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Tag: Everett

  • Everett Housing Market April 2026: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know Right Now

    Everett Housing Market April 2026: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know Right Now

    What’s happening in Everett’s housing market right now? Everett’s market is uneven in spring 2026. Homes under $750K are moving fast — sometimes within days. The higher end is slower and more price-sensitive. The median sale price has softened from recent highs, with Redfin reporting a February 2026 median of $547,000. Here’s what buyers, sellers, and renters should know heading into spring.

    Every month we try to give you a real read on what’s happening in Everett’s housing market — not the national headlines, not the Puget Sound generalities, but what’s actually moving (or not moving) on the ground in our city. This month’s picture is more nuanced than the headline numbers suggest, so let’s dig in.

    The Headline Numbers: What Everett Homes Are Actually Selling For

    As of the most recent data available for early 2026, the median sale price of a home in Everett was $547,000 — according to Redfin data through February 2026. That’s down about 11.6% compared to the same period a year ago, and the median sale price per square foot sits at $394, which is actually up 0.9% year-over-year.

    Zillow’s methodology shows a slightly different picture: the average home value in Everett at approximately $619,916, down about 5.9% over the past year. The difference between Redfin’s and Zillow’s numbers reflects different calculation methods — Redfin uses actual sale prices, Zillow uses estimated market value — but both point in the same direction: a market that has cooled from its 2022–2023 peak but remains active.

    The Split Market: It Depends Entirely on Your Price Point

    Here’s what local market data is showing us, and it’s important: Everett’s housing market is not performing uniformly. It’s splitting cleanly by price point.

    Under $750,000: Active and Moving

    If you’re buying or selling under $750,000, you’re in the strongest part of the market right now. Homes in this range are attracting active buyers, moving quickly, and holding their value well. This is where first-time buyers and move-up buyers are competing, and competition is real enough that sellers in this range are seeing offers near — or at — list price.

    $750,000–$949,000: Active But Selective

    The upper-middle tier is moving, but only for homes that are priced right and show exceptionally well. Overpriced homes in this range are sitting. Buyers at this price point have options and they know it — they’ll wait for the right product at the right price. Sellers need to be realistic.

    $950,000+: Slow

    The luxury tier in Everett has slowed noticeably. Days on market are longer and price reductions are more common. This reflects both the interest rate environment and the reality that Everett’s luxury buyer pool is thinner than comparable markets in Bellevue or Kirkland.

    The Fastest Moving Property Type Right Now: Townhomes

    If there’s one standout in Everett’s spring 2026 market, it’s townhomes. The average time to go under contract for a townhome in Everett is running at approximately 6 days — among the fastest of any property type in the city. Of 21 townhomes that sold in the most recent tracked month, that 6-day average tells you exactly how much demand exists for this product.

    Why? Townhomes hit the under-$750K sweet spot for most Everett buyers, they offer more square footage than a condo at a lower price point than a detached single-family home, and their maintenance profile appeals to working households who don’t want to deal with a yard. In a market where detached homes can feel out of reach, townhomes have become the go-to entry point.

    New Construction: Inventory Without Buyers

    New construction is telling an interesting story right now. There’s a solid inventory of new builds in the Everett area — but actual sales activity has been light. In a recent tracked month, only one new construction home sold, and it went over list price. That single data point tells you two things simultaneously: buyers are discerning about new construction (often due to price or location), but when the right product shows up, competition emerges fast.

    Watch this space as the Millwright District’s 300+ new waterfront apartments come online in 2026 — they’ll be rental product, not for-sale, but they’ll add significant new inventory to the overall residential supply picture along the waterfront.

    What’s Driving the Year-Over-Year Softening?

    The 11.6% year-over-year decline in Everett’s median sale price isn’t a crash — it’s a correction from the extraordinary run-up the market saw in 2021–2023. Several factors are at play:

    • Interest rates — Mortgage rates remain elevated compared to the pandemic-era lows that fueled the frenzy. Monthly payments on a median-priced Everett home are significantly higher than they were in 2021 even at a lower purchase price.
    • More inventory — More sellers entered the market in 2025 and 2026 as people who had been waiting for rates to drop decided to move anyway. More supply = less upward price pressure.
    • National uncertainty — Broader economic uncertainty has made some buyers cautious, especially in the upper price tiers.

    If You’re Buying in Everett Right Now

    Spring 2026 is a legitimate window for buyers who’ve been waiting. The market has softened from its peak. The under-$750K range is competitive but not frantic — offers are coming in at or near list, not 20% over with waived inspections. You have more time to think, but not unlimited time: well-priced homes in good locations are still moving in days, not weeks.

    If you’re targeting a townhome, move fast. That segment is the hottest in the city right now. If you’re looking at detached single-family above $750K, you have negotiating room — use it.

