2015 Skagit County Newcomers & Visitors Guide

mount vernon • anacortes • burlington • la conner • sedro-woolley

skagit county

concrete • conway • bow–edison • north cascades • deception pass

Visitors and Newcomers Guide to a Special Corner of nw Washington

2015 S k a g i t V i s i t o r. c o m

Tabl e o f conte nts Farm & Field .......................................................................6 Farmers Markets ..................................................................7 Tulip Festival .......................................................................8 Map ...............................................................................10 Display Gardens.................................................................12 Festival of Family Farms ....................................................13 Wineries.............................................................................14 Recreation ................................................................... 17-27 Hikes, cycling, Birding, Kayaking, Fishing, Whales, Parks, Golf, Racing, Tours on the Water, Runs & Walks calendar ...................................................................... 28-32 Anacortes ..........................................................................34 Map ......................................................................... 36-37 Fidalgo Island Map ........................................................38 Guemes Island ...................................................................40 Transportation ............................................................ 42-43 Skagit county Map ...................................................... 42-43 Padilla Bay.........................................................................45 Map ...............................................................................44 La conner .........................................................................46 Map ...............................................................................48 conway .............................................................................51 Map ...............................................................................50 Burlington .........................................................................52 Map ......................................................................... 54-55 Mount Vernon ...................................................................56 Map ......................................................................... 58-59 clear Lake & Big Lake .......................................................60 Map ...............................................................................61 Sedro-Woolley ...................................................................62 Map ...............................................................................65 upper Skagit .....................................................................66 Map ......................................................................... 68-69 Skagit county Today .........................................................72 Weather .............................................................................77 Tribes ................................................................................78 Entertainment ...................................................................80 Advertiser Directory ..........................................................82

SKAGIT PUBLISHING 4

EDIToR Jack Darnton jdarnton@goanacortes.com ADVERTISInG DIREcToR Duby Petit dpetit@skagitpublishing.com SALES & coMMunITy RELATIonS DIREcToR Deb Davis Bundy dbundy@skagitpublishing.com coVER DESIGn & LAyouT Patricia Stowell GRAPHIc DESIGnERS Holly chadwick, Jody Hendrix, Julia Matylinski, Patricia Stowell WRITERS Kathy Boyd, Kimberly cauvel, Kimberly Jacobson, craig Parrish, Joan Pringle, Trevor Pyle, Vince Richardson, Dan Ruthemeyer, Mark Stayton, Kera Wanielista PHoToGRAPHERS Jack Darnton, Kimberly Jacobson, Joan Pringle, Scott Terrell ADVERTISInG conSuLTAnTS Stephanie Harper, Abby Jackson, Danielle Koagel, Tina Pullar, Kathy Schultz, Katie Sundermeyer, Paul Tinnon, John Williams MAPS Fine Edge, Anacortes, WA

1215 Anderson Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98274 | P: 360.424.3251 • F: 360.424.5300 Restocking: 360.416.2171 | © Skagit Publishing, LLC 2015 | All rights reserved.

SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

skagitvisitor.com

Welc o me to S kagit c ount y !

Y

ou are in a special place that stretches from saltwater beaches on the Salish Sea to snow-capped Cascade peaks. And, of course, the Skagit River, which has defined our region for centuries, runs through it.

Our guide can help you discover it all.

The pace is different here, whether you are in an artistic coastal community such as Anacortes, La Conner or Edison, or if you are in the history-rich downtown of Mount Vernon, Burlington or Sedro-Woolley.

Plan to spend more than a day. Check into one of our hotels, quaint inns or rural retreats, and give yourself time for some shopping in old-fashioned downtowns full of unique shops or modern malls and outlet stores with the latest fashions and bargains.

There are art galleries and museums to explore, wineries to visit, and bistros, pubs and restaurants where you can relax after a full day. The theater community is active, and there is plenty of nightlife, including two vibrant casinos and live music in various establishments.

Skagit County’s location between Seattle to the south, Vancouver, B.C., to the north, the San Juan Islands to the west and the North Cascade National Park to the east makes it a great place to live, work and play. No matter the season, the great outdoors is nearby. It’s easy to go whale watching off Fidalgo Island, hiking in the North Cascades or cycling through the Skagit Flats.

Our mild climate, ample rainfall and fertile soil combine to make agriculture the top industry here. Daffodils start the procession of color in early spring. They are followed by tulips in April, a great month to visit.

Skagit County is world-famous for its tulips and tulip festival. Remember, though, Mother Nature has the last word on bloom times.

Strawberries come on strong in June, followed by raspberries and blueberries. Fall brings apples, pumpkins and an invitation to visit a host of family farms throughout the valley during the Festival of Family Farms.

A meandering trip through the valley with stops at roadside stands is a treat spring through fall, and in winter the fields and skies can be full of snow geese and trumpeter swans.

Come visit us and find out for yourself what makes this a special place.

Scan this code with your smartphone to visit us online at skagitvisitor.com

skagitvisitor.com

SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

5

FArm & FieLd

T

he small farms that dot the Skagit Valley, the seasonal produce and berry stands and the fields of tulips and daffodils are part of something big.

Agriculture is a top industry in Skagit County, with local farmers producing about $300 million worth of crops, livestock and dairy products on approximately 100,000 acres of land.

With over 150 years of farming history, the Skagit Valley is recognized as one of the most important agricultural valleys remaining in Puget Sound.

Around 100 different crops are grown here, according to the WSU Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center, which is located right in the middle of things and a great place to visit. Among the top crops are specialty potatoes, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, tulips, daffodils, apples and vegetable seeds.

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Organic farming has grown. More than 40 organic farms working 6,700 acres combined for more than $14 million in sales in 2103.

Numerous agricultural suppliers, organizations, and agencies serve the needs of this important industry, which also provides habitat for thousands of swans, snow geese and dabbling ducks.

Each October thousands of people attend farm tours during the Festival of Family Farms to learn more about the bounty, beauty and complexity of the valley’s working landscape - and have fun.

As you drive through the Skagit Valley, tune to 1630 AM on your car radio and learn why local farmers call this fertile valley the “Magic Skagit.”

Talking Fields is a self-guided tour that will take you all around the Skagit Valley, from the dike and drainage infrastructure to the farms and farm fields.

Each Talking Field site has a unique QR code.

Check it out at www.talkingfields.org.

Farmers markets are one of the ways smaller farms and backyard gardeners can introduce consumers directly to their unique products and increase access to local foods while supporting sustainable food systems.

They start opening in May, and many run through mid-October, with the fresh produce reflecting the seasons. Most have food and entertainment and have become community gathering spots.

“InFARMation” provides crop reports, farm history and special stories about the dozens of crops grown here.

Find out what crops are being harvested or planted right now.

SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

skagitvisitor.com

Bow Little Market

• 1 to 6 p.m. Thursdays, June 11 - Sept. 3 • Belfast Feed Store, 6200 N. Green Road • Patty Sweaney (360) 724-3333 bowlittlemarket@yahoo.com www.bowlittlemarket.wordpress.com

Concrete Saturday Market

• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, late May to early September.

• Concrete Community Center, 45821 Railroad St. concretesaturdaymarket1@gmail.com

Island Hospital Farm Stand

Mount Vernon Wednesday Market

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, June through September.

• Skagit Valley Hospital, 1415 Kincaid St. • Ron Farrell, (360) 540-4066 mvfarmer1@hotmail.com www.MountVernonFarmersMarket.org

Sedro-Woolley Farmers Market

• 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, late May to mid-October.

• Hammer Heritage Square, Ferry and Metcalf streets.

• Jeremy Kindlund (360) 202-7311 sedrowoolleyfarmersmarket@gmail.com www.SedroWoolleyFarmersMarket.com

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, mid-June to mid-September.

• Island Hospital rose garden courtyard, 1211 24th St., Anacortes • Suzie DuPuis (360) 299-1300, ext. 2567 sdupuis@islandhospital.org

Anacortes Farmers Market

• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, May 9 - Oct. 24.

• Depot Arts Center, 611 R Ave. • Keri Knapp (360) 293-7922 info@anacortesfarmersmarket.org www.anacortesfarmersmarket.org

Mount Vernon Farmers Market

• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, May 23 - Oct. 17.

• Downtown Mount Vernon.

• Ron Farrell, (360) 540-4066 mvfarmer1@hotmail.com www.MountVernonFarmersMarket.org

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Open Daily until 9pm Downtown Mount Vernon www.skagitfoodcoop.com (360) 336-9777

EBT Accepted

SKAGIT county Visitors & Newcomers Guide 2015

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Skagit Valley tuLip FestiVAL

F

or more than 30 years, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, held the entire month of April, has celebrated the jewels of the valley with a full lineup of events and plenty of tulip-viewing opportunities.

The festival is one of the biggest events in the region, attracting an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 visitors from across the world, who are treated to between 400 and 700 acres (the amount depends on the weather each year) of tulips of all colors and varieties, grown by the Roozens of RoozenGaarde and the DeGoedes of Tulip Town.

Visitors can enjoy perusing the threeplus acres of display gardens — planted with a quarter of a million tulip bulbs — at RoozenGaarde or Tulip Town, and then enjoy the numerous activities that take place in the Skagit Valley during the festival.

Agricultural and retail businesses open their doors to showcase their products — everything from wine and oysters to cheese — and artists use the colorful blooms for their inspirations during several large-scale, tulip-themed art shows.

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Events during the festival include the Kiwanis Salmon Barbecue, served up daily at Hillcrest Park in Mount Vernon; the Tulip Festival Street Fair in downtown Mount Vernon, which features live music and dozens of food and craft vendors; the Tulip Run; the Tulip Pedal (a 20-, 40- or 60-mile bicycle ride); the Tulip Frolic of entertainment and kids activities in La Conner; and the World’s Largest Garage Sale at the Skagit County Fairgrounds in Mount Vernon.

Anacortes hosts a quilt walk, art show and wine festival while Sedro-Woolley offers Woodfest with chainsaw carving demonstrations. Many events are free; others include the price of admission. www.tulipfestival.org (360) 428-5959

wAsHinGton BuLB co.‚ rooZenGAArde Three acres of tulips are on display throughout April during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. The site offers a gift shop, picnic areas, food, espresso and restrooms, and bulbs can be purchased on-site for later delivery.

SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

Roozengaarde is open all year. Visitors can purchase potted tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in the winter and spring; lilies and irises through the summer and fall; or fresh flowers year-round.

15867 Beaver Marsh Road, west of Mount Vernon www.tulips.com (360) 424-8531

skAGit VALLey BuLB FArm‚ tuLip town Walk through tulip fields or view them from a trolley in April. Enjoy Northwest art, children’s activities, gift shops, an indoor flower and garden show, an espresso bar and the Tulip Town Cafe.

Take a tour of Tulip Town’s International Tulip Peace Garden to find out how the tulip became the world peace flower. The site offers a gift shop, where bulbs may be ordered for fall planting.

15002 Bradshaw Road, west of Mount Vernon www.tuliptown.com (360) 424-8152 skagitvisitor.com

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Player’s Club Open to All 18+ visit our website for more information 1.888.288.8883 SwinomishCasinoandLodge.com Management reserves all rights.

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SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

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5 Mi. North

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By Guy D. Corp, DBA grafixCORP. Reproduced with permission of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.

★ Tulip Festival office ★ RoozenGaarde ★ Tulip Town 1 Peoples Bank/Judd & Black Appliance Gala Dinner 1 Swinomish Casino & Lodge 2 Key Bank Ambassador Event 2 Children’s Museum 3 Woodfest 4 Kiwanis Salmon BBQ 5 Art in a Pickle Barn 5 Azusa Farm & Gardens 6 Anacortes Arts Festival 6 Anacortes Quilt Walk 6 Anacortes Spring Boat Show 6 Anacortes Spring Wine Festival

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6 Anacortes Brewery 6 Orcas EclipseRefinery Charters Puget Sound 6 The Art of Gardening 7 Taylor Shellfish Farms 8 Golden Glen Creamery 9 Edison Eye Gallery 10 Burlington Scrapbook 10 Kid’s Giant Garage Sale 10 Burlington Art Walk 11 Downtown Mount Vernon Street Fair 11 Forte Artisan Chocolates 11 Lincoln Theatre 11 Skagit River Brewery 11 Garage Sale, Antiques & More 11 Used Book Sale 11 ART Bash 12 Seattle Premium Outlets

16 Starbird Rd

41 14 Mi. South, 12 20 Mi. South, Exit 212

13 COUNTRY Financial Tulip Frolic 13 Tulip Pedal 13 US Bank Parade 13 La Conner Sculpture Tour 13 La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum 13 La Conner Brewing Company 13 Seattle Heli Tours 13 Museum of Northwest Art 13 Skagit County Historical Museum 14 Pasek Cellars Winery 14 The Shop 15 Warren Jewelers 16 Bertelsen Winery 17 Tulip Run 17 Heritage Flight Museum 17 Schmooze Fair 2015 18 Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs

SKAGIT county Visitors & Newcomers Guide 2015

19 Skagit Valley Gardens 20 Padilla Bay Estuarine Reserve 21 Skagit Valley Casino Resort 22 Outlet Shoppes at Burlington 23 Christianson’s Nursery 23 Art at the Schoolhouse 24 Seattle Heli Tours 24 ART Bash 25 Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa 26 Sauk Mountain Pottery 27 Sky Flyn’ Helicopter 28 Schuh Farms 29 Tulip Country Bike Tours & Rental 30 Skagit’s Own Fish Market 31 Snow Goose Produce 32 WSU Discovery Garden 33 Carpenter Creek Winery

Exit 202

34 North Sound Brewing Co. 35 Tulip Valley Winery 36 Fidalgo Bay Coffee Roasters 37 Eaglemont Golf Course 13Open House 38 PACCAR 39 River Gallery 40 South Fork Farms 41 Canopy Tours Northwest 42 Chuckanut Brewery 43 Deception Distillery 44 Skagit River Produce 45 Hidden Meadow Ranch 46 Glacier Peak Winery 47 Glass Aquarium 48 Jessie’s Berries 49 Woolley Market

skagitvisitor.com

Use your smart phone to scan these codes!

Order fresh cut flowers, shipped overnight, and bulbs at Tulips.com!

Directions

View our Bloom Map

View our Garden Photo album!

RoozenGaarde is a

division of Washington Bulb Co., Inc and the largest grower of tulip, daffodil, and iris bulbs in the United States. In addition to over 1000

acres of flower fields, we also grow fresh cut flowers

year round in our 16 acres of greenhouse space.

Surrounded by hundreds of acres of tulips, daffodils and iris, our garden bursts with color each Spring during the world-renowned Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.

We offer a unique mix of fresh cut flowers, bulbs, home decor, and garden accessories.

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Over ¼ million bulbs burst into bloom in our beautiful display garden creating a spectacular presentation of natural beauty and color!

The garden is filled with dahlias, lilies, snapdragons, geraniums, marigolds, and more!

A perfect location for summer weddings, parties, or simply a family picnic.

Our gift shop is filled with the largest and best quality bulbs, while our employees are full of planting and growing advice! Visit us during the Festival of Family Farms or drop in for one of our FREE weekend bulb planting seminars.

Stop by in Winter to purchase fresh cut tulips, direct from the farm! Our shop will be decorated for the holidays, with a nice assortment of unique gifts for the home and garden.

OPEN DAILY YEAR ROUND!

360.424.8531• 15867 Beaver Marsh Rd • Mount Vernon Mon - Sat 9am-6pm • Sun/Holidays 11am-4pm • (Extended hours during the Tulip Festival)

dispLAy GArdens AZusA FArm & GArdens

LA conner FLAts

This flower farm has a large collection of plants and woody cut stems and features a full-service garden center.

The 11 acres of English country gardens (next door to Christianson’s Nursery) are open dawn to dusk seven days a week at this 230-acre family farm.

Named after the ancient Japanese azusa tree, which provides the most sought-after wood for archery bow-making, Azusa focuses on making its garden feel elegant and harmonious. Its namesake greets visitors at the farm entrance.

Azusa offers themed display gardens, vegetable gardens and occasional garden walks and workshops.

14904 Highway 20, west of Mount Vernon and Burlington azusafarm.com (360) 424-1580

cHristiAnson’s nursery Patrons of the nursery will find useful and beautiful outdoor and indoor plants and flowers, including many roses and rhododendrons.

Seasonal tours of the 7-acre garden site offer visitors a look at common and uncommon plants. After the tours, a classic afternoon tea is available in a one-room schoolhouse built in 1888.

Gardening workshops are held in the schoolhouse during the growing season.

15806 Best Road, west of Mount Vernon christiansonsnursery.com (360) 466-3821

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Admission is a $3 suggested donation and because La Conner Flats often books private celebrations, you may have to come at another time.

A farmstand is open in season.

15978 Best Road, west of Mount Vernon laconnerflats.com (360) 840-1163

skAGit VALLey GArdens Visitors to these 25 picturesque acres along Interstate 5 can browse dahlia beds, retail greenhouses and groves of trees with spring-blooming flowers at their feet.

A gift store and the Garden Cafe also are on site.

18923 Peter Johnson Road, south of Mount Vernon skagitvalleygardens.com (360) 424-6760

wsu dispLAy GArdens With more than two dozen gardens showcasing hundreds of species of plants in various arrangements and growing methods, the Washington State University Discovery Garden has something for everyone.

SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

Located amidst the agricultural test fields of the WSU Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center in the fertile Skagit Valley, the gardens provide inspiration and instruction for the experienced grower and fledgling hobbyist alike.

Visitors can see the best of Northwest flora in three entrance gardens, take a calming stroll through the Naturescape and Japanese gardens and explore several sections specializing in groundcovers, heathers, irises, fuchsias, herbs, vegetables, berries and more.

