ARLINGTON — Rain didn’t stop many from indulging in the local festivities in Arlington July 4 at Haller Park.
The pancake breakfast was provided by the 12th Man Grill with labor provided by Youth Dynamics.
“We knew we had to have something,” Youth Dynamics coordinator Jessica Rohnar said after the previous group decided not to continue the tradition. “We decided to find a way to keep it going.”
Despite the rainy conditions, Rohnar was please with the turnout.
Some folks filling up on pancakes, eggs and sausage were certainly going to need those carbs for the annual Peddle Paddle Puff triatholan. Some competed as individuals and others on a team. Many were unhindered by the rain.
“It’s fun to support the community and challenge yourself,” Marc Schuh from Stanwood said. “That’s what motivated us to do it.”
Sisters Tiffany Pratt and Sara Lopez competed on a team.
“I’m looking forward to just completing it and not getting dumped in the canoe,” Pratt said. “I don’t want to be in the water.”
“I just wanted to do something fun with my sister,” said Lopez, who lives in Anchorage, Alaska. “I convinced her to come to Alaska to do a triathalon so I couldn’t say no when she asked me to do this.”
Others attended the Kiwanis Auction, where participants placed bids on items ranging from Mariner tickets to gift baskets. Proceeds went to Kiwanis’ academic scholarships.
Around noon, the Old-Fashioned Fourth at Legion Park got off to a slow start, but people eventually trickled in to enjoy activites, including rock climbing and horseback riding.
Michael Dickinson, who traveled with his family from north Marysville, had a great time having his kids horseback ride.
His son, Oliver, 7, enjoyed his horseback ride. “It made me think about going to sleep,” he said. “Except with me hanging on to something.
“We just enjoy the local festivities,” Dickinson said. “We like to support the local people.”
Elizabeth Ness of Camano Island served as the watchful eyes over the three kids she was with. They decided to visit Arlingt0n because it was close to home.
“We didn’t even know this was going to be here,” Ness said. “So walking down after breakfast we were like, ‘oh my gosh.'”
One of her youthful accomplices was Callie Johnson, 7, who got to try her hands and feet on the rock wall.
“It was really fun,” she said. “The cable goes down really slow.”