    If You’re Selling in Everett Right Now

    Pricing matters more than it has in years. The “just price it high and see what happens” strategy that worked in 2021–2022 doesn’t work in spring 2026. Homes that are priced to the current market are selling well and quickly. Overpriced homes are sitting and requiring reductions — which signals weakness to buyers and costs you time and money.

    The good news: if you bought before 2020 and you’re selling now, you’re almost certainly still well ahead on appreciation. The correction has pulled prices back from peak, not back to pre-pandemic levels.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the median home price in Everett WA in 2026?

    As of early 2026, Redfin data shows a median sale price of approximately $547,000 in Everett, WA, with a median price per square foot of $394. Zillow’s estimate for average home value in Everett is approximately $619,916. Both metrics reflect a modest year-over-year decline from 2025 peaks.

    Is the Everett housing market a buyer’s or seller’s market in 2026?

    It’s a split market. Under $750,000 — where most Everett transactions occur — it’s still fairly competitive for sellers, with homes moving quickly and near list price. Above $750,000, buyers have more leverage, more options, and more time to negotiate.

    How long does it take to sell a home in Everett WA?

    It depends heavily on property type and price point. Townhomes in Everett are averaging approximately 6 days to go under contract in spring 2026 — among the fastest of any property type. Detached single-family homes in the $750K–$950K range are taking longer, sometimes weeks, if not priced correctly.

    Are Everett home prices going up or down in 2026?

    Prices are modestly down year-over-year compared to early 2025, with Redfin showing approximately an 11.6% decline in median sale price and Zillow showing approximately a 5.9% decline in average home value. Both reflect a correction from 2022–2023 peaks rather than a significant crash.

    What types of homes are selling fastest in Everett in 2026?

    Townhomes are the fastest-moving property type in Everett’s spring 2026 market, averaging approximately 6 days to go under contract. They hit the high-demand under-$750K price range and offer more space than condos at a lower price than detached homes.

    Is new construction available in Everett WA?

    Yes, there is new construction inventory available in the Everett market in 2026, but sales activity has been relatively slow — only one new construction home sold in a recent tracked month, though it went over list price. The Millwright District at Waterfront Place is adding 300+ new rental units to the market in 2026.

  • Everett’s $120M Stadium Has a $38M Funding Gap: Here’s the Full Breakdown

    Everett’s $120M Stadium Has a $38M Funding Gap: Here’s the Full Breakdown

    Where does Everett’s stadium stand right now? As of spring 2026, Everett’s proposed downtown Outdoor Event Center has grown from an $82 million project to a $120 million project — leaving a $38 million funding gap that must be closed before the city council can give final approval. Here’s a plain-language breakdown of where the money comes from, where it doesn’t, and what happens next.

    We’ve been tracking Everett’s proposed downtown stadium since the first conceptual drawings surfaced, and lately the news has gotten more complicated. The price tag climbed from $82 million to $120 million. A $38 million funding gap opened up. City council approval is still pending. And yet Mayor Cassie Franklin is calling it a “once in a generation opportunity” and promising the gap will close.

    So what’s actually going on? Let’s walk through it — all the numbers, all the players, and the honest question of whether this stadium gets built by 2027.

    The Project, Explained

    The Everett Outdoor Event Center — commonly called the downtown stadium — is planned for a downtown block bounded by Hewitt and Pacific Avenues, east of Broadway. The project is designed to be a multi-use venue: it would host Everett AquaSox minor league baseball games, two United Soccer League teams (still in lease negotiations as of spring 2026), and year-round events including concerts and community gatherings.

    The design-build team is DLR Group and Bayley Construction — both well-established in Pacific Northwest stadium and arena work. Design reached 60 percent completion earlier in 2026, and city officials say a full plan and budget will be ready “very soon.”

    The city’s target: get the AquaSox playing there for the April 2027 baseball season. That’s less than 12 months away.

    Where Did the $120 Million Figure Come From?

    The project originally carried an $82 million price tag. That number grew to $120 million for two reasons, according to city special projects manager Scott Pattison:

    • More property acquisitions needed. The city needs to acquire more parcels on the proposed site than originally anticipated. At least 17 businesses currently occupy the proposed footprint, and property acquisition costs have risen.
    • Construction cost inflation. Like virtually every major construction project in the Pacific Northwest since 2022, the stadium’s hard construction costs have increased significantly.

    The $120 million is the current estimate. City officials acknowledge the design isn’t fully complete, which means the final number could still move before council votes.

    Where Is the Money Coming From?

    Here’s the funding stack as it currently stands, based on the city’s own presentation documents:

    • City of Everett bonds: ~$40 million — This is the city’s primary funding vehicle. The bonds would be repaid through stadium revenue: ticket sales, event fees, naming rights, and other stadium income. The city had already planned this piece before the cost increase.
    • State of Washington: ~8% of total (~$9.6M) — The state has committed to contributing, though the exact mechanism and timeline haven’t been finalized.
    • Snohomish County: ~4% (~$4.8M) — The county is in for a contribution as well.
    • Everett AquaSox ownership: ~9% (~$10.8M) — The team’s ownership group is contributing as a condition of occupying the stadium.
    • United Soccer League: ~9% (~$10.8M) — The USL is expected to contribute similarly, pending final lease agreements.