There’s an all-access enabling garden for those with decreased strength or mobility, and kids have a whimsical section all to themselves.

• Fall and Winter Garden: This garden has plant selections chosen for their fall color and winter blooms.

• Cottage Garden: The Cottage Garden is a combination of ornamentals, vegetables, herbs and fruit.

• Herb Garden: The overall structure of this garden is formal, but the planting is not.

Gardens are open from dawn to dusk seven days a week.

16650 Highway 536, west of Mount Vernon skagit.wsu.edu/mg/discoverygardens. html (360) 428-4270, ext. 227

skagitvisitor.com

FestiVAL oF FAmiLy FArms

V

isitors can have a hands-on farm experience during the annual Skagit Valley Festival of Family Farms, held Oct. 3-4 this year.

It’s an opportunity to talk to farmers and follow your food, from the fields to the table.

See up-close how producers supply the very lifeblood of Skagit Valley when you visit berry and produce fields, cattle ranches, alpaca farms and shellfish operations.

An enticing selection of common and uncommon plants Vintage Home & Garden Gifts www.christiansonsnursery.com 15806 Best Road • Mount Vernon • 360-466-3821 gifts and antiques

Open Daily

You’ll get a firsthand look how much time, energy and effort our area farmers expend to keep local residents fed.

There’s plenty for the kids as well.

They can race crabs or vegetable cars, milk an artificial cow, get lost in a corn maze, build a scarecrow or ride a pony.

Adults can sample the apple cider, eat barbecued oysters or corn on the cob and pick out a pumpkin for Halloween. www.festivaloffamilyfarms.com (360) 421-4729

skagitvisitor.com

Mon.-Sat. 10am - 5pm Toddler Tuesday 8:30am - 10am • Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Story Time Every Thursday at 2pm Inside the Cascade Mall • 550 Cascade Mall Dr., Burlington www.skagitchildrensmuseum.net www.visitskagitvalley.com SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

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cArpenter creek winery 20376 e. Hickox Road, Mount Vernon www.carpentercreek.com (360) 708-0700 Directions: Take exit 225 off Interstate 5, go east and turn right on Cedardale Road.

Turn left on Hickox Road; the winery will be on your right at the end of the road.

Hours: Open for public tastings 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Profile: Carpenter Creek started producing handcrafted wine from its seven-acre location near the Skagit River in 2001.

The vineyard is tucked among fir and cedar groves.

It sources grapes from Eastern Washington and has estate vineyards of siegerrebe and pinot noir.

cHALLenGer ridGe VineyArd And ceLLArs 43095 challenger Road, concrete www.challengerridge.com (425) 422-6988

wineries

S

kagit County is home to a growing number of wineries. Take a tour and sample handcrafted wines at tasting rooms from Fir Island to Rockport. Skagit winemakers are producing some of the finest wines in the region.

While Skagit’s winemakers often import grapes from Eastern Washington growers, many have begun growing estate varieties in Skagit soil.

White wine grapes such as madeleine angevine and siegerrebe are known to grow well in Skagit’s mild climate, while pinot noir grapes are being grown at an increasing number of area vineyards.

The local industry began in 1995, when Pasek Cellars Winery opened in Mount Vernon and produced a few hundred cases a year.

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BertLesen winery 20598 Starbird Road, Mount Vernon www.starbirdwine.com (360) 540-2212 Directions: Take exit 218 off Intersate 5 and go east onto Starbird Road.

Hours: Open for public tastings noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Profile: This family-owned winery just off Interstate 5 near Conway opened in 2014. It offers a range of reds and whites and sources grapes from five Washington appellations: Columbia, Yakima and Walla Walla valleys, Wahluke Slope and Red Mountain.

SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

Directions: Take exit 232 off Interstate 5. Head east on Cook Road, east on Highway 20, turn left after milepost 85, two miles before Concrete, then east on Challenger Road.

Hours: Open for public tastings in a restored early-1900s farmhouse noon to 6 p.m. Friday, Sunday and Monday and noon to 7 p.m. Saturday from March through October. Open Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. in winter. The tasting room is open seven days a week by appointment.

Tours are available with advance reservations. Call (360) 961-5510.

Profile: Challenger Ridge Vineyard and Cellars focuses on estate-grown pinot noir. The vineyard was planted in partnership with the Washington State University Viticulture Program to learn which pinot noir clones would perform best when cultivated in the Skagit Valley. skagitvisitor.com

Challenger Ridge also sources grapes from Eastern Washington. It produces a handcrafted apple pie eau de vie.

EAGLE HAVEN WINERY 8243 Sims Road, Sedro-Woolley www.eaglehavenwinery.com (360) 856-6248 Directions: From I-5, take exit 232 and go east on Cook road into SedroWoolley. Go east (left) on Highway 20 at stoplight. Turn right on Sims Road approximately 3.5 miles out of town.

Winery is only farm on left.

Hours: Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday December through April and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Monday May through November.

Profile: Eagle Haven Winery began making wines in 2003. It offers a range of reds and whites along with fruit wine.

There’s also cider made at its adjoining apple orchard.

The vineyard is surrounded by a 40acre apple orchard and a salmon-bearing stream and includes a tasting room and wine garden. The winery also features a wooden pavilion, where it hosts concerts.

The pavilion also can be booked for private events.

PASEK CELLARS

GLACIER PEAK WINERY

Directions: From Interstate 5 take exit 221, go west to Conway’s Skagit Barn.

58575 Highway 20, Rockport www.glacierpeakwinery.net (866) 730-7586

Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Directions: From I-5, take exit 230 at Burlington, turn west onto W. Rio Vista, and follow signs to Highway 20 east toward Concrete. Travel about 40 miles to milepost 104, just east of Rockport.

Hours: Noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends, holidays and by appointment.

Profile: Established in 2002, Glacier Peak Winery sports five acres that produce the company’s estate wines, including pinot noir, agria and siegerrebe.

18729 Fir Island Road, Mount Vernon www.pasekcellars.com (888) 350-9463

Profile: Gene and Kathy Pasek started Pasek Cellars in 1995 and opened a tasting room on Mount Vernon’s First Street in 1997. In 2002, the winery was moved to a larger facility on Old Highway 99 South, just south of downtown Mount Vernon, and the tasting room to Conway in the red Skagit Barn.

A longtime favorite is cranberry wine, and other offerings include Arabica coffee dessert wine, blackberry wine and syrah port.

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• Protect your assets • Avoid probate • Reduce tax burden • Avoid family disputes Skagit Symphony

P.O. Box 1302 Mt. Vernon, WA 98273 (360) 848-9336 www.SkagitSymphony.com skagitvisitor.com

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ATTORNEYS AT LAW

360.336.5409

1204 Cleveland Avenue, Mount Vernon (Across from the Post Office) SkagitValleyWills.com

wills | trusts | estate planning | probate SKAGIT county Visitors & Newcomers Guide 2015

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SAMISH ISLAND WINERY

TULIP VALLEY WINERY

This small, homegrown winery is not open to the public, but its products are available at local grocery stores. Owner Gary Lamb produces about 150 cases of berry wines each year, buying the fruit from other farmers in the Skagit Valley.

16163 Highway 536 (Memorial Highway), Mount Vernon www.tulipvalley.net, (360) 428-6894 Directions: Four miles west of Interstate 5 at Mount Vernon on Highway 536 (Memorial Highway), just east of Beaver Marsh Road.

Hours: Spring through fall: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Winter: Saturday and Sunday. Call for hours.

Profile: Tulip Valley produces red and white table wines from Eastern and Western Washington grapes, and Burro Loco traditional artisan hard ciders from locally grown apples. The wines and ciders are available in the tasting room at the 1920s dairy barn, and visitors can picnic on the deck or patio.

Skagit County Fair August 12-15, 2015 • Carnival • Live Music • Hypnotist • Magician • Eating Contests • Farm Animals

• Arena Events • Educational Displays • Kid’s Zone Events • Traditional Fair Food • Car Show • And Much More!!!!

A 5 t h G e n e ra t i o n Fa m i l y Fa r m Visit the Largest Hedge Maze in North America!

A farm themed Maze that will educate, exercise and challenge young and old!

• Our Own Fresh Berries All Summer • Northwest Gourmet Products • Winter Season: choose & cut Christmas trees behind “The Barn” -Santa in the barn!!

• 14 Varieties of Hand-Made Pies • Hand-Dipped Hard Ice Cream Cones

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360-466-1923

14285 La Conner-Whitney Rd. Mount Vernon

**For Seasonal Hours & Directions, scan code or visit: Find us on Facebook FunAtTheBerryBarn.com DESSERT, DIP & BREAD MIXES, COOKIES, ICE CREAM, BREAD, PASTA

SKAGIT county Visitors & Newcomers Guide 2015

Wine Events BREAD DIP, GRILLING SAUCES, PESTO, POPCORN, COFFEE & PIES

GOURMET SOUP MIXES, PASTA SALAD KITS, JAM, LOCAL HONEY

Don’t miss our twice Annual Garage Sales, April 10-11 & September 25-26! www.skagitcounty.net/fairgrounds 360-336-9414 • Fairgrounds@co.skagit.wa.us

Anacortes Spring Wine Festival The annual festival features 30 wineries from around the state and restaurants from Anacortes. Held from noon to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 11 this year at the Port of Anacortes warehouse, overlooking the Guemes Channel at the north end of Commercial Avenue. www.anacortes.org (360) 293-7911

Skagit Wine & Beer Festival Features Washington wineries and breweries, food from Skagit County restaurants and locally made cheese and chocolate samplings. The event is Nov. 21 this year at the Skagit Valley Inn & Convention Center. www.mountvernonchamber.com (360) 428-8547 skagitvisitor.com

recreAtion & ActiVities

T

he great outdoors doesn’t get much greater than what can be found within, or slightly beyond, the borders of Skagit County.

Hikes

Leg Burner

Family Friendly

Everything from traveling the waters of Puget Sound in a kayak to climbing to the top of 7,740-foot Liberty Bell Mountain in the North Cascades awaits the avid outdoor recreationist.

cuMBeRLanD cReek InteRPRetIVe tRaIL Location: Sedro-Woolley Distance: 2 miles

oySteR DoMe Location: Bow Distance: 6.5 miles

There are scenic back roads for bicyclists that wind through farmland, and forest trails for mountain bikers that lead to lakes and mountaintop vistas.

How about casting a line into the salty waters of Puget Sound or into any number of freshwater rivers, many of which boast yearly runs of steelhead and salmon? Or taking a whale-watching trip and seeing orcas in their scenic natural surroundings?

You can climb into a raft and float the Skagit River during the summer, then return in the winter to see bald eagles above. skagitvisitor.com

Getting there: From the South Skagit Highway Park and Ride off Route 9 in Sedro-Woolley, take South Skagit Highway 12 miles east. Turn left into the driveway at 34183 South Skagit Highway. Park in front of the locked gate. notable: This trail was built as a collaboration between Skagit Land Trust and an Emerson High School environmental science class. The class spent a semester researching the Cumberland Creek Conservation Area, then developed the interpretive trail.

Getting there: From I-5, take Highway 11 (Chuckanut Drive) north for 10.2 miles. The trailhead is on the right at milepost 10. notable: This is a classic hike. The trail twists and climbs (emphasis on climbs) through the Chuckanut Mountains and ends atop a rocky outcropping with spectacular views of the San Juans.

Super Scenic GooSe Rock PeRIMeteR/ SuMMIt tRaILS Location: near south end of Fidalgo Island Distance: 2.8 miles Getting there: On the south side of Deception Pass Bridge, turn into the lot and head down the staircase to the NW Goose Rock Summit trailhead.

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recreation notable: Goose Rock is one of the highest points on Whidbey Island. The trail leads to the top, then around the massive chunk of rock.

Short and Sweet PoMona GRanGe PaRk Location: north of Burlington Distance: 1 mile Getting there: I-5 to exit 232 (Cook Road). Turn right on Cook Road.

Proceed north at the stoplight on Old Highway 99. In about 3.5 miles, the park will be on the right. If you reach the fish hatchery, you have gone too far. notable: This is an excellent hike for all ages. It’s a short, easy jaunt that enhances one’s understanding of nature by way of 18 interpretive signs highlighting specifics of local plants and trees. Cross Friday Creek and visit the Samish Hatchery.

aDa accessible SkaGIt RIVeR LooP tRaIL Location: east of Sedro-Woolley Distance: 2.5 miles Getting there: From Highway 20 in Sedro-Woolley, continue east for about 15 miles. Turn south on Lusk Road and

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continue for one mile. Turn east on Cape Horn Road and continue for one mile to the entrance to Rasar State Park. notable: The trail, which is located within Rasar State Park, is situated along the north shore of the Skagit River. The first quarter-mile of the Skagit River Loop Trail is wheelchair accessible.

cycLinG From the Skagit Flats to mountain passes in the North Cascades, cyclists have plenty of options when riding around Skagit County.

For cyclists in search of long stretches of open road, the Skagit Flats is the place to put rubber to pavement. Skagit County Bike Maps are available at local chambers of commerce.

The area is a haven for numerous bird species; migrating snow geese and tundra and trumpeter swans winter over in the valley.

In the southern half of the flats, roads meander through 35 miles of farmland and dike districts.

SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

cycling events 34tH annuaL tuLIP PeDaL Saturday, april 18 La conner www.tulipfestival.org Ride on your own past flowers and fields on 20, 40 and 60-mile routes.

25tH annuaL SkaGIt SPRInG cLaSSIc Saturday, May 9 Burlington www.skagitspringclassic.org Four routes: 25, 45, 62 and 100 miles. Rides range from easy to challenging, all with great scenery.

BIke MS: DecePtIon PaSS cLaSSIc Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12-13 Mount Vernon http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/tR/Bike/ WaSBikeevents?pg=entry&fr_ id=25436 Two-day journey through Skagit, Whatcom and Island counties. As many as 2,000 riders will cruise along scenic figure-eight courses ranging from 22 to 97 miles. Benefits multiple sclerosis research and programs.

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recreation Boneshaker Metric Century Saturday, Oct. 31 La Conner www.boneshakerbikefest.com Halloween treats include four rides: 62-plus miles, 31-plus miles, 16-plus miles and Casper’s Little Ghost, 4 miles.

Getting there: The trail is at Little Mountain Park.

Mountain Bike Routes

Anacortes Community Forest Lands Location: Anacortes Distance: 50 miles

Cascade Trail Location: Sedro-Woolley Distance: 22.5 miles Getting there: Numerous places to park along Highway 20.

Notable: A rails-to-trails effort, the Cascade Trail runs from Sedro-Woolley to Concrete.

Northern State Recreation Area Location: Sedro-Woolley Distance: 4 miles

Notable: This new system of trails crosses the flanks of Little Mountain. Trails lead from the park entrance to the park’s summit. Look for trails such as La-Z-Boy, Surfer’s Way, Huff-N-Puff and Sidewinder.

Getting there: The 2,800 acres are in the center of Anacortes.

Notable: This is a large network of easy to moderate trails. Included in the area are numerous lakes as well as Mount Erie and Sugarloaf Mountain. Maps are available through Anacortes Parks & Recreation.

Getting there: North of Highway 20 on Helmick Road east of Sedro-Woolley.

Notable: Trail is on the grounds of what was once the farming operations at Northern State Hospital. Pass historic buildings and cruise alongside Hansen Creek. Pedal through massive meadows and thick forest.

Port of Skagit Trails Location: Burlington Distance: 10.2 miles Getting there: Parking is available at the corner of Ovenell Road and Higgins Airport Way, or the corner of Josh Wilson Road and Higgins Airport Way. Notable: Gravel trail system runs through a chunk of Port of Skagit property. It winds through forest, along roadways and around wetlands.

Little Mountain Location: Mount Vernon Distance: 10 miles skagitvisitor.com

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Burlington • Cook Road Exit 232 Off I-5 SKAGIT county Visitors & Newcomers Guide 2015

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recreation BirdinG The Skagit Valley is a bird watcher’s paradise in winter, when thousands of snow geese and swans visit. Farther east are an abundance of eagles.

The Edison Bird Festival in early February coincides with the Skagit Valley Hawk Census and includes guided birding trips, bird-inspired art shows and a chicken parade that begins in front of The Edison Inn in the heart of town.

The Skagit Audubon Society’s list of recommended sites includes: SaMISH FLatS, PaDILLa Bay anD aLIce Bay Best fall to spring. Many raptors, waterfowl and passerines.

SkaGIt Bay, SkaGIt WILDLIFe aRea There are plenty of species to see in the Wylie Slough Area, the Jensen Access and the North Fork Access.

WaSHInGton PaRk outSIDe anacoRteS Best fall through spring. This is a great spot for seabird watching.

PaDILLa Bay natIonaL eStuaRIne ReSeaRcH ReSeRVe on PaDILLa Bay Make time for a tour of the exhibits and fish tanks at the Breazeale Interpretive Center, open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

kAyAkinG Kayaking is a great way to get out on the waters of Skagit County and the nearby San Juan Islands, whether for a quick paddle or a trip lasting several days.

Paddlers can enjoy beautiful vistas and see wildlife from a different perspective while gliding quietly along a slough in the Skagit River delta, exploring a secluded cove near Anacortes or hitting the open waters of the Salish Sea. For a list of places to go kayaking throughout the county, go to www.paddleheaven.com.

SkaGIt FLatS on FIR ISLanD Best fall to spring. It is a good place to see snow geese, trumpeter and tundra swans and raptors.

