Sublime Summer in Edmonds, Part One
Summer is (finally) here and we’ve got a list to keep you busy right here in Edmonds!
With June-uary squarely in our rearview, it means summertime action is in full swing from now until Labor Day. Edmonds features a plethora of activities to get you out there catching up on your Vitamin D, so many activities that we are breaking it all down into a two-part series.
Garden Tour
Sponsored by Edmonds in Bloom, the annual Edmonds Garden Tour takes place on Sunday, July 15th from 11am to 4pm. This highly anticipated annual event for anyone with a green (or not-quite-green) thumb celebrates its 23rd year in 2018.
Participants are invited to see seven private gardens (six in Edmonds, one in Woodway). These gardens feature a bit of everything, including roses, hostas, urban settings, a country escape, vegetables, chicken coops, and more. Some are totally DIY while others are professionally landscaped.
Attendee for several years, Kristine Hovde of Edmonds shares why she keeps returning, “I’ve learned about lots of different plant materials and what I might want to introduce to my garden. I learned about ponds, fish species and how heron and raccoons love the ponds. It’s fun to see behind the gates of different properties. It’s an insight to secret gardens in town.”
On the tour you will meet each garden owner and be able to ask questions, discover new techniques, and become inspired by what you see. Proceeds from the Garden Tour help fund other programs for Edmonds in Bloom to beautify our community through the year.
Brooke Baker offered us this perspective about the annual Garden Tour, “Do you ever walk by a house with a beautiful front yard, well-tended, with interesting plants, not only expertly chosen for their spots but how well they bring out the best in each other? I sure do, wishing I could linger a bit longer and peek to the back to see more. But I am mindful to move along and respect the privacy and property of the owners no matter how curious I am about the rest of the landscape. The Edmonds Garden Tour is a must see day for those like me, who are thrilled for the opportunity to follow the side yards (usually quite interesting in their own right) to view and explore the private backyard oases where inviting seating areas and other surprises such as water features, garden art and secret garden areas are unveiled. An ornamental landscape teacher once told me ‘the front yard is your gift to the street; the back yard is your gift to yourself.’ Thank you to all the homeowners who share their backyard gifts with those of us on the tour.”
Tickets are $15 before July 15th and increase to $20 the day of the event. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Edmonds in Bloom.
Edmonds Museum Summer Market
The Edmonds Museum Summer Market takes place every Saturday from 9am to 3pm from now until October 6th on both 5th and 6th Avenues at Bell Street (FYI no market on August 11th due to Taste Edmonds).
People travel to Edmonds from throughout the Puget Sound area to shop the over 120 vendors and stock up on farm-fresh produce, gorgeous floral bouquets, products from a wide variety of local artisans, and delicious ready-to-eat foods.
“We look forward every summer to getting our favorite salsa at the market. We’ve been taking our kids since they were in strollers and now, as teenagers, they can go with friends and check out all the produce, jewelry and snacks. It’s a great amenity of Edmonds and gets you right into downtown to see what Edmonds has to offer!” says Edmonds resident, Bethany Moore.
Strolling the summer market delights the senses and you never know what new must-have item you will discover each week!
Beach Picnic
Sara Watkins shared with us, “Summer picnics at the beach are something my kids and I look forward to each year. We grab some take out, call up a few friends, and all head down to enjoy one of the best things about living near Edmonds!”
If you haven’t heard, there’s a new hotspot in town that serves up the perfect fare to take to the beach for a summer picnic. The Mar·ket Fishmonger & Eatery, located right near the Edmonds fountain, is part fresh fish counter and part restaurant. They have a convenient to-go window where you can pick up a meal of fish tacos, lobster rolls, or their soon-to-be-famous fish and chips. Seriously, the fish and chips are getting rave reviews all over the Seattle media.
Take your to-go goodies down to the beach or if you really can’t wait to dig in, there are tables outside of Mar·ket for dining al fresco, too.
Outdoor Dining
Speaking of dining al fresco, you’ve got many delectable options in downtown Edmonds.
Las Brisas has a large patio where you can nosh on Mexican cuisine and sip yummy margaritas while people watching at lively Hazel Miller Plaza. On every Thursday evening from 5-6:30pm or Tuesday afternoon at noon, you’ll enjoy a free summer concert put on by the Edmonds Arts Commission as you dine.
With their menu of fresh offerings including crepes, wraps, and salads as well as fresh homemade pastries, Red Twig features both indoor and outdoor dining. They recently expanded their business hours to include evening hours (to 9pm) offering another venue to soak in a summer evening with delicious food and drink.
And if taking in the water view and summer sunset while you dine is on your list, you must check out the expansive outdoor dining area at Anthony’s Beach Café or the cozy deck at Rory’s of Edmonds. For more outdoor dining ideas, visit Ed!’s complete list.
Find Waldo
Once again this summer, 52 downtown businesses have teamed up with the Edmonds Bookshop for a beloved family-friendly Edmonds summer event: Where’s Waldo.
When asked about the annual hunt for Waldo, Nikki Glaros told us, “It’s a tradition for my daughter and one of her besties to participate every year – they go to ALL the businesses! It’s fun and also a great opportunity to walk around our town and discover local businesses we may not have had a chance to visit before.”
Through the end of July, visit the bookshop or any of the participating merchants to pick up your passport with all of the details. Find Waldo in at least 25 places to be entered into the grand prize drawing.
Also, mark your calendars for Waldo’s Birthday Party at the Edmonds Bookshop on July 31st at 1pm for cake, games, and more chances to win prizes!
Stay tuned for our second installment of summer in Edmonds coming soon. In the meantime, visit www.www.edmondsdowntown.org for a calendar of upcoming local events and listings of all of our great downtown Edmonds businesses.
By Kelsey Foster, photography by Matt Hulbert