    Add that up: roughly $76 million committed or expected. Against a $120 million budget, that leaves the $38 million gap.

    How Does Everett Plan to Close the Gap?

    This is the central question. City officials and the mayor are pointing to two strategies:

    1. Private Investment

    The city is actively seeking private investors — local and regional business leaders and investors who would put capital into the project. Mayor Franklin’s State of the City address in March 2026 emphasized that Everett needs “new pathways to long-term, sustainable revenue” and positioned the stadium as a catalyst for that investment. City council members have pointed to similar projects on the West Coast where private dollars closed comparable gaps.

    2. Additional Municipal Bonds

    If private investment doesn’t cover the full gap, the city may issue supplemental bonds. This is the less popular option — it puts more city debt on the table — but officials say they’re confident the stadium’s revenue stream can support additional bond service.

    The Everett Chamber of Commerce has publicly supported the project, and the Herald’s editorial board has urged the city to keep pushing on funding. But there’s also real community skepticism: the Snohomish County Tribune has published critical op-eds questioning whether taxpayers should shoulder more of the cost.

    What Has to Happen Before Council Votes?

    Before city council can give final approval to build the stadium, three things need to happen:

    • The $38 million gap must be closed — or at least have a credible, council-approved funding plan.
    • Property purchases must be finalized — Two parcels are under contract as of spring 2026, but none have closed. The city can’t finalize designs without knowing what land it controls.
    • Lease agreements must be signed — The AquaSox and USL lease negotiations are ongoing. The city expects these to wrap within weeks, but “weeks” has been said before.

    Council then needs to vote to approve the project. That vote is the formal green light for construction to begin — and construction needs to start almost immediately if the April 2027 deadline is going to hold.

    What Happens if the Timeline Slips?

    The AquaSox are currently playing at Funko Field. If the new stadium isn’t ready for April 2027, they stay at Funko Field. The USL timeline also slides. The economic activity the city is projecting — “tens of millions of dollars” annually, per Mayor Franklin — gets pushed out by at least a year, probably more.

    For context: the original cost estimate was $82 million. It’s now $120 million. The original target was to open before 2027. We’ll see if that timeline holds.

    Our Take

    We want this stadium built. A multi-use venue in downtown Everett — baseball, soccer, concerts, community events year-round — is exactly the kind of infrastructure that accelerates the momentum we’re seeing at the waterfront and in the downtown core. The location makes sense. The design makes sense. The teams make sense.

    But the funding math needs to close, and close publicly, before this becomes a real project instead of a very expensive set of architectural renderings. The city owes residents a clear, accountable answer to: who is putting in the $38 million, and what happens if they don’t? We’ll be watching every council session until we get it.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How much does the Everett downtown stadium cost?

    As of spring 2026, the estimated cost for the Everett Outdoor Event Center is $120 million, up from an original estimate of approximately $82 million. The increase reflects additional property acquisition needs and construction cost inflation.

    Where is the Everett stadium going to be built?

    The stadium is planned for a downtown Everett block between Hewitt and Pacific Avenues, east of Broadway. At least 17 businesses currently occupy the proposed site and will need to relocate.

    Who is funding the Everett downtown stadium?

    Funding comes from a mix of sources: approximately $40 million in city bonds (repaid by stadium revenue), contributions from the state of Washington, Snohomish County, the Everett AquaSox ownership, and the United Soccer League. A $38 million gap remains to be filled by private investors or additional bonds.

    When will the Everett stadium open?

    The city is targeting an opening for the April 2027 Everett AquaSox baseball season. City council has not yet given final approval to build. Construction would need to begin in 2026 to hit a 2027 opening.

    Who will play in the Everett downtown stadium?

    The stadium is designed for the Everett AquaSox (minor league baseball), two United Soccer League teams, and year-round events including concerts and community events. USL lease negotiations were still ongoing as of spring 2026.

    Who is designing the Everett stadium?

    DLR Group is the architect and Bayley Construction is the design-build contractor for the Everett Outdoor Event Center. Design was approximately 60 percent complete as of early 2026.

    Has Everett city council approved the stadium?

    No. As of spring 2026, city council has not given final approval to build the stadium. Final approval requires closing the funding gap, completing property acquisitions, and finalizing lease agreements with the sports teams.

  • Millwright District Phase 2 Is Breaking Ground in 2026: Here’s What 300+ New Waterfront Homes Mean for Everett

    Millwright District Phase 2 Is Breaking Ground in 2026: Here’s What 300+ New Waterfront Homes Mean for Everett

    What is the Millwright District? The Millwright District is the 10-acre second and largest phase of the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place mixed-use development. Phase 2 adds 300+ residential units, 60,000+ square feet of retail and restaurant space, and 200,000+ square feet of commercial and office space to Everett’s working waterfront near the downtown core.

