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Yes, I want to support My MLTnews!Showing Up for the Arts
This coming weekend is a big one with the Edmonds Arts Festival (June 19-21) and Father’s Day. For my family that combo usually means it will be a busy weekend.
I’m proud to be surrounded by artists in my life. My carpenter husband, Cameron, builds things with his hands for a living, and he’s even made jewelry display cases for one of the Edmonds art galleries. His mother, Cheryl Waale, is a expressionist painter and the president of Art Walk Edmonds, the nonprofit behind our monthly Third Thursday art walks. You may have seen her mural on the side of “A Very Taki Tiki Bar & Grill.” His sister is a gifted artist who has made beautiful wood-burning pieces and paintings for my family, and his dad is also a talented woodworker. I spend my days as a writer on a creative team of gifted graphic designers, videographers and photographers. While I have never felt like I have had much talent in the visual arts, I have so much appreciation for the talented and creative people in my life.
That’s part of why I appreciate that we live somewhere that treats the arts as an essential part of life. Even as arts funding is cut from many budgets, we live in a community that invests in it. Downtown Edmonds is Washington’s first state-certified Creative District. The Edmonds Arts Festival has been running for 69 years and there are art galleries and murals on nearly every corner. There is also live music nearly every week and we’re even lucky enough to have local media, like My Neighborhood News Network, giving platforms for local writers like me and covering the arts and local news and events. Every musician you hear, every artist booth you browse and every gallery wall and mural is a sign of a community that believes the arts matter.
I asked my mother-in-law what the festival means to her after all these years involved with it. “It’s incredible to watch it grow,” she told me. “Tomorrow night we’re giving out 44 awards totaling over $13,000 to gallery artists in this year’s festival, and the money the festival earns goes right back into school grants, scholarships and public art. It’s a huge part of why this town keeps earning recognition for its arts community.
So if you’re looking for a Father’s Day plan that doesn’t require reservations, the festival is hard to beat. It’s free to attend, the art is real and local, and attending and supporting the work of local artists is one small way of encouraging our rich culture of art.
It is also Pride Month and there are multiple Juneteenth events locally this week, both wonderful opportunities to celebrate and show our support for community members. Come back every Monday for more outing ideas and explore the community resources at the bottom of this column if you’re looking for ways to give back or if you need support. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for fresh posts and weekend reminders.
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Free Fun
The Edmonds Art Festival
June 19-21 at 700 Main St.
Friday & Saturday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
With more than 160 booth artists on the east field and Plaza, juried galleries featuring work from over 400 regional artists, and a hands-on children’s art activity area, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy. The festival also showcases over 1,000 pieces of student art from K-12 students across the Edmonds School District. Attendees can also enjoy the free live entertainment all weekend, with music, dance and theater performances. And it’s all FREE to attend, making it a perfect budget-friendly outing for this Father’s Day weekend.
Plan your weekend outing by exploring the website for more details.
Honor Juneteenth
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. While the proclamation declared enslaved people free in states and parts of states rebelling against the Union, it could not be fully enforced until Union troops arrived. Juneteenth commemorates this milestone on the path to freedom and the eventual ratification of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States. Today, it is a celebration of Black history, culture, resilience and achievement.
This Friday, June 19, communities across South Snohomish County are coming together to honor Juneteenth with music, food and family friendly gatherings. Here’s where you can join in.
Local Juneteenth events:
- Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration: Friday, June 19 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Cedar Valley Community School. Hosted by the City of Lynnwood and Project Girl, it features live performances, food trucks, community resources, vendors and family activities.
- NAACP Snohomish County Juneteenth Community Celebration: Saturday, June 20 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Martha Lake County Park. Enjoy a free community event celebrating Black culture, history and joy with entertainment, food, vendors and community organizations.
- Juneteenth at the Beach: Friday, June 19 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Edmonds Waterfront Center. This event includes speakers, performances, arts and crafts, children’s activities, food and community gathering along the waterfront.
Celebrate Pride Month!
June is Pride Month, and there is a full calendar of local of events all month long!
- Monday, June 15 from 2-5 p.m.: Trans Apparel Crafts at Mukilteo Library
- Saturday, June 20 from 1-3 p.m.: Zine Workshop at Edmonds Library
- Sunday, June 21 from 4-11 p.m.: All or Nothing Pride Night at Churchkey Pub
Listen to music at Musicology Co. in Edmonds
Explore the latest music at the coolest record store in the region. Musicology Co. is a vibrant, woman-owned music boutique and record store offering new and used vinyl, CDs and cassettes, with a strong focus on spotlighting local artists through live in-store performances and a curated music‑lover experience. Drop in for an upcoming live performance or Listening Party.
