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Category: Exploring Everett

Everett, Washington is in the middle of something big. A $1 billion waterfront transformation. A Boeing workforce that built the world’s largest commercial jets. A port city with a downtown that’s finally catching up to its potential. A Navy presence at Naval Station Everett. A comedy and arts scene punching above its weight. And neighborhoods — Riverside, Silver Lake, Downtown, Bayside — each with their own identity and story.

Exploring Everett is Tygart Media’s hyperlocal coverage vertical for Snohomish County’s largest city. We cover the waterfront redevelopment, Boeing and Paine Field, city hall, the food and arts scene, real estate, neighborhoods, and everything in between — written for people who live here, work here, or are paying attention to what’s coming.

Coverage categories include: Everett News, Waterfront Development, Boeing & Aerospace, Business, Arts & Culture, Food & Drink, Real Estate, Neighborhoods, Government, Schools, Public Safety, Events, and Outdoors.

Exploring Everett content is also published at exploringeverett.com.

  • Everett’s Proposed Utility Tax Would Add $10.74 a Month to Most Snohomish County Water Bills

    Everett residents and Snohomish County water customers could see their monthly bills increase by nearly $11 starting July 1, 2026, if the Everett City Council approves a proposal to double the city’s utility tax rate on water and sewer services.

    The proposal, which the council is expected to consider through three readings beginning in April, would replace the existing 6 percent “payment in lieu of taxes” (PILT) fee with a 12 percent utility tax on water and sewer. That change would raise approximately $7.5 million per year for the city’s general fund — closing about half of a projected $14 million budget deficit the city faces heading into 2027.

    What It Means for Your Water Bill

    For the average Everett water customer, the tax increase would add roughly $10.74 per month in additional charges. The city’s current 6 percent fee has been in place since 1983 — more than four decades without adjustment. City officials argue the updated structure better aligns with state law that explicitly allows municipalities to levy utility taxes.

    “Our tax will be embedded in wholesale water costs, and then other cities can do what they will with their utility taxes,” City Finance Director Mike Bailey told the Everett Herald in March.

    The change affects more than just city residents. Everett’s water system serves approximately 670,000 people — roughly three-quarters of all businesses and residents across Snohomish County. Communities that purchase wholesale water from Everett will see the tax embedded in what they pay Everett, and those cities may then choose to layer their own utility taxes on top of that wholesale rate.

    Over 180,000 sewer customers would also be affected.

    Why Everett Faces a $14 Million Gap

    The budget shortfall is not a sudden emergency — city officials have been working to address a structural revenue gap that grows as demand for services increases while traditional revenue sources remain flat. Mayor Cassie Franklin addressed the issue directly during her March 2026 State of the City address, telling residents: “We cannot cut our way to a sustainable future.”

    Options the city has evaluated to close the gap include regionalizing library or fire services and pursuing a targeted property tax levy lid lift. The utility tax approach has gained traction because it does not require voter approval, can be implemented relatively quickly, and taps into a revenue source the city’s legal department says is clearly permitted under Washington state law.

    The new tax would close approximately half the projected $14 million deficit. City officials have not yet publicly committed to a specific plan for closing the remaining gap.

    Low-Income Customer Protections

    City officials have indicated they plan to expand utility payment assistance programs for income-qualified customers before the tax takes effect. No details about the expanded program have been released publicly as of publication.

    What Happens Next

    The Everett City Council is expected to hold its first reading on the utility tax ordinance in April 2026. Under standard council procedure, an ordinance requires three readings before it can be voted on for final approval. If the council approves the measure on its current timeline, the 12 percent rate would take effect July 1, 2026.

    No council vote has occurred yet. Residents who wish to weigh in can attend council meetings held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Everett City Council Chambers, 3002 Wetmore Ave., or submit comments through the city’s official website at everettwa.gov.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the current utility tax rate in Everett?
    The city currently charges a 6 percent fee described as a “payment in lieu of taxes” on water and sewer services. This rate has been in place since 1983.

    How much more will I pay each month?
    The city estimates the average customer will pay approximately $10.74 more per month if the 12 percent rate is approved.

    Do I have to be an Everett resident to be affected?
    No. Everett’s water system serves approximately 670,000 people across Snohomish County — roughly three-quarters of the county’s residents and businesses. If your community buys water from Everett, you may see the increase reflected in your bill.

    Does this require voter approval?
    No. A utility tax does not require a public vote. The Everett City Council has authority to approve it through the standard ordinance process.

    When would the new rate take effect?
    The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026, pending council approval.

    Will there be assistance for low-income customers?
    City officials have stated they plan to expand utility payment assistance programs before implementation, but details have not been finalized.

    How much money will this raise?
    The city projects the 12 percent utility tax would raise approximately $7.5 million annually toward the general fund.

    Why does Everett have a budget deficit?
    The city faces a projected $14 million budget shortfall in its 2027 general fund. Mayor Franklin has said the city cannot solve the gap through cuts alone and is pursuing new revenue strategies.

    Go Deeper: We’ve published detailed knowledge nodes expanding on this story for specific Everett audiences:

  • Living in Silver Lake: Everett’s Neighborhood With an Actual Lake in the Middle of It

    Quick Answer: Silver Lake is a family-friendly neighborhood in southeast Everett anchored by a glacier-formed lake with three connected parks, a loop trail, and seasonal outdoor events. With about 22,000 residents, a strong neighborhood association, and the laid-back feeling of a lakeside community inside a mid-size city, Silver Lake is one of Everett’s most livable spots.

    Living in Silver Lake: Everett’s Neighborhood With an Actual Lake in the Middle of It

    There’s something a little unusual about Silver Lake that takes a moment to fully register when you first move to Everett: it’s a neighborhood named after a lake that actually exists, right in the middle of it. That sounds obvious, but in a region full of neighborhoods named after features that were paved over decades ago, Silver Lake delivers. The water is real, the parks around it are real, and the sense of community that’s built up around both is very much real.

    Located in the southeastern part of the city, Silver Lake is one of Everett’s larger neighborhoods with roughly 22,000 residents. It doesn’t have the boutique-y trendiness of some Everett spots closer to downtown, and it doesn’t try to. What it has is a quiet, family-friendly character built around a genuine natural amenity — and a community that takes that seriously.

    The Lake That Started It All

    Silver Lake itself is a glacial lake, formed over 10,000 years ago when the glaciers that shaped this whole region retreated north. The lake once supported silver salmon populations — which is how it got its name. Those salmon runs are long gone, but the lake remains the physical and social heart of the neighborhood.

    Three parks ring the water and connect via the Silver Lake Loop trail, a walking and biking path that makes a full circuit around the lake:

    • Thornton A. Sullivan Park — on the west shore, this is the social hub of the lake. It has picnic shelters, a sandy beach, and a seasonal swimming area. On Friday nights in July and August, it hosts “Cinema Under the Stars,” a free outdoor movie series that draws families from across the area.
    • Hauge Homestead Park — on the southeast shore, with car-top boat launch access for kayakers, canoeists, and small watercraft.
    • Green Lantern Park — on the northeast side, popular with anglers who know the good fishing spots along this stretch of the bank.

    In summer, the lake comes alive with canoe races and miniature hydroplane races that launch from Sullivan Park — the kind of local tradition that sounds charmingly old-fashioned until you’re standing on the bank watching it happen and realize this is just what Everett neighborhoods do when they have a lake.

    What the Neighborhood Is Actually Like

    Silver Lake is the kind of neighborhood that tops the “dog friendly,” “family friendly,” and “peaceful” lists on community platforms like Nextdoor — and means it. The streets surrounding the lake are mostly residential, with the kind of mix of mid-century homes and more recent construction that defines much of Everett’s southeast side. The vibe skews quiet and outdoorsy.

    The neighborhood is well-served for daily needs. Pinehurst-Beverly Park neighbors to the south, and the broader corridor along 19th Avenue SE and Airport Road keeps grocery stores, pharmacies, and the usual suburban commercial mix within a short drive.

    What Silver Lake is most consistently praised for: the trail. The Silver Lake Loop gives residents a car-free path around an actual lake within walking distance of most homes in the neighborhood. In a city where most “nature access” means driving to a state park, having a loop trail out the front door is a genuine quality-of-life feature that residents don’t take for granted.