    We’ve been watching the Millwright District take shape for years — the cranes, the construction fencing, the slow march of change along the waterfront. And right now, in spring 2026, the second and largest phase of Waterfront Place is officially underway. Private development partner Lincoln Properties is breaking ground on 300+ new residential units at the Millwright District, and when it’s done, the Port of Everett’s 65-acre waterfront transformation will look nothing like what stood here a decade ago.

    Here’s what we know, what’s coming, and why this matters for everyone who lives in or near Everett.

    What Is the Millwright District, Exactly?

    The Millwright District sits within the broader Waterfront Place development — the Port of Everett’s $1 billion-plus effort to transform 65 acres of working waterfront into a mixed-use neighborhood. Phase 1 of Waterfront Place has already delivered: Restaurant Row is now home to Tapped Public House (which opened March 2, 2026, with Snohomish County’s largest open-air rooftop deck), Rustic Cork Wine Bar, The Net Shed Fresh Fish Market & Kitchen, and more tenants arriving this spring.

    Phase 2 — the Millwright District — is a different scale entirely. We’re talking about a full 10-acre neighborhood being built from scratch, right on the waterfront near Everett’s downtown core. The project will deliver:

    • 300+ residential units — waterfront apartment homes on Everett’s marina edge
    • 60,000+ square feet of retail and restaurant space — a full neighborhood commercial district
    • 200,000+ square feet of commercial and office space — bringing employers to the waterfront

    Lincoln Properties, a national developer with a significant Pacific Northwest portfolio, is the Port’s private development partner on this phase. The groundbreaking for the first residential building was targeted for late 2025 into early 2026, with units expected to deliver as the project completes its build-out over the next several years.

    Why Apartments on the Waterfront Are a Big Deal for Everett

    Everett has been trying to bring residents to its downtown and waterfront for years. The Millwright District’s 300+ units represent one of the largest infusions of new residential supply the city has seen in a generation — and the location matters enormously.

    These aren’t apartments tucked behind a strip mall off I-5. They sit within walking distance of the marina, Restaurant Row, the future Waterfront Place hotel properties, and — if things go according to plan — the Sound Transit Everett Link Extension station that will eventually connect the waterfront to Seattle’s light rail network.

    Before Phase 2 breaks ground, the site already has 266 waterfront apartment homes from the first residential component of Waterfront Place. Add 300+ more units from the Millwright District, and you’re looking at nearly 600 waterfront homes where a working industrial port once sat. That’s a genuine neighborhood — with built-in foot traffic to support the retail and restaurant tenants the Port is recruiting.

    The Port Is Still Hunting for a Flagship Dining Tenant

    Alongside the residential groundbreaking, the Port of Everett is actively searching for one more piece of its restaurant puzzle: a high-end steakhouse or experiential dining concept willing to enter a long-term ground lease and build out a custom restaurant building on the final available parcel in the district.

    This is significant because it signals the Port isn’t done curating Waterfront Place’s tenant mix — they want a flagship anchor that can draw diners from across Snohomish County and beyond. The right operator would build their own building on Port land, which is the kind of investment that only happens when a developer believes in a location’s long-term trajectory.

    What the Full Waterfront Place Build-Out Looks Like

    To understand the Millwright District in context, here’s what the complete 65-acre Waterfront Place development delivers when fully built out:

    • 1.5 million square feet of total mixed-use development
    • Two hotels — already in the plan and on site
    • 566+ residential units (266 existing + 300+ Millwright Phase 2)
    • Restaurant Row — multiple dining tenants open or arriving spring 2026
    • Marine services — S3 Maritime opened early 2026 for recreational vessel maintenance
    • Expanded public parking — with a free waterfront shuttle updated for 2026

    The scale is hard to fully appreciate until you drive past it. This is not a small development. This is a new neighborhood being built on top of what used to be working waterfront infrastructure, and the pace has visibly accelerated since 2024.

    What This Means for Everett’s Housing Supply

    Everett’s housing market has been under pressure from demand and constrained supply for years. The latest data shows the median sale price in Everett near $547,000 in early 2026 — even amid some year-over-year softening. Adding 300+ new units to the waterfront won’t solve Everett’s affordability challenge on its own, but it adds meaningful supply in a location where none existed before.

    These will be market-rate waterfront apartments — which means they’ll serve a specific segment of the market. But their arrival matters for the broader supply picture. Everett needs units. The Millwright District is delivering them.

    Our Take

    The Millwright District Phase 2 groundbreaking is the moment Waterfront Place stops being a promise and becomes a neighborhood. Restaurant Row proved the concept works — Tapped Public House is already packing in customers, and more tenants are coming. Now the residential component is arriving at scale, which means the foot traffic, the energy, and the sense of a real waterfront district are all about to intensify.

