monroe
Spring S ummer
2018
(left to right) Ashley Tran Morin, MD EvergreenHealth Monroe Emergency Care Matthew Sisk, MD EvergreenHealth Monroe Emergency Care
Board-certified, 24/7 Emergency Care.
Right here in Monroe
At EvergreenHealth Monroe, our Emergency Department now includes all board-certified, experienced Emergency Medical doctors, supported by a highly trained team of skilled nurses, technicians and staff who are standing by to deliver quality care for any emergency. The same physicians provide care at EvergreenHealth in Kirkland, meaning you are connected to a network of comprehensive, collaborative care with access to some of the best specialists and surgeons in the region.
Sky Valley’s choice for Emergency Care.
EvergreenHealthMonroe.com • 360.794.1111
Hospitals in Kirkland • Monroe | Home Care & Hospice | 24-hour Emergency Care in Kirkland • Monroe • Redmond | Urgent Care in Kenmore • Mill Creek • Redmond Sammamish • Woodinville | Primary Care in Bothell • Canyon Park • Duvall • Kenmore • Kirkland • Monroe • Redmond • Sammamish • Sultan • Totem Lake • Woodinville
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Adventurree Starts He
spring summer 2018 4 MAYOR’S NOTE 6 LAKE TYE ADVENTURES 8 GO FURTHER AFIELD 10 START YOUR ENGINES 12 EVERGREEN SPEEDWAY SCHEDULE
14 BREWPUB LOVE 18 FUN FACTS 20 FAIR DAYS PARADE 22 SWIFT NIGHT OUT
Photo by Joshua Scheffer
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WELCOME made in monroe, WA
monroe SPRING/SUMMER 2018 Volume 1, Issue 1
Choose Monroe is published by Philips Publishing Group for City of Monroe. Publisher Peter Philips 206.284.8285 peter@philipspublishing.com Advertising Sales Julie Applegate 206.753.7250 julie@philipspublishing.com Production Colleen Rhay Accounting Crystal Alaniz Editor Pamela Baker 360.863.4524 pamb@monroewa.gov
Welcome To Monroe
Monroe is a growing city nestled in the Sky Valley with its picturesque Cascade Mountains and its scenic Skykomish River. From its small town beginning in 1902 when the population was 325 people to today’s bustle of just over 18,000, Monroe is your place to get your adventure started. Begin by grabbing a pastry at the Sky River Bakery and then heading over to Original Pilot House for some coffee. Take a walk around Lake Tye (pg. 6) and check out the abundant wildlife that calls the lake home. Go for a mid-day hike at the many trails in the Sky Valley area and then come back for dinner and a craft brew at Dreadnought Brewery (pg. 14). Your adventure continues with the eclectic downtown shops, eateries, and parks. Don’t forget to check out the Vaux’s Swifts sculpture on the corner of Main and Lewis Streets and make a date of watching the spectacle of the Vaux’s Swifts swirl into the Frank Wagner Chimney early in September (pg. 22). It’s a sight you can’t miss. For more information about events and activities throughout the year, check out the Monroe Chamber and visitor website at www.choosemonroe.com Whatever your adventure is or wherever your adventure takes you, Monroe is the place you want to be. Enjoy your adventure because “The Adventure Starts Here!”
Mayor Geoffrey Thomas Chamber President Mike Buse
Contributing Writers: Christine Hendricks and Pam Baker
On the Cover: Athletes competing in TriMonroe Triathlon. Lake Tye Park June 23.
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Adventures
BY CHRIS HENDRICKSON
Sometimes referred to as Monroe’s own Green Lake, the sparkling 42-acre lake and long list of park amenities make Lake Tye Park one of the city’s most-loved and widely-utilized community parks. Located in the westernmost portion of Monroe, the lush, 64-acre park features sports fields, tennis courts, restrooms, picnic tables, lakefront beaches, fishing, a nonmotorized boat launch, summertime concessions, playground equipment, a veterans memorial, a newly-renovated board and blade park and more. One of the park’s prime features is the easily-navigable 1.5-mile oval walking path, which smoothly encircles the lake. Its flat surface is well-suited for any user, accommodating walkers, joggers, Choose Monroe
strollers, wheelchairs, and the four-legged members of your family. Two trips around the lake conveniently equal 5-kilometers in distance, making Lake Tye an optimal place to hold community fun-runs. The lake is a peaceful retreat any time of year, offering a distinct and appealing separation from the noise and bustle of the city. Since the lake’s formation in the early-1990s, nature has gracefully begun to curl in around the edges, subtly framing the park with the tiniest hint of unrestrained wilderness. Summer sunsets shimmer across the lake, accenting the sky with shades of pink and deep fuchsia. An evening stroll might reveal a cluster of water fowl, or even a glimpse of one of the bald eagles that call Monroe their
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MONROE’S LAKE TYE PARK 14964 Fryelands Blvd., Monroe, Washington Lake Tye Park is a 64-acre community park located in the west part of Monroe. Its showcase is a 42-acre, manmade lake that offers swimming, fishing and nonmotorized boating. Check the City’s website for kayak and paddle board rentals during summer months. Photo by Chris Hendrickson
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hether you’re stopping by to catch some live music, have a barbecue or let your kids splash around in the water, there is something for everyone at Monroe’s Lake Tye Park.