    The Neighborhood Association

    Silver Lake has an active neighborhood group — the Silver Lake Neighborhood Group — which maintains a presence online and holds regular meetings for residents who want to stay connected to what’s happening in the area. The group has done historical documentation work, including video presentations featuring research into the neighborhood’s past, going back to when land titles were first issued in the 1890s.

    The neighborhood is also engaged with environmental stewardship of the lake itself. Snohomish County provides a lake health report card for Silver Lake, and the community participates in protection initiatives to keep water quality high. When a lake is the center of your neighborhood’s identity, you tend to care about what goes into it.

    If you want to get involved, the Silver Lake Neighborhood Group is easy to find via the City of Everett’s Office of Neighborhoods, or through their Facebook and social media presence.

    Getting There and Getting Around

    Silver Lake sits in the southeastern quadrant of Everett, roughly bounded by Highway 99 to the west and Interstate 5 to the east, which makes it genuinely accessible for commuters heading both directions. The Everett Station area and downtown are about a 15-minute drive north. South Everett’s commercial corridor is close, and the Alderwood Mall area in Lynnwood is reachable without much highway pain.

    For families with school-age kids, Silver Lake is served by Everett Public Schools, which is currently in the process of planning its next three-year strategic direction — meaning there’s an active window for community involvement in how the district serves neighborhoods like this one. Watch for announcements at everettsd.org.

    What Makes Silver Lake Worth Knowing About

    Everett has 21 neighborhoods, and each one has something that makes it worth knowing. Silver Lake’s thing is this: it’s the neighborhood where nature isn’t a weekend trip — it’s Tuesday evening. It’s the family on the loop trail after dinner. It’s the fishing at Green Lantern Park on a Saturday morning. It’s Cinema Under the Stars on a warm July night when the water is still and the whole neighborhood shows up with blankets and lawn chairs.

    It’s a neighborhood that has figured out what it wants to be and is quietly, steadily being it. That’s rarer than it sounds.

    For more information on Silver Lake’s neighborhood group, visit silverlakewa.org. For parks information, visit everettwa.gov/parks.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where is Silver Lake in Everett WA?

    Silver Lake is located in the southeastern part of Everett, Washington. The neighborhood is anchored by Silver Lake, a glacial lake surrounded by three connected parks and a loop trail.

    Is Silver Lake a good neighborhood in Everett?

    Silver Lake is consistently rated as one of Everett’s most family-friendly and livable neighborhoods. Residents praise it for being dog-friendly, peaceful, walkable around the lake, and community-oriented.

    What parks are in Silver Lake Everett?

    Three parks ring Silver Lake and connect via the Silver Lake Loop trail: Thornton A. Sullivan Park (west shore, beach, swimming, outdoor movies), Hauge Homestead Park (southeast, boat launch), and Green Lantern Park (northeast, fishing).

    Does Silver Lake have a neighborhood association?

    Yes. The Silver Lake Neighborhood Group holds regular meetings and maintains an active community presence. Find them at silverlakewa.org or through the City of Everett’s Office of Neighborhoods.

    What is Cinema Under the Stars at Silver Lake?

    Cinema Under the Stars is a free outdoor movie series held on Friday evenings in July and August at Thornton A. Sullivan Park on the west shore of Silver Lake. It’s a popular community event open to all.

    How big is the Silver Lake neighborhood in Everett?

    Silver Lake has approximately 22,000 residents, making it one of Everett’s larger neighborhoods by population.

  • Everett Is Changing How It Talks to Neighborhoods — Here’s What That Means for You

    Quick Answer: Everett launched a new format for neighborhood engagement in February 2026, replacing individual association visits from city officials with annual districtwide meetings that bring all neighborhood groups in a council district together at once. The first meeting drew about 60 residents to the Cascade Boys and Girls Club in District 2, with Mayor Cassie Franklin, Police Chief Robert Goetz, and Council Member Paula Rhyne attending.

    Everett Is Changing How It Talks to Neighborhoods — Here’s What That Means for You

    Something shifted in how Everett connects with its residents this past February, and if you’re involved in any of the city’s neighborhood associations — or you’ve been meaning to get involved — it’s worth understanding what changed and why it matters.

    For years, city officials made the rounds by visiting individual neighborhood associations, showing up at separate meetings across all 19 groups scattered through Everett’s five council districts. It was well-intentioned, but it meant the same officials repeating the same updates dozens of times while different neighborhood groups often didn’t know what was happening two blocks away. The city piloted a new approach this year, and if it takes hold, it could genuinely change how engaged Everett residents feel in their own neighborhoods.

    What the New Format Looks Like

    On February 24, 2026, the city held its first districtwide neighborhood meeting at the Cascade Boys and Girls Club in District 2. Instead of sending officials out to individual neighborhood associations one at a time, the new model convenes all neighborhood groups within a single council district together in one room, once a year.

    About 60 residents turned out for that first meeting — not a massive crowd, but a meaningful one for a pilot format. Attending alongside neighbors from across District 2 were Mayor Cassie Franklin, District 2 City Council Member Paula Rhyne, and Police Chief Robert Goetz.

    The idea is simple: equitable engagement. Every neighborhood in a district hears the same information at the same time, from the same officials. Nobody gets the mayor’s visit and nobody gets left with just a staffer. The individual neighborhood associations still hold their regular meetings independently — this annual districtwide gathering is an addition, not a replacement.

    What They Actually Talked About

    The February meeting covered a lot of ground — these weren’t soft, feel-good topics. Officials addressed immigration enforcement response, housing policy, youth safety, traffic safety, economic development, and the city’s drones-as-first-responders program.

    Council Member Rhyne went into specifics about a significant challenge ahead: Everett is facing an anticipated $14 million general fund shortfall heading into 2027. Rhyne outlined potential paths to close that gap, including regionalizing library and fire services or implementing a targeted property tax levy increase for parks or public safety.

    Mayor Franklin added that if additional funding does materialize, the city intends to maintain and expand services — extending library hours was one specific example she mentioned.

    These are real conversations about real tradeoffs, held in a room with the people most affected by them. That’s exactly the kind of civic engagement Everett neighborhoods have asked for.

    Why This Change Matters for Neighborhood Life

    Everett has 19 active neighborhood associations spanning five council districts. They range in size and energy — some run robust programs, others are smaller groups that meet a few times a year. The challenge has always been making sure every neighborhood feels like it has a real channel to city leadership, not just the ones with the loudest voices or the most organized association leadership.

    The districtwide format addresses that in a couple of ways. First, it puts neighbors from different associations in the same room, which tends to surface shared concerns that individual groups might not realize are city-wide. Second, it makes city officials directly accountable to a broader cross-section of residents at once, rather than managing separate narratives with each group.

    Council Member Rhyne also mentioned preliminary work toward annexing southern Everett areas — a process that, if it happens, would likely span several years. That’s exactly the kind of long-horizon planning news that neighbors need to hear early, not after decisions are already made.

    What About Your Neighborhood Association?

    Your neighborhood association isn’t going anywhere. This new districtwide meeting is meant to complement, not replace, the regular work of neighborhood groups. If anything, it gives associations a better reason to stay active and connected — because now there’s an annual districtwide event where their voices contribute to a larger district-level conversation.

    Everett’s 19 neighborhood associations are:

    Bayside, Boulevard Bluffs, Cascade View, Delta, Evergreen, Glacier View, Harborview-Seahurst-Glenhaven, Holly, Lowell, Northwest, Pinehurst-Beverly Park, Port Gardner, Riverside, Silver Lake, South Forest Park, Twin Creeks, Valley View-Sylvan Crest-Larimer Ridge, View Ridge-Madison, and Westmont.

    If you’re not sure which association covers your block, the City’s Office of Neighborhoods keeps an updated map and contact list. You can reach them at (425) 257-7112 or nwebber@everettwa.gov, or visit everettwa.gov/neighborhoods.

    The Bigger Vision: One Everett

    Mayor Franklin has been using the phrase “One Everett” to describe her administration’s approach to the city. The districtwide neighborhood meeting format fits squarely into that framing — the idea that city leadership should be equally accessible across all neighborhoods, not just the ones that are easiest to reach or most organized.

    Whether this pilot format becomes permanent depends on how well it works. If turnout grows and the conversations it generates prove more productive than the old model, it seems likely to continue and expand. If you care about how your neighborhood connects to city government, showing up to the next one in your district is the most direct way to have a say in whether this experiment succeeds.

