Arlington's Frontier Days filled with family events

Frontier Days will return to Arlington this Fourth of July bringing the annual parade, Duck Dash and fireworks to the city, among other activities.

Festivities begin Haller Park with the traditional Pancake breakfast which will be served from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The Pedal, Paddle, Puff Triathlon will begin at 9 a.m. and the Foam 5K will begin at 10 a.m. for interested athletes.

The Arlington Kiwanis will hold one of their largest fundraisers of the year, their Fourth of July auction, at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

The funds help the Kiwanis provide scholarships and support local projects meant to help kids.

The Stilly Beer and Wine Garden will be held at the park from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. that day.

More activities for families will be available in downtown Arlington with the Old Fashioned Fourth providing free games and a bouncy house for kids from noon to 4:30 p.m.

“It's those old-fashioned fun carnival games,” said Chad Blood, pastor at Arlington’s Lifeway Church and one of the main organizers of the event.

“It’s a great family environment, and that’s what we want to do just to provide an opportunity for families to come together,” he said.

At 4:30 p.m. the Kiddies Parade will begin down Olympic Avenue.

"So that the kiddos can dress up in their patriotic clothes, walk down Olympic and feel like they are a part of the community,” said Nathan Senff, who works for the Stilly Valley Chamber of Commerce and is a event coordinator for this year’s parades.

Shortly after the Kiddies Parade the Grand Parade will head down Olympic Avenue at 5 p.m. Traditionally it is Arlington’s biggest parade of the year.

"It's a big deal for our community,” said Senff. "We try to bring a community aspect, so that no matter who you are you are getting a personal experience."

Attendees will get to see a number of Arlington organizations and groups as part of the parade.

"You get to meet and see a whole bunch of people, from local veterans to the Arlington Community Band,” said Senff.

Senff said that sponsorships will be more a part of the parade this year as well.

"More to get our business community members out there and connected to the parade,” he said.

Back at Haller Park the Arlington Rotary Duck Dash will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Hundreds of numbered ducks are scheduled to be put into the Stillaguamish River.

Those who bought tickets can win prizes if their duck crosses the finish line first.

The event is the Arlington Rotary’s biggest fundraiser each year.

“The last couple of years we’ve been able to do projects like the splash pad with those funds,” said Paul Ellis.

“Last year and this year we’ve been giving a larger percentage of those funds to our scholarships,” he said.

This year the Arlington Rotary gave $55,000 to graduating seniors in the Arlington, Lakewood and Darrington school district.

Finally, the city-sponsored Fireworks show finishes the day at Quake Field near the Arlington Boys & Girls Club and are scheduled around 9 p.m.

“We put it on every year just to encourage people to see fireworks without having to put on their own display,” said Ellis.

“It’s safer for people and safer for property,” he said.

More information about the day’s events are available at www.facebook.com/ArlingtonJuly4.