ADVENTURE Trevor Feeble performs a trick at Lake Tye Skatepark
“THERE IS NOTHING LIKE SEEING THE PARK PACKED WITH FAMILIES AND KIDS ...” MONROE PARKS DIRECTOR • MIKE FARRELL
home. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout every spring, which swim in its depths alongside largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish and brown bullhead. In recent years, the park has become one of Monroe’s favorite community gathering places, known for free, citysponsored events including the annual community egg hunt and National Night Out Against Crime. During the summer, hundreds of guests arrive for Monroe’s free summer concert series, spreading out blankets, sipping locally-crafted brew in the beer garden, and dancing the night away. Every August, the city parks department hosts Movies Under the Moon, which offers a series of free, family-friendly blockbuster hits. “There is nothing like seeing the park packed with families and kids, enjoying an evening out under the stars”, said Monroe Parks Director Mike Farrell. It is more than just its features that make Lake Tye Park special, said Farrell, it is the community members and guests that give the park its incredible vibrancy. If adrenaline is more your speed, Lake Tye Park has you covered there as well!
July 25–28 brings the 2018 Nautique Wakeboard World Series, a spectacular event featuring the world’s top wakeboard athletes as they compete for the series title. There isn’t a bad seat in the house as spectators gather to watch these elite athletes perform gravity-defying stunts while being pulled behind wakeboard boats. Monroe is one of five stops on the worldwide tour, boasting a position among Melbourne, Australia; Cancun, Mexico; Pine Mountain, Georgia; and Miyoshi City, Japan. Tri Monroe, held in June, is a nationalcaliber competition for teenage triathletes age 13 through 19. Top finishers qualify for a spot in the USA Triathlon National Championships, potentially paving their way to the Olympics. Another amazing opportunity for spectators, Tri Monroe is designed to give athletes a taste of Olympic-style racing, showcasing exciting high-speed transitions and awe-inspiring athletic skill. Pack a picnic, bring your beach towels and head to Monroe’s Lake Tye Park for an enjoyable escape from the ordinary. Whether you seek thrills or serenity, Lake Tye is for you!
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ADVENTURE Heybrook Lookout Between mile markers 37 and 38 on U.S. 2. The trailhead and parking area are located on the north side of the highway near Index, Washington. Heybrook Lookout is a 1.3-mile moderate to steep hiking trail that features an 850foot elevation gain. Once at the top, hikers are rewarded with the opportunity to climb the Heybrook Lookout Tower, which offers incredible, panoramic views of the surrounding Skykomish Valley. Heybrook Ridge—NEW 50606 Index-Galena Road Index, Washington This 1.6-mile hiking trail features an elevation gain of 760 feet as it makes its way to the top of Heybrook Ridge. It is a moderately steep climb to the top, which offers stunning views of Bridal Veil Falls and Mount Index. This trail was developed by Snohomish County Parks, and will eventually offer a connection to the Heybrook Lookout trail.
GO FURTHER AFIELD The Skykomish River Valley along U.S. 2 is filled with great parks and trails. For more information visit the Snohomish County Tourism website at www.snohomish.org.
615 Simons Road • Monroe, WA Located within walking distance of Monroe’s historic downtown core, Al Borlin Park offers riverside walking paths and numerous park amenities. The lush 90-acre park features a 1.2-mile network of soft-surface gravel trails that wind through its thickly-forested region. Nature abounds at Al Borlin Park, truly a Monroe community gem. Skykomish River Park and Wiggly Field 413 Sky River Parkway Monroe, Washington With its baseball fields, soccer fields, playground and one-mile perimeter loop, 32-acre Sky River Park offers a plethora of opportunities for physical activity. Park features include river frontage, convenient parking, restrooms and covered picnic areas. Monroe’s off-leash dog park, Wiggly Field, is located in the southeast portion of the park, with 2.5 acres of dog-friendly landscape featuring agility equipment, shade trees and a small covered area. Choose Monroe
Index Climbing Wall Index, Washington This 500-foot vertical cliff is a favorite among climbing enthusiasts. To get there, you’ll need to wind through the postagestamp size town of Index. From U.S. 2, travel northeast on the Index-Galena Road, and cross the bridge to head into Index. Turn left on Index Avenue and follow to Avenue A. The Index climbing wall is located about .5-miles to the west. A Discover Pass is required.
WALLACE FALLS State Park
14503 Wallace Lake Road Gold Bar, Washington Wallace Falls State Park encompasses a total of 1,380 acres, including three lakes, 13 waterfalls, five cabins, three backcountry campsites, 12 miles of hiking trails, five miles of biking trails, two picnic shelters and a park store. The park features a series of lakes and wetland systems, along with two known rare plant species; the Gnome plant and pinefoot. A Discover Pass is required.
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Photo by Chris Hendrickson
AL BORLIN PARK
Osprey Park 800 1st Street Sultan, Washington Truly an undiscovered treasure, Osprey Park’s 76-acres feature over 2 miles of flat, easy to navigate trails that explore the Sultan River. The trail system is wheelchair and baby-stroller accessible, offering interpretive signage and riverside views.
M ONROE FIREPLACE
CALL US TODAY:
360-794-8024
RENEWING THE FIRE...
INSIDE aND OUT!
We’re Here to Serve You!