    How to Stay Informed

    Watch for announcements about upcoming districtwide meetings at everettwa.gov and through your neighborhood association. The city also offers email and text notifications for neighborhood-specific updates — you can subscribe on the city’s website. Your neighborhood association is often the fastest way to hear about these events, which is one more reason to stay connected to yours.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Everett’s new districtwide neighborhood meeting format?

    Instead of individual visits to each neighborhood association, city officials now host one annual meeting per council district that brings all neighborhood groups in that district together at once. The first pilot meeting was held February 24, 2026 in District 2.

    Does this replace regular neighborhood association meetings?

    No. Neighborhood associations continue to hold their regular independent meetings. The districtwide meeting is an annual addition to the existing system, not a replacement.

    How many neighborhood associations does Everett have?

    Everett has 19 active neighborhood associations spread across five council districts.

    How do I find my Everett neighborhood association?

    Contact the City’s Office of Neighborhoods at (425) 257-7112, email nwebber@everettwa.gov, or visit everettwa.gov/neighborhoods. There’s also an interactive map on the city website to find your council district.

    What topics were covered at the first districtwide meeting?

    The February 2026 District 2 meeting covered immigration enforcement response, housing policy, youth safety, traffic safety, economic development, the city’s budget situation, and the drones-as-first-responders program.

    Who attended the first districtwide neighborhood meeting?

    Mayor Cassie Franklin, Police Chief Robert Goetz, and District 2 Council Member Paula Rhyne attended, along with approximately 60 residents from neighborhood associations across District 2.

  • Garfield Park Is Getting a Major Makeover: What Riverside Neighbors Need to Know

    Quick Answer: Everett is investing $940,000 to renovate the 19-year-old playground at Garfield Park in the Riverside neighborhood. Construction is scheduled for late spring or early fall 2026, with new slides, climbers, a zip track, expanded swings, shade structures, and fully accessible play surfaces replacing the existing equipment.

    Garfield Park Is Getting a Major Makeover: What Riverside Neighbors Need to Know

    If you’ve watched kids clamber over the aging wooden structure at Garfield Park and thought, “that thing’s been there forever” — you’re not wrong. The playground at 2300 Walnut Street in Everett’s Riverside neighborhood has been serving families for nearly two decades, and the City of Everett has decided it’s time for a serious upgrade. A $940,000 renovation is now officially planned for 2026, and the new setup is going to be genuinely exciting for families in north Everett.

    This isn’t a patch job. It’s a full rethink of one of Riverside’s most beloved community spaces.

    What’s Actually Being Built

    The renovation will completely replace the existing playground equipment while staying within the park’s current footprint. Here’s what’s coming:

    • Multiple slides and climbing structures designed for different ages and abilities
    • A dedicated play area for ages 2–5, so the littlest ones have space designed just for them
    • A cable-free zip track ride — the kind of feature that instantly becomes every kid’s favorite thing in the park
    • Expanded swings, including accessible options
    • Integrated shade structures, because Everett summers do get warm and shaded play areas make a real difference for families spending hours outside
    • New play turf surfacing replacing the old wood fiber, for better safety and cleaner footing year-round

    Inclusive play features are woven throughout the entire design — not tucked into one corner as an afterthought. Cory Rettenmeier, Everett’s recreation and golf manager, emphasized the city’s focus on “improved safety, accessibility and cleanliness” as the core goals driving the new design.

    When Will Construction Happen?

    The city is targeting late spring 2026 for construction to begin, though the actual start date depends on permitting timelines and how long it takes for the custom playground equipment to be fabricated and delivered. If permitting stretches longer than expected, the city has said it will keep the current playground open through summer so families aren’t without the space during the busiest season — then begin construction once local schools are back in session in the fall.

    Either way, the goal is to have the new playground complete and open before the end of 2026.

    The Community Had a Say

    The design wasn’t created in a vacuum. The City worked with the Riverside Neighborhood Association and gathered input through community surveys before finalizing the plans. That process shaped the emphasis on inclusivity and age-specific play zones — things Riverside families said they wanted.

    This is the kind of civic engagement that makes a difference. When neighbors show up for their neighborhood association and respond to surveys, the parks department takes note. The new Garfield Park playground reflects what this particular community asked for.

    A Little History on Garfield Park

    Garfield Park has deep roots in the Riverside neighborhood. It was established in 1931 when the Riverside Chamber of Commerce purchased the land and donated it to the city of Everett — a genuinely community-driven founding that set the tone for what the park has always been. The park underwent major renovations in the 1970s and again in the early 2000s. This 2026 project marks its third significant transformation in nearly a century.

    The park itself offers more than just the playground — there’s open green space, picnic areas, and the kind of neighborhood-scale gathering place that doesn’t get enough credit until it’s gone. The playground renovation is the centerpiece of this round of improvements, but Garfield Park as a whole remains one of north Everett’s most consistent community anchors.

    The Bigger Picture: Everett Investing in Its Parks

    This project is part of a broader commitment by the City of Everett to upgrade its parks infrastructure. Garfield Park’s $940,000 renovation sits alongside other planned improvements across the city’s parks system for 2026. For families in Riverside, it’s a tangible sign that the neighborhood is getting real investment — not just in roads and utilities, but in the green spaces where everyday life actually happens.

    Everett’s Parks & Facilities Department can be reached at 425-257-8300 or recreation@everettwa.gov if you have questions about the project timeline or want to stay updated on construction progress.

    What to Expect as a Neighbor

    Once construction begins, the playground area will be closed for the duration of the project. The city has been thoughtful about minimizing disruption — that’s the reason for the potential late spring or fall start, whichever avoids peak summer use. For families in Riverside who rely on Garfield Park as part of their daily routine, it’s worth knowing that the closure, when it comes, will be temporary and the result will be worth the wait.

    Keep an eye on everettwa.gov/parks and the city’s official news feed for construction updates as permits move forward.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When will the Garfield Park playground renovation start?

    Construction is planned for late spring or early fall 2026, depending on permitting and equipment fabrication timelines. The city will keep the playground open through summer if the spring window isn’t met.

    How much is the Garfield Park renovation costing?

    The city approved $940,000 for the Garfield Park playground renovation, funded through the city council’s parks budget.

    What new equipment is being installed at Garfield Park?

    The new playground will include multiple slides, climbers, a cable-free zip track, expanded swings, shade structures, a dedicated 2–5 age zone, and new play turf surfacing. Inclusive play features are integrated throughout the design.

    Where is Garfield Park in Everett?

    Garfield Park is located at 2300 Walnut Street in Everett’s Riverside neighborhood in the north part of the city.

    Will the playground be accessible?

    Yes. The new design incorporates inclusive play features and accessible surfacing throughout, not just in designated areas.

    How can I stay updated on the Garfield Park renovation?

    Follow updates at everettwa.gov/parks or contact Everett Parks & Facilities at 425-257-8300 or recreation@everettwa.gov.

  • Tony V’s Garage Has Two Big Nights Coming in April — Here’s Why Both Are Worth It

    Tony V’s Garage is Everett’s premier live music and events bar, located at 1716 Hewitt Avenue. Known for high-energy tribute acts and themed nights that draw crowds from across Snohomish County, Tony V’s is the anchor of downtown Everett’s nightlife scene.

    If you haven’t been to Tony V’s Garage lately, April is your month to fix that. Two very different shows are hitting the stage this month, and together they make the case that downtown Everett has as lively a music scene as anywhere in the Pacific Northwest. We’re talking about a full-on 80s new wave dance party on April 11 and a 90s nostalgia night on April 25 — both all-ages-friendly, both ticketed, and both the kind of nights that fill up before you get around to buying your ticket. Here’s everything you need to know.

    April 11: Nite Wave Brings the 80s Back to Hewitt Avenue

    Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 11. Nite Wave — billed as the Pacific Northwest’s ultimate 80s new wave tribute act — is bringing their show to Tony V’s Garage, and it’s the kind of night where you absolutely need to dress up.

    Nite Wave’s set list is a tour through the greatest decade in pop music history. We’re talking Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, The Cure, INXS, Tears for Fears, A-ha, New Order, and The Human League. If you grew up in the 80s, this is a living jukebox of your formative years. If you didn’t, it’s a masterclass in why new wave still sounds better than half of what’s on the radio today.