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recreation People new to paddling can get a scenic introduction at Deception Pass State Park. Kayak rentals through Anacortes Kayak Tours, www.anacorteskayaktours. com, are available seasonally at Bowman Bay, and a guide can take the whole family on a short trip.

Anacortes Kayak Tours also offers half-day, full-day and multi-day sea kayak tours through the San Juan Islands.

A major Northwest kayaking event to watch for is the Deception Pass Dash, held each December.

Close to 200 kayaks and other human-powered craft race from Bowman Bay in Deception Pass State Park through the pass as the tide changes from flooding into the inlet waters to ebbing back out to sea‚ six miles in all.

Thanks Mom, for choosing Life.

humanlife.net We Respect Human Life and Work Together to Protect It, at All Stages and in All Conditions.

Join us as we seek better ways to respect & support human life, rather than abandon those who need help.

Your local HUMAN LIFE affiliates: Anacortes 1-425-417-8409 skagitvisitor.com

Sedro Woolley 360-856-6561

Mount Vernon 360-424-6658

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recreation FisHinG Whether your preference is saltwater or freshwater, Skagit County has many fishing opportunities.

All five species of salmon — chinook, coho, sockeye, chum and pink — can be compelled to bite in local rivers and bays.

Trout species such as steelhead, rainbow, cutthroat, brown and brook, can be landed in lakes and rivers, while warm-water species, including large and smallmouth bass, perch, crappie and bluegill, can be hooked as well.

Numerous alpine lakes dot the landscape of the North Cascades. Just grab the pack rod and day pack and head into the hills.

On the marine waters, saltwater species include lingcod, halibut and salmon.

Anacortes is a good place to get started.

There are charter services more than willing to lend a hand.

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Before making a cast, be sure to check the state’s regulations. The pamphlet detailing the regulations‚ “Fishing in Washington,” can be picked up free at most sporting goods stores, where you can also get tips on gear, tactics and where they’re biting.

Anglers 15 and older need a license to fish in Washington. There are numerous types of licenses; be sure to purchase the one that best fits your needs.

Visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website at www.wdfw. wa.gov often to check for emergency closures and more information.

Here are some fishing hot spots.

Check the latest regulation pamphlet for season, size, catch, limit and gear restrictions. Species and solid fishing months with runs are listed below.

SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

Skagit River chinook: July-August Winter steelhead: December-April Summer steelhead: June-November coho: September-November chum: October-November Pink: August-September (Pink salmon return in odd-numbered years.)

Sockeye: July Sea-run cutthroat: August-October

Samish River chinook: August-October chum: October-November coho: September-November Winter steelhead: December-March Sea-run cutthroat: August-October

Pass Lake Open year-round to fly fishing, this catch-and-release lake is a trophy trout producer. Large rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout prowl the waters. Pass Lake is usually excellent in early spring and late fall for fish averaging 15 inches, with some fish cracking the 28-inch mark.

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recreation Big Lake Open year-round, this large body of water is great for panfish such as largemouth bass, crappie and yellow perch. Fishing tends to be best during the spring and summer months, when warmer water livens up the fish.

campbell Lake Open year-round and stocked annually with cutthroat, the lake is known more for its warm-water species than its trout. Spring and summer are the best time to hook largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie and bullhead catfish.

snacks if you wish. Food and beverage service is limited.

Island adventures

The Southern Resident Orcas were listed as endangered in 2005, when there were 89 members of the pods. Their numbers are below 80 today.

Mystic Sea charters

www.island-adventures.com (800) 465-4604

www.mysticseacharters.com (800) 308-9387

The global standard for whale viewing distances is 100 yards. Both tour companies belong to the Pacific Whale Watch Association, a group of whale-watching companies dedicated to research, education, and responsible wildlife viewing.

clear Lake Open year-round, fish lucky enough to have survived the summer onslaught of anglers will be even larger. Look to hook jumbo rainbow and cutthroat trout as well as largemouth bass, yellow perch and bullhead catfish.

wHALes Killer whales or orcas are a favorite among residents as well as visitors to the Pacific Northwest, who can book a tour and see them in their natural habitat in the waters around the San Juan Islands.

Boat tours leave from Anacortes through two companies, Island Adventures and Mystic Sea Charters. The main season runs generally from mid-April to October when the three pods of Southern Resident Orca Whales return to the area. Rates range from about $50 for kids to $100 for adults for the six-hour trips.

You’ll almost always see orcas or minke and humpback whales on your trip (check the guarantees), and there’s plenty of splendid scenery and other wildlife to view. Naturalists on board can help you understand this complex marine ecosystem.

The large, comfortable boats cruise calm waters around the islands. Remember to dress in layers (it’s cooler on the water). Bring a camera for sure and skagitvisitor.com

APRIL - OCTOBER

GREAT FAMILY FUN! FOOD - RV PARKING I-5 EXIT 232, 5 MILES N. OF SHELL ON HWY 99 www.SkagitSpeedway.com

360-724-3567

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recreation pArks From North Cascades National Park in the east to Deception Pass State Park in the west, there are plenty of parks to explore and enjoy in Skagit County.

The North Cascades offer an alpine setting in the spring and summer months, while Deception Pass is all about being along Puget Sound. And don’t forget about the three state parks that sit between the two. They offer splendid scenery and opportunities for hiking, camping, biking, fishing, boating, kayaking, swimming, beachcombing, bird watching and just relaxing away from it all.

north cascades national Park Location: along Highway 20, about 30 miles east of concrete.

What it offers: Hiking, backpacking, camping, climbing, bicycling, boating, fishing and wildlife viewing.

Why Go? The park offers a wide range of camping experiences. Whether your idea of camping is from a car, RV, boat or on a strenuous trek into the wilderness, it can be found within the park’s boundaries. notable: One need not leave the car to take in the breathtaking surroundings.

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Simply drive over Highway 20 and enjoy the scenery as the rugged, snowcapped peaks roll by.

Deception Pass State Park Location: north end of Whidbey Island, south end of Fidalgo Island.

What it offers: Camping, picnicking, sightseeing, boating, paddling, hiking, swimming, fishing, scuba diving, bird watching, beachcombing and bicycling.

Why Go? To hike amidst great scenery.

There are 36 miles of trails in the park. notable: The park has 77,000 feet of saltwater shoreline on Rosario Strait, Deception Pass and Skagit Bay, and 33,900 feet of freshwater shoreline along Pass and Cranberry lakes and Lake Campbell.

Rockport State Park Location: eight miles east of concrete.

What it offers: The 670-acre day-use park showcases an ancient forest loaded with big trees from 250-foot Douglas firs to tall cedars and maples.

Why Go? The park is home to one of the best lowland hikes around. The Evergreen Trail takes hikers back 100 years, allowing for a glimpse into Skagit Valley’s past. notable: Practically every type of fern can be found in the lush understory, along with elderberry and salmonberry bushes.

Bay View State Park

Rasar State Park

Location: along Padilla Bay.

Location: Just off Highway 20, 19 miles east of Interstate 5.

What it offers: On a clear day, park users can see the Olympic Mountains to the west and Mount Rainier to the south.

What it offers: Four miles of hiking trails and a playground in the day-use area.

Why Go? Wildlife observation opportunities, especially for eagles. notable: This old farm site is a 169-acre camping park with 4,000 feet of freshwater shoreline on the Skagit River.

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Why Go? The park has 1,285 feet of saltwater shoreline along Joe Hamel Beach. If that doesn’t satisfy your marine appetite, Breazeale Padilla Bay Interpretive Center is a half-mile north of the park. notable: The park was the home of PatTeh-Us, a Noo-Wha-Ah Indian chief and signer of the Point Elliot Treaty.

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recreation Golf Skagit County’s six courses offer golfers all kinds of scenery, from Puget Sound to the wooded areas typically associated with Northwest Washington. The courses offer different challenges for all skill levels.

Avalon Golf Links 19345 Kelleher Road, Burlington Holes: 27 Length: 10,080 yards Public/Private: Public (360) 757-1900 www.avalonlinks.com

Overlook Golf Course 17523 Highway 9, Mount Vernon Holes: 9 Length: 2,261 yards Public/Private: Public (360) 422-6444 www.overlookgc.com

Swinomish Golf Links 12518 Christianson Road, Anacortes Holes: 18 Length: 6,177 yards Public/Private: Public (360) 293-3444

Tours on the water • Rafting trips are a great way to experience the magic of the Skagit River, Washington’s second-longest river.

Several tour groups run various stretches of the river, so no matter the season or your experience level, there’s something for you.

Racing Skagit Speedway 4796 Old Highway 99 North Road, Burlington; (360) 724-3567 www.skagitspeedway.com The Skagit Speedway, located on Old Highway 99 between Burlington and Alger, hosts sprint-car racing, motorcycle races and demolition derbies from April through September. Highlights include the Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup and an annual visit by the World of Outlaws.

Camping is available.

The upper section of the Skagit River, rated as Class II-III, is good for ages 6 and older. The four-hour rafting journey down this 10-mile stretch offers a moderate amount of whitewater, enhanced by the overwhelming presence of nature.

For a calmer float, try a fall trip to watch the colors turn, or book a salmon- and eagle-viewing trip during the winter.

Gateway Golf Course 1288 Fruitdale Road, Sedro-Woolley Holes: 9 Length: 2,700 yards Public/Private: Public (425) 633-6547 www.gatewaygolfandrestaurant.com

Eaglemont Golf Course 4127 Eaglemont Dr., Mount Vernon Holes: 18 Length: 7,006 yards Public/Private: Public (360) 424-0800 www.eaglemontgolf.com

Skagit Golf & Country Club 16701 Country Club Dr., Burlington Holes: 18 Length: 6,063 yards Public/Private: Private (360) 757-0530 www.skagitgolfclub.com

The Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant

Sun - Thurs • 11am - 10pm Fri - Sat • 11am - 11pm 360-424-3558 • 327 E College Way • I-5 Exit 228

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recreation The latter takes you down a 10-mile stretch of the Skagit River that passes through a bald eagle sanctuary. Spawning salmon draw hundreds of hungry bald eagles to the river valley from Alaska and Canada.

Trips typically cost less than $100 per person. Some are themed: You can book a raft-and-hike trip, a journey focusing on how to gather and eat wild foods, or even a float with a wine-tasting package. Tour groups include Alpine Adventures, Pacific NW Float Trips, Blue Sky Outfitters and Wildwater River Guides.

• On the east end of the county, check out the boat and powerhouse tours and North Cascades expeditions offered by Seattle City Light, which operates the Skagit Hydroelectric Project in the North Cascades.

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Boat tours on Diablo Lake at the base of the Ross Dam are offered on a first-come, first-served basis Thursdays through Mondays from early July through early September. You’ll experience parts of the lake that are typically hidden from view when you travel by highway or hike on trails.

Tours begin with an organic and locally sourced lunch at the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center. Then guides will lead you on a short walk to the boat dock. Tours last about four hours and include information about the area and the three hydroelectric dams, which provide power to Seattle.

Tours of the Gorge, Diablo and Ross powerhouses are offered on specific Fridays and Saturdays from June to October. In about six-and-a-half hours, the tours take you from Newhalem, just west of Diablo Lake, through a walking tour, lunch and boat trip on Diablo Lake.

SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

Reservations are required. Online tour booking is available at seattle.gov/light/ tours/Skagit.

• Deception Pass Tours takes visitors and residents through the turbulent waters in the pass between Fidalgo and Whidbey islands and under historic bridges on a scenic and informational tour.

Hour-long tours, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., begin April 1 and run through September. Passengers on the boat’s open deck can marvel in every direction at the scenery and wildlife, including eagles, seals, porpoises and whales. The tours leave from Cornet Bay and go through Deception Pass and out into Rosario Strait.

Tickets are available at the ticket booth in the parking lot just south of the Deception Pass Bridge, at the Deception Pass Tours office on Highway 20 or online at deceptionpasstours.com.

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recreation runs And wALks nookachamps Winter Runs January, Mount Vernon www.nookachamps.com Half marathon, 10K, 5K, half marathon walkers. Hot chili and snacks available after the race‚ and hot showers.

Woolley trail Runs February, Sedro-Woolley www.skagitultrarunners.com The Woolley 50K (31.1 miles) The Woolley Marathon (26.2 miles) The Woolley Half Marathon (13.1 miles) All three courses are out and back on a level railroad grade gravel path.

Smelt Run Saturday, Feb. 28, La conner www.skagitsymphony.com The annual race includes 10K, 5K, 2-Mile Walk & Kids Dash. Benefits the Skagit Symphony.

tulip Run Saturday, april 4, Burlington www.tulipfestival.org Scenic 5-mile run, 2-mile run/walk at the Skagit Regional Airport, on Port of Skagit trails, 80 percent gravel, 20 percent trail. Part of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.

art in Bloom color Run

art Dash

Saturday, april 18, anacortes www.anacortesartsfestival.com

Saturday, aug. 1, anacortes www.anacortesartsfestival.com

A 5K color-infused fun run held in conjunction with the Art in Bloom Fine Art Exhibition at the Depot Arts and Community Center.

This half-marathon, 10K and 5K is put on by the Anacortes Arts Festival and the Anacortes Parks & Recreation Department, with proceeds benefiting public art. The mostly flat and scenic run follows the Tommy Thompson Parkway along Fidalgo Bay and ends back at the Port of Anacortes. The longer runs cross the trestle to March Point.

Lost Lake 50k Saturday, May 9, chuckanut Drive www.lostlakeultras.com The 7th Annual Lost Lake 50K begins at the base of Chuckanut Mountain. This course is not only scenic, but challenging as well with nearly 8,200 feet of elevation gain.

There are several steep ascents along with slow, technical, rolling ridges and some fast descents.

There’s also a 25K with the same tough terrain.

Great Sedro-Woolley Footrace Saturday, July 4, Sedro-Woolley www.loggerodeo.com This Fourth of July tradition is a 5.2-mile Fun Run and Walk that has participants running, jogging and walking alongside the Skagit River and the Loggerrodeo parade route.

Skagit Flats Full and Half Marathon Sunday, Sept. 13, Burlington www.skagitrunners.org Flat and fast rural course through the Skagit Valley. Starts and finishes at Burlington-Edison High School.

37th Fowl Fun Run early november, Mount Vernon www.skagitrunners.org The 10K is a flat loop on farming roads south of Mount Vernon with a short out-and-back section on Dike Road.

The 5K is also a flat course. Start and finish is at Mount Vernon Christian School, 820 West Blackburn Road.

Jingle Bell Run/Walk December, Mount Vernon, www.skagitjinglebellrun.org The Jingle Bell Run/Walk is the Arthritis Foundation’s nationwide holiday run and walk event, raising both awareness and funds to fight arthritis.

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calendar of events FeB. 28

MaRcH 14

La conneR RotaRy cLuB SMeLt DeRBy (La Conner): The 50th annual event includes a pancake breakfast, fishing derby on the town docks, Skagit Symphony’s 5K and 10K Smelt Run/2K Walk, kids’ activities and an evening dance at Maple Hall. Starts at 8 a.m. www.lovelaconner.com

Mona StyLe (La Conner): Various selected artists selling handmade clothing, wearable art and home accents at the Museum of Northwest Art. www.monamuseum.org

aPRIL 1-30 SkaGIt VaLLey tuLIP FeStIVaL (Skagit County): Acres of blooming tulip fields, concerts, seafood, self-guided bicycle tours, art shows and more. www.tulipfestival.org BuRLInGton DoWntoWn aRt WaLk (Burlington): Art on display at various locations downtown.

aPRIL 10-18 aRt In BLooM (Anacortes): See works from regional artists at the Anacortes Arts Festival’s off-season show featuring painting, photography, sculpture and fine crafts at the Depot Arts Center. www.anacortesartsfestival.com

aPRIL 10-11 SPRInG GaRaGe SaLe, antIQueS & MoRe (Mount Vernon): Billed as the world’s largest. More than 140 vendors. Search for antiques, collectibles and more 9 a.m - 4 p.m. at the Skagit County Fairgrounds in south Mount Vernon. Live music and food. www.skagitcounty.net/ departments/fairgrounds

aPRIL 11-12 WooDFeSt (Sedro-Woolley): Check out what can be done with a high level of skill and a block of wood as expert woodworkers in the region do what they do best. High school

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students also showcase their skills and compete for prizes. www.ci.sedro-woolley.wa.us

aPRIL 11 anacoRteS SPRInG WIne FeStIVaL (Anacortes): Noon to 4:30 p.m. at the Port of Anacortes warehouse. Taste your way through local wineries and restaurants. www.anacortes.org or www.brownpapertickets.com tuLIP FRoLIc anD PaRaDe (La Conner): Farm animals, clowns, bands, mascots and fun for the whole family. Parade at 2 p.m. www.tulipfestival.org

aPRIL 17-19 tuLIP FeStIVaL StReet FaIR (Mount Vernon): Grab a bite, listen to some live music or browse local art in downtown Mount Vernon. www.mountvernondowntown.org

aPRIL 25 ISLanD cHIckS SPRInG SHoW (Anacortes): The Port of Anacortes warehouse will be packed full of antique and vintage items from more than 40 vendors from around the region. $5 per person; $3 with food bank item.