19922 Highway 2, Monroe, WA 98272 | monroefireplace.com Monday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Sundays - Closed 9 monroewa.gov
ADVENTURE
StART YOUR Engines
K
nown as the “Super Speedway of the West,” Evergreen Speedway is located roughly an hour northeast of Seattle at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe. A top 10 NASCAR home track, Evergreen Speedway’s 2018 racing schedule is packed with adrenaline-pumping action including NASCAR, Formula DRIFT, Evergreen Drift, demolition derby, Figure 8s, monster trucks, drag racing and more. The speedway is known for its unique configuration, featuring a 1/5mile paved inner oval, a figure-eight, a 1/8-mile drag strip, a 3/8-mile paved oval and a 5/8-mile paved outer oval —all in one. This year marks the historic speedway’s 64th year of operation, which it’s celebrating in style with a freshlypaved 3/8-mile oval. To drivers and race fans, fresh pavement means only one thing: more speed than ever. Evergreen Speedway is the only NASCAR-sanctioned track in the Pacific Northwest, featuring numerous NASCAR events throughout the racing
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From the exhilarating sound of squealing tires to death-defying stunts that astonish and excite, there is nothing quite like an evening at Monroe’s Evergreen Speedway. season. It is one of only 14 tracks to host the NASCAR K & N Pro Series West, which highlights the newest, most promising up-and-coming NASCAR drivers. Known for its exceptional viewing capacity, Evergreen Speedway has been a part of the Formula DRIFT national championship series since 2006. A crowd favorite that boasts packed grandstands, drift racing is about more than just flashy racecars whizzing by in relentless pursuit of the finish line. In Formula DRIFT, those flashy racecars throw billows of smoke as they work to maintain a sideways skid the entire time. As much as DRIFT, drags and NASCAR are guaranteed to quicken your pulse, events like the figure-eight bus and boat races are guaranteed to tickle your funny-bone. Nothing beats the hilarity of seeing racecars fly around
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the track while towing boats, or watching lanky yellow school buses fight for dominance while navigating the “Most Dangerous Intersection on the Planet.” While any time is a good time to visit the speedway, the fourth of July is a night not to be missed. In addition to an evening of racing, Monroe stuntman Mike “Mr. Dizzy” Buse wows racegoers every year with outrageous stunts. Mr. Dizzy holds multiple world records for his stunts, often performing miraculous feats not previously attempted by other stuntmen. And if that’s not enough, the holiday showcase features a live performance of the National Anthem and a dazzling fireworks display finishes off the night. From the first rambunctious roar of high-powered engines, to the final wave of the checkered flags, an evening spent at Evergreen Speedway is a blast for the entire family! Don’t miss out!
Bringing the smoke
EVERGREEN SPEEDWAY is located at 14405 179th Ave SE Monroe Washington, 98272. For more information about speedway events, please visit the website: https://evergreenspeedway.com/.
OPENING SOON!
to Monroe
TEXAS STYLE BBQ • STEAKS • BURGERS • SALADS • VEGETARIAN CHOICES • FULL BAR • MUSIC • CATERING
116 E Main St. | MonroE, WaShington 98272 | (360) 217-8484
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Photo by Chris Hendrickson
Evergreen Speedway
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The action kicked off on March 31 and will roar straight through until the end of October. High Road Promotions owners Doug and Traci Hobbs have operated Evergreen Speedway since 2011. For more fast action, visit www.evergreenspeedway.com. n SATURDAY, MAY 26 Mark Galloway Super Lates 150, Streets, Minis, Legends – NASCAR Budweiser Crown #2
MONROE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB! Come explore the fun opportunities at the Monroe Boys & Girls Club! BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL CARE Licensed before and after school care providing fun and engaging activities for kids K-12.
SUMMER CAMP Fun summer adventures for kids and teens throughout the summer including field trips!
TEEN ADVENTURES Middle School and High School students have their own space at the Club! Field trips and actiities throughout the year including monthly Teen Nights!
YOUTH SPORTS Kids get to learnsportsmanship and team work with many of our Youth Sports programs. Flag Football, Volleyball, Basketball and Soccer!
Contact us today! 261 Sky River Pkwy 360-794-4775 www.bgcsc.org
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n SUNDAY, MAY 27 Truck Demo, Super Stock F8s, Outlaw F8s, Hornets, Youth Hornets, Legends, V8s, Boats, Buses, Fireworks – Sean Peters Truck Demo n SATURDAY, JUNE 23 FWD Nationals, NW Mini Stock Tour, Pro 4 Alliance, FSCRA, Pro 4 Trucks, Hornets, Stingers – Western Round Up n SATURDAY, JUNE 30 Summer Showdown Super Lates 200, Legends, Streets – Summer Showdown, Bud Crown #3 n SUNDAY, JULY 1 Dream Builders Car Show – Auto X n WEDNESDAY, JULY 4 Large Car Demo, Super Stock F8s, Stingers, Youth Hornets, V8s, Mini Bump 2 Pass, Buses, Boats, Mr. Dizzy – Fourth of July Fireworks n SATURDAY, JULY 7 Streets, Minis, Outlaw F8s, Hornets, Vintage Modifieds, WMRA – Champion Night – Mayor’s Cup n SATURDAY, JULY 21— SUNDAY, JULY 22 Formula DRIFT Throwdown at Evergreen – Formula DRIFT n SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 NASCAR K&N West 175, Super Lates, Streets, Minis – Bud Crown #5
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n THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 MX at the Fair and Fireworks – Evergreen State Fair n FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 Monster Trucks, Youth Hornets, Mini Bump 2 Pass, Buses, Chain & Go Demo – Evergreen State Fair n SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 Monster Trucks, Super Lates, Streets, Hornets, Vintage Modifieds – Evergreen State Fair n SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 Auto X at the Fair – Evergreen State Fair n SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Super Stock F8s, Outlaw F8s, Pro 4 Trucks, Youth Hornets, WESCO Sprints – Evergreen State Fair n SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 Large Car Demo, Minis, Stingers, Hornets, V8s, Buses, Boats, Fireworks – Evergreen State Fair n MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 Drag Racing at the Fair – Evergreen State Fair n SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 Les Schwab Championship Night #1 Super Lates, Streets, Minis, Hornets, Legends – Bud Crown #6 n FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14— SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 Red Bull Global Rallycross n SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 Les Schwab Championship Night #2 Outlaw F8s, Super Stock F8s, Pro 4 Trucks, Youth Hornets, Stingers, Vintage Modifieds, V8s, Buses, Boats, Firework
Free Estimates Carpet Laminate Vinyl Hardwood Locally Family Owned and Operated
17239 Tye St SE Suite A Monroe, WA Tues-Fri 10AM–4PM LLC
425.238.9540 freshstartfloorcovering.com
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FOOD & DRINK
LOVE... You never know what clever blends you might find on tap at Monroe’s Dreadnought Brewing, but one thing is always certain: it was crafted on site by folks who love beer.