    We’ll be at the waterfront watching the cranes go up. Follow along with us.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When will the Millwright District apartments be ready?

    Lincoln Properties began the groundbreaking phase for Millwright District residential units in late 2025 into early 2026. The full build-out of the 300+ units will unfold over several years.

    Who is developing the Millwright District?

    Lincoln Properties is the Port of Everett’s private development partner for the Millwright District. The Port retains ownership of the waterfront land.

    How many apartments are in the Millwright District?

    The Millwright District Phase 2 will deliver 300+ residential units. Combined with 266 existing waterfront homes in Phase 1, the full Waterfront Place development will have approximately 566+ waterfront residential units.

    Is Millwright District the same as Waterfront Place?

    The Millwright District is the second and largest phase of the Port of Everett’s broader Waterfront Place development. Waterfront Place is the 65-acre, 1.5-million-square-foot mixed-use project; the Millwright District is its 10-acre Phase 2 component.

    What businesses are already open at Waterfront Place?

    Restaurant Row at Waterfront Place includes Tapped Public House (opened March 2, 2026), Rustic Cork Wine Bar, and The Net Shed Fresh Fish Market & Kitchen. Menchie’s at the Marina and Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina are expected to open spring 2026. S3 Maritime also opened early 2026 for marine services.

    Is there parking at Waterfront Place?

    Yes. The Port of Everett offers two-hour free parking zones and a free waterfront shuttle with expanded service coming spring 2026. The Port published a 2026 Visitor Parking “Insider’s Guide” with full details at portofeverett.com.

    What kind of flagship restaurant is the Port looking for?

    The Port of Everett is seeking a high-end steakhouse or experiential dining concept interested in a long-term ground lease on the final available parcel in the Waterfront Place district. The chosen operator would build their own restaurant building on Port-owned land.


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

  • Forest Park’s Hidden Trails, Animal Farm, and 130 Years of Everett History: A Complete Local’s Guide

    Forest Park’s Hidden Trails, Animal Farm, and 130 Years of Everett History: A Complete Local’s Guide

    Q: What is Forest Park in Everett known for?
    A: Forest Park is Everett’s oldest and largest park at 197 acres, featuring a WPA-era trail system with up to 4.9 miles and 13 hill climb courses, a free seasonal animal farm, a water playground with an orca theme, the Forest Park Swim Center, and historic structures dating back to the 1930s New Deal era — all located at 802 E. Mukilteo Boulevard.

    This Isn’t Just a Park — It’s Where Everett Goes to Be Everett

    Every city has a park it points to on the brochure. Forest Park is the one Everett actually uses. On any given weekend, you’ll find trail runners grinding through the hill climb courses, families lined up at the animal farm, kids screaming through the splash park, and retirees doing slow loops on the upper ridge trail while learning about native plants from interpretive signs a local Boy Scout troop installed. It’s 197 acres of forest, history, and community packed into the city limits, and most people who don’t live in Everett have never heard of it.

    That’s fine with the locals. They like it that way.

    A Park Built by the Great Depression

    The land that became Forest Park was first purchased on September 27, 1894 — ten acres for $4,300, with a requirement that $600 in improvements be made within five years. By 1909, the city had expanded its holdings to 80 additional acres, and in 1913, the park was officially named Forest Park.

    But the park you walk through today was really built during the 1930s. England-born parks superintendent Oden Hall ran one of Washington State’s largest Works Progress Administration projects right here, employing hundreds of workers during the Great Depression to transform what had been rough forestland into a genuine public park. WPA crews cleared trails, built rock walls that still stand today, planted specimen and native trees, constructed animal enclosures for a growing zoo, and erected Floral Hall — a community exhibition building that opened in 1940 and now sits on the National Register of Historic Places.

    When you hike the trails and notice the mossy stone steps and aged service roads winding through old-growth-sized trees, you’re walking on infrastructure that Depression-era workers built by hand nearly a century ago. There’s something about that history that makes every trail feel a little more intentional.

    The Trail System: 13 Hill Climbs and a Ridge You’ll Want to Take Slow

    Forest Park’s trail network is the real draw for anyone who wants to get their heart rate up without driving to the Cascades. The system includes 13 mapped hill climb courses that you can combine for up to 4.9 miles and over 1,100 feet of elevation gain. Kiosks at trailheads show the routes, all marked with numbered posts so you can track your progress — or know exactly where you are when you’re gasping for air on climb number seven.

    The terrain is a mix of soft wooded single-track, moss-lined WPA-era stone stairs, aged service roads, and narrow boot paths. It’s not manicured and it’s not paved — this is real Pacific Northwest forest hiking, with roots to step over, mud after rain, and canopy so thick that even on sunny days the light filters green.