May 2 kIDS FISHInG DeRBy (SedroWoolley): Children 14 and under can bring their bait and gear to Northern State Pond for a day of fishing and fun. www.sedro-woolley.com oPenInG Day Boat PaRaDe 2015 (La Conner): 3 p.m. on the Swinomish Channel. Boats parade along the channel to kick off the boating season. www.swinomishyachtclub.org

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calendar 2015 June 5-7

June 13

BLaSt FRoM tHe PaSt (Sedro-Woolley): Get ready to get retro at the annual Blast from the Past celebration in downtown Sedro-Woolley. Visitors can enjoy local shopping, a sidewalk sale, arts, crafts, food from more than 50 vendors, an open house at the SedroWoolley Museum and a car show. Hula hoop, jump-rope and pie-eating contests on Saturday and other activities. (360) 855-1841 www.ci.sedro-woolley.wa.us

BaRk In tHe PaRk (Anacortes): Bring your furry friend to Storvik Park. You both can enjoy a pet parade, costume contests, vendors, demos and more. www.cityofanacortes.org

June 6-7 WateRFRont FeStIVaL (Anacortes): Visitors to Anacortes can take in the city’s coastal heritage and culture during the free Waterfront Festival. Events include a quick-and-dirty boat building competition and race, Milk Carton Derby, kids wooden boat building and musical entertainment. Free boat rides, a marine swap meet and more at this family-friendly celebration right on the water at the Cap Sante Marina.

Plenty of food and lots of displays and educational opportunities. www.anacortes.org

June 6 kIDS FISHInG DeRBy (Anacortes): Bring your kid and a few fishing poles. Free fishing at Heart Lake for kids 13 and under. www.anacortes.org

June 12-14 St. MeRRyFeSt (Anacortes): Carnival, food booths and beer tent, live music, salmon dinner at St. Mary Catholic Church. www.anacortes.org

favorite. See bareback riding, barrel racing and more at the rodeo grounds.

Downtown, there’s a street dance and live music at Hammer Heritage Square.

Check out the chainsaw carving and logging demonstrations. There are fireworks on July 4 at Riverfront Park. www.loggerodeo.com

June 13-14 2015 FatHeR’S Day Boat SHoW (La Conner): View boats at dock, a swap meet, hot dogs and a raffle. www.lovelaconner.com

June 18-21 BeRRy DaIRy DayS (Burlington): A celebration of Burlington’s farming heritage, Berry Dairy Days is one of the oldest festivals in Skagit County. The event starts off Friday with the Kiwanis Salmon Barbecue and live music at Skagit River Park, followed by a fireworks show after the sun goes down. Activities continue Saturday with the Skagit Runners Road Run, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, the Fred Meyer Grand Parade and a fun-filled festival with plenty of vendors, pony rides, live music and children’s activities at Maiben Park. Sunday is all about the hot rides at the Berry Cool Car Show. www.ci.burlington.wa.us

June 20 Mona aRt auctIon (La Conner): Largest fundraiser for the Museum of Northwest Art features the works of more than 300 artists. www.monamuseum.org

JuLy 2-5 LoGGeRRoDeo (Sedro-Woolley): Sedro-Woolley’s 77-year-old celebration of logging history and horseback riding takes over the town. The carnival is always a crowd

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calendar 2015 JuLy 4 JuLy 4 ceLeBRatIon (Anacortes): The event begins with a town portrait at 10 a.m. in downtown Anacortes. Parade at 11 a.m., patriotic program at Causland Memorial Park, fireworks over Fidalgo Bay at dusk.

PaRaDe anD FIReWoRkS oVeR tHe cHanneL (La Conner): Fourth of July parade, a community picnic at 12:30 p.m., and games. Fireworks over Swinomish Channel at 10:15 p.m. www.lovelaconner.com

JuLy 18-19

FouRtH oF JuLy PaRaDe anD PIcnIc (Concrete): The festivities include music, food, parade and other fun. www.concrete-wa.com

JuLy 24-25

JuLy 11 kIDS-R-BeSt FeSt (Anacortes): 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Storvik Park. Pony rides, games, activities, live entertainment, food, prizes and more. www.anacortes.org

JuLy 11-12 SkaGIt VaLLey HIGHLanD GaMeS & ceLtIc FeStIVaL (Mount Vernon): The festival is kind of a “Scottish three-ring circus” — a feast for the senses with bagpipe music, dancing, colorful tartans and the famous caber toss and sheaf toss. The event is at Edgewater Park on the banks of the Skagit River. Attendees will also enjoy drumming, fiddling, dance competitions, athletic contests, sheepdogs, clans and Scottish cultural demonstrations. www.celticarts.org

JuLy 18 SHIPWReck Day (Anacortes): Old furniture, clothes, lamps, boat gear, tools, collectibles – you never know what treasure you are going to dig up. This massive, free swap meet and sale that starts at 8 a.m. downtown.

The Fidalgo Rotary Club-sponsored event funds worthy causes. www.shipwreckfest.org

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SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

SkaGIt aRtIStS toGetHeR StuDIo touR (Skagit County): Watch as artists demonstrate in their studios across the county and enjoy art shows at various local galleries. www.skagitartiststogether.com

SIDeWaLk SaLe (Mount Vernon): Enjoy perusing items from downtown merchants, arts and crafts vendors, plus plenty of food. www.mountvernondowntown.org

JuLy 25 BIte oF SkaGIt (Anacortes): Eat your way across the county with a feast of food samples from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Swinomish Casino & Lodge Waterfront Park. Live music all afternoon, beer and wine garden, children’s activities. Supports area food banks and other anti-hunger initiatives. www.biteofskagit.org

JuLy 25-26 PacIFIc noRtHWeSt PoLo GoVeRnoR’S cuP (La Conner): Enjoy divot stomping, tailgate party, polo game.

auG. 1 La conneR cLaSSIc yacHt & caR SHoW (La Conner): A viewing of antique cars and yachts, a pancake breakfast, vendor booths and kids activities. www.lovelaconner.com

auG. 7-9 anacoRteS aRtS FeStIVaL (Anacortes): Celebrate the arts with a sampling of fine art, crafts, music, art demonstrations and more in downtown Anacortes. This destination festival includes a prestigious art show, a fine art opening event at the Port of Anacortes warehouse and more than 250 juried artisan booths from around the region, offering a wide variety of arts and crafts skagitvisitor.com

calendar 2015 along Commercial Avenue. An “experience art” area allows visitors to observe artists creating in a variety of mediums.

Hands-on youth activities spark the creativity of the youngest Festival-goers.

Sample the fare from 30 regional and ethnic food vendors and stop by the beer and wine gardens. The musical lineup includes rock, country, blues, world beat, Latin, jazz and folk on two stages. www.anacortesartsfestival.com

auG. 12-15 SkaGIt county FaIR (Mount Vernon): There’s something for everyone at the Skagit County Fairgrounds in south Mount Vernon. The 118th fair will feature music, arts, crafts, food, dancing and carnival rides. The annual exhibition showcases regional 4-H and FFA members as they demonstrate their showmanship, knowledge and grooming talents with farm animals.

Adult open-class exhibitors display their best examples of flowers, garden produce, photographs, paintings, canned goods and other home arts. Award-winning regional quilters compete for prizes. Enjoy cultural music and dancing presentations on stage. www.skagitcounty.net/fair

auG. 15-16 caScaDe DayS (Concrete): Enjoy a parade, logging demonstration, food, music and more at this summer celebration. There is also a chili cook-off, pie- and watermeloneating contests, pet shows, a bed race and chainsaw carving exhibitions. www.cascadedays.com

auG. 22

SePt. 12-13

WoRk Boat RaceS anD PIRate FaIRe (Anacortes): Maritime treasure swap meet, model boats, clam chowder contest, pirate contests and workboat races in three classifications. www.portofanacortes.com

2015 FounDeRS Day (Sedro-Woolley): Sedro-Woolley celebrates its past with games, a museum open house and an honoring of one of its pioneering families. The event kicks off with a community breakfast at the SedroWoolley Community Center. Sunday’s highlights are a car show and picnic. www.ci.sedro-woolley.wa.us

SePt. 12-13 SkaGIt RIVeR SaLMon FeStIVaL (Anacortes): Celebrate the Skagit River at this fun-filled event at the Swinomish Casino & Lodge. Live music and cultural performances, salmon barbecue, beer and wine garden, youth activities and crafts. www.skagitriverfest.org

SePt. 12 anacoRteS antIQue enGIne anD MacHIneRy SHoW (Anacortes): 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the corner of Market Street and T Avenue near the W.T. Preston snagboat for those interested in old-time gadgets and gizmos.

SePt. 26 BuRLInGton HaRVeSt FeStIVaL (Burlington): Teams use catapults of all sizes to fling 8-pound pumpkins hundreds of feet through the air. The team whose device hurls a pumpkin the farthest, and with the greatest accuracy, wins. While the teams are setting up, children can build small cars out of zucchini and play games, and everyone can enjoy food from local vendors. www.burlingtonwa.gov

SePt. 12 uncoRkeD, WooLLey WIne & MuSIc FeStIVaL (Sedro-Woolley): Celebrate the fall harvest season from 3 - 8 p.m. local wine and food and music at Eagle Haven Winery.

auG. 15 PoRteRHouSe BReWFeSt (Mount Vernon): Enjoy tastes from 25 premium microbreweries, plus food and blues bands and this blues and brews block party 2 - 7:30 p.m. in downtown Mount Vernon. www.lincolntheatre.org/ event/porterhouse-brewfest

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SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

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calendar 2015 SePt. 27

oct 2-4

oySteR Run (Anacortes): On the fourth Sunday in September, Anacortes is taken over by more than 10,000 leather-clad bikers during the annual Oyster Run, making it the largest motorcycle run in the Pacific Northwest. It’s part touring and part gathering. Motorcyclists ride along scenic back roads west to Anacortes, often stopping to enjoy the local oysters. The free downtown event includes motorcycle vendors, musical entertainment and oysters of course. www.oysterrun.org

La conneR QuILt & FIBeR aRtS FeStIVaL (La Conner): Quilt enthusiasts don’t need much needling to attend this event.

Attendees can enjoy hundreds of quilts, workshops, vendors and more. www.laconnerquilts.com

oct. 2-3 BIeR on tHe PIeR (Anacortes): Enjoy regional beers, sudsfriendly food and music Friday night and Saturday at the Port of Anacortes warehouse. www.anacortes.org

oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 concRete GHoSt WaLk (Concrete): Peruse some of Concrete’s most haunted locations, while learning some of its history, too, every Saturday night in October including Halloween, when there will be ghost stories indoors. www.concrete-wa.com

oct. 3-4 2015 FeStIVaL oF FaMILy FaRMS (Skagit County): Find out where what’s on your table comes from and meet the people who make it happen. Visit Skagit County farms and sample shellfish, beef, berries, produce, milk, cider and more, while enjoying activities. www.festivaloffamilyfarms.com

noVeMBeR aRt’S aLIVe! (La Conner): In early November (likely Nov. 6-8 this year) La Conner overflows with art. Merchants throughout town showcase art exhibits and demonstrations ranging from dog portraiture to pottery. Maple Hall features invitational and open show exhibits. www.lovelaconner.com

noV. 21 SkaGIt WIne & BeeR FeStIVaL (Mount Vernon): Features Washington wineries and breweries, food from Skagit County restaurants and locally made cheese and chocolate samplings at the Skagit Valley Inn and Convention Center. www.mountvernonchamber.com

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SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

Dec. 3 BuRLInGton tRee LIGHtInG (Burlington): Attend a tree lighting ceremony downtown at 6 p.m. and then take pictures with Santa. www.ci.burlington.wa.us

Dec. 4 anacoRteS tRee LIGHtInG (Anacortes): It’s Christmas on the coast.

Tree lighting, town crier, performances by local students, appearance by and pictures with Santa, hot cocoa and more from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Chamber of Commerce, 819 Commercial Ave. Holiday Artwalk follows. www.anacortes.org

Dec. 5 tHe MaGIc oF cHRIStMaS (Sedro-Woolley): Train and pony rides for kids, cider, giant Christmas tree lighting and Santa parade in downtown Sedro-Woolley. www.ci.sedro-woolley.wa.us

Dec. 6 cHRIStMaS PaRaDe (Mount Vernon): This event begins at 5 p.m. Arrival of Santa, Christmas tree lighting in Pine Square, hot chocolate and more. www.mountvernondowntown.org

Dec. 12 HoLIDay HoMe touR (Sedro-Woolley): Get a glimpse inside some of Sedro-Woolley’s historic homes and its historic museum all decked out in colors and lights for the holidays. www.ci.sedro-woolley.wa.us

skagitvisitor.com

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anacortes

Much more than a jumping off point for the San Juan Islands, Anacortes is a thriving seaside community with a working waterfront that embraces art and its proud past — and offers visitors a scenic getaway with plenty of recreation opportunities.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE • Shop at the many art galleries and vintage and antique stores in town.

Anacortes has become a destination for visitors looking for rare finds and repurposed items from days gone by.

T

o get a good feel for Anacortes, drive all the way down Commercial Avenue, the main drag, until you come to the Guemes Channel.

You’ll pass art galleries, shops, bistros and pubs, see plenty of historic buildings and public art, then wind up at a working waterfront where Dakota Creek Industries operates a busy shipyard.

Anacortes isn’t the fishing, canning, logging and mill town it once was. It has grown and prospered, transitioning nicely into an energetic city that has built on its past and remains surrounded by natural beauty.

In recent years, the city’s quality of life and amenities have attracted a large population of affluent retirees, but Anacortes is still a working town. Two major refineries have operated here since the mid-1950s, yachts are built and repaired along the waterfront, two major seafood processing plants operate in town and Cortland Puget Sound Rope produces ropes engineered for difficult

34

applications and harsh environments that are used around the world.

Once thought of as just a jumpingoff point for tourists heading to the San Juan Islands, Anacortes sees itself today as a destination where you can, as the Chamber of Commerce says, coast in and hang out.

Historic downtown Anacortes offers a selection of good restaurants and an interesting mix of galleries and shops.

Visitors are charmed by the historic buildings and the colorful murals of local characters. The museum, library, marina esplanade and a historic snagboat are within easy walking distance.

With more than 3,200 acres of cityowned parks, recreation areas and forest lands, more than one-third of Anacortes is dedicated to recreation or wildlife.

Trails lead through forests and parks, along marinas and waterfront bluffs, across the bay on an old railroad trestle, around Heart Lake and to the top of Mount Erie.

SKAGIT county Visitors & Newcomers Guide 2015

• Stroll the docks at Cap Sante Marina and take in the boating scene. Check out the workboats — and pick up fresh seafood in season.

• Visit the Cap Sante viewpoint just blocks from downtown.

• Plan a picnic. Get provisions in town and walk to Seafarers’ Memorial Park and watch boats coming in and out of the Cap Sante Marina. Or head to Causland Memorial Park a few blocks west of downtown. A lovely spot that’s on the National Register of Historic Places.

• Check out the W.T. Preston snagboat down by the marina and the adjacent Maritime Heritage Center, both part of the Anacortes Museum, a treat in itself.

• Drive to the the top of Mount Erie, arguably the best viewpoint on Fidalgo Island. The lookout is about 20 minutes from downtown in the center of the island.

On a clear day, the crystal blue Salish Sea studded with its gem-like green islands is a feast for your eyes and soul. skagitvisitor.com

For Information Call: (360) 293-1915 or Check our Website:

museum.cityofanacortes.org Anacortes Museum 1305 8th Street • Anacortes, WA

Exploring the history of Fidalgo and Guemes Islands through: • Educational Programs • Exhibits • Research Library • Special Events

Recreation choices here are many: fishing, hiking, biking, diving, climbing, kayaking, sailing, whale watching, beachcombing and much more — usually in the middle of some beautiful scenery.

For a view of the city, head down Fourth Street to Cap Sante Park at the northeast end of town. The viewpoint at the top of Cap Sante overlooks the city and also provides views of Fidalgo and Guemes islands, March Point and Fidalgo Bay. Another great destination is Washington Park in the West End. It has a boat launch, picnic shelters and a playground, but the park’s crowning jewel is a 2.3mile loop road that offers fabulous views west to the San Juans as you walk, bike, jog or drive.

The city’s diverse mix of major events celebrates everything from art to motorcycles. The biggest is the Anacortes Arts Festival, Aug. 7-9 this year, which draws about 90,000 visitors. There are also oldfashioned celebrations, complete with parades and joyous community gatherings, for Independence Day and the Christmas holiday season.

For a nice side trip while you’re here, catch a ferry for the San Juans or Sidney, B.C., at the Washington State Ferries terminal. Just get on 12th Street, go west about 3 miles and veer right at the big intersection.

A second, smaller ferry system serves Guemes Island from a landing near the west end of Sixth Street. Locals walk on and enjoy lunch on the other side after the five-minute jaunt across the Guemes Channel.