L
ocated across the street from Lake Tye in Monroe’s Fryelands neighborhood, Dreadnought has found its niche in craft brewing by seamlessly merging the art of beer-making with the science of the brewing process. Named after a style of acoustic guitar, the familyfriendly alehouse offers a variety of custom craft brews, along with fresh, homemade pizzas, paninis and Dreadnought’s take on street tacos. Food and drinks in the taproom are often served up with a side of live music, as manager and co-owner Steve Choose Monroe
Huskey is an avid guitar player and music lover. Dreadnought is veteran-owned and operated, with the Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and Navy all represented in its ownership. In fact, Huskey, a 15-year veteran of the U.S. Army, got his first taste of beer-making while stationed in Saudi Arabia nearly 30 years ago. Fortunately, Huskey says wryly, his beer-making skills have vastly improved since then. Dreadnought’s affinity for great music is reflected in its beer menu, with the musically-themed brew names
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Photo by Sean Jordan
BrewPub
Dreadnought Brewing Address: 16726 146th Street S.E. #153 in Monroe Phone: 360-863-2479 Website and social media: www.dreadnoughtbrewing.com/ and www.facebook.com/dreadnoughtbeer/ Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday 5–9 p.m. Thursday, Friday, 2–10 p.m. Saturday, noon–10 p.m. Sunday, noon–8 p.m. Closed Mondays concocted just as carefully as the beer itself. The tap list offers things like “Green Manalishi Lime Milkshake IPA,” a hazy-style IPA named after the popular Fleetwood Mac song. On the fruitier side, “If You Want Blood” is a citrusy blend with blood orange undertones, its name inspired by the AC/DC tune. Dreadnought has earned recognition for its award-winning “Chocolate Jesus Oatmeal Stout” a dark, creamy beer named after the Tom Waits song. Craft brew aficionados will appreciate Dreadnought’s tap list, which features the alcohol content (ABV) of each brew, along with some insight into its origins. It also gives its position on the International Bittering Units (IBUs) scale, a numerical system used to gauge a beer’s bitterness. Or, as Huskey calls it, it’s “hoppyness.”
Breweries and Taprooms
Photo by Sean Jordan
n TWIN RIVERS BREWING COMPANY Located at 104 N. Lewis Street in downtown Monroe, Twin Rivers is an extension of Adam’s Northwest Bistro and Brewery, owned by Chef Adam Hoffman. Hoffman takes a culinary approach to beer-making, ever mindful of the way a brew might pair with one of his custom menu items. Hoffman’s impressive resume includes 10 years at famed, fourstar Seattle restaurant Rover’s, where he worked with Chef Thierry Rautureau. For more information about Twin Rivers Brewing, please visit: http://www.adamsnwbistro.com/.
Since opening his doors in June of 2015, Huskey has steadily worked to improve and refine his processes. Last year he brought on Assistant Brewer Kent Spangenburg, a graduate of the Skagit Valley College Craft Brewing program. Spangenburg enjoys the unique blend of art and science involved in craft beer-making, and loves experimenting with different botanicals and other nonconventional ingredients. Honey-lavender, chocolate nibs and chili peppers have all made guest appearances in his custom brews. Spangenburg and Dreadnought coowner Dennis Nagy are what Huskey refers to as the “idea guys,” always willing to take risks in the bold pursuit of great beer. And Huskey is no slouch when it comes to adventurous brewing, employing different techniques like aging his brews in retired chardonnay, rum and bourbon barrels. With its live music, innovative beer menu and freshly-prepared food, Dreadnought is a combination of passions come to life. And you never know who you’ll run into! A Friday evening at Dreadnought might find original Heart guitarist Roger Fisher seated at the custom-built bar sipping his favorite IPA, just waiting until the time is right before he hops up on stage to play a tune or two. Truly a Monroe treasure, Dreadnought awaits your discovery!
n ROUTE 2 TAPROOM & GRAZING PLACE Located at 19837 State Route 2 in Monroe, the Route 2 Taproom was founded by three guys with a passion for craft beer. The tap list at Route 2 features specialty ales from all over the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, Oregon and Alaska. Its appetizer menu is eclectic, ranging from chicken drumsticks to a hummus plate. Route 2 integrates technology into its menu, giving customers the ability to track how much beer is left in each keg once it’s been tapped. For more information about Route 2, please visit: http://www.roadtriptaprooms.com/. n HARRY’S ON TYE Located at 14286 169th Drive S.E. in Monroe, Harry’s on Tye is a family-owned and operated taproom, bottle shop and wine bar. Harry’s features over 30 rotating taps of craft beers and ciders, a vast selection of wine, and a gourmet pub menu. The tap list offers brews from Washington, Oregon, Colorado, California and beyond. For more information about Harry’s on Tye, please visit: https://harrysontye.com/.
Monroe Swap & Shop Celebrating 20 years
EVERGREEN STATE FAIR | BUILDING 610 Every Saturday & Sunday October–June 9AM–4PM Free Parking • Free Admission Always Family Friendly Tools • Camping/Fishing Gear • Household Items Antiques • Collectibles • Bargains Galore
Info: 425-876-1888
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FUN FACTS The SMOKE STACK in Monroe is all that remains of a large condensery in the location of the Monroe Shopping Center. The smoke stack was built in 1919, stands 150 feet tall and Vaux’s almost 11 feet in diameter. Werner Paddles calls Monroe home. Its business of hand-crafting paddles fits well into the adventure lifestyle of residents and visitors
Swifts
are the official bird of Monroe and can be seen swirling to roost in the Frank Wagner chimney during their spring and fall migration
Monroe is home to the
Evergreen State Fair
The Monroe District Fair was held in 1930 at the IOOF Hall and Grounds on South Lewis Street. Located at Traveler’s Park, Monroe’s first
HERITAGE TREE
a 45-year-old 55-foot Coast Redwood, was nominated in 2018 for its size and rarity in the area
Monroe has just over 200 acres of park land and 10 MILES of trails for residents and visitors to enjoy.
The Main Street Café and Mason Building murals were painted by local artist
David Hose. Choose Monroe
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It’s time to clean out the house and garage!
NW LARGEST GARAGE SALE CELEBRATING 14 YEARS AT THE EVERGREEN STATE FAIR
Friday, June 29th
SNEAK PEEK EARLY SALES NOON TO 5 PM
Saturday, June 30th
8 AM TO 4 PM FREE ADMISSION • FREE PARKING A family friendly place to shop or to sell your garage sale items. Tools Camping/Fishing Gear Household Items, Antiques, Collectibles and Bargains Galore.
For vendor space: 425-876-1888
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Photo by Chris Hendrickson
ENTERTAINMENT
A
live with colors, sights and sounds, the Monroe Fair Days Parade is a timehonored tradition that celebrates Monroe’s vibrant past, while showcasing everything the community has to offer today.
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PARADE
BY CHRIS HENDRICKSON
Photo by Joshua Scheffer
Meant to help usher in the Evergreen State Fair, the annual event is the perfect way to preface a day filled with carnival rides, games, fanciful fair food and family-friendly fun. Each year, Monroe’s West Main Street is lined with hundreds of excited guests and community members, who gather eagerly to watch the vivid one-mile procession as it travels through Monroe in a sensational whirlwind of lively music and dynamic performances. The parade truly captures the essence of Monroe, reflecting a strong reverence for military veterans and first responders, and a powerful sense of community pride. You can’t help but cheer as the awardwinning Monroe High School marching band forges its way along the parade route, accompanied by the Monroe High School Bearcats cheerleaders, dance and sports teams. Equestrian lovers are never disappointed, as the Ixtapa Dancing Horses take to the streets in a flurry of pounding hooves, dazzling costumes and traditional music, performed by a live mariachi group. The excitement of the dancing horses is carefully balanced with the gentleness of Colors of Hawaii, another parade favorite
Everyone lovesMonroe’s
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ENTERTAINMENT
Photo by Chris Hendrickson
Vintage MARKET
The Monroe Fair Days Parade Parade: 11 a.m. Saturday, August 25, 2018 Street Fair: 9 a.m. at the Wagner Performing Arts Center, located at 639 West Main S. Parade Route: West Main Street, starting at 178th and traveling east to North Blakeley Street Event Hours: 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Parking: parking is available in and around Monroe’s downtown core known for a spectacular array of colors adorning both horse and rider. Catching a spot near the judging booth—located in Monroe’s historic downtown core—is always a great way to experience the action! Each year different parade participants pause there to impress the judges with spirited performances. There is no better place to enjoy the high-energy, synchronized movements and breathtaking acrobatics performed by the West Coast Country Heat dance team, or to catch a heart-filled rendition of the National Anthem, performed by a Monroe community member. The parade is deeply rooted in Monroe history, its origins dating back as far as 1937. Back then, the parade was part of a community fair, and took place just north of where the Monroe Fair Days Parade is held today. The inaugural event included a pet parade and a general parade, and featured music by the Washington State Reformatory Band. In 1941, the parade was held in conjunction with a carnival and agricultural fair called the “Cavalcade of the Valleys.” The Cavalcade of the Valleys morphed into the Snohomish County Fair in the late 1940s, by 1949 becoming known as
the Evergreen State Fair. It was in that timeframe that the Monroe Fair Days Parade became its official companion, ushering in the festivities each year with great fanfare and panache. Over the years, the parade has been sustained by local community organizations including the Monroe Kiwanis and the Monroe Jaycees. Today, the event is organized by the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and the Monroe Fair Days Parade Committee. This year, parade attendees are invited to come early to peruse local craftsman and vendors at the Monroe Fair Days Market, located midway on the parade route near the Wagner Performing Arts Center. Make a day of it by combining experiences! Enjoy the Evergreen State Fair and experience a taste of Monroe’s historic vibrancy while you’re in town. “The Monroe Fair Days Parade is one of my all-time favorite Sky Valley events,” said Sky Valley resident, Elizabeth Emmons. “We always get there early to enjoy the bouncy houses and street fair, and to visit with friends along the route before the parade kicks off. The entries range from hilarious to humbling—it’s the absolute best!”