    For a mellower experience, the upper ridge trail is worth every minute. It follows the park’s high spine through mixed forest, and interpretive signs along the way teach you about the native plant species, local wildlife, and geological history of the area. Bring a camera — the filtered light through the canopy is the kind of thing that makes non-hikers understand why people hike.

    The Animal Farm: Free, Charming, and Your Kids Will Not Want to Leave

    Forest Park has had animals since 1914, when a small zoo opened that would operate for over six decades. When the zoo closed in 1976, the Animal Farm rose from its footprint — literally built at the old butcher shop location at the park’s west end starting in 1970. Today it operates seasonally during summer months as a free petting farm with goats, chickens, rabbits, sheep, ducks, and horses.

    For families with young children, this is the anchor attraction. Kids can pet and feed the animals, and horse rides are available for a small donation. It’s low-key, unpretentious, and exactly the kind of thing that creates the memories your kids will bring up at Thanksgiving twenty years from now. The price — free — means you can come every weekend all summer without thinking twice.

    Splash Park, Swim Center, and the Playground That Never Ends

    Behind the main playground area, Forest Park’s water playground features an orca-themed splash park with spray features designed for different age groups, including a smaller section for toddlers. It’s the kind of place where you’ll watch your kids run through the same water jet fourteen times in a row and somehow never get bored.

    The playground itself is enormous — swings, multiple climbing structures, bars, a digger, spinners, and a train-shaped jungle gym that serves as the unofficial meeting point for every playdate in the park. Covered picnic shelters nearby make it easy to set up camp for the day.

    The Forest Park Swim Center, which opened to the public in 1975, sits at the park’s edge. Originally built with a unique removable roof — revolutionary for its time — it was damaged in the Thanksgiving Day storm of 1984 and replaced with a permanent structure in 1985. The swim center offers public swim sessions, lessons, and lap swimming year-round, making it one of Everett’s most-used recreational facilities regardless of season.

    How to Get Here and What to Know Before You Go

    Forest Park is located at 802 E. Mukilteo Boulevard, Everett, WA 98203. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to dusk. From I-5, take exit 192 for 41st Street and head toward the Mukilteo Ferry. 41st Street becomes Mukilteo Boulevard, and the park entrance is the first left turn.

    Public transit reaches the park via Everett Transit routes 3 and 18. Parking is free and generally available on weekdays, though summer weekends can fill the main lot — arrive before 10 a.m. if you’re bringing kids to the animal farm or splash park.

    Trail surfaces are natural — wear real shoes, not sandals. After rain, the lower trails get muddy, so boots are worth the effort. The hill climbs are legitimate exercise; bring water. And if you’re visiting the animal farm, check the City of Everett Parks website for current seasonal hours before you go — operating dates vary year to year.

    Why Locals Love It

    Forest Park isn’t flashy. It doesn’t have a brewery attached to it or a waterfront view. What it has is 197 acres of honest-to-goodness forest in the middle of a city, trails that were built by hand during the hardest economic period in American history, a free animal farm that delights every kid who walks through the gate, and the kind of quiet that’s increasingly rare in the Puget Sound region.

    It’s the park where Everett residents proposed, where their kids learned to ride horses, where their grandparents danced to band music, and where — if you show up on any given Tuesday morning — you’ll find a handful of regulars doing their hill climbs in comfortable silence, nodding to each other like old friends. Because they are.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How big is Forest Park in Everett?

    Forest Park covers 197 acres, making it Everett’s largest park. It has been part of the city’s park system since the first ten acres were purchased in 1894.

    Is Forest Park’s Animal Farm free?

    Yes. The Animal Farm operates seasonally during summer months and admission is free. Horse rides are available for a small donation. Animals include goats, chickens, rabbits, sheep, ducks, and horses.

    How long are the trails at Forest Park?

    The trail system includes 13 hill climb courses that can be combined for up to 4.9 miles with over 1,100 feet of elevation gain. A more relaxed upper ridge trail is also available for those who want a gentler walk.

    What are the hours for Forest Park?

    Forest Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to dusk. The Forest Park Swim Center has separate hours for public swim sessions, lap swimming, and lessons — check the City of Everett website for the current schedule.

    How do I get to Forest Park?

    From I-5, take exit 192 for 41st Street and head toward the Mukilteo Ferry. 41st Street becomes Mukilteo Boulevard, and the park entrance is the first left turn. The address is 802 E. Mukilteo Boulevard, Everett, WA 98203. Everett Transit routes 3 and 18 also serve the park.

    Is Forest Park good for kids?

    Forest Park is one of the best family parks in Everett. It features an enormous playground, an orca-themed splash park with age-appropriate sections, a free seasonal animal farm, covered picnic shelters, and gentle trail options alongside more challenging hill climbs for older kids.

    What is Floral Hall at Forest Park?

    Floral Hall is a community exhibition building constructed during the WPA era and opened in 1940. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and continues to host community events.