The Carnegie Gallery 8th Street & M Avenue Gallery Open Year-Round Tues. - Sat., 10-4 Sunday 1-4, Closed Monday

The W.T. PresTon & Maritime Heritage Center 9th Street & R Avenue Open weekends: April - October Open Daily: June, July, August Closed Monday

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© 2015 Skagit Publishing Map produced by Fine Edge, Anacortes, WA

North Beach

Cranberry Lake

Gibralter Pit Rd 1 2 1-Austin Pl Van Luven Pl Pl Carolina Pl 2-AshleyRemington Ln Carolina Ln

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Deception Pass State Park

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NTY OU TY Hoypus Point C T N 4-S Deception Shores Dr GI OU SKA ND C A Pass Island Strawberry ISL Deception Pass

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Lone Buck Rd Bayview er 1-Old Deception Mill Ln St 4th St Nebraska St Entn Carolina St 2-Dewey Crest Ln 4 1 3-N Dewey Beach Dr 2 5 Gibralter Dr 1 3 Bridgeway Dr d Gibralter Pl ch R Bea 2 3 onSalmon lm Sa Dewey Beach Bight 1-Vera St 2-Seashell St Deception Way E 3-Warren St Saratoga Ln 2 4-Washington St Flagstaff 5-Lincoln St 1

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Lighthouse Point

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Lake Northwest Rosario Rd Interpretive Campground Beach ach Island Center Boat Ramp B e o Urchin Rocks io B Boat Ramp Bawma r 3 yR n sa Sharpe 4 Ro d Rosario Cove Bowman Bay Head Bowman 1-Quiet Cove Rd Miller Bay Hill 2-Heilman Ct Northw Reservation Head 3-N Deception Shores Dr e ss Pa

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Rid ge D

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Deception Pass State Park

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Taggert Quarry Rd

C.C.C. Bowman Bay

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Sky Island Ln

Trafton Lake

Similk Beach

Fidalgo Elementary

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Lake Campbell

Ce Yokeko Dr D ntra ec l A e v

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Cl vin De

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Ginnett Rd

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Similk Beach Golf Course

Point Rd

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Eye of th

Cougar Gap Rd Rosario View Ln

Pennington Ln Rosario Crest Ln

Old Brook Ln

2

Siemiller Rd

S March

20

Fern Hill Cemetery

Lakewo

S Texas Rd

S Fidalgo Bay Rd

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Trafton Rd

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MontgomeryDuban Headlands

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Lake Erie

Day Break Ln

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Mount Erie Whistle Lake Park Forest Area

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1-Birch Way 2-Hemlock Pl 3-Cedar Way Edith 4-Madrona Dr Edi Point 5-Harbor Pl th P oin 6-Seaward Ln t Rd 7-Seaview Way 8-Bay Ln Win Joshua Ct dcr 9-Cove Ct est Ln

1-Abbott Ln 4 2-Windward Way 3-Salty Ln 4-Cedarcrest Ln

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Weavering Tom my Tho Spit mps on T rail

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Hiline Ln Rykosa Ln Sunrise Plateau Dr

Dow Ln

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Whistle Lake Rd

Woodside Dr

Ct lls Hi n ee Gr

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Heart Lake

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Rd Bay d lgo eR Fida vic Ser

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Ln 1-Mainsail Ln reeze Seab 2-Spinnaker Ln 12 1 3-San Juan Blvd M ar 4-Coronado Dr 2 i 10 ne 5-Islander Way Dr 3 6-McCorkle Pl 5 7-Rocky Rd Alexander 11 4 8-Point Pl 7 8 Beach 6 9-Lange Ter 9 10-N del Mar Dr Laura Jo Pl Terry Pl Marine Olga 11-Chiquita Ln Esther Ln View Ln Rd 12-Marine Ln 13-Sea Otter Ln

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skagitvisitor.com

don’t miss • Plan to attend the Anacortes Arts Festival, one of the largest in Northwest, Aug. 7-9 this year.

Enjoy fine art, crafts, music and art demonstrations.

      

• See workboats up close August 22nd at the Workboat Races and Pirate Faire at the Port of Anacortes.

Celebrate the city’s working waterfront on the dock right on the Guemes Channel.

• The beer flows and there’s plenty of food and fun at Bier on the Pier Oct. 2 -3.

Search “Windermere Real Estate Search App” to download. Apple,

the Apple logo, iPhone and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

Guemes

Enjoy an easy island getaway without the long ferry lines.

Guemes Island is a great place for scenic bike rides and hikes, and is just minutes from Anacortes.

I

dyllic Guemes Island is just north of Anacortes, a five-minute ferry ride away. The car and passenger ferry sails from the end of I Avenue about every 30 minutes, docking at the end of Guemes Island Road just south of Anderson’s General Store, which is home to the Channelside Cafe.

Clark Point Ln

Young’s Park

2 kilometers

1

One inch equals 1.26 miles One centimeter equals 0.8 kilometers

SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

r Ho Uppe

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e l C h a n n N Avenue Park

Anchor Cove Marina

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8 d Deadman 3 4 Bay 8

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Anacortes C

© 2015 Skagit Publishing Map produced by Fine Edge, Anacortes, WA

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GUEMES

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Solstice Ln

B a y 1-Decatur Pl 2-Woody Ln 3-Samish St 4-Hideaway Pl 5-Jackson Rd 6-Guemes Pl 7-Upland Dr 8-Channel View Dr 9-Cypress Way 10-Hideaway Ln 11-Shaw St 12-Island View Dr

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Bluff Yellow

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Lervick Av

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0

Aga

Indian Village

Guemes Mountain on the east end offers a wonderful viewpoint overlooking nearby islands.

The mountain was purchased through donations from islanders and others to make it into a permanent conservation area through the Skagit Land Trust and San Juan Preservation Trust. Volunteers built a 1.2-mile hiking trail that climbs steeply 550 feet to the summit.

C SCALE: 1:80,000

W Shore Rd

Young’s Park, 13 acres next to the resort, has picnicking amenities and water access (day use only). There is excellent crabbing during season.

1

h Ln

Guemes Island Resort has a variety of accommodations from large beachfront homes to cabins and yurts. Amenities include a boat launch, sauna and massage therapy. Guests can use the resort’s kayaks and rowboats at no charge.

B

Clark Point

tc Potla

Other points of interest on the island, which is a great place for a bike ride, include the casual and funky Guemes Island Resort, Young’s Park and Guemes Mountain.

A

Drif

Locals looking for a leisurely and scenic lunch outing walk on the ferry, enjoy the Guemes Channel crossing and head to Anderson’s for a burger and a beer.

The cafe serves breakfast on weekends, when there’s often live music.

skagitvisitor.com

trAnsportAtion skAGit reGionAL Airport

www.portofskagit.com (360) 757-0011 Located adjacent to the Bayview Business Park off Highway 20 between Burlington and Anacortes, Skagit Regional Airport is operated by the Port of Skagit County. It has terminal facilities, aviation fueling and a variety of aircraft maintenance and related services, including qualified flight instruction.

A

AnAcortes Airport

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Samish Bay Blanchard

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Whistle Lake Forest Area

Deception Pass State Park

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er Riv

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20 Hamilton

COUNTY MAP - DO

Clear Lake

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Clear Lake

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Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

226

Big Lake

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t agi Sk

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La Conner

WHIDBEY ISLAND

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Swinomish Indian Reservation

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Lake Cavanaugh

Lake McMurray

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SKAGIT COUNTY SNOHOMISH COUNTY

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Bay View

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www.skagittransit.org (360) 757-4433 Skagit Transit provides bus service throughout the county and also offers connector service to Bellingham, Everett and Whidbey Island. The main transfer

5

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SPUR

skAGit trAnsit

Alger

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Edison Guemes I.

www.townofconcrete.com/airport.php Also known as Mears Field, the airport is a public airfield with private leased hangars on town-owned lots. The pilots lounge on the field is open to pilots and guests, and it’s only a half-mile walk from the airport to businesses in downtown Concrete.

D

242

Samish I.

Cypress I.

concrete Airport

www.portofanacortes.com (360) 299-1828 The Anacortes Airport, on the northwest corner of Fidalgo Island, hosts corporate and private aircraft and also offers space for tenant businesses. San Juan Airlines operates several flights a day to the San Juan Islands. It also offers service to other destinations. Charters and scenic flights also are available. Other airport services include fuel, hangars, tie downs, maintenance and rental cars.

(800) 874-4434.

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SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

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skagitvisitor.com

wAsHinGton stAte Ferries Guemes isLAnd Ferry

location for most Skagit Transit routes is at 105 E. Kincaid St. in downtown Mount Vernon. Skagit Transit also offers Paratransit service for people whose disabilities and conditions prevent them from traveling on fixed routes.

AmtrAk

www.amtrak.com Amtrak’s Cascades line, which operates between Vancouver, B.C., and Eugene, Ore., stops in downtown Mount Vernon at Skagit Station, 105 E. Kincaid St.

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J North Cascades National Park

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Mount BakerSnoqualmie National Forest

K Ross Lake National Recreation Area

www.skagitcounty.ne (360) 336-9400 Skagit County provides ferry service for passengers and vehicles from Anacortes across the Guemes Channel to Guemes Island. The dock is located at Sixth Street and I Avenue; the crossing takes five minutes.

SK

Lake Shannon

www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries (888) 808-7977 Washington State Ferries provides frequent daily passenger and car service from its Anacortes terminal to Orcas Island, Lopez Island, Shaw Island and Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. The terminal is located on Highway 20, about three miles west of downtown Anacortes.

Ferry service to Sidney, B.C., is also available, except in the winter. Citizens of the United States and Canada need to have either a passport, passport card, “trusted traveler” document such as a Nexus Card or an enhanced driver’s license to enter or depart the United States by sea.

Marblemount

Rockport

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r Rive uk Sa Mount BakerSnoqualmie National Forest

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Lake Chelan National Recreation Area

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SKAGIT COUNTY SNOHOMISH COUNTY

Lake Chelan

SCALE: 1:460,000 0

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© 2015 Skagit Publishing Map produced by Fine Edge, Anacortes, WA H

skagitvisitor.com

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SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

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SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

d ill R ey H H um phr Park Ridge Pl

Dusty Dr

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Dunbar Rd

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Avalon Rd

Old Hwy 99 N

Hobson Rd

Pulver Rd ett

McLean Rd

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ny Co lo Swanson Rd

Avon-Allen Rd

Bay Ridge Dr

Higgins Airport Way

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Burlington

Exit 230

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nn Avo Be n Bru St nsw 1 ick

Donnelly Rd

Daggett Rd

Bradshaw Rd

Best Rd McLean Rd

Exit 231

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Kamb Rd

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Maiben Rd

Peterson Rd

Skagit Golf and Country Club

© 2015 Skagit Publishing Map produced by Fine Edge, Anacortes, WA A

Ershig Rd

Charity Ln

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Water Tank Rd View Ridge Dr

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Memorial Hwy

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Young Rd

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Benson Rd

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N 18th St

McFarland Rd

Bradley Rd

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Cook Rd Exit 232

Josh Wilson Rd

Ashten Rd

Skagit Regional Airport

Allen Elementary

Sunrise Michae l Pl Ln Ez Rd

Emily Ln Airport Dr

Sargent Pl

Fredonia

Bay View Elementary

Steele Rd Knudson Rd

Ovenell Rd

La Conner-Whitney Rd Downey Rd

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Farm To Market Rd

Irene Pl

Walker Rd

Marihugh Rd 2 1 3

Padilla Bay Shore Trail

Whitney

nnel Cha

Swinomish Indian Reservation Re se rva tio nR d

20 ish nom Swi

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Slough Indian ugh Slo aph egr Tel

Swinomish Northern Lights Casino Boat Launch

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Persons Rd Bay View Cemetery Rd Seabird Ln Bay View Cemetery Rector Rd Bay View State Park d on R Wils Boat Ramp Josh

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Padilla Bay

Exit 236

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D’Arcy Rd

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Robinwood Ln Deer Haven Ln

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Thomas Rd

Roney Rd

Legg Rd

Chuckanut Dr Alysha Ln

Church Rd

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Pomona Grange County Park Park Ridge Ln Prair 3 ie R d

Skagit Valley Casino

Field Rd

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Morton Rd

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Samish Hts Rd

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Boe Rd

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Sullivan Rd

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Samish Hatchery

Upper Skagit Indian Reservation

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Edison Elementary

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Scotts Point

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Halloran Rd Samish Island Playground

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skagitvisitor.com

BAY VIEW

S

erene coastal living and waterfront views regularly draw people to Bay View, with its access to the Padilla Bay tidelands that stretch from Highway 20 to Hat Island.

Bay View was established as a town in 1884 and within decades became a bustling community filled with shops and saloons. A century ago, when logging in the area was at its peak, the bay was full of floating logs being transported by water.

These days, Bay View features a 25acre state park with camping amenities and a long trail along the bay for scenic walks. Visitors and locals can be seen parasailing at high tide, raking the mudflats for treasures at low tide and flying kites when the breeze is up.

The Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is evidence of the environmental movements to embrace the bay in the late 1970s. The estuarine reserve, one of 28 in the country and the only one in the state, features the public Breazeale Interpretive Center, offering up-close views of life in the bay.

The center’s offices and exhibits are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. You can enjoy a short, well-marked hike that circles through woods and fields behind the center. Trails and parking are free.

BOW/EDISON

B

ow offers an expanse of farmland fronting Samish Bay with mountains as a backdrop.

pAdiLLA BAy

The drive through farmland to Bow, Edison and Bay View is a treat — and so are the restaurants and art galleries that more and more visitors are discovering.

From a logging town to a main street of meat markets and hardware stores, Edison has emerged as something of a tourist destination, largely because of its local identity and unusual character.

Think a mixture of agriculture, artistry, Old West and wholesome goodness.

The combination may not seem natural, but it works well in Edison.

The eclectic art scene and the food, from homemade bread to oysters, are big draws. You can drop in for lunch at an inn more than 100 years old or get provisions at an artisanal bakery and a deli stocked with fine cheeses and cured meats sourced from around the Northwest.

On Thursdays each summer, local farmers gather for the Bow Little Market,

skagitvisitor.com

The Edison Bird Festival, started in February 2012, coincides with the Skagit Valley Hawk Census and includes guided birding trips, bird-inspired art shows and a chicken parade on Gilkey Avenue.

Edison is a popular stop for many bikers during the annual Oyster Run on the fourth Sunday in September when motorcycles fill the streets and riders enjoy oysters on their way to Anacortes.

For those looking for more entertainment, the Skagit Valley Casino Resort is at the Bow exit (236) off Interstate 5.

FRESH SHELLFISH

It is known more for its farm-rich views by those driving through, many on their way to cruise Chuckanut Drive toward Bellingham. Large numbers of trumpeter swans move in for the winter, and proximity to blueberry fields and salmon fishing add to Bow’s distinct local flavor.

Bow encompasses a handful of niche communities, including one that’s seen tremendous transformation over the years — Edison, the hometown of legendary newsman Edward R. Murrow.

which takes place east of I-5 at the Belfast Feed Store, 6200 N. Green Road. The Little Market also hosts several events, such as the Holiday Market in November, featuring food vendors and live music.

Oysters • Clams • mussels 2182 Chuckanut Dr. Bow, WA 98232

Geoduck • Crab • Prawns • Scallops Open 7 Days Picnic & BBQ Area

360-766-6002

www.taylorshellfish.com

SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

45

la conner No better place for a stroll in Skagit County. You’ll enjoy art and history along with shops and great spots to eat — many with views of the Swinomish Channel.

H

istoric La Conner is the oldest community in Skagit County, but it is very much alive with a vibrant arts scene and beautiful views of the water.

The bright orange Rainbow Bridge is a testament to the town’s artistic flair. The color was chosen when it was built in 1957 as a bright alternative to the traditional gray or green paint. The bridge straddles the channel between La Conner and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. Walk across the bridge to experience beautiful views of the Northwest and charming sights of the town.

Downtown La Conner is only a few blocks long, but it’s packed with culture, art and history. Locally owned shops abound, and there are plenty of restaurants and pubs to choose from, including some right on the channel.

La Conner was first settled in the early 1860s, just after the Civil War. Its name officially became La Conner in 1870 to honor the property owner’s wife, Louisa A. Conner.

Artists began inhabiting the scenic town as early as the 1940s.

46

The Museum of Northwest Art, 121 First St., offers more than 2,500 contemporary art objects from the early 1900s up until today. It boasts work by greats such as Dale Chihuly, Guy Anderson, Mark Tobey, Morris Graves and Richard Gilkey.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

Another great artistic attraction is the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, 703 S. Second St. Located in the stunning, historic Gaches Mansion, the museum displays a wide variety of handmade quilts.

• Stroll across the colorful Rainbow Bridge and gaze at the extraordinary sights.

La Conner is home to the Skagit County Historical Museum, 501 S. Fourth St., which invites you to “Come to the top of the hill for a spectacular view of Skagit County history.” The view east over the Skagit Valley is an added treat.

• See the refurbished Sacred Heart Catholic Church built in 1899. Members of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community carried the bell from Astoria, Oregon, to La Conner on a canoe and by foot. Early settler Louisa Anne Conner was determined to build a Catholic church and gathered donations from nearby settlers to complete the effort.

The rich farmland was created when settlers diked hundreds of acres of land.

Now, springtime brings acres and acres of vibrant daffodils and tulips to the fields around La Conner.

If history, art and a small-town vibe are what you’re craving, La Conner has it all.

SKAGIT county Visitors & Newcomers Guide 2015

• Visit Magnus Anderson’s hand-split log cabin built in 1869, on Second and Commercial streets.

• View a fire truck built in 1850 that was used for the great fire in San Francisco in 1906 at the Volunteer Fireman Museum.

• Enjoy La Conner’s Sculpture Exhibit, which changes every year. skagitvisitor.com

DON’T MISS • The annual Art’s Alive! festival, usually the first week in Nov., features local artists’ masterpieces. Maple Hall features exhibits and showcases the work of a featured artist.

Demonstrations and local art can be found throughout town.

• The annual Quilt & Fiber Arts Festival at the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, held in early fall, Oct. 2-4 this year, is a great place to check out international quilts and wearable art.

• Say yes to the dress and a lot more at MoNA Style March 14. More than 40 participating Northwest artists will demonstrate, display and sell their artwork at the Museum of Northwest Art. Enjoy lunch at one of the participating restaurants where informal modeling will show off the artists’ creations.

Enjoy La Conner’s 3 Outstanding Museums Celebrate Skagit History Three outstanding galleries of fascinating Skagit history – from the Native Americans of the area through the early industry and home life of the pioneers. AND two changing featured exhibit spaces!

Come explore Skagit History.

Skagit County Historical Museum

Tues-Sun 11-5 Open Every Day in April 501 S. 4th St., La Conner • 360.466.3365 • www.skagitcounty.net/museum

Experience vibrant contemporary art of the region and masterworks from our collection.

