I’ve been looking forward to these concerts all summer.

The Stillaguamish Festival of the River and Pow Wow is one of my favorite local events every year. It is free. That’s right free. So right there it’s better than most. There is a $10 parking charge. But it also is filled with great entertainment. There is a logging show, Native American dancing, children’s activities and great music.

I plan to go both days this year because I’m a big fan of both headliners – Jonny Lang and LeAnn Rimes. Rimes performs Aug. 12 at 5 p.m. at the Salmon Stage, and Lang at the same time and place, except on Aug. 13. The shows are at River Meadows Park, 20416 Jordan Road, Arlington.

Both Lang and Rimes were teenage sensations. Lang was going to be the next BB King, and Rimes the next Patsy Cline.

Neither has reached those pinnacles of success, but both have had solid careers, interrupted by personal challenges. Both have won Grammy Awards, which epitomize success in the music world.

Both have even appeared in movies, Lang in “Blues Brothers” and Rimes in “Coyote Ugly.”

Lang reached stardom at age 15 with the album “Lie to Me,” which I used to sing in a band. Every song on that album is good, including: “A Quitter Never Wins,” “Missing Your Love” and “Darker Side.” I also have his second album, “Wander This World,” which includes “Angel of Mercy.”

I saw Lang many years ago at Bumbershoot, and I highly recommend going to this concert. I know him better from his early years playing blues and rock. But after dealing with alcohol and drug addiction he became a Christian in 2000. He now plays gospel also. But whatever type of music he plays, he is a wonderful guitarist, having performed with King, the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith and Sting. Rimes also burst onto the scene at an early age, 13, with the song “Blue.” The country-pop singer’s later hits included “You Light Up My Life,” and my personal favorite, “How Do I live?” Local country favorite Jesse Taylor of Arlington performs right before Rimes, starting at 2:30. Other music starts as early as when the gates open at 11 a.m.

The Logging Show also is a fun event. It is at 3 p.m. each day. There is also a Storytelling Tent, which offers stories hourly starting at noon. The New Old Time Chautauqua circus troupe is another feature this year.

The 5-kilometer Stilly Fun Run and a traditional salmon bake also are part of the festivities.

There truly is something for everyone as the festival also includes: food and craft vendors, environment and wellness exhibits, Fun Zone rides and activities, a river walk and a salmon obstacle course, along with the pow wow.

Needed for the event are volunteers to greet visitors, survey their opinions, a green team to help with recycling, and people to help kids with crafts and the sand sculptures. Call 360-547-2687.

For details of the festival, go to www.festivaloftheriver.com.

Steve Powell is managing editor of The Marysville Globe-The Arlington Times.