Rust We
Trust
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FAMILY FUN
Swift
NIGHT OUT Once you have experienced the magic of the Vaux’s swifts, it is easy to see why the city of Monroe proclaimed the graceful avian as its official city bird. In a phenomenon that is truly unique to Monroe, thousands of Vaux’s swifts travel through the city every year during their spring and fall migrations, which take them from Canada to Mexico to Venezuela and back again. Vaux’s— rhymes with foxes—swifts are the smallest of the swifts, a species of migratory bird that travels in large clusters. The gentle 4-to 5-inch winged creatures resemble swallows, but are most closely related to hummingbirds. Swifts have an uncommon wing formation, and unlike most birds, their foot structure prevents them from perching on things likes wires or tree branches. This means that swifts require special accommodations for any desired periods of repose, preferring to cling to the sides of roughly-barked trees or old brick chimneys. Fortunately, the historic chimney at Monroe’s Wagner Center provides the swifts with the perfect nighttime roosting site. The birds are celebrated every fall during a community
BY CHRIS HENDRICKSON Choose Monroe
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event called Swift Night Out, which welcomes Monroe residents and guests from all over Snohomish and King counties and beyond. As Swift Night Out attendees soon discover, there is nothing quite like watching the swifts perform their evening waltz above the Wagner chimney. As the afternoon skies deepen with dusk’s impending descent, the birds begin to circle the chimney in a graceful swell of flight. They whisper as they soar, in an ever-so-dainty twittering that would charm even the most cantankerous old soul. They swirl repeatedly, patiently mesmerizing their observers with their unforgettable, melodic dance. As dusk falls, the birds inexplicably begin to heed the silent call that compels them to interrupt their enchanting journey across the skies. Bird by bird, they drop into the chimney—tail first—where they huddle together overnight, safe, warm and dry. With each balletic swirl, fewer and fewer birds linger in the evening sky, as if flirting playfully with the idea that they’ll soon be tucked away for the night. The final swift almost always seems to delay its own retreat with an impromptu trip or two around the chimney, reminiscent of a wistful child who doesn’t want the summer day to end.
FAMILY FUN
Photo by Chris Hendrickson
Swift Night Out Event: Saturday, September 8, 2018 Location: The Wagner Center, located at 639 West Main St., Monroe, Washington 98272 Food: Spaghetti and freshly baked apple crisp available for a donation Event Hours: 4:00 p.m.–dark Parking: Free parking is available at Monroe City Hall and along West Main Street in Monroe Additional information: www.vauxhappening.org
The crowd cheers the bird’s gleeful obstinance, always happy for an excuse to continue watching. Held every September, Swift Night Out is coordinated by the Pilchuck Audubon Society and swift advocacy groups Vaux’s Happening and Monroe Swift Watch, with support from the Monroe School District, the city of Monroe, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and other Monroe organizations. The family-friendly event includes a spaghetti dinner, educational exhibits about swifts and other birds, activities for kids, and a lecture by expert swift researcher, Larry Schwitters. And of course, the stars of the show: the Vaux’s swifts. In addition to celebrating the Vaux’s swifts, officially proclaimed as the Monroe city bird in August of 2016, Swift Night Out honors and recognizes all that was done to save and protect the birds’ habitat. Owned by the Monroe School District, the Wagner Center features a community auditorium known as the Wagner Performing Arts Center, which is attached to the former Frank Wagner Elementary School. Built in the late 1930s, the facility still houses Monroe students today. In 2007, the school district deemed the aging 4-foot by 4-foot, 31-foot brick chimney as unsafe. And since it was believed that the swifts no longer used the
chimney as a roosting site, it was slated for demolition. Luckily for the swifts, the Pilchuck Audubon Society caught wind of the district’s plans, and promptly went to work to save the structure. It recruited retired school teacher and swift expert Larry Schwitters, who launched his project, Vaux’s Happening, to study whether the birds still used the chimney. Schwitters quickly determined that the Vaux’s swifts were indeed still using the chimney, in both their spring and fall migrations, and that the Wagner chimney is one of North America’s most significant communal migratory swift roosting sites. Swift Night Out was established in 2008 to raise awareness of the birds and tell their story.