Museum is free and open seven days a week. MoNA store features unique items by Northwest artists.

Museum and Store Open: Sun-Mon: Noon-5pm, Tues-Sat: 10am-5pm

EscapE to La connEr

121 S. First St., La Conner www.museumofnwart.org • 360.466.4446

Three Floors of Quilts & Textiles in the historic 1891 Gaches Mansion.

Watch for new exhibits each month!

"Yo-Yo Quilt"

www.laconnerlodging.com 360-466-1500 | 888-466-4113 Deluxe accommodations near shopping & Museums Enjoy complimentary continental breakfast & more

Laura Fogg Historic décor Photos by Nathaniel Willson Photography

Wed-Sun 11am-5pm Open every day in April 703 S. 2nd St., La Conner, WA 98257 • www.laconnerquilts.org

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must-see museums Finely Crafted Furniture & Gifts

• The Museum of Northwest Art, 121 First St., shouldn’t be missed. Free admission.

• The La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum, 703 S. Second St., has stunning exhibits displayed in a historic mansion.

100% American Made

709 South First Street • La Conner, WA 98257 360-466-4741 • WOODMERCHANT.COM 48

SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

• The Skagit County Historical Museum, 501 S. Fourth St., offers a look back at Skagit County history and a look out over the Skagit Valley. skagitvisitor.com

HONORS FOR LA CONNER In recent years the town has been awarded: • Best Small Town in Washington • Town That Captures the NW Spirit • Best Romantic Getaway • Most Exciting Small Town • Best Tiny Town • Best Neighborhood Town in Skagit County

www.lovelaconner.com 511 Morris St. • 360.466.4778

Bring in this ad to the Visitor Center & Receive a COMPLIMENTARY COUPON BOOK

DISCOVER LA CONNER’S BEST HISTORIC INN 12 Guest Rooms with Private Baths Garden Courtyard Free Wi-Fi

Flax • Cut Loose • Comfy Tianello • Brighton • Habitat Naot • Coobie • Dansko 714 South First Street La Conner 360.466.5825 • 800.995.5825 skagitvisitor.com

713 S. First Street La Conner, WA 98257 360-466-4422 www.earthenworksgallery.com

715 S. First Street La Conner, WA 98257 360-466-4710 www.hotelplanter.com

SKAGIT county Visitors & Newcomers Guide 2015

49

Pulver Rd

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SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

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skagitvisitor.com

conwAy & Fir isLAnd

A trip around Fir Island’s back roads put you in the middle of farmland and beautiful bird habitat — and ends best with a stop for oysters or burgers in Conway.

C

Originally a dairy barn, it’s also been a glass shop, antique shop and auction barn over its nearly 100-year life.

Main Street includes antique stores and the Conway Pub and Eatery, a wellworn joint famous for its oysters and burgers.

Conway is next to Fir Island, which is a birding paradise where snow geese and trumpeter swans spend their winters alongside the many eagles and herons of the area. Spring is the time to see shorebirds and songbirds.

onway, population under 100, is small and quaint but worth a stop as northbound travelers enter Skagit County on Interstate 5.

This little town also offers the Conway Muse, a center for the performing and visual arts with plenty of live music on weekends with a motto of “Where Magic Happens.”

Photographers will note that a bridge built in 1914 connects Conway to Fir Island, which is also graced with acres upon acres of farmland and the nearly century-old Fir-Conway Lutheran Church — always worth a photograph.

During berry season, local farmers set up roadside stands to show off their strawberry, blueberry and raspberry crops.

The island’s Skagit Wildlife Area is a game reserve for duck hunters and is also enjoyed by hikers, bird watchers and photographers.

CONWAY PUB & EATERY 18611 MAIN ST. ESTABLISHED 1932

Lake Associates Recreation Club

Sunday Jam Night 6-10pm

Take a NaTural Break!

PREMIER STEAK BURGERS

GF MENU ITEMS OYSTERS Breakfast STEAK 9 am CHICKEN CAESAR SALADS

KARAOKE Fri & Sat

Flat Screens rs Galore!

Best Oyste he t f o e id

this s i!

Mississipp

360-445-6833 - www.larcnudists.com Visit our website for more information and a special offer! skagitvisitor.com

CHECK OUT OUR 2ND LOCATION IN STANWOOD!

CONWAY BOXCAR 360-629-0651

I-5 Exit 221 • 360-445-4733 BEAUTIFUL OUTSIDE 30 seconds off I-5 exit 221... go West!

DINING AREA!

SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

51

BurLinGton

Shopping takes center stage in this bustling city where strawberries are celebrated each June and pumpkins soar through the air each fall.

wHiLe you’re Here

D

ubbed The Hub City, Burlington is the cornerstone of commerce in the county. A mix of old and new, Burlington has maintained its historic shopping district on Fairhaven Avenue, an old-fashioned main street.

Community Building and Senior Center; Alpha Park, the traditional site for the city’s 70-foot-tall Christmas tree; and Rotary Park, which offers soccer and softball fields, a concrete skate park and the region’s only four-court outdoor sand volleyball site.

Around the corner, the more modern version of shopping begins with a mall, a discount outlet mall and a collection of big-box stores that draw customers from Seattle and British Columbia.

Burlington was platted in 1891 and gained its first post office, school, meat market, sawmill and saloon that year. The railroad company Seattle and Northern built a railroad through town that year as well. The town was incorporated in 1902.

Burlington serves its residents with an extensive parks system along the Skagit River.

Skagit River Park is a popular 100acre gem at the end of South Skagit Street with 20 regulation-sized soccer fields, 24 horseshoe pits, a trail and dike access for folks to walk along the Skagit River.

The city also maintains Maiben Park, which contains Burlington’s

52

• Shop for bargains at the malls and visit the historic shopping district on Fairhaven Avenue.

• Walk along the Skagit River at Skagit River Park.

Burlington celebrates its agricultural roots and industries with the annual Berry Dairy Days celebration on the third weekend in June.

Be sure to visit the city’s new Regional Byway Center at Railroad Park on Fairhaven Avenue, which houses the Chamber of Commerce and visitor information center. The center was designed to resemble the original City of Burlington train station.

SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

skagitvisitor.com

DON’T MISS • A nod to Burlington’s agricultural heritage, Berry Dairy Days is one of the oldest and sweetest festivals in Skagit County. The family-friendly event established in 1937 by the Burlington Fire Department continues for its 78th year June 18-21 at Railroad Park in downtown Burlington.

• Pumpkins will soar through the air again Sept. 26 at Burlington’s annual Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Pitch at Skagit River Park. The homemade trebuchets and catapults are engineering marvels that help celebrate the season. And children look forward to the zucchini car races and other activities.

skagitvisitor.com

SKAGIT county Visitors & Newcomers Guide 2015

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SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

55

After two years of removing logs, the first steamer, the Wenat, made it into Mount Vernon in 1878. The jam was finally cleared several years later. When the town incorporated in 1890, it was home to 443 people. It now has more than 33,000 residents, according to the state’s 2014 census.

Summer brings pleasant weather to the valley, and the festivals come with it.

The Skagit Valley Highland Games and Celtic Festival is always a hit at Edgewater Park, and the Skagit River Shakespeare Festival at the outdoor Rexville-Blackrock Amphitheatre is the perfect outing for theatergoers.

The summertime also brings the weekly farmers market to Mount Vernon.

Farmers and community members gather downtown every Saturday into October to sell their local produce and handmade goods.

mount vernon

An old-fashioned downtown is the big draw, with shops, restaurants and a historic theater in the center of things — and a riverfront promenade a block away.

M

ount Vernon is built beside and across the third-largest river on the West Coast, offering a close-up view of nature’s best right in the heart of the city.

Head downtown to get a taste of the local life and travel quaint streets lined with locally owned restaurants and shops. Love antiques? This is the place to be.

The city’s floodwall project will eventually add a 1,650-foot walkway along its banks. Beginning at Lions Park, the walkway continues south along the east bank of the river in front of downtown. The second phase of the project was completed in 2014 and includes a 30,000-square-foot riverfront park.

While downtown, visit the historic Lincoln Theatre. It was built in 1926 and featured vaudeville performers and silent movies. Now, it’s home to many exciting local and regional performances, music and theater, and movies several times per week.

Mount Vernon is Skagit County’s largest city, and its population grows exponentially each April as visitors from all over come for the world-famous Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Stop by and see the acres of blooming tulips and visit the gardens to snap photos and buy your own bulbs.

56

Mount Vernon’s founders arrived in the area in the 1870s and built a small town just above a three-mile log jam.

A few dedicated farmers began hauling the logs out until there was a space big enough for small boats to travel through.

SKAGIT county Visitors & Newcomers Guide 2015

WHILE YOU’RE HERE • Little Mountain Park is a must-see.

The park sits at an elevation of 934 feet with two viewpoints offering stunning views of the Skagit Valley, the San Juan Islands and the Olympic Mountains. Follow a paved road for 1.5 miles to the 517-acre park and ride a bike, go for a short hike on trails or take in the sights.

• Check out the downtown walkway along the river, visit local establishments and stop by the Lincoln Theatre. Lucky visitors will catch one of its pump organ performances.

• Check out the downtown pubs and enjoy a wide selection of locally made beer and seasonal fare.

skagitvisitor.com

Don’t miss • Head over to the Skagit County Fair Aug. 12-15 at the fairgrounds. Enjoy music, food, animals and several live events at the bustling fairgrounds.

• Taste Skagit County and Northwest wines and beers at the annual Skagit Wine & Beer Festival, hosted by the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce.

Local chocolate and cheese make the experience a delicious evening.

The 2015 event will be held 4 to 8 p.m Saturday, Nov. 21.

• The Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival are a feast for the senses with bagpipe music, dancing, fiddling, sheepdogs, and Scottish cultural demonstrations. Enjoy it all at Edgewater Park July 11-12.

Tourism@mountvernonchamber.com

skagitvisitor.com

SKAGIT county Visitors & Newcomers Guide 2015

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SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

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Parker Way

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N Viewmont Dr Mountain View Dr Nylin Ct Streeter Pl Carmel Av N 21st St N Belair Dr

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S 15th St Shirley Pl Kristine Ln S 16th St Kay Ln Quentin Av

Denny Pl

Little Mountain Ln Olive St

Kylee Ct S 18th St

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Bonnie Pl Riley Rd

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Skagit Valley Hospital E Montgomery St

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Hillcrest Park

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Cedardale Rd

Britt

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E Section St

Lind St

Staudt Rd

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Warren St

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Fire Station No. 2 Hawthorne

E Broadway

Lincoln Elementary

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Cleveland Av

Taylor St

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Harrison St

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Lind St

Mount Vernon High School

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S Baker St S Ball St

Virginia St

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Heath

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Vera St

W Blackburn Rd

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Cleveland Anderson Ball Park

Vera St Skagit County Fairgrounds

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Dike Rd

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Exit City Hall Mount Vernon City Library Snoqualmie St226 Milwaukee St

N 12th Pl

Mount Vernon Cemetery

S 9th St

W Kincaid St

Fire Station No. 1

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William Way

Jeff E Wa erson S Moody St t shin gton St E Carpenter St

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Mount Vernon

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Washington Elementary

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McLean Rd

Greenacres Rd

Porter St

Norman Pl

Curtis St

Bonney Ln

Linc St

Lions Park

Emerson Alternative H.S. Lincoln St Chamber of Cosgrove St Cosgrove St Commerce, W Division St Amtrak Station S Wall St

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Alder Ln Lions Park North

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Gunn Rd

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Valley Mall Way

Forest Ridge Pl

Police Department and Municipal Court

Roosevelt Av

Blodgett Rd

Skag it R iver

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Freeway Dr

River

Exit 227

Sunset Pl ic Pl

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Š 2015 Skagit Publishing Map produced by Fine Edge, Anacortes, WA

Urban Av

One inch equals 0.4 miles One centimeter equals 0.25 kilometers

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Hil

538

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Trumpeter Blvd

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Skagit Valley College

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Trumpeter Dr

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Eas t For k Noo kachamps Creek

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igmar Ln

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McLaughlin Rd Exn

N Waugh Rd

Skagit Playfields

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Centennial Elementary

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k s Cree amp kach Noo

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Northridge Way Briarwood Cir Club Ct

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SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

59

cLeAr LAke & BiG LAke Fish, swim or just relax around the water at these popular summer spots.

F

B

The park off South Front Street is great for picnicking and family gatherings.

During the summer, the lake is a popular spot for boating and fishing for bass and rainbow trout. It also draws thousands of people for the July 3 fireworks show — yes, a day early, but it’s a longstanding tradition and gets Independence Day off to a great start.

ishing, swimming and boating are some of the main attractions at Clear Lake, a popular summertime destination with access to a public swimming area and playground equipment for the kids.

Now a scenic bedroom community of about 1,000 people, Clear Lake slowly evolved from its roots as a logging town. With 2,000 employees, Clear Lake Lumber Co. was the largest inland mill in the Pacific Northwest during peak production in 1900, according to the Clear Lake Historical Association.

The company went bankrupt in 1925, and with its main industry gone, the town had to adapt.

Besides the lake, the town along Highway 9 now has a market, tavern, gas station/convenience store and elementary school.

60

ig Lake is in a valley surrounded by hills, farm fields and homes in the foothills east of Mount Vernon. It’s known for a chain of lakes where many enjoy boating, fishing and other water recreation.

Big Lake, population 1,835, began as a bustling logging town that supported hundreds of workers. When the logging industry collapsed in the 1930s, the town transformed into a quiet farming community.

The shores of the lake are now lined with homes and the surrounding hills are dotted with housing developments.

The town has its own elementary school, a quirky grocery store and a nine-hole golf course.

SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

skagitvisitor.com

Heather Ln Spring Hill Ln

Bulson Rd

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One inch equals 1.33 miles One centimeter equals 0.84 kilometers

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lso

Jan ic

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S Andal Rd

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grin e Ln Osprey Ct

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Quail Dr

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Lindberg Ln

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S Laventure Rd

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Cedardale Rd

Britt

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Old Hwy 99 S

Conway Frontage Rd

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Big Lake

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Star View Dr

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SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

61

sedro-woolley

More than the gateway to the North Cascades — Sedro-Woolley’s historic downtown is full of chainsaw carvings and murals depicting the city’s colorful past.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

B

ecause of its placement on Highway 20, Sedro-Woolley is referred to as the gateway to the North Cascades, with endless recreation opportunities to the east. It serves as an access point to the North Cascades National Park and Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, both of which are headquartered in town.

Sedro-Woolley also offers great recreation.

On the south bank of the Skagit River, Riverfront Park is a popular spot with more than 50 picnic tables, a covered picnic area and two shelters with barbecue pits. The park also has four restrooms and an RV and tent-camping area, as well as a boat launch.

In 2014, the city finished a major reconstruction of Bingham Park, located near the new roundabouts on Cook Road, upgrading the playground and adding RV parking with utility connections.

62

The city’s Rotary Club built a skate park in 2012 that hosted its first competition in September 2013 and now attracts skateboarders from all over the state. It’s right in town behind the City Hall building.

Hammer Heritage Square overlooks the central downtown business district and graces it with a gazebo, clock tower and public restrooms. It serves as a center for city festivals and the springthrough-fall farmers market.

The city has also made improvements to Highway 9 and has improved pedestrian and bicycle access in parts of town, making neighborhoods and businesses safer and easier to reach.

Today, the tight-knit downtown business community works hard to maintain a welcoming, historic core that has seen some revitalization in recent years.

SKAGIT county Visitors & Newcomers Guide 2015

• Take a look at the murals and wood carving statues throughout downtown, most of them are along Metcalf Street. The carvings are auctioned at the end of the annual Loggerodeo chainsaw carving event in July and local businesses purchase them to keep on display.

Many of the painted murals were inspired by world-famous photographer Darius Kinsey, who had a photo studio in SedroWoolley in the late 1890s and is known for his emphasis on Western scenery, logging and railroads.

• Visit the 651-acre Northern State Recreation Area just northeast of town off Highway 20 between Helmick and Fruitdale roads. The regional park offers hiking and mountain biking trails, as well as a disc-golf course at the site of the former Northern State Hospital.

• A stop at the Sedro-Woolley Museum offers a visual excursion through artifacts and photos of daily life in the early days of rival logging and mining towns of Sedro and Woolley — such as costumes and a book about the infamous Sedro-Woolley bank robbery in 1914, an exciting video and story of Tusko the circus elephant running amuck in 1922 and a video showing how railroads and the Skagit River were a critical link in the city’s early economy. skagitvisitor.com

Check www.sedro-woolley.com for details

Some of Our Local Events are: Blast from the Past

Loggerodeo

First Week in June

Week of July 4th

Founders Day

Magic of Christmas

Second Week in September skagitvisitor.com

December 5th & 12th

Near by Attractions • Shopping • Eagle Festival • Wineries • Mt. Baker Skiing • San Juan Islands • Cascade Loop • North Cascade National Park

SKAGIT county Visitors & Newcomers Guide 2015

63

Janicki Industries, which creates high-tech molds for the aerospace and maritime industries, is headquartered in town.

The Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce organizes many lively events each year, drawing locals and visitors alike that honor the town’s heritage and celebrate its progress.

Spanish word for cedar. Due to a misspelling, it became Sedro instead.

Meanwhile, Woolley was also setting up shop, first for a sawmill and then for a town, not too far from Sedro along the river. Unlike Cook’s creative names, Woolley chose to stick with his own surname for the town he founded.

The Sedro-Woolley Museum offers a litany of information about the city’s beginning as two separate towns that merged in September 1898.