    The show runs from 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM, with doors opening at 6:00 PM. That gives you two full hours before the music starts to grab a drink, settle in, and find your spot on the dance floor — because there will be dancing. Tickets are $23.18 on Eventbrite, and given that Nite Wave shows tend to sell out, buying early is the smart move. The venue is Tony V’s Garage at 1716 Hewitt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201.

    Our honest take: this is a date-night show. The energy is high, the music is feel-good, and Tony V’s has a solid bar program to keep the night going. Get there early enough to snag a good table before the dance floor gets crowded — and yes, big hair and neon are always encouraged.

    April 25: Altered 90s Closes Out the Month with All-Ages Nostalgia

    Two weeks later, Tony V’s closes out April with a completely different vibe. Altered 90s rolls in on Saturday, April 25 for a night of reimagined 90s beats — and the key word here is all ages. This is a show you can bring the older kids to, or one you can attend without worrying about an age minimum at the door.

    The premise of Altered 90s is nostalgia with a twist — taking the hits of the decade and giving them a modern energy that makes them hit differently in a live setting. Think the soundtrack of your middle school and high school years, running through a set that keeps the crowd moving. The show kicks off at 8:00 PM and runs until 11:30 PM, same runtime as the Nite Wave show earlier in the month.

    Tickets for Altered 90s are $23.18 plus a $3 service fee — so budget around $26-27 all in. Grab them through Eventbrite or at the door if they’re still available. Given that this is an all-ages show with a broad appeal, it could draw a bigger crowd than you’d expect for a late-April Saturday.

    Our honest take: if you have teenagers in the house who are old enough to appreciate 90s music in a live setting, this is a genuinely great outing. It’s also just a fun night out regardless — the 90s produced an enormous amount of genuinely great music, and live tribute-style shows are one of the best ways to experience it without the nostalgia filter getting too thick.

    About Tony V’s Garage: Why It Matters for Downtown Everett

    Tony V’s Garage at 1716 Hewitt Avenue is one of the cornerstones of Everett’s downtown entertainment scene. Located on the same strip that includes some of the city’s best bars and restaurants, it’s become the go-to venue for live music events that skew toward tribute acts, themed nights, and high-energy performances that don’t require you to know obscure indie bands to have a good time.

    The venue’s programming philosophy is smart: book acts that have a built-in audience, give people a reason to dress up and commit to the night, and let the bar do the rest. It’s been working. Tony V’s has developed a loyal following in Snohomish County, and their shows regularly sell out when the booking is right. Both April shows — Nite Wave and Altered 90s — fall squarely in that category.

    For anyone who hasn’t visited recently: parking on Hewitt Avenue can get tight on weekend nights, so arriving early or planning to park a few blocks off the main strip is the smarter play. The venue itself is well-equipped for live shows, with good sightlines and a layout that lets you stay near the bar without losing sight of the stage.

    What Else Is Happening Around Downtown Everett in April

    If you’re building a full cultural night around one of these Tony V’s shows, there’s plenty else happening in downtown Everett this month. The Schack Art Center at 2921 Hoyt Avenue is running its Water Ways: Healing the Circle of Water and Life exhibition through May 16, 2026 — a visually striking show that explores art’s connection to water systems and climate. The Schack is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday noon to 5 PM. It’s a ten-minute walk from Hewitt Avenue and a perfect pre-show stop.

    Every third Thursday of the month, Downtown Everett also hosts its rotating Everett Art Walk, hitting multiple galleries and venues in the heart of downtown. April’s Third Thursday falls on April 17 — it won’t overlap with the Tony V’s shows, but if you’re looking to make April a month of getting out into Everett’s cultural scene, the Art Walk is worth adding to your calendar.

    The Historic Everett Theatre on 2911 Colby Avenue — a venue that’s been part of Everett’s cultural fabric since 1901 — also has programming running through the month. Check their calendar at everetttheater.org for the latest show listings, as their schedule shifts frequently.

    How to Get Your Tickets

    Both Tony V’s shows are available on Eventbrite and through their own ticketing pages. Here’s the quick summary:

    • Nite Wave (80s tribute) — Saturday, April 11, 8:00 PM–11:30 PM. Doors at 6:00 PM. Tony V’s Garage, 1716 Hewitt Ave, Everett WA 98201. Tickets: $23.18. Search “Nite Wave Everett” on Eventbrite.
    • Altered 90s — Saturday, April 25, 8:00 PM–11:30 PM. Tony V’s Garage, 1716 Hewitt Ave, Everett WA 98201. Tickets: $23.18 + $3 fee. All ages. Search “Altered 90s Everett” on Eventbrite or AllEvents.

    Both shows have a no-refund policy once purchased, so make sure the date works before you buy. If you’re on the fence, we’d lean toward Nite Wave if you’re looking for the higher-energy, more costume-friendly night; Altered 90s if you’re bringing a mixed-age group or just want a more laid-back 90s vibe.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What time does Nite Wave start at Tony V’s Garage on April 11?

    Nite Wave starts at 8:00 PM on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Doors open at 6:00 PM. The show runs until 11:30 PM.

    How much are tickets for the April shows at Tony V’s Garage?

    Both Nite Wave (April 11) and Altered 90s (April 25) are priced at $23.18. The Altered 90s show has an additional $3 service fee when purchased through AllEvents, bringing it to approximately $26. Tickets are available on Eventbrite and AllEvents.

    Is the Altered 90s show at Tony V’s Garage all ages?

    Yes, the Altered 90s show on April 25 is listed as all ages. There is no age restriction specified for the Nite Wave show on April 11.

    Where is Tony V’s Garage in Everett?

    Tony V’s Garage is located at 1716 Hewitt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201. It’s in the heart of downtown Everett’s nightlife district on Hewitt Avenue.

    What bands does Nite Wave cover?

    Nite Wave’s set covers 80s new wave and synth-pop hits from artists including Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, The Cure, INXS, Tears for Fears, A-ha, New Order, and The Human League.

    What other arts events are happening in Everett in April 2026?

    In addition to the Tony V’s Garage shows, the Schack Art Center is hosting the Water Ways exhibition through May 16, the Everett Art Walk runs on the third Thursday (April 17), and the Historic Everett Theatre has ongoing programming throughout the month.

  • AEW Is Coming to Everett: Everything You Need to Know About Dynamite & Collision on April 15

    Q: Is AEW coming to Everett in 2026?
    A: Yes — AEW presents Dynamite & Collision: Spring Break-Thru at Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Dynamite airs live on TBS, with Collision taped immediately after for TNT. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.

    AEW Is Coming to Everett: Everything You Need to Know About Dynamite & Collision on April 15

    If you’ve been sleeping on wrestling, this is your wake-up call: All Elite Wrestling is coming to Angel of the Winds Arena on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, and this is not a house show. This is a live television double-header — AEW Dynamite airing live on TBS, immediately followed by a taping of AEW Collision for TNT. Two full shows. One night. Right here in Everett.

    The event is branded AEW Dynamite & Collision: Spring Break-Thru, and it falls three days after AEW Dynasty — the company’s major pay-per-view event going down in Vancouver, BC on April 12. That means the Everett crowd is going to be walking into the immediate fallout from one of the biggest nights on the AEW calendar. Championship changes, storyline twists, wrestler feuds getting kicked into overdrive — it’s all going to land at Angel of the Winds Arena on a Wednesday night.

    If you’ve never been to a live AEW show, this is the one to catch. Let’s break it all down.

    What Is AEW Dynamite?

    AEW (All Elite Wrestling) is the most significant alternative to WWE in professional wrestling right now — and AEW Dynamite is the company’s flagship weekly television program. It airs live every Wednesday on TBS, drawing a consistent national audience and featuring some of the best in-ring talent anywhere in the world.

    What makes AEW different from what WWE fans may remember from their childhood: the emphasis is on in-ring performance. Long matches. Hard-hitting action. Technical wrestling from names you might recognize — Kenny Omega, MJF, CM Punk (back in AEW after a dramatic return), Jon Moxley, Will Ospreay, Chris Jericho. These are legitimate world-class wrestlers, and a live show is a completely different experience from watching on television.

    AEW Collision airs on TNT (also part of Warner Bros. Discovery) and follows a similar format. The Everett taping gives AEW two hours of content for Dynamite and a full Collision episode — meaning the roster will be fully deployed that night. Big matches. Title defenses. Major storyline moments.