    Can you swim at Forest Park?

    Yes. The Forest Park Swim Center has been open since 1975 and offers public swim sessions, lap swimming, and swim lessons year-round. The outdoor splash park is seasonal and free.

  • Living in Bayside: Inside Everett’s Historic Heart and Most Walkable Neighborhood

    Living in Bayside: Inside Everett’s Historic Heart and Most Walkable Neighborhood

    Q: What makes Bayside one of Everett’s best neighborhoods?
    A: Established in 1892, Bayside is Everett’s historic heart — home to Clark Park (the city’s oldest park), a walkable downtown core, Grand Avenue bluff views over Possession Sound, and an architectural mix of historic mansions, mill worker cottages, and modern condos that tells the full story of Everett’s past and future.

    Bayside Didn’t Just Watch Everett’s History Unfold — It Was the Stage

    If you want to understand Everett, start in Bayside. This neighborhood predates the city’s official incorporation — residents were building homes and laying out tree-lined streets here as early as 1892, a full year before Everett became a city. When the Everett Land Company was drawing up plans for a new mill town on the shores of Port Gardner Bay, Bayside was already becoming the place where the people running those plans chose to live.

    Walk the blocks between Grand Avenue and Colby Avenue today and you’re walking through layers of that history. Victorian-era homes sit next to Craftsman bungalows. Mill worker cottages share streets with early-1900s mansions built by timber barons. And mixed in between, you’ll find modern condos and townhomes that arrived with Everett’s recent growth wave. It’s not a museum — it’s a living neighborhood where the architecture tells you exactly how this city evolved.

    Clark Park: The Park That Started It All

    Every neighborhood has a park. Bayside has the park — Clark Park, established in 1894 and officially named in 1931 for John Clark, one of Everett’s founding figures who passed away in 1922. This is Everett’s oldest city park, and it still functions as Bayside’s front yard.

    The park’s bandstand, designed by architect Benjamin F. Turnbull in 1921, anchored community life for decades. From the 1920s through the 1960s, Everett residents gathered here for band concerts on summer evenings. Tennis courts went in during 1927 and got lights in 1935 — a big deal during the Depression, when free entertainment mattered. Today, Clark Park is still where Bayside residents walk their dogs in the morning, eat lunch on the benches at noon, and meet neighbors in the evening.

    Grand Avenue and the Bluff Views You Won’t Believe Are Free

    Grand Avenue runs along the western edge of Bayside, and if you haven’t walked it, you’re missing one of Everett’s best-kept secrets. The bluff overlooks the industrial waterfront, Possession Sound, and on clear days, the Olympic Mountains fill the horizon. Sunsets from up here are the kind of thing that stops you mid-sentence.

    It’s also where you’ll find the Bayside P-Patch, a one-acre community garden at 23rd Street and Grand Avenue. For about forty dollars a year, Bayside residents can claim a plot and grow whatever they want — tomatoes, dahlias, herbs, squash. The garden has been going strong for nearly 25 years, and the juxtaposition is pure Everett: beautiful flowers growing on a terraced hillside with views of old waterfront factories in the background. Benches along mulched trails give gardeners and passersby a place to sit and watch the water.

    The Walkability Factor

    Bayside consistently scores among the most walkable neighborhoods in all of Snohomish County. With a Walk Score hovering around 82, daily errands — groceries, coffee, a trip to the library — don’t require a car. The Carnegie Main Public Library, Everett High School, downtown restaurants, and the waterfront marina are all within walking or easy biking distance.

    This matters more than it might sound. In a region where most neighborhoods were designed around cars, Bayside’s pre-automobile street grid means sidewalks are wide, blocks are short, and you actually run into your neighbors on foot. It’s the kind of neighborhood where the barista at your local coffee shop knows your order and the librarian recognizes your kids.

    Who Lives in Bayside Today

    Bayside’s population is a genuine cross-section of Everett. Young professionals drawn by the walkability and downtown access share the neighborhood with longtime residents who’ve been here for decades. Families appreciate the proximity to Everett High School and the neighborhood’s relatively low crime rates compared to other urban-core neighborhoods in the region. Retirees love the flat walking routes along Grand Avenue and the ease of reaching medical offices, restaurants, and transit without fighting traffic.

    The housing stock reflects that mix. You can find a renovated Craftsman for the mid-$400s, a condo in a newer building for under $350,000, or — if you’re patient and lucky — one of the historic homes along Grand Avenue or Rucker Avenue that occasionally comes on the market. Prices have risen with Everett’s overall growth, but Bayside remains more accessible than comparable walkable neighborhoods in Seattle or Bellevue.

    What Long-Timers Want You to Know

    Ask anyone who’s lived in Bayside for more than a decade and they’ll tell you the same thing: this neighborhood rewards people who slow down. The hidden alleys between blocks — remnants of the original 1890s street plan — are worth exploring on foot. The view from the P-Patch at golden hour is better than anything you’ll find at a restaurant with a cover charge. And Clark Park on a Saturday morning, when the neighborhood is waking up and dog walkers are trading gossip on the paths, is Everett at its most genuine.