The two towns grew and quickly became rivals. Then in 1898 they agreed to put their rivalry behind them and mesh into one. Both, however, refused to give up their names, resulting in the hyphenation.

The original two settlements, one founded by Mortimer Cook and the other

by Phillip A. Woolley, were built on the promise of the logging industry in Skagit County. Mortimer Cook initially named the 34 acres of land he settled in 1884 “Bug,” in reference to mosquitoes along the Skagit River. Cook’s wife and the settlers who came influenced a change from the insect-inspired name to Sedra, the

While Woolley’s name is built-in, Cook’s name is written on the road that serves as the main route from town to Interstate 5. The city worked to improve and simplify Cook Road’s connection to Highway 20, inserting a roundabout at one of the busiest intersections in town in 2013, then a second one in 2014.

SEDRO-WOOLLEY

MUSEUM & Gift Shop

Weds. Noon - 4 p.m.

Thurs. 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Sunday 1 - 4 p.m.

725 Murdock Street • 360.855.2390 • www.sedrowoolleymuseum.org 64

SKAGIT county Visitors & Newcomers Guide 2015

don’t miss • Blast from the Past, June 5-7 this year, features a vintage car show, sidewalk sale, arts and crafts, games for the kids and plenty of food.

• The Fourth of July Loggerodeo celebration brings back the town’s heritage with logging demonstrations and chainsaw carving competitions.

The family-fun event runs July 2-5 this year with events and activities downtown and at Riverfront Park, including a carnival for the kids, live music, a beard contest, arts, crafts and food.

• Sedro-Woolley celebrates its past with games, a museum open house and an honoring of one of its pioneering families during its annual Founders Day event the second weekend in September.

The event kicks off with a community breakfast served up at the Sedro-Woolley Community Center. Sunday’s events include a car show and community picnic. skagitvisitor.com

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Plaza Dr Vista View Dr Alt Dr a Vista

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Gorgeous scenery and great recreation opportunities draw visitors from around the world to the ‘American Alps.’ Boat tours and rafting trips are a great way enjoy the region.

wHiLe you’re Here LymAn Visitors heading east toward the North Cascades on Highway 20 might overlook the town of Lyman if the gas station and grocery along the way don’t catch their attention.

But off the main drag is a quiet, picturesque town where about 450 residents enjoy life on the Skagit River without the worry of flooding. Cascade Trail, a popular Rails to Trails project for walkers, joggers and bicyclists, passes right through town with access to a park.

The park offers barbecue pits, a covered picnic area, restrooms and a horseshoe pit.

Nearby on the trail is Lyman Slough. The Skagit Land Trust acquired 19 acres on this scenic waterway and encourages people to visit.

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The beautiful Minkler Mansion at 8405 S. Main St., which pioneer mill owner and statesman Birdsey Minkler built in 1891, serves as Lyman Town Hall and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Another historic landmark is the Lyman cemetery, which dates back more than a century and neighbors an early Native American burial ground.

Lyman’s rich heritage is based on its abundant timber, fish and mineral resources and its native American history.

HAmiLton The oft-flooded town of Hamilton sits on the Skagit River, divided by Highway 20, 13 miles east of SedroWoolley.

Government officials estimate the town is inundated with water once every two to three years, though the last major flood was in 2006.

SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

• Visit the interpretive Trail of the Cedars Nature Walk in Newhalem. The flat, loop trail is 0.3 miles through old cedar trees with plaques along the way. The trail starts at the suspension bridge behind the Newhalem store, which is a great place to grab a snack.

• See an ancient forest where the old growth was never logged in Rockport State Park. The entire ecosystem remains in place, creating a rare, natural forest with a canopy so dense not much sunlight penetrates to the ground.

The park lies at the foot of Sauk Mountain, which has an elevation of 5,400 feet and a steep but climbable trail to the top.

• View the the abundant waterfalls spilling from the North Cascades mountains. The popular Gorge Creek Falls is about 3 miles east of Newhalem along Highway 20. Gorge Creek drops 242 feet in a breathtaking plunge. skagitvisitor.com

Everyone knows everyone in this small town with its population of about 300 made up of families that have lived there for generations and newcomers who came to enjoy backcountry living.

Main Street features a park, a public picnic area and covered gazebo with kitchen facilities and restrooms. The town also has a bar, grocery store and post office.

The decline of mining, logging and paper mill industries left this community without an industrial presence until recently. But now, Janicki Industries has built a state-of-the-art industrial composites plant on the edge of town.

BIRDSVIEW This tiny upriver Skagit community between Hamilton and Concrete along Highway 20 serves as a stop-off spot for folks heading up Baker Lake Road to camp, hike or boat at scenic Baker Lake or trekking farther along the highway to the endless recreation opportunities in the North Cascades.

It’s also home to Birdsview Brewing Co., which serves food and beverages.

CONCRETE This town used to be two communities, Cement City and Baker, that were built around two different cement companies. Both cement plants are long gone. A century or so later, the Concrete name and the remnants of those industries remain.

Today, visitors can stop here to dine or fill the gas tank before ascending the North Cascades Highway.

Public restrooms and a community resource center are to the right as the highway enters town.

In recent years, town visionaries, some longtime residents and some newcomers have worked hard to reinvent Concrete, with new businesses opened and old ones revived. skagitvisitor.com

The town’s historic newspaper, The Concrete Herald, was brought back to life, and the Concrete Theatre, which doubles as a fitness center, was opened in 2010. A gluten-free bakery opened its doors in 2013.

The town pays its respect to the many ghosts said to haunt the historic downtown with an October Ghost Walk.

The Concrete Chamber of Commerce organizes the popular wintertime Eagle Festival, which runs throughout the month of January.

The town celebrates Mardi Gras with a parade the Saturday before the designated “Fat Tuesday” each year, with or without snow on the ground.

ROCKPORT This community is the epicenter of the annual winter migration of bald eagles to the upriver Skagit Valley. The majestic birds migrate by the hundreds when chum salmon spawn in the Skagit River, which runs through this town.

For decades, Rockport has celebrated the raptors’ arrival with the Eagle Festival. The event features guided walks, photography workshops, demonstrations with live bald eagles and performances by tribal musicians and dancers over four weekends in January.

Many of the educational events during the festival take place at the Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center, one block south of Highway 20 at Howard Miller Steelhead Park.

The center is open weekends in December and January. Guided Walks are offered at 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Learn more at www.skagiteagle.org or call (360) 853-7626.

The river provides great access for fishing and rafting. Anglers and boaters launch from Howard Miller Steelhead Park, which also features a playground,

RV hookups and sites for tent camping. Just outside town at milepost 96.5 on Highway 20 is Rockport State Park.

The 670-acre, day-use park features old-growth trees and a trailhead for the 5,541-foot climb to the top of Sauk Mountain.

This is some of Northwest nature’s best.

MARBLEMOUNT Marblemount sits at the doorstep of North Cascades National Park.

The town greets visitors with a sign that reads “Welcome to the American Alps.”

Visitors and area residents will find it is a backcountry retreat for those who never tire of the beauty of the North Cascades and who want to explore nature and its abundant recreational opportunities.

Opportunities are endless: hiking, climbing, rafting, kayaking, canoeing, mushroom hunting, fishing, photography, camping and most everything else outdoor enthusiasts could want to do in the mountains.

Only about 200 people get to call this town home, but it offers gas stations, eateries and lodging, from campgrounds to hotel rooms.

Skagit River Resort, west of town, is owned and operated by the pioneer Clark family. It offers RV hookups and cabins with fireplaces. From there, shuttles run to destinations for fishing, hiking or kayaking.

Marblemount is rich with the history of the gold rush, and a few buildings of the era still stand.

One is the Buffalo Run Inn, a handhewn log structure from the town’s early heyday. It’s part of an enterprise that includes the Buffalo Run Restaurant and Buffalo Run Ranch.

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don’t miss • The Skagit Eagle Festival is a monthlong celebration of eagle-watching season in eastern Skagit County. Different events are held in Concrete, Rockport and Marblemount each weekend in January.

Activities include free tours, walks, and educational programs about the majestic birds, the beautiful Skagit River and grizzly bears — along with arts and crafts, wine tasting, river rafting, live music and dance.

Most educational events take place at the Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center, one block south of Highway 20 at Howard Miller Steelhead Park.

newHALem And diABLo Newhalem and Diablo are beautiful, last-chance stops for travelers heading to Eastern Washington on the North Cascades Highway.

The towns were built around Seattle City Light’s powerhouses at the bases of Gorge and Diablo lakes. They now serve as both company towns and tourist stops, right inside North Cascades National Park, which is one of the most rugged and beautiful parks in the nation.

In the winter, the North Cascades Highway is closed just a few miles east of Diablo due to extreme snowfall and avalanche danger. It reopens each spring, usually in May.

Visit skagiteagle.org, stop in at the Concrete Center on 45821 Railroad St. in Concrete, or call the Concrete Chamber of Commerce at (360) 853-8784 for information.

Get more information at the North Cascades Visitor Center, near Newhalem adjacent to Newhalem Creek Campground (nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm).

• Enjoy Seattle City Light’s Diablo Lake boat tour this summer, starting with lunch at the North Cascades Institute’s Environmental Learning Center. The popular boat ride offers views of gorgeous scenery and a chance to learn about the man-made wonders that provide hydroelectric power to the city of Seattle.

Trails, campgrounds, waterfalls and eye-popping vistas await the adventurous traveler.

Learn more about boat tours and other activities in Newhalem and Diablo at www.

SkagitTours.com, or e-mail skagittours@ Seattle.gov or call (360) 854-2589.

Newhalem offers amenities for visitors at Milepost 120, eight miles west of Diablo. The Skagit General Store offers camping supplies, gifts, food and beverages, and is well-known for its homemade fudge.

In the summer, a ferry runs on Diablo Lake, mainly to accommodate anglers. Seattle City Light and the North Cascades Institute also run popular educational and scenic boat tours.

For information about the tours and activities arond Newhalem and Diablo Lake, visit www.SkagitTours.com.

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skAGit county todAy

T

here are jobs here in traditional and emerging industries and at busy ports. Housing is affordable, access to quality health care is convenient and our communities care about their schools.

skAGit county popuLAtion Skagit county: 118,837 anacortes: 16,048 Burlington: 8,499 concrete: 709 Hamilton: 304 La conner: 902 Lyman: 442 Mount Vernon: 32,600 Sedro-Woolley: 10,645

Source: Washington State OfďŹ ce of Financial Management 2013 estimates.

mediAn Home prices

anacortes - $337,250 Burlington - $209,000 concrete/upriver - $89,950 Guemes Island - $410,000 La conner - $220,000 Lyman/Hamilton - $165,000 Mount Vernon - $228,750 Sedro-Woolley - $164,900

mAJor puBLic empLoyers Skagit county Skagit Valley Hospital Island Hospital Skagit Valley college Mount Vernon School District Sedro-Woolley School District Burlington-edison School District anacortes School District

mAJor priVAte empLoyers Skagit Valley casino Resort Bow Draper Valley Farms Chicken processing.

Mount Vernon Shell Puget Sound Refinery Petroleum processing.

Anacortes Regence Blue Shield Health Insurance.

Burlington

Janicki Industries composite Tooling supplier for aerospace, space defense, marine, wind energy and ground transportation industry.

Sedro-Woolley Dakota creek Industries Shipbuilding and repair.

Anacortes trident Seafoods corp.

Seafood processing.

Anacortes PaccaR Truck building and testing.

Burlington Dunlap towing co.

Marine towing service.

La Conner Source: Economic Development Association of Skagit County, 2011.

tesoro’s anacortes Refinery Petroleum processing.

Anacortes

Source: Northwest Multiple Listing Service, 2014 closed sales through September.

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skagitvisitor.com

PORT DISTRICTS

HEALTH CARE

The Port of Skagit County

(Three public hospital districts)

Major facilities: Skagit Regional Airport, La Conner Marina, Bay View Business Park.

Jobs on the property: 1,149 direct fulland part-time jobs; 750 indirect jobs.

Number of tenants: 78 Major tenants: Golden Harvest, Hexcel Corp., Team Corp., Tri-County Truss, Volant Aerospace.

(360) 757-0011 www.portofskagit.com

The Port of Anacortes Major facilities: Marine terminal, 950slip Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes Airport.

Major Tenants: Dakota Creek Industries, Anthony’s, Puget Sound Rope, Northwest Marine Technology, Micro AeroDynamics, Transpac Marinas, San Juan Airlines, Washington State Ferries.

(360) 293-3134 www.portofanacortes.com

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Skagit Regional Health (Skagit Valley Hospital & Skagit Regional Clinics)

cardiovascular care, orthopedic services, a kidney center, and surgery and cancer treatment.

The hospital won two specialty excellence awards in 2014 — in joint replacement and orthopedic surgery — from Healthgrades, a leading health care ratings firm.

1415 E. Kincaid Mount Vernon www.skagitvalleyhospital.org (360) 424-4111

PeaceHealth United General Hospital

The public hospital opened in 1958 after voters passed a bond.

2000 Hospital Drive Sedro-Woolley www.UnitedGeneral.org (360) 856-6021

The hospital expanded in 2007, adding private rooms and more services.

Skagit Regional Clinics was added in 2010, and it became Skagit Regional Health, offering more than 100 physicians and allied health professionals.

Skagit Regional Health has also partnered with Cascade Skagit Health Alliance in Smokey Point, and has a clinic on Camano Island, once again expanding its services and service area. It is the third-largest public district hospital in the state.

Offerings include outpatient diagnostics and rehabilitation services, surgery, acute care, a family birth center,

SKAGIT county Visitors & Newcomers Guide 2015

PeaceHealth United General Hospital has been part of the community for more than 40 years, providing health care for the areas of Burlington, Bay View, Clear Lake, Concrete, Marblemount, parts of Mount Vernon and Samish Island, more than 2,000 square miles in Skagit County and even parts of Whatcom County.

It began a new chapter in 2014 when it officially joined the PeaceHealth Northwest Network.

Services include acute care, cancer and cardiology services, a breast care suite, diagnostic imaging, occupational therapy, nutrition services, a sleep disorskagitvisitor.com

ders center, family medicine, pulmonary rehabilitation and more.

Island Hospital 1211 24th St. Anacortes www.islandhospital.org (360) 299-1300 Island Hospital has been keeping people in west Skagit County, north Whidbey Island and the San Juan Islands healthy since 1962. It is a small level III trauma hospital with 43 private beds.

It provides a birth center, cancer care center, critical care, diagnostic imaging, emergency services, physical therapy and rehabilitation, prenatal care, surgery and a sleep wellness center.

Island Hospital manages seven family care clinics, including in Anacortes and on Lopez Island and offers six specialty clinics.

Awards in 2014 include Top Performing Hospital by Healthstrong; Outstanding Experience Award by Healthgrades; and one of the Best Washington Hospitals by NerdWallet Health, which deemed it No. 1 in patient satisfaction and No. 3 in affordability.

EDUCATION Skagit Valley College, the area’s community college, was founded in 1926 and provides educational opportunities for about 6,000 full and part-time students.

This two-year institution offers degrees in everything from environmental conservation to early childhood education, biology, prenursing, business and more.

The college also offers technical programs for things such as culinary arts, environmental conservation, automotive technology and sustainable agriculture.

Skagit Valley College’s main campus is in Mount Vernon, but there are also satellite facilities in Anacortes, Whidbey Island and San Juan Island. www.skagit.edu Mount Vernon Campus 2405 E. College Way (360) 416-7600 skagitvisitor.com

Skagit County also has seven school districts: Anacortes, Burlington-Edison, Concrete, Conway, La Conner, Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley.

Mount Vernon Library

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Sedro-Woolley Public Library

Anacortes

www.anacortes.org 819 Commercial Ave. Suite F (360) 293-7911

Burlington

www.burlington-chamber.com 520 E. Fairhaven Avenue (360) 757-0994

Concrete

802 Ball Ave. (360) 855-1166 www.ci.sedro-woolley.wa.us

Upper Skagit Library District 45770 B Main St., Concrete (360) 853-7939 www.upperskagit.lib.wa.us

NEWSPAPERS

www.concrete-wa.com 45770 Main St. (360) 853-8784 (360) 853-8767

Skagit Valley Herald (daily) 1215 Anderson Road, Mount Vernon (360) 424-3251, www.goskagit.com

La Conner

www.lovelaconner.com 511 Morris St. Suite 3 (360) 446-4778 (888) 642-9284

Anacortes American

Mount Vernon

www.mountvernonchamber.com 301 W. Kincaid St. (360) 428-8547

Sedro-Woolley www.sedro-woolley.com 714 B Metcalf St. (360) 855-1841

(weekly) 901 Sixth St., Anacortes (360) 293-3122 www.goanacortes.com

Your Fidalgo (weekly) 901 Sixth St., Anacortes (360) 293-3122 www.goanacortes.com

The Argus (weekly)

1215 Anderson Road, Mount Vernon (360) 424-3251 www.goskagit.com

LIBRARIES Anacortes Library 1220 10th St. (360) 293-1910 library.cityofanacortes.org

Burlington Library 820 E. Washington Ave. (360) 755-0760 www.ci.burlington.wa.us

La Conner Regional Library 614 Morris St. (360) 466-3352 www.lclib.lib.wa.us

320 Snoqualmie St. (360) 336-6209 www.ci.mount-vernon.wa.us

Courier-Times (weekly) 1215 Anderson Road, Mount Vernon (360) 424-3251 www.goskagit.com Concrete Herald

(monthly) (360) 853-8213 www.concrete-herald.com

La Conner Weekly News

313 Morris St., La Conner (360) 466-3315

SKAGIT county Visitors & Newcomers Guide 2015

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rAdio stAtions

teLeVision/ puBLic Access mALLs

kAPS 660 AM (Mount Vernon)

CHAnnel 10 (Anacortes)

KAPS 102.1 FM Country music. kapsradio.com

kWle 1340 AM (Anacortes)

Adult contemporary music, local news and sports.