Events this week:
- Friday, June 20: 4-5 p.m.: Listening Event— Muse
- Friday, June 20: 6-7 p.m.: Saturday Sessions— Deep State Fair
Soccer Switch Tournament, Seedlings Swap, and more at Sno-Isle Libraries
Sno‑Isle Libraries regularly hosts a variety of free, family friendly events — such as baby and toddler story times, book talks, crafts and community gatherings — across its branches and online year-round. Find one at the library near you and check out some books to read while you’re there.
On Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Lynnwood Library, representatives from Evergreen Recovery Centers’ HOST drop-in program will be on-site to provide a short training and distributing two naloxone kits (both nasal and injectable available) to each attendee. It’s drop-in, so people can come anytime during that window. Carrying naxolene, also known as Narcan, can save a life in an overdose emergency and is a recommended addition to any first aid kit.
On Sunday, June 21 from 2-4 p.m. at the Edmonds Library, kids and teens can compete on three Nintendo Switches for the in-game soccer trophy, with snacks provided. A fun, free way to celebrate World Cup kickoff season right in town.
On Saturday, June 20, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Brier Library, gardeners can swap spare seedlings, bulbs, and extra produce one-for-one with neighbors. No green thumb needed to join! There’s also plant-themed craft, with June’s project being bee watering stations for the garden.
Registration is required for many events, so check out Sno-Isle Libraries’ event calendar link below for more details.
Silver Creek Indoor Playpark
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays
Need to get out of the house? Bring young kids to the free Indoor Playpark at Lynnwood’s Silver Creek Family Church to hang out and play. Parents can enjoy some coffee or tea while kids play with indoor toys.
Cheap Thrills
Seattle & Everett Sports Events this week
The World Cup is in full swing, with matches at Lumen Field this week — check the schedule for game times and matchups. The Sounders remain on their break during the tournament. Even if you don’t have tickets, there are plenty of soccer-themed local events and Fan Zones for sports fants.
The Mariners are home all week at T-Mobile Park, hosting Baltimore Tuesday through Thursday (June 16-18), then Boston for a weekend series Friday through Sunday (June 19-21).
The AquaSox are home too, hosting the Hillsboro Hops at Funko Field in a series running June 16-21 — including a Father’s Day game on Sunday, June 21.
The Storm play at Portland on Wednesday (June 17), then travel to Phoenix on Saturday (June 20).
Try local drop-in childcare options
Need a night off from parenting? Several local spots offer childcare with an evening of fun for kids.
- Drop-in childcare at KidsPark in Lynnwood. Flexible schedules.
- Drop-in playcare at Time4Kidz Lynnwood. Flexible schedules.
- Lynnwood Rec Center’s Parent’s Night Out. 6-9:30 p.m. on the first and third Friday every month.
Get your game on at Around the Table Boardgame Pub
Don’t miss out on this lively destination in Lynnwood for families and friends with tons of board games on site that you can play together from classics to new favorites. Enjoy ice cream, treats and a library of games to play.
While the regular calendar lists tabletop‑gaming events, prereleases and league nights, the core appeal is that you can drop in any day to choose from hundreds of games and play at your pace, making it a great hangout for kids, teens and adults alike. It is easy to organize casual meet‑ups (like board game afternoons), and the friendly staff can help you find games that suit your group.
Public swim sessions at Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Edmonds pools
Schedules vary, see pool sites for details.
Open swim sessions generally charge a fee of less than $10 per person.
We’re lucky to live in a region with multiple indoor and outdoor heated pools to help us get some recreation in during the dark, rainy months. My family has a membership to the Lynnwood Rec Center, and we love attending the open swim sessions for a fun, budget-friendly outing.
- Lynnwood Rec Center Pool: Multiple open swim and rec swim sessions happen each week, featuring a recreation pool with two water slides, a lazy river, water playground, spray features and more. See the pool schedule and register ahead to reserve your spot.
- Mountlake Terrace Recreation Pavilion Pool: Warm water, a lazy river, sauna and more. What’s not to love? See the full schedule to plan your visit.
- Yost Pool in Edmonds: Yost makes for a fun outside option for people who want to experience a heated pool outdoors. See the full schedule to plan a visit.