    The Dynasty Fallout Factor

    The reason the April 15 Everett show is particularly interesting: it’s the first Dynamite after AEW Dynasty, a pay-per-view that’s shaping up to be one of the year’s biggest events. Dynasty goes down Sunday, April 12 in Vancouver, and then — three days later — the fallout lands in your backyard.

    This year’s Dynasty card is stacked. MJF defends the AEW World Championship against Kenny Omega. Jon Moxley takes on Will Ospreay for the Continental Championship. There’s a Casino Gauntlet for the TNT Title, a massive tag title match featuring FTR versus Adam Copeland and Christian Cage, and Chris Jericho — who just signed a new multi-year deal — making his return to in-ring action against Ricochet.

    Whatever happens at Dynasty, the Everett crowd gets the aftermath. New champions arriving hot. Storylines that just exploded getting their next chapter. The electric tension that follows a major pay-per-view is unlike anything else in pro wrestling, and it plays differently live in the building than on a TV broadcast. The Everett crowd will have opinions, and AEW crowds are loud and knowledgeable.

    Names to Know Before You Go

    MJF — Maxwell Jacob Friedman, the reigning AEW World Champion and arguably the best talker in professional wrestling right now. Whether he walks in as champion or walking away from Dynasty with the belt around someone else’s waist, his presence at the Everett taping is likely. He’s must-watch television.

    Kenny Omega — One of the best in-ring performers on the planet, full stop. His matches have a cinematic quality to them that doesn’t fully translate through a screen. Watching Omega work live is a different experience entirely.

    Jon Moxley — Former AEW World Champion multiple times over, current Continental Champion, and one of the most intense presences in any arena he enters. The Everett crowd will go absolutely electric for Moxley.

    Will Ospreay — The British Aerial Assassin is one of the most technically gifted wrestlers alive. If you want to understand why wrestling fans lose their minds over AEW’s in-ring product, watch Ospreay for five minutes.

    Chris Jericho — Everett fans of a certain age remember Jericho from his WWE days, but his second act in AEW has been extraordinary. He just signed a new multi-year deal and is returning to the ring at Dynasty. Le Champion is almost certainly going to have something to say in Everett.

    Darby Allin — Pacific Northwest’s own. Darby grew up in Seattle and is one of the most beloved figures in AEW — a fearless, skateboarding, death-defying highflyer with a face-paint aesthetic that’s become iconic. The Everett crowd will treat him like a hometown hero, because he basically is.

    What to Expect at a Live AEW Show

    If you’ve never been to a live wrestling event, here’s what to know: it’s louder than you expect, the sight lines from almost anywhere in Angel of the Winds Arena are excellent for wrestling (it’s a more intimate venue than a stadium), and the crowd itself is part of the entertainment. AEW fans chant, they react instantly to callbacks and references, and they do not tolerate bad wrestling — which means you’re generally watching a crowd that’s deeply invested in what’s happening in the ring.

    For the Dynamite taping, cameras are rolling live. The show starts promptly (usually 5:00 PM PT for the 8:00 PM ET airtime on TBS). Collision typically follows right after — so budget for a long evening. Bring your voice, wear your gear if you have it, and don’t be surprised if you end up trending on wrestling Twitter by the end of the night.

    Tickets and Venue Info

    Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. Angel of the Winds Arena is located at 2000 Hewitt Avenue in downtown Everett, easily accessible via I-5 and Everett Transit. The Les Schwab Box Office handles in-person and group sales — call (425) 322-2600 for group ticket inquiries.

    The venue seats around 10,000 for wrestling configurations, which means there isn’t a bad seat in the house for a show like this. Upper deck seats give you a great elevated view of the full ring; floor seats put you close to the action and the commentary table.

    The Bigger Picture: Angel of the Winds Arena Is Having a Year

    AEW on April 15 is just one piece of a stacked 2026 events calendar at Angel of the Winds Arena. Silvertips playoff games are running right now through at least mid-April. Life Surge comes in May. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks LIVE fills the building in late May. Billy Strings plays two nights in October. Skate America arrives in November.

    Everett’s arena has always punched above its weight for a city its size — and the 2026 booking calendar is proof. AEW choosing Angel of the Winds Arena for a live TV taping isn’t random; the company knows this is a wrestling market that shows up, gets loud, and makes great television. The Everett crowd has a chance to represent the Pacific Northwest on national television on April 15.

    Don’t waste it.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is AEW Spring Break-Thru?

    AEW Spring Break-Thru is the branded name for the two-night Dynamite & Collision taping event, with the Everett show on April 15 being the Dynamite taping (live on TBS) followed immediately by Collision (taped for TNT).

    What time does AEW Dynamite start in Everett?

    AEW Dynamite airs live on TBS at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT. Doors typically open 90 minutes before showtime. The Collision taping follows immediately after Dynamite.

    Where do I buy tickets?

    Tickets are available on Ticketmaster and through the Les Schwab Box Office at Angel of the Winds Arena. Call (425) 322-2600 for group sales.

    Is this a good show for first-time wrestling fans?

    Absolutely. AEW shows are designed to be accessible to new fans while rewarding longtime followers. The athleticism and energy in the building is compelling even without deep storyline knowledge.

    Is Darby Allin from the Pacific Northwest?

    Yes — Darby Allin grew up in Seattle and is one of AEW’s most popular performers. Everett audiences tend to give him a massive home crowd reaction.

    What other events are coming to Angel of the Winds Arena in 2026?

    In addition to AEW on April 15, upcoming events include Silvertips playoff games (ongoing), MercyMe (April 24), Life Surge (May 16), Hot Wheels Monster Trucks LIVE (May 30-31), Billy Strings two nights (October 9), and Skate America (November 13-15).

    Where is Angel of the Winds Arena?

    Angel of the Winds Arena is located at 2000 Hewitt Avenue in downtown Everett, WA. It’s accessible via I-5 and served by Everett Transit. Parking is available in nearby surface lots and garages.

  • AquaSox Home Opener Was Rough. Here’s Why the 2026 Season Is Still Worth Getting Excited About.

    Q: How did the Everett AquaSox do in their 2026 home opener series?
    A: The AquaSox dropped four of six games to the Tri-City Dust Devils in their first home series of 2026, including a brutal 17-2 blowout on Opening Night. But this is a deep, prospect-loaded roster returning 22 players from a championship team — the season has plenty of road ahead.

    AquaSox Home Opener Was Rough. Here’s Why the 2026 Season Is Still Worth Getting Excited About.

    Let’s be honest: that first home series at Funko Field was not fun to watch.

    The Tri-City Dust Devils came into Everett and won four out of six games, including a 17-2 wipeout on Opening Night that had fans checking the score in disbelief before the fifth inning. Starter Taylor Dollard gave up six earned runs in two-and-two-thirds innings. A reliever got touched for five runs in less than an inning. The AquaSox were down 10-0 before they recorded their first hit.

    It was bad. Manager Ryan Scott put the most optimistic spin he could on it — “games just aren’t going to go your way, and I really just want to see how the boys are going to compete” — and honestly, that’s the right lens for early April in the High-A Northwest League. Rough starts happen. What matters is what comes next.

    And what comes next, starting this weekend, is a lot of reasons to get back to Funko Field.

    This Is a Championship Team Coming Back

    The 2026 AquaSox returned 22 players from the squad that won the 2025 Northwest League Championship. Twenty-two. That kind of continuity is rare in minor league baseball, where rosters churn constantly as players climb organizational ladders or get released. This group knows Everett, knows Funko Field, knows how to win together. The 17-2 loss doesn’t erase a championship; it’s four games in a 132-game season.

    Context matters in the minors: player development is the mission, not the win-loss record. The Mariners sent these players to Everett to grow, to face High-A competition, to work through things. A rough first series against a legitimately good Tri-City squad is part of the process. The Dust Devils swept everyone this week.

    Five Top-30 Mariners Prospects Are on This Roster

    Here’s the real reason to keep coming to games: the Mariners pipeline is running through Funko Field right now, and it’s loaded.

    Jonny Farmelo (Mariners’ No. 6 prospect) is back for a second taste of High-A after hitting .230 with 13 extra-base hits in 29 games last year. The tools are real — this is the kind of outfield prospect that shows up in Baseball America previews for a reason. Watch him turn on a fastball and you’ll understand why the Mariners are patient with his development.

    Felnin Celesten (No. 7) is another outfield piece getting High-A reps after showing flashes at the lower levels. Both he and Farmelo have the athleticism that makes even a routine defensive play worth watching.

    Luke Stevenson (No. 8) may be the most intriguing player on the roster. Selected 35th overall in the 2025 Draft out of UNC, Stevenson is a catcher — the hardest position to develop in baseball — who hit .280 with 23 walks in his professional debut at Single-A Modesto. Patient, high-IQ backstops who can hit are worth watching at every level. He drove in Everett’s first run of the home opener with a sacrifice fly. That’s the kind of small thing that tells you about a player’s makeup.

    Carlos Jimenez (No. 21) and right-hander Lucas Kelly (No. 29) round out the top-30 contingent. The pitching development story at Everett this year will be worth tracking all season.

    Some Bright Spots From the Rough Start

    Even in the blowout series, a few players showed up. Josh Caron went 2-for-4 in Opening Night and ripped a triple. Axel Sanchez also went 2-for-4. These are the kinds of individual performance moments that make minor league baseball fun even when the scoreboard isn’t cooperating — watching a kid fight for his at-bat when the game is already out of hand says something about what kind of player he’s going to be.

    The Rest of the Schedule Is Full of Reasons to Come Out

    The AquaSox play 66 home games this season, running all the way into September. The Northwest League schedule is packed with rival affiliates — Tri-City, Spokane, Vancouver, Hillsboro, Everett knows all of them. The Mariners’ top prospects will be churning through this roster all summer, and some of the players you watch on a Tuesday night in April will be in Safeco Field by September or next spring.

    Funko Field is also just a great place to watch baseball. It’s a short walk from downtown Everett, it’s affordable, and on a clear evening in June with the mountains out, there’s nowhere better to spend a Tuesday night in Snohomish County. Don’t let a rough first week of April keep you away.

    The Honest Take

    Yes, going 1-3 at home to open the year hurts a little, especially after a championship. And losing 17-2 on Opening Night in front of the home fans is embarrassing by any standard. The AquaSox need to sort out their pitching depth — six earned runs in under three innings from your starter is not acceptable even in April.

    But this is April baseball in the minors. A roster full of returning champions, five top-30 Mariners prospects, and a manager who’s talking about watching his players compete through adversity — that’s the foundation. The AquaSox are worth your attention all summer long. Come out when the weather breaks, bring the kids, and watch a future Mariner figure it out in real time. That’s the whole deal.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When do the AquaSox play their next home games?

    The AquaSox continue their home schedule at Funko Field throughout April. Check milb.com/everett for the full 2026 schedule and upcoming promotions.

    Where is Funko Field located?

    Funko Field (Everett Memorial Stadium) is located at 3802 Broadway in Everett, WA. It’s a short walk from downtown Everett.

    Which Seattle Mariners prospects are on the 2026 AquaSox roster?

    Five Mariners Top-30 prospects are on the 2026 roster: Jonny Farmelo (#6), Felnin Celesten (#7), Luke Stevenson (#8), Carlos Jimenez (#21), and Lucas Kelly (#29).

    Are the AquaSox still defending champions?

    Yes — the AquaSox won the 2025 Northwest League Championship. They returned 22 players from that championship squad to the 2026 roster.

    Who manages the AquaSox in 2026?

    Ryan Scott is the AquaSox manager for 2026. He also managed the 2025 championship team.

    How many home games do the AquaSox play at Funko Field?

    The AquaSox play 66 home games at Funko Field across the 2026 High-A Northwest League season, running from April through September.

  • Silvertips vs. Rockets Round 2 Preview: Everything You Need to Know Before Friday’s Puck Drop

    Q: When do the Everett Silvertips start their second-round playoff series?
    A: The Silvertips host the Kelowna Rockets in Games 1 and 2 at Angel of the Winds Arena on Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11. Puck drop is expected around 7:05 PM PT both nights.

    Silvertips vs. Rockets Round 2 Preview: Everything You Need to Know Before Friday’s Puck Drop

    The Everett Silvertips are back on home ice this weekend, and this time the stakes are even higher. After dismantling the Portland Winterhawks in a four-game first-round sweep, the WHL’s top regular-season team hosts the Kelowna Rockets in Games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals at Angel of the Winds Arena. Friday, April 10. Saturday, April 11. Get your gear on and get loud, Everett.

    This is not a series to sleep on. Both teams arrive at Round 2 unbeaten in the playoffs. Both swept their first-round opponents. And this is the matchup the WHL has been quietly circling since the regular season ended — the league’s best team against the host of this spring’s Memorial Cup.

    How the Silvertips Got Here

    Everett’s Round 1 performance was a statement. The Silvertips outscored the Portland Winterhawks 25-8 across four games, with 14 different skaters finding the back of the net. It was the kind of balanced, deep offensive performance that makes coaches lose sleep — you can’t key on one or two guys when everybody can score.

    Leading scorer Carter Bear was everywhere, notching six goals in the four-game sweep. Forward Matias Vanhanen and Julius Miettinen each finished with six points as well, combining for seven goals between them. And goaltender Anders Miller was virtually untouchable — a 1.08 goals-against average, a .954 save percentage, and one shutout in Game 3 when he turned aside 19 shots in a 7-0 blanking of Portland.

    Oh, and by the way: Everett had lost to Portland in three consecutive postseasons before this year. That weight is gone. The Silvertips swept the Winterhawks for the first time since 2016, and they did it by scoring six unanswered in Game 4 after spotting Portland a 2-0 lead. That comeback tells you something about the character in this locker room.

    Who Are the Kelowna Rockets?

    Don’t let the fourth-seed fool you. Kelowna is dangerous, and their Round 1 stats against the Kamloops Blazers are frankly alarming: 25 goals for, just 5 against in a four-game sweep. That’s a plus-20 goal differential. For context, Everett went plus-17 in their sweep. The Rockets are on a run right now.

    The offensive engine is the duo of Vojtech Cihar and Tij Iginla — and yes, that Iginla. Tij is the son of Hall-of-Famer Jarome Iginla, and he’s been every bit as dynamic in Round 1. Both players finished the Blazers series with 10 points each. Cihar went 6 goals and 4 assists. Iginla went 5 goals and 5 assists. When two players are combining for 20 points in four playoff games, the rest of the league takes notice.

    On the power play, Kelowna converted at a sizzling 29.4% in Round 1 — nearly double Everett’s 14.3% rate. That’s the matchup to watch. If the Rockets get chances on the man advantage early in this series and cash them, they will absolutely test Angel of the Winds Arena’s nerves.

    The Silvertips’ Edge: Anders Miller and the Penalty Kill

    Here’s the chess match of this series: Kelowna’s power play is elite. Everett’s penalty kill is elite. Something has to give.

    Miller enters Round 2 with a 1.25 GAA and a .947 save percentage — numbers that would make any playoff goaltender blush. The Silvertips’ penalty kill operated at 90.0% in Round 1, while Kelowna’s sat at just 70.0%. If Everett can keep its discipline, stay out of the box, and make Kelowna beat them five-on-five, the Silvertips’ goaltending edge should hold.

    But Kelowna’s goalie, Harrison Boettiger, shouldn’t be dismissed either. He posted a 2.00 GAA and .934 save percentage in Round 1 — solid numbers that helped the Rockets cruise. He just hasn’t been tested the way Miller has.

    The Regular-Season History Is Deceiving

    Everett went 4-0 against Kelowna in the regular season. That sounds dominant, but three of those four games were decided by a single goal, including an overtime finish in late February. These teams know each other, and they know it doesn’t take much to flip a result. That 4-0 record does not mean a four-game sweep is coming.

    Historically, the clubs have met three times in the postseason. Everett won in 2004 and 2006. Kelowna won a seven-game first-round battle in 2010. There’s no recent precedent to lean on heavily — these teams have changed dramatically since then — but the Rockets have beaten the Silvertips in the playoffs before, and they remember it.

    The Memorial Cup Wrinkle

    This series has an added layer that makes it genuinely interesting from a narrative standpoint: Kelowna is the 2026 Memorial Cup host. That means if the Rockets advance far enough, they’ve essentially secured home ice at the most prestigious event in Canadian junior hockey. The host city and organization have a built-in incentive to stay alive deep into May. That’s not nothing. That’s extra fuel.

    For Everett, the Silvertips have never won a WHL Championship. They’ve been close — deep playoff runs, strong regular seasons — but the banner hasn’t gone up. This team, right now, with this goalie and this balanced attack, might be the best shot Everett has had. The home crowd at Angel of the Winds Arena has a chance to be part of something historic this spring. It starts Friday night.

    Full Round 2 Schedule

    • Game 1: Friday, April 10 — Kelowna at Everett, Angel of the Winds Arena
    • Game 2: Saturday, April 11 — Kelowna at Everett, Angel of the Winds Arena
    • Game 3: Tuesday, April 14 — Everett at Kelowna, Prospera Place
    • Game 4: Wednesday, April 15 — Everett at Kelowna, Prospera Place
    • Game 5 (if necessary): Friday, April 17 — Kelowna at Everett
    • Game 6 (if necessary): Sunday, April 19 — Everett at Kelowna
    • Game 7 (if necessary): Monday, April 21 — Kelowna at Everett

    Tickets for Games 1 and 2 are available through Ticketmaster and the Les Schwab Box Office at the arena. Call (425) 322-2600 for group sales.

    The Bottom Line

    This is a legitimate test for Everett. Kelowna has weapons, a mission, and a power play that can take over a game. The Silvertips have the league’s best regular-season record, a goalie playing out of his mind, and two home games to open the series in front of the loudest building in the U.S. Division of the WHL.

    Pack Angel of the Winds Arena. The Silvertips are right where they want to be — and this series is going to be worth every minute.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When do the Silvertips play this weekend?

    Game 1 is Friday, April 10, and Game 2 is Saturday, April 11, both at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett. Puck drop is around 7:05 PM PT both nights.

    Where can I buy tickets to Silvertips playoff games?

    Tickets are available on Ticketmaster and through the Les Schwab Box Office at Angel of the Winds Arena. Call (425) 322-2600 for group ticket information.

    Who are the Kelowna Rockets’ best players?

    Vojtech Cihar and Tij Iginla are Kelowna’s most dangerous forwards. Both had 10-point rounds against Kamloops in Round 1. Iginla is the son of NHL Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla.

    How did the Silvertips do in Round 1?

    Everett swept the Portland Winterhawks in four games, outscoring them 25-8. Fourteen different skaters scored at least one goal. Goaltender Anders Miller posted a 1.08 GAA and .954 save percentage with one shutout.

    What is the Kelowna Rockets’ connection to the Memorial Cup?

    Kelowna is the host city for the 2026 Memorial Cup, the WHL’s most prestigious championship event. As hosts, the Rockets have an automatic berth if they advance deep enough in the playoffs.

    Has Everett ever beaten Kelowna in the WHL playoffs before?

    Yes — Everett defeated Kelowna in the 2004 Western Conference Final and again in the 2006 second round. Kelowna won the only other postseason meeting between the clubs, a seven-game first-round series in 2010.

    What is Anders Miller’s save percentage in the 2026 WHL Playoffs?

    Through Round 1, Miller posted a .954 save percentage and a 1.08 goals-against average with one shutout in four wins. He enters Round 2 as one of the best goalies remaining in the WHL playoffs.

    Is Angel of the Winds Arena easy to get to?

    Yes. Angel of the Winds Arena is located in downtown Everett at 2000 Hewitt Avenue and is accessible via I-5 and Everett Transit. Parking is available in nearby surface lots and garages.

  • Everett Fights Back: Inside the Community Push to Secure NAVSTA Everett’s Future After the Frigate Cancellation

    What’s happening: Naval Station Everett was promised 12 next-generation Constellation-class frigates that would have reshaped the base for decades. In late 2025, the Navy cancelled the program. Now, Snohomish County leaders have rebooted a Military Affairs Committee to fight for NAVSTA Everett’s future — and the stakes couldn’t be higher for Everett’s economy and identity.

    A Promise Made, A Promise Broken

    For years, Naval Station Everett had something rare in the defense world: a guarantee. In June 2021, the U.S. Navy formally announced that NAVSTA Everett would become the homeport for the first 12 Constellation-class guided-missile frigates (FFG-62), a new class of ships designed to restore America’s frigate capability and project naval power across the Pacific. It was a transformative commitment — the kind that brings hundreds of sailors, their families, infrastructure investment, and long-term economic stability to a military town.

    That commitment is now off the table.

    On November 25, 2025, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan announced the cancellation of the Constellation-class frigate program beyond its first two ships. His reasoning was blunt: the program was delivering only about 60 percent of a destroyer’s capability at roughly 80 percent of the cost, while running years behind schedule and hundreds of millions over budget. The first ship — USS Constellation (FFG-62) — was only approximately 12 percent complete and had slipped from a projected 2026 delivery to an estimated 2029 arrival, according to a November 2025 report to Congress.

    For Everett, the cancellation wasn’t just a Navy procurement headline. It was a direct blow to the community’s vision of its own future.

    What NAVSTA Everett Means to Snohomish County

    Naval Station Everett isn’t just a base on the waterfront — it’s one of the largest economic engines in Snohomish County. The installation is home to approximately 6,000 military personnel and 500 civilian employees, and the Navy’s own regional estimates put the total annual economic impact of military operations in Snohomish County at roughly $340 million.

    That figure includes everything from housing and groceries to car purchases, school enrollment, and the spending of military families throughout the county. The base sits among the top ten largest employers in the region — and when you add in the support contractors, service businesses, and retail that cater to the military community, the ripple effect is enormous.

    The promise of 12 new frigates wasn’t just about ships. It was a roadmap for sustained growth: new sailors relocating to Everett, new housing demand, infrastructure upgrades to the base’s piers and support facilities, and the long-term certainty that NAVSTA Everett would remain a cornerstone of the Pacific Fleet. The cancellation stripped that roadmap away.

    Snohomish County Fights Back: The Rebooted Military Affairs Committee

    Everett’s response has been swift and organized. The Economic Alliance Snohomish County — the region’s primary economic development and advocacy organization — has resurrected its Military Affairs Committee specifically to advocate for Naval Station Everett in the wake of the frigate cancellation.

    The Military Affairs Committee (MAC) serves as the county’s formal liaison to military affairs at every level — from local community support for sailors and their families all the way up to congressional offices and the Pentagon itself. The committee’s relaunch signals that Snohomish County isn’t prepared to sit back and watch Everett’s naval future be decided in Washington, D.C., without a local voice at the table.

    This is exactly the kind of advocacy that can matter. Homeporting decisions for major naval vessels aren’t made years in advance — they’re typically made much closer to a ship’s commissioning date, which means there’s a real window for Everett to make its case for the new FF(X) frigate program now being developed by the Navy.

    What Is the FF(X) — And Could It Come to Everett?

    The Navy didn’t abandon the frigate concept when it killed the Constellation-class program. On December 19, 2025, Secretary Phelan announced the FF(X) program — a new frigate initiative that will be based on the design of the U.S. Coast Guard’s proven Legend-class National Security Cutter. The first FF(X) will be built by Huntington Ingalls Industries at its Pascagoula, Mississippi facility, with a target of having the first hull in the water by 2028.

    The FY2026 defense appropriations bill, passed in February 2026, included $242 million in long-lead funding for the FF(X) program — canceling the last four planned Constellation-class frigates to redirect those resources to the new design. The Navy is planning 50 to 65 ships across multiple production flights, a fleet-building commitment that dwarfs the original Constellation program in scope.

    Where those ships will be homeported is not yet decided. That’s the opening Everett is fighting for. The infrastructure already exists at NAVSTA Everett — piers, maintenance facilities, family support services, and a community that knows how to support a naval fleet. The argument for keeping Everett as the Pacific homeport for the new frigates is strong, but it won’t make itself.

    What Happens to the First Two Constellation-Class Ships?

    Under the cancellation plan, the first two Constellation-class frigates — currently under construction at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Wisconsin — remain in progress, at least for now. But even those ships are under review. The Navy has not committed to completing them, and no homeport designation has been announced for either vessel. A Navy spokesperson confirmed to the Everett Daily Herald that no decision has been made on where those ships would be based if they are completed.

    For Everett, this creates a layered uncertainty: the 12-ship promise is gone, the replacement program hasn’t designated homeports, and even the two surviving Constellation-class hulls are in limbo. That’s a lot of open questions for a community that had counted on a frigate fleet as part of its identity.