    They’ll also tell you that Bayside is changing. New development is filling in vacant lots. The waterfront redevelopment south of the neighborhood is bringing new restaurants and foot traffic. But the bones of the neighborhood — the tree-lined streets, the bluff views, the walkable grid, the sense that people actually know each other here — those haven’t changed since the 1890s, and they’re not going anywhere.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where exactly is the Bayside neighborhood in Everett?

    Bayside is located in North Everett, encompassing the downtown core area. It’s bounded roughly by the waterfront to the west and extends east through the historic residential streets around Grand Avenue, Colby Avenue, and Rucker Avenue.

    Is Bayside a safe neighborhood?

    Bayside is generally considered one of Everett’s safer urban neighborhoods. Like any downtown-adjacent area, it has typical city activity, but the active neighborhood association and high foot traffic contribute to a strong sense of community safety.

    What is the Bayside P-Patch?

    The Bayside P-Patch is a one-acre community garden located at 23rd Street and Grand Avenue. Plots are available to residents for approximately forty dollars per year. The garden has been operating for nearly 25 years and offers views of Possession Sound from its terraced hillside location.

    How walkable is Bayside compared to other Everett neighborhoods?

    Bayside is the most walkable neighborhood in Everett, with a Walk Score around 82. Its pre-automobile street grid, proximity to downtown services, and connections to the waterfront make car-free living genuinely practical here.

    What schools serve the Bayside neighborhood?

    Everett High School is located within Bayside. The neighborhood is served by the Everett School District, which enrolls approximately 20,000 students across 33 schools.

    What is Clark Park?

    Clark Park is Everett’s oldest city park, established in 1894 and named in 1931 for city founder John Clark. It features a historic bandstand designed by architect Benjamin F. Turnbull, tennis courts, and serves as Bayside’s central gathering space.

    How much does it cost to live in Bayside?

    Housing in Bayside ranges from condos in newer buildings starting under $350,000 to renovated Craftsman homes in the mid-$400,000 range. Historic homes along Grand Avenue or Rucker Avenue command higher prices but appear on the market infrequently.

  • April at the Historic Everett Theatre: Five Shows Worth Your Saturday Night

    April at the Historic Everett Theatre: Five Shows Worth Your Saturday Night

    What’s playing at the Historic Everett Theatre in April 2026? Five verified shows including tribute rock (Def Leppard, Journey, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan), stand-up comedy (Henry Cho, Tyler Smith’s Dope Show), and an Elvis fundraiser for the Fallen Heroes Project. Venue: 2911 Colby Ave, Everett, WA. Box office: 425-258-6766.

    The 1901 brick building at 2911 Colby Ave has been putting on shows for longer than most of the rest of Everett has even existed. And this April, the Historic Everett Theatre is doing what it does best — stacking a month’s worth of live entertainment so dense it’s basically impossible to claim there’s nothing to do on a Saturday night in Everett.

    From thunderous tribute bands to sharp stand-up comedy to an Elvis performance that doubles as a fundraiser for fallen veterans, the theatre’s April lineup is a case study in why this venue continues to be the cultural anchor of downtown Everett. Here’s what’s coming up and which shows are worth clearing your calendar for.

    April 10 & 11: Hysteria + Infinity Project (Def Leppard & Journey Tributes)

    Friday, April 10 — Stevie Ray Visited with Randy Hansen | Doors 6:30 PM | Show 7:30 PM
    Saturday, April 11 — Hysteria (Def Leppard) with Infinity Project (Journey) | Doors 6 PM | Show 7 PM
    2911 Colby Ave, Everett, WA | Tickets via Tixr

    The weekend of April 10–11 is all about the golden era of rock. Opening the run is Stevie Ray Visited with Randy Hansen on Friday night — a double-bill tribute honoring both Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. Randy Hansen has built a serious following in the Pacific Northwest as one of the most committed Hendrix interpreters working today, and pairing his act with a Stevie Ray tribute makes this one of the more ambitious single-night lineups the theatre has booked this spring.

    Saturday night brings arguably the biggest crowd-pleasers of the month: Hysteria (a Def Leppard tribute) and Infinity Project (a Journey tribute) sharing the same stage. If you grew up with “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Don’t Stop Believin’,” this is a nostalgic one-two punch designed specifically to make you forget what year it is. These aren’t bar bands running through the hits — both acts have been playing these catalogs long enough to do them justice.

    For the Saturday show: doors at 6 PM, show at 7 PM. Get there early if you want a good spot on the floor.

    April 18: Tyler Smith Presents The Dope Show

    Saturday, April 18 | 7:00 PM
    2911 Colby Ave, Everett, WