A fantastic festival for the fun-focused

From fireworks to line dancing to salmon bake to Old Town parade, this year’s Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival is gearing up to be a winner.

Organized and operated almost exclusively by volunteers, the annual festival provides an opportunity for the community to celebrate and honor itself.

Along with a smorgasboard of food booths, arts and crafts exhibits, kid activities and more, organizers have scheduled different activities each day over the three-day event to keep you wanting to come back.

Among the highlights, the festival is hosting a special Veterans & First Responders Dinner on Friday, Sept. 5, next to the lighthouse to honor local heroes with an evening of appreciation. The free dinner is being provided by the Hook & Cleaver restaurant. Veterans and First Responders who would like to attend should RSVP to info@mukfest.com for the dinner.

Megan Reed, president of the festival board of directors, said visitors should dig out their cowboy boots, also on Friday, for a fun evening of line dancing. The South Fork Kickers will offer line dancing lessons from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Beer Garden, so guys, no excuse. Then, at 8 p.m., the country band Rebel Canyon will launch for line dancers experienced and novice to kick up their heels.

New this year, a drone show will light up the night sky beginning around dusk. A relatively new phenomenon, drone shows are a spectacular aerial light show that uses a fleet of LED-equipped drones, controlled by a central computer, to fly in choreographed patterns that form shapes, colors and animations.

On Saturday, of course, the fireworks show, which typically draws the biggest crowd of the weekend. So plan accordingly. Waterfront parking is limited, so park at Kamiak High or Olympic View Middle School and bus down to the waterfront.

But earlier Saturday, from 1-2 p.m., join art enthusiasts when the Tulalip Tribe unveils two new totem poles that will border the band shelter.

On Sunday, start the day right with a delicious pancake breakfast from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on the lighthouse lawn, cooked up by volunteers from the Mukilteo Fire Foundation. Diners will be able to play bingo, too! Cost is donation of your choice.

Kids will find plenty to do all three days with inflatables, the Reptile Lady, Bubble Man and Taekwondoway, but Sunday will wrap up especially fun with a Foam Party from 4-5 p.m. in the Children’s Area.