Beginner skate lessons at Lynnwood Bowl & Skate
Lessons 11 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Drop-in sessions 11 a.m. to noon Sundays at
6210 200th St. SW. in Lynnwood.
Please note that this week’s schedule may be affected by Easter. Call to confirm.
Sign up for weekly lessons for kids and adults. Lessons include a 30‑minute instruction period followed by 30 minutes of practice, taught by national‑level coach Ezra Thompson. Learn skills like balance, stopping and forward and backward skating, with more advanced skills offered in a Level 2 course.
A four-week session costs $120, including open skate time. There’s also a Sunday drop-in option for $30 that includes a practice session.
Public skate sessions at Lynnwood Ice Center
19803 68th Ave. W. in Lynnwood
Whether your family loves skating, hockey or just trying something new, the Lynnwood Ice Center has something for everyone, including open skate sessions and stick-and-puck sessions and even “theater on ice.” It’s a safe and welcoming spot for all ages to enjoy some time on the rink.
Seattle Skating Club offers skate lessons for people ages 3.5 and up and of varying skill levels. Explore their lessons schedule and sign up for future sessions.
Note that all visitors must pay ahead through their digital system. See the full calendar to find a session that works for your schedule this week.
Resources for Families
Snohomish County resource list
Not sure which resources you need? This list can help you see the options. The Snohomish County Community Resource List provides contact information for more than 300 local services, including emergency assistance, legal aid, youth and family support, mental health resources, financial help and immigration services.
211 North Sound – Snohomish County resource line
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
Call: 211
Text: 211WAOD to 898211
211 North Sound connects residents of Snohomish, Island, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom counties to a comprehensive range of community services. Trained specialists provide free, confidential assistance in over 140 languages, offering referrals for housing, food, healthcare, childcare, crisis support and more.
In Snohomish County, 211 also supports initiatives like the Homeless Coordinated Entry and Emergency Rental Assistance programs. For specialized support, including assistance for individuals with traumatic brain injuries, call 211 and follow the prompts for TBI services.
Family support through Edmonds School District
The Edmonds School District offers a dedicated Family Support Resource Line to assist families in need. You can reach them at 425-431-1454 or via email at [email protected]. Family Resource Advocates are available to provide holistic support and help families access community resources. For more information, visit the District’s Family Support page.
Snohomish County Human Services
Snohomish County Human Services offers a wide range of programs to help families in our region meet basic needs and support overall well-being. Services include early childhood programs like Early Head Start and ECEAP, family support resources for caregivers, behavioral health counseling and 24/7 crisis services, housing and energy assistance through the Community Action Partnership and specialized support for veterans and their families.
Edmonds Human Services: Resources for Edmonds residents
Edmonds Human Services is a helpful resource for any Edmonds resident facing financial, mental health, housing or other personal challenges. With a range of supports – including food and housing aid to college student services, veteran and senior help, suicide prevention (including 988 lifeline access) – this department connects people to local and county resources tailored to improve quality of life.
Local food banks
Families in need can turn to several neighborhood food banks for weekly groceries and fresh produce. Each food bank serves residents in its surrounding area with easy pickup times and volunteer support.
Domestic violence resources
For families experiencing domestic violence, several local organizations offer confidential support and emergency shelter services:
- DVS-SnoCo provides a 24/7 crisis line at 425-252-2873, offering emergency shelter, legal advocacy, safety planning and support for individuals and families affected by intimate partner violence.
- YWCA Pathways for Women
Located in Lynnwood, this 45-day emergency shelter offers safe housing and resources for women and families experiencing homelessness, including those fleeing domestic violence. - If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Youth ride public transit free!
Kids and teens 18 and under can ride buses, ferry and light rail for free. No pass is required. Want tap-and-go convenience? Get a free Youth ORCA card online or at the Ride Store.
Share the fun!
Wherever your adventures take you, I hope this roundup helps you find fun, affordable, and meaningful ways to connect and enjoy the season. Have an event or suggestion? Want to share your reels from a recent outing to be featured here? I’d love to hear from you. Comment below to get in touch. Don’t forget to check back every Monday for fresh ideas.
Rory Graves is a local writer, editor and parent of three teens who loves helping families find fun, meaningful ways to connect with their community. She covers family-friendly events, local resources, and creative outings around South Snohomish County. When she’s not exploring the region, you can find her cheering at one of her kids’ games, thrifting or curled up with a good book and some tea.
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