    The Military Community Stays Strong

    Amid the policy uncertainty, one thing isn’t changing: NAVSTA Everett remains an active, operational base with a dedicated military community. The base’s seven guided-missile destroyers continue their rotation of deployments and homecomings. The Fleet & Family Support Center continues serving sailors and their families. The base’s MWR programs, its connections to local schools, and its community presence remain intact.

    Everett has always understood that being a military town means riding waves of policy change. Bases are built up and scaled back according to strategic priorities that shift with administrations, budgets, and geopolitical realities. What distinguishes communities that thrive through those changes is active advocacy — and that’s exactly what the rebooted Military Affairs Committee represents.

    The fight for NAVSTA Everett’s future is just beginning. And if history is any guide, this community won’t go quietly.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why were the Constellation-class frigates cancelled?

    Secretary of the Navy John Phelan cancelled the Constellation-class frigate program in November 2025, citing severe cost overruns and schedule delays. The first ship was only 12 percent complete and had slipped nearly three years behind schedule. The Congressional Budget Office estimated each ship would cost approximately $1.2 billion — about 40 percent more than originally projected — while delivering only about 60 percent of a destroyer’s capability at 80 percent of the cost.

    Will Naval Station Everett still get new frigates?

    It’s uncertain. The Navy has launched a new FF(X) program based on the National Security Cutter design, targeting 50-65 ships. No homeport designations have been announced. The Economic Alliance Snohomish County’s Military Affairs Committee is actively advocating for Everett to be designated as the Pacific homeport for the new frigate class.

    What is the FF(X) frigate?

    The FF(X) is the U.S. Navy’s replacement frigate program, announced December 2025. It is based on the Coast Guard’s Legend-class National Security Cutter design and will be built by Huntington Ingalls Industries. The goal is to have the first hull in the water by 2028. Congress allocated $242 million in FY2026 long-lead funding for the program.

    How important is NAVSTA Everett to the local economy?

    Extremely important. Naval Station Everett is one of Snohomish County’s top ten largest employers, with approximately 6,000 military personnel and 500 civilian employees. The Navy’s regional estimates put the total economic impact of military operations in Snohomish County at approximately $340 million annually.

    What is the Economic Alliance Snohomish County doing about the frigate cancellation?

    The Economic Alliance Snohomish County has rebooted its Military Affairs Committee to formally advocate for Naval Station Everett. The committee works at the community, congressional, and Pentagon level to represent Snohomish County’s military interests and make the case for continued and expanded naval investment in Everett.

    What ships are currently homeported at NAVSTA Everett?

    Naval Station Everett is currently home to seven guided-missile destroyers, the USCGC Henry Blake (a Keeper-class cutter), and the USCGC Blue Shark (a Marine Protector-class patrol boat). The base continues to operate as an active naval installation with a full rotation of deployments and homecomings.


    Go Deeper: We’ve published detailed knowledge nodes expanding on this story for specific Everett audiences:

  • Portland Is Back: Alaska Airlines Restores Daily Nonstop Flights from Paine Field This June

    Q: Does Alaska Airlines fly from Paine Field to Portland?
    A: Yes, starting in June 2026. Alaska Airlines will resume daily nonstop service between Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE) and Portland International Airport (PDX). The route was previously offered and is being restored following strong passenger demand from Snohomish County travelers.

    Portland Is Back: Alaska Airlines Restores Daily Nonstop Service from Paine Field This June

    For Snohomish County residents, a trip to Portland has typically meant one of two things: drive three-plus hours down I-5, or battle the sprawl of Sea-Tac. This June, there’s a third option.

    Alaska Airlines will resume daily nonstop service between Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE) and Portland International Airport (PDX) beginning in June 2026, Propeller Airports and Alaska Airlines announced. The restoration of the Portland route is a significant win for Paine Field — and a practical upgrade for the hundreds of thousands of people in Snohomish County who prefer the airport’s convenience over Sea-Tac’s volume.

    A Route That Was Missed

    This isn’t a new route — it’s a comeback. Alaska offered Paine Field-Portland service previously, and the demand was real. Brett Smith, CEO of Propeller Airports, the company that operates Paine Field’s passenger terminal, made that clear in the announcement: “We’re thrilled that Alaska is bringing Portland service back to Paine Field. Guests have been asking for this route to return.”

    Joshua Marcy, Paine Field’s Airport Director, echoed the sentiment: “Restoring service to Portland reconnects Snohomish County with one of the Northwest’s key cities.” Portland is the Pacific Northwest’s second-largest metro area — a hub for business, healthcare, higher education, and culture that many Snohomish County residents visit regularly. A direct daily flight from Paine Field makes that connection significantly easier.

    What the Route Looks Like

    The reinstated service will operate as a daily nonstop flight between PAE and PDX. Tickets are available now at alaskaair.com.

    Importantly, the Portland route also functions as a connection gateway. Through Alaska’s broader network, Paine Field passengers making a quick stop in Portland gain access to onward service to Houston, Nashville, Orlando, Dallas, Bozeman, Spokane, Austin, and more than 140 total destinations across North America, Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific.

    That connectivity matters for both leisure and business travelers who may not need to go to Portland itself but need a connection hub that’s not Sea-Tac.

    Paine Field’s Expanding Route Network

    The Portland addition builds on a route network that Alaska Airlines has developed at Paine Field since the passenger terminal opened in 2019. Current Alaska destinations from PAE include Honolulu, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orange County, Palm Springs, Phoenix, San Diego, and San Francisco.

    The past year has seen some turbulence in that network. Frontier Airlines launched service from Paine Field in June 2025 — flying to Denver, Phoenix, and Las Vegas — only to pull out by January 2026 after seven months, citing low consumer demand. Frontier’s departure reminded the airport and its operators that not every carrier finds the Paine Field market large enough to sustain its model.

    Alaska’s situation is different. The airline has been at Paine Field since the terminal opened and has maintained its commitment to the airport through various market cycles. The decision to restore the Portland route — one that was specifically requested by passengers — signals confidence in the Snohomish County market going into 2026.

    Why This Matters for Everett and Snohomish County

    Paine Field is not just a convenient alternative to Sea-Tac — it’s an economic asset for the region. The airport campus hosts Boeing’s Everett factory, the Future of Flight Aviation Center, aircraft maintenance facilities, and the Propeller Airports terminal. When airlines add routes, it reinforces Paine Field’s viability as a commercial passenger hub, which in turn supports the broader ecosystem of businesses and jobs on the campus.

    For everyday travelers in Marysville, Mukilteo, Lynnwood, Bothell, and Everett itself, the Portland nonstop is a straightforward quality-of-life upgrade. No fighting the Lynnwood Link bottleneck to get to Sea-Tac. No two-hour buffer for security lines. Paine Field’s compact terminal is one of the genuine amenity advantages of living in Snohomish County — and each new route makes it more valuable.

    Paine Field itself has earned recognition for its passenger experience. In 2025, the airport ranked third in Newsweek’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best Small Airport in the U.S. and fifth overall in The Washington Post’s list of the 50 Best Airports in America.

    How to Book

    Flights are bookable now at alaskaair.com. Service begins in June 2026 and will operate daily. If you’re a Mileage Plan member, the PAE-PDX route earns miles like any Alaska segment.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When does Alaska Airlines start Portland service from Paine Field?

    Alaska Airlines will begin daily nonstop service between Seattle Paine Field (PAE) and Portland International Airport (PDX) in June 2026.

    How long is the flight from Paine Field to Portland?

    The flight from PAE to PDX is typically 50–65 minutes nonstop.

    Is the Paine Field to Portland route new?

    No — it’s a restoration. Alaska Airlines offered PAE-PDX service previously. The route is being reinstated following strong passenger demand from Snohomish County travelers.

    What other destinations does Alaska Airlines serve from Paine Field?

    As of June 2026, Alaska Airlines destinations from PAE include Honolulu, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orange County, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, and San Francisco.

    Where do I park at Paine Field?

    Paine Field offers on-site parking at the passenger terminal. For current rates and reservations, visit painefield.com.

    Can I connect to other cities through Portland from Paine Field?

    Yes. Through Alaska’s network, Paine Field passengers connecting in Portland can reach Houston, Nashville, Orlando, Dallas, Bozeman, Spokane, Austin, and more than 140 total destinations worldwide.