Audubon society members formed a Monroe Vaux’s swifts committee, becoming ambassadors for the delicate birds as they sought funding to perform seismic upgrades on the chimney. They approached the Washington State Legislature and other nonprofit groups, wholeheartedly championing the cause. Thanks in part to Schwitters’ meticulous research and advocacy, the group’s efforts were successful, and it was able to secure $115,000 in grant funding to pay for earthquake retrofitting. A portion of that money funded live webcam equipment, so that Schwitters and other researchers and swift enthusiasts could observe the birds as they cozied up together inside the chimney. Anyone can view the live feed, which Schwitters features on his Vaux’s Happening website. Many fun details have been discovered about the swifts, including the CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
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fact that they don’t like the rain. A glimpse at the camera’s live feed on a gloomy, wet September morning might reveal hundreds of the petite birds clinging to the side of the chimney as they wait out the storm. The wee birds don’t like to be wet, Schwitters said. Since proclaiming the Vaux’s swift as the official city bird, Monroe has sought to further embrace the engaging birds through a piece of public art positioned in the heart of Monroe’s downtown core. Designed and crafted by local Soul in Bronze sculptor Kevin Pettelle, the “Wagner Swifts” features a rendition of the Wagner chimney with a graceful column of swifts forged out of brushed stainless steel. The Downtown Monroe Association (DMA), a nonprofit group dedicated to the enhancement of Monroe’s historic downtown, has furthered the momentum of the official city bird. It is currently raising funds to put towards the expansion of the sculpture, which will increase its height and impact. They’ve created an interactive program called “The Swift Quest,” which invites community members and guests to discover a series of 25 swifts that will adorn the city’s downtown core in various locations. They hope to have the Swift Quest program fully implemented in Summer of 2018. Watching the swirling swifts form their winged vortex before cloaking themselves inside the Wagner chimney is a truly oneof-a-kind experience enjoyed by all who attend. Bring your lawn chairs and your blankets, and settle in for an educational evening sure to delight and inspire! “Watching these tiny swifts assemble and eventually dive into their chimney roost is a dramatic natural spectacle one will want to see again and again,” said Larry Schwitters. “Perhaps more impressive, our inside camera has revealed their amazing ability to huddle together all night long, sharing body heat, but never fighting.” Whether there are thousands of birds or just a few hundred, Swift Night Out is always a breathtaking experience. The city of Monroe welcomes you to come and get acquainted with its official city bird!
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EVENTS JUNE
MAY
5.19
UNLIMITEDS NORTHWEST MODEL BOAT RACES Lake Tye Park PANCAKE BREAKFAST 8:00–10:00 a.m. (3rd Saturday each month) Monroe Community Senior Center Family friendly • No dogs please www.mcsc.org
MYSTERY WINE AUCTION Starts at 6:30 p.m. Monroe Boys and Girls Club
No dogs please https://bgcsc.org/snohomish-clubs/monroe-club $15 + bottle of wine
YMCA KIDS NIGHT OUT Monroe YMCA (3rd Saturday of each month)
Family friendly • No dogs please ymca-snoco.org/locations/monroesky-valley-ymca
5.19 5.20
45TH ANNUAL SEATTLE AUTO SWAP MEET Evergreen State Fairgrounds seattleautoswapmeet.com
5.25 6.3
YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN. Wagner Performing Arts Center.
june
6.1 6.3
6.9
North end of Lake Tye on grass by Lake Tye Building
www.varsitycommunications.com
INTERNATIONAL WAKE SURF Lake Tye Park
6.2
RELAY FOR LIFE Monroe High School http://main.acsevents.org
FAMILY DERBY DAYS Monroe Community Senior Center Family friendly • No dogs please www.choosemonroe.com
6.3
TTRB—ROLLER DERBY TOURNAMENT Evergreen State Fairgrounds Gary D. Weikel Event Center www.tiltedthunder.com
ODDMALL EMPORIUM OF WEIRD Evergreen State FairgroundsCommercial Bldg. www.oddmall.com
TERRAIN RACING Evergreen Speedway Family friendly • No dogs please https://evergreenspeedway.com
For tickets visit Skyperformingarts.com
VINTAGE FLEA MARKET Evergreen State Fairgrounds Gary D. Weikel Event Center
6.15
SHAKESPEARE “TWELFTH NIGHT” 7:00 p.m. • Lake Tye Park Family friendly • No dogs please www.lastleaf99.org
6.16
UNLIMITEDS NORTHWEST MODEL BOAT RACES Lake Tye Park
6.23
TRIMONROE TRIATHLON Lake Tye Park
Set-up in park on 22nd. Fryelands Blvd closed from Currie to Tye St.
