash your car in the driveway, street, or a parking lot, toxic motor oil, heavy metals, and sediments – along with soap – go down storm drains, untreated, and into the waterways where we (and other critters) swim, fish and play. If you host a car wash fundraiser this summer, contact the City to learn about our car wash kits. Reserve your free kit today to keep car wash water from entering our stormwater system: call 425-257-8992 or email ahynes@everettwa.gov. Learn more at everettwa.gov/SurfaceStormwater.

Launch your Everett summer adventures

Everett is the place to be this summer with lots of events and programs the whole family will enjoy! Swing by Forest Park to meet the animals at the Animal Farm before making a splash at the water playground. If you’re feeling groovy, enjoy some live tunes on Thursdays at the Children’s Concert series at 10 a.m. at Thornton A. Sullivan Park, or at Music at the Marina at 6:30 p.m at Port Gardner Landing. On Fridays starting July 19, hang out under the stars to catch a movie with family and friends at Cinema Under the Stars held at Thornton A. Sullivan Park. Find all the seasonal fun at everettwa.gov/events.

Bring your bag, protect our environment

The City of Everett has launched a “Bring Your Bag Everett” outreach campaign in preparation for the City’s new reusable bag ordinance. The ordinance goes into effect Sept. 30, 2019 and prohibits retailers from distributing single-use plastic bags, with a few exceptions, to protect public health and safety. As part of the “Bring Your Bag” campaign, the City is offering free reusable bags to residents who pledge to decrease their use of plastic. The bags are available while supplies last at the City’s utility billing counter. Learn more at everettwa.gov/bringyourbag.

Set your watch to island time

Jetty Island is now open for the summer with the first ferry leaving at 10 a.m. daily. Beach-goers can hop on the free ferry and take off to 2 miles of sandy beach to enjoy nature walks, sand castle building and so much more. Bring all your beach gear and have a blast out on the sand, but remember no animals or alcohol are permitted on the island. Everett residents and groups of eight or more are encouraged to make reservations before setting sail.

Community events

Swing on by the Village Theatre to do the jive to the sensational musical The Million Dollar Quartet. This blockbuster hit story of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins is a powerhouse musical that will have you on your feet with the hit songs of the 1950s you know and love.
Celebrate Everett’s diverse and vibrant community at Nubian Jam! This fun-filled event takes place on Saturday, July 27 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Forest Park. Guests will enjoy family-fun activities, live performances, food and so much more.
The Evergreen Arboretum’s Summer Fest family-fun event returns on July 27 with fun, free activities for the whole family. Spend the afternoon with the family listening to music, playing games, making art and exploring the gardens.