1340thewhale.com

kBRC 1430 AM (Mount Vernon)

Classic hits. kbrcradio.com

kSVR 90.1 FM (Mount Vernon)

Broadcast news, public affairs programs and music in English and Spanish from Skagit Valley College. ksvr.org

Government access channel broadcasting City Council and Port of Anacortes Commission meetings, public notices, community events and related programming.

ACCeSS SkAGIT TeleVISIon, SkAGIT 21 (Mount Vernon)

Can be seen on Comcast Cable channel 21 in the greater Skagit Valley viewing area. Broadcasts public meetings for cities and the county, along with public notices and events.

CASCAde MAll

201 cascade Mall Drive, Burlington www.shopcascademall.com (360) 757-2070

THe oUTleT SHoPPeS AT BURlInGTon

448 Fashion Way, Burlington www.theoutletshoppesatburlington.com (360) 757-3548

Island Family Physicians Anacortes (360) 293-9813

Looking for a doctor?

We take care of individuals and families through all ages and stages of life, building personal relationships to ensure comprehensive, compassionate and coordinated health care.

Our Urgent Care Clinic in Mount Vernon is open extended hours for urgent, non-emergency care when your regular doctor is unavailable.

Visit familycarenetwork.com to find the doctor for you here or in Whatcom County.

North Cascade Family Physicians Mount Vernon (360) 428-1700

North Cascade Urgent Care Clinic Mount Vernon (360) 428-1700 M-F 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sat. 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Walk-ins welcome

familycarenetwork.com

Local clinics, community connections for compassionate and coordinated care.

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skAGit county weAtHer

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kagit County lies at the same latitude as St. John’s, Newfoundland and Paris but has a milder climate than either due to the warming waters of the Pacific Ocean. That said, Skagit County has some of the most diverse weather of any county in Washington.

The western end of the county lies in the Olympic rain shadow and gets some of the smallest rainfall totals in Western Washington. The eastern end reaches the western slopes of the Cascades and can get more than 100 inches of rain a year.

The communities of Anacortes, La Conner, Mount Vernon and Burlington, at the western end, enjoy a relatively mild climate, with minimal rainfall and mild temperatures.

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But not far east in the community of Sedro-Woolley, and then farther east in Concrete and Marblemount, you find a very different climate indeed.

Anacortes, perched on the saltwater, gets an average of 26.5 inches of yearly rainfall. But, for every 15 miles to the east, rainfall increases by an average of 5 inches a year. And snowfall goes from an average of 5 inches annually in Anacortes to more than 50 inches at the eastern edge of the county.

Settlers at the turn of the 20th century selected the Skagit Valley for their homes because of the mild weather conditions and long growing seasons. Since then the Skagit Valley has developed into one of the most important agricultural regions of the state.

Summertime highs rarely go above 80, and during winter the lows usually stay above freezing.

Spring is the longest season, lasting from early February to the first of July.

During this time the weather is unpredictable, ranging from warm and sunny to cold and windy with steady rain.

July heralds the beginning of summer, with very little precipitation and temperatures in the mid 70s.

Fall is the shortest season, often lasting only the month of October before winter weather arrives in November.

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triBes SWInoMISH IndIAn TRIBAl CoMMUnITy

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he Swinomish tribe’s headquarters are in the historic Swinomish Village across Swinomish Channel from La Conner. What people might be more familiar with, though, is the Swinomish Casino & Lodge on Highway 20 east of Anacortes — or the nearby Swinomish Golf Links, an 18-hole course the tribe purchased in 2013.

The sweeping views from the lodge take in land where the Coast Salish people have lived for thousands of years.

The culture of the Swinomish — the People of the Salmon — centered around abundant saltwater resources, particularly salmon and shellfish, which remain a key part of the tribal economy today.

In addition to the casino, which began as a small bingo operation in 1985, the tribe operates the Swinomish Chevron Gas Station, which includes a tobacco, liquor and convenience store; the Swinomish Fish Company, which processes salmon and shellfish for a global market; the Swinomish RV Park, featuring 35 full-service sites located at the casino; and a Ramada Hotel in Ocean Shores on the Washington coast.

The tribe has become one of the five largest employers in Skagit County,

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with more than 250 employees in tribal government and approximately 300 employees in its casino and other economic enterprises. The reservation is about 15 square miles on the southeastern end of Fidalgo Island. The tribe has jurisdictional authority within the reservation’s boundaries and provides police and other governmental services to all residents.

The tribe operates a fisheries department and a water resources program and provides social and health services, education support and many other services. www.swinomish-nsn.gov

SAMISH IndIAn nATIon Historically, the large and powerful Samish Nation lived in finely crafted longhouses on Guemes, Samish and Fidalgo islands and along other coastal areas in the Salish Sea. They relied largely on saltwater resources.

The Samish’s status as a federally recognized Indian tribe was lost through a clerical error in 1969 when it was left off a list by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

It took more than 26 years of administrative and federal court proceedings to regain recognition for the Samish Indian Nation in 1996.

SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

Since then, the tribe has acquired property in and around Anacortes, including its cedar administrative offices and a health administration building, both on Commercial Avenue, as well as a preschool, the Fidalgo Bay RV Resort and tracts of land for future housing and economic development.

A point of pride: One of Washington State Ferries’ newest vessels has been named Samish. www.samishtribe.nsn.us

UPPeR SkAGIT TRIBe The 84-acre Upper Skagit Reservation is east of Sedro-Woolley, and the tribe has 504 enrolled members who are descended from a tribe that inhabited 10 villages on the Upper Skagit and Sauk rivers.

The tribe opened its $28 million Skagit Valley Casino Resort (www.theskagit.com) on a 15-acre site adjacent to Interstate 5 in Bow in 1995, and opened an $11 million, 103-room hotel and conference center in 2001.

(360) 854-7090

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almon need an adequate supply of cool, clean water to spawn, incubate, rear, feed, and migrate to and from the sea.

For decades, fisheries agencies have warned that additional water withdrawals from certain tributaries to the Skagit River – including Carpenter, Fisher, and Nookachamps Creeks – would harm salmon production. The fisheries agencies urged the Department of Ecology to preserve the remaining stream flows in these tributaries.

In 2001, Ecology adopted the Skagit River Instream Flow Rule. The instream flow levels in the Rule were based on best available science and prevented new, unmitigated year-round appropriations that would diminish stream flows in the Skagit River and its tributaries.

Ecology found that lower flow levels would not provide adequate protection for fish.

Despite this history, Ecology and Skagit County made a secret agreement in 2006 to allow new water reservations that would further reduce stream flows in the Skagit River basin, including small, overappropriated tributaries. At the same time, Ecology and Skagit County agreed that the tributary subbasins would be closed once the new reservations were used up. In 2009, Ecology warned Skagit County that the Carpenter/Fisher reservation was close to being fully allocated, and in 2011, Ecology closed the subbasin because its reservation is not only used up but also over-allocated.

Fisher Creek, a tributary of the Skagit River.

The Swinomish have relied upon the Skagit River salmon runs for countless generations. We rely on the salmon to sustain our bodies, our spirits and Even though it Fishing was Skagit is County Ecology that our culture. alsoand essential tomade thethe tribe’s economic life today. secret deal that caused the subbasin closures, the Swinomish have

wrongly been blamed for the closures of those basins, by private parties, the Prosecuting Attorney’s office, and by Skagit County commissioners. On November 3rd, the Skagit Valley Herald called the county to task for twisting the truth in a letter to landowners.

Over the years, the Skagit and its salmon have faced many threats from logging, mining, farming and fishing practices. The Swinomish and its allies have confronted andover overcome The Swinomish took Ecology to court the changes tomany the 2001of these threats, but some still instream flow rule because its action violated State law and harmed remain.

Overcoming them is essential to the tribe’s survival. fish. The Washington Supreme Court will hear arguments on our case on November 13th.

Day Creek, also a tributary of the Skagit River.

We welcome the visitors to the mighty Skagit River and its tributaries, which support six will wildcontinue species oftosalmon. us sustain this historical The Swinomish fight toHelp protect the mighty Skagit River and tributaries, and the six environmental wild species ofpractices salmon that call river and its its ecosystems through good as you the river all of us who live in this beautiful corner of the enjoy yourhome, visit toso ourthat ancestral homelands and waters. country can share in nature’s abundance for generations to come.

Contact: Governmental Affairs, Debra Lekanof dlekanof@swinomish.nsn.us

To learn more about the Swinomish Indian Tribe’s commitment to protecting the Skagit River for all of us: visit our website at www.swinomish.org

entertAinment

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or its size, Skagit County offers a wildly imaginative and eclectic menu of entertainment options.

Music, dance, art and professional and community theater are in abundance.

Visit nearly any city in the county and you’re bound to find a variety of galleries, art studios, clubs that feature live music and theater groups and venues that have a flair for the ambitious.

Music and dance thrive with a great deal of community support. A professional symphony, opera groups, orchestra, an abundance of talented community theater groups, volunteer chorales and choruses combine to create a rich cultural environment.

Venues MCInTyRe HAll McIntyre Hall, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, is Skagit County’s premier performing arts hall, located on the Skagit Valley College campus in Mount Vernon.

It has a seating capacity of 651 and a conference center that can accommodate up to 300 people.

McIntyre has a consistently outstanding performance schedule. In 2014, productions included “Aida” by Skagit Opera, “Shrek the Musical,” “Die Fledermaus,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and numerous jazz and holiday concerts.

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The 2015 schedule includes “Cinderella (La Cenerentola),” “Night of the Living Dead,” and Northwest Ballet Theater’s production of “Sleeping Beauty.”

Producers, directors, stage crews and actors have raved about McIntyre as one of the top venues for live performance in the region. It has a bar in the spacious lobby, where audiences can often watch backstage activity on a large television screen during intermissions.

For more information about tickets or the hall: (360) 416-7727, ext. 2; (866) 624-6897, ext. 2; or www.mcintyrehall.org

lInColn THeATRe The Lincoln Theatre in downtown Mount Vernon is a splendid performing arts venue and movie house. Built in 1926, this historic vaudeville and silent movie house has been renovated through the years into a premier stage for a variety of performances and events.

At the same time, the theater is a unique venue to catch showings of both independent and the latest films, and live, high-definition broadcasts of some of the world’s best opera from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York and the National Theatre in London.

In 2013, the theater upgraded to a digital movie projection system. In 2014, touring musicians and shows making a stop at the Lincoln included Coco Montoya, Cold Blood and Albert Lee.

SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

For a full list of events, call (360) 3368955 or visit www.lincolntheatre.org.

AnACoRTeS CoMMUnITy THeATRe The Anacortes Community Theatre was founded by a group of local theater aficionados in 1964 and has since evolved into a thriving theater organization with its own cozy building, offering up a variety of staged productions year-round.

Visitors can expect to see a helping of large-scale musicals, smaller comedies and dramas, and even shows written and produced by locals.

The 2014 schedule included “You Can’t Take It With You,” “Lend Me a Tenor” and “Anything Goes.” On the schedule for 2015: “Rumors,” “The Spitfire Grill” and “To Kill A Mockingbird.”

For more information or a complete list of upcoming shows and events: (360) 293-6829 or www.acttheatre.com

PHIllIP TARRo THeATRe Skagit Valley College’s 210-seat Phillip Tarro Theatre, located on the college’s Mount Vernon campus, is an intimate venue perfect for smaller productions, panels or workshops. The theater is home to the college’s drama department, led by Skagit Valley native Damond Morris, and its seasonal stage productions.

For more information about the theater: (360) 416-7723 or www.skagit.edu skagitvisitor.com

CINEMAS AMC Lowes Cascade Mall 14

Fourteen screens, 200 Cascade Mall Drive, Burlington www.amctheatres.com (888) 262-4386

Anacortes Cinemas

Three screens, 415 O Ave., Anacortes www.liveanacortes.com (360) 293-7000

Lincoln Theatre

One screen, 712 S. First St., Mount Vernon www.lincolntheatre.org (360) 336-8955

MUSEUM OF NORTHWEST ART The Museum of Northwest Art is one of the most influential art museums in the Pacific Northwest, focusing on exhibiting, preserving and interpreting Northwest art and artists.

Since it was founded in 1981 by a group of local artists, the museum has moved to its current location along First Street in La Conner, and has grown to include a permanent collection of more than 2,500 pieces. It also offers a full season of art workshops, activities and exhibits from artists. Admission is free.

For a list of upcoming exhibits or to find out more about the museum: (360) 466-4446 or www.museumofnwart.org

CONWAY MUSE The Conway Muse is a multifaceted venue with live music, dinner theater, improvisation and comedy. It also has a retail store.

Located at the west end of Conway, the music lineup at the Muse features blues, country and western, acoustic and more. The food menu features barbecue, sandwiches and creative twists on burgers.

For information and complete schedule, call (360) 445-3000 or visit www.theconwaymuse.com

CASINOS Skagit Valley Casino Resort Skagit Valley Casino Resort includes a 103-room hotel and conference center, more than 860 slot machines in the casino, three restaurants and live entertainment in several rooms.

Take Interstate 5 to Bow Hill Road (exit 236) and head east for a couple of blocks, then turn left onto Darrk Lane.

(877) 275-2448, (360) 724-7777 www.theskagit.com 5984 N. Darrk Lane, Bow

Swinomish Casino and Lodge Table games, slots, restaurant, bingo, poker, comedy, live boxing, banquets, RV park. The casino, which opened a 98-room hotel in 2012, includes a finedining restaurant, a sports bar, cafĂŠ, deli and meeting and convention spaces overlooking Padilla Bay. Take Interstate 5 to exit 230 and head west over the Duane Berentson Bridge onto Fidalgo Island.

(360) 293-2691, (888) 288-8883 www.swinomishcasinoandlodge.com 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes

Performance groups Skagit Symphony (360) 848-9336 or www.skagitsymphony.com

Skagit Opera

(360) 422-5070 or www.skagitopera.org

Theatre Arts Guild www.theaterartsguild.org

Fidalgo Youth Symphony

(360) 421-2527 or www.fysmusic.org

Skagit Valley Chorale

info@skagitvalleychorale.org or www.skagitvalleychorale.org

Skagit River Shakespeare Festival www.shakesnw.org

Alger Lookout Thespian Association www.altatheatre.com

Meta Performing Arts (877) 490-6382 or www.metaperformingarts.org

Lyric Light Opera (360) 387-3948 or www.lyriclightopera.org

Cantabile of Skagit Valley

(360) 466-1783 or www.cantabileofskagitvalley.org skagitvisitor.com

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Advertiser directory anacoRteS aRtS FeStIVaL........................................................39

Mount VeRnon cHaMBeR oF coMMeRce......................57

anacoRteS MuSeuM ....................................................................35

noRtH caScaDe FaMILy PHySIcIanS .................................76

BIG ScooP Inc...................................................................................25

outLet SHoPPeS at BuRLInGton .......................................33

BoB’S BuRGeRS & BReW ...............................................................19

PoRt oF SkaGIt county............................................................83

BuRLInGton cHaMBeR oF coMMeRce ............................53

RooZenGaaRDe...............................................................................11

cHILDRen’S MuSeuM oF SkaGIt county........................13

SkaGIt Bank ......................................................................................71

cHRIStIanSon’S nuRSeRy.........................................................13

SkaGIt county FaIRGRounDS ..............................................16

conWay PuB & eateRy .................................................................51

SkaGIt county HIStoRIcaL MuSeuM ..............................47

cook RoaD SHeLL ..........................................................................19

SkaGIt ReGIonaL cLInIcS..........................................................2

cottonS ..............................................................................................49

SkaGIt SPeeDWay ...........................................................................23

eaRtHenWoRkS GaLLeRy .........................................................49

SkaGIt SyMPHony .........................................................................15

FaIRFIeLD Inn & SuIteS ..............................................................19

SkaGIt VaLLey caSIno ................................................................84

HeRItaGe Bank................................................................................73

SkaGIt VaLLey FooD co-oP........................................................7

HoteL PLanteR ...............................................................................49

SkaGIt VaLLey WILLS & tRuStS.............................................15

HuMan LIFe oF Mount VeRnon ...........................................21

SkaGIt’S oWn FISH MaRket .......................................................7

ISLanD HoSPItaL ..............................................................................3

SeDRo-WooLLey cHaMBeR oF coMMeRce.....................63

JItteRBuGS eSPReSSo..................................................................19

SeDRo-WooLLey MuSeuM & GIFt SHoP ............................64

La conneR cHaMBeR oF coMMeRce.................................49

SMuGGLeR BRotHeRS MaRIJuana MeRcantILe.........41

La conneR cHanneL LoDGe ...................................................47

SWInoMISH caSIno anD LoDGe ..............................................9

La conneR countRy Inn ..........................................................47

SWInoMISH InDIan tRIBaL coMMunIty .........................79

La conneR QuILt anD teXtILe MuSeuM.........................47

tayLoR SHeLLFISH.........................................................................45

Lake McMuRRy RecReatIon aSSocIatIon....................51

WInDeRMeRe ReaL eState .......................................................39

LennInG FaRMS / BeRRy BaRn .................................................16

WooD MeRcHant, tHe ................................................................48

MuSeuM oF noRtHWeSt aRt..................................................47

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SKAGIT counTy Visitors & newcomers Guide 2015

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