6.29
SHAKESPEARE “KING LEAR” 7:00 p.m. • Lake Tye Park Family friendly • No dogs please www.lastleaf99.org
6.30
UNLIMITEDS NORTHWEST MODEL BOAT RACES Lake Tye Park
5.26
FLAGS FOR OUR FALLEN Lake Tye Park 5K run/walk at Lake Tye
5.27
SWINGIN’ TO SUMMER DINNER & DANCING WITH THE MOONLIGHT SWING ORCHESTRA 5:00 p.m. Monroe Community Senior Center
SEAN PETERS MEMORIAL TRUCK DEMO DERBY Evergreen Speedway Family friendly • No dogs please https://evergreenspeedway.com
www.mcsc.org
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EVENTS JULy
july
7.1
7.13
7.4
Family friendly • No dogs please www.choosemonroe.com www.gigmasters.com/classic-rock-band/mcsm
MUSIC IN THE PARK Lake Tye Park Monroe Chamber MCSM
SK8 LAKE TYE LONGBOARD EVENT Lake Tye Park
USA BIRTHDAY BASH DEMO DERBY & FIREWORKS Evergreen Speedway Family friendly • No dogs please https://evergreenspeedway.com
VALLEY EVENTS n DUVALL DAYS Duvall June 2 n SULTAN SHINDIG Sultan July 13–15
7.14
n KLA HA YA DAYS Snohomish July 21–22
www.newmoonfarms.org
n DUVALL SANDBLAST FESTIVAL Duvall July 21–22
GOATALYMPICS Evergreen State Fairgrounds Sheep Barn
7.20
MUSIC IN THE PARK Lake Tye Park Monroe Chamber Stacy Jones Band Family friendly • No dogs please www.choosemonroe.com www.stacyjonesband.com
n GOLD DUST DAYS Gold Bar July 27–29 n INDEX ARTS FESTIVAL Index August 11
7.6
MUSIC IN THE PARK Lake Tye Park Patrick Henry & the Chinook Hooks
7.12 7.15
NW WAKE SURF OPEN Lake Tye Park
North end of Lake Tye on grass by Lake Tye Building
Photo by Pamela Baker
Family Friendly • No dogs please www.choosemonroe.com www.facebook.com/patrickwmchenry
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EVENTS JULY
7.21
COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE, VENDOR FAIR & BREAKFAST 8:00 a.m. Monroe Community Senior Center www.mcsc.org
7.25 7.28
PRO TOUR WWA WAKEBOARD NATIONALS Lake Tye Park
Set up 23rd and 24th. Complete closure of Fryelands from Tye to Beaton
7.27
MUSIC IN THE PARK Lake Tye Park Monroe Chamber Harvey Creek Band Family friendly • No dogs please www.choosemonroe.com www.facebook.com/harveycreekband
7.28
MONROE HISTORICAL SOCIETY HOMES TOUR Around Monroe
8.3
8.17
Pre-event activities 8:00 pm • Movie starts at dusk
Pre-event activities 8:00 p.m. Movie starts at dusk
MOVIES UNDER THE MOON Lake Tye Park Jumanji
8.7
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME 5:30–8:30 p.m. Lake Tye Park
MOVIES UNDER THE MOON Lake Tye Park Wonder
8.23 9.3
EVERGREEN STATE FAIR Evergreen State Fairgrounds www.evergreenstatefair.com
8.24
8.10
MOVIES UNDER THE MOON Lake Tye Park Coco
MOVIES UNDER THE MOON Lake Tye Park Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
8.11
MONSTER TRUCKS Evergreen Speedway
Pre-event activities 8:00 pm Movie starts at dusk
LAKE TYE TRIATHLON Lake Tye Park Complete closure of Fryelands Blvd
CORKS AND KEGS Tye Street (Fryelands) No dogs please www.choosemonroe.com $35
NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES WEST Evergreen Speedway
Family friendly • No dogs please https://evergreenspeedway.com
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August
August
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Pre-event activities 8:00 p.m. Movie starts at dusk
Family friendly • No dogs please https://evergreenspeedway.com
8.25
FAIR DAYS PARADE & MARKET Main Streen Monroe Family friendly • No dogs please www.choosemonroe.com
EVENTS September
9.7 9.9
SPARTAN RACE Meadow Woods Equestrian Center
9.8 WINGS & WHEELS First Airfield Car and Airplane show SWIFT NIGHT OUT (PG. 22) 4:00 p.m. Wagner Center Annual aerial bird show in the Frank Wagner Chimney
9.13
RED BULL GLOBAL RALLYCROSS Evergreen Speedway Family friendly • No dogs please https://evergreenspeedway.com
9.21 9.23
CRAFTED A HANDMADE MARKET Evergreen Fairgrounds
September
9.22
AUTUMN SOCIAL DINNER & DANCING WITH THE MOONLIGHT SWING ORCHESTRA 5:00 p.m. Monroe Community Senior Center Family friendly • No dogs please www.mcsc.org
MOM & SON CARNIVAL 5:00–7:30 p.m. Monroe Boys and Girls Club
https://bgcsc.org/snohomish-clubs/monroe-club
9.28 9.30 EVERGREEN RV SHOW Evergreen State Fairgrounds Gary D. Weikel Event Center bbwestlake@seanet.com (206) 783-5957 ext. 1
OCTOBER
10.12
“OKTOBERFEST BINGO, BRATS AND BEER” 6:00 p.m. Monroe Community Senior Center www.mcsc.org
10.20
FIBER FUSION NORTHWEST Evergreen State Fairgrounds Commercial Bldg.
www.fiberfusion.net (360) 391-7308
10.27
YMCA SKY VALLEY CLASSIC FUN RUN Sky River Park
Sky River Park then on Village Way to Tester Rd. and back to park
10.31
TRUNK OR TREAT Lewis Street Downtown Monroe
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EVENTS
Mark your calendars FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS NOVEMBER
JANUARY
DECEMBER
THE GREAT JUNK HUNT VINTAGE FLEA MARKET November 2, 2018 Evergreen State Fairgrounds
HOME SPUN HOLIDAY BAZAAR December 1, 2018 Evergreen State Fairgrounds
425-319-2933
www.thegreatjunkhunt.com
ODDMALL EMPORIUM OF WEIRD November 10, 2018 Evergreen State Fairgrounds
www.oddmall.co
ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY November 25, 2018 Traveler’s Park
JAYME BIENDL MEMORIAL RUN January 27, 2019 Sky River Park
SWING INTO CHRISTMAS APPETIZERS AND DANCING WITH THE MOONLIGHT SWING ORCHESTRA December 8, 2018 Monre Community Senior Center www.mcsc.org
DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE December 8, 2018 Monroe Boys and Girls Club
www.choosemonroe. com
https://bgcsc.org/snohomish-clubs/monroe-club
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