EVERETT June 27: Salty Sea Days is returning to downtown Everett July 12-13 for its third annual family-friendly event celebrating community and maritime heritage.
Salty Sea Days was established in 1970 and was an annual event in June that included car shows, boat races, a parade, a carnival and a firework show. The Everett City Council voted in October 2003 to stop the festival’s $70,000-a-year guaranteed subsidy, which was taken from the city hotel tax budget. The Salty Sea Days Association that ran the festival disbanded after the loss of funding.
“The Downtown Everett Association (DEA) wanted to revive the spirit of Salty Sea Days with our signature festival. This is an event by and for the community, focusing on Everett-based musicians, artists, and businesses,” Marketing Manager Madison Vazquez wrote in an email.
The DEA revived the festival in 2022 and it has gained momentum since as the community continues to support the return of the well-loved festival.
The DEA is a nonprofit organization collaborating with businesses, residents, governments, community organizations and more to create a healthy, vibrant urban core, according to their website.
“We have so many incredible annual events celebrating local music, local craft beer, local arts, etc., but Salty Sea Days is intended to be a celebration of Everett itself,” Vazquez wrote.
This year Salty Sea Days will feature live music, family-friendly activities, and a beer garden sponsored by Scuttlebutt Brewing Co. Over 30 artists and vendors will be at the event as well as a 30-foot Kraken-themed slide. The event will begin Friday at 4 p.m. ending at 10 p.m., and Saturday will start at noon ending at 10 p.m.
The Lucky Dime, a beer bar, music venue, and art gallery in downtown Everett helped DEA book two days of Pacific Northwest performers and songwriters. The full list of performers can be found here: https://downtowneverettwa.org/salty-sea-days/
“Alex at Lucky Dime worked hard to curate a lineup that celebrates Everett’s past and future,” Vazquez wrote.
Food trucks will also be present at the event. This year Finn the Food Truck run by Anthony’s, a local seafood restaurant will be present along with 88Cues. Yay High, Yay Big, Yay Ice Cream will offer dessert.
The festival is the same weekend as the Everett 3on3 presented by Boeing, with other local events overlapping. Kla Ha Ya Days is hosting its carnival July 10-14 in Snohomish. Other events that weekend include the Arlington Street Fair and the Local and Loud Festival in Lynnwood.
“Our entertainment will offer free activities for athletes and spectators on Friday and Saturday evenings, providing post tournament excitement for attendees. Cross-promotion of these events is expected to draw even larger crowds than previous years,” the press release from DEA read.
Vazquez wrote the festival is made possible by community support like the volunteer planning committee, day-of-event volunteers, and sponsorships from local businesses.
Salty Sea Days apparel is available, offering t-shirts and sweatshirts.
DEA is still looking for volunteers to help run the festival. If you are interested in volunteering, you can fill out this form, or contact Madison for more information.
If you are interested in being a vendor, see here: dteverett.org/saltyvendor. If you are interested in sponsoring the event, see here dteverett.org/saltysponsor.
Salty Sea Days is sponsored by North Sound Media, Skotdal Real Estate, the Irishmen Pub, Heritage Bank, and City of Everett Hotel/motel tax fund grants, LTAC.
Vazquez wrote that while LTAC funds have been critical to launching this event in its first few years, they rely on sponsorships and revenue from the beer garden and merch sales to cover most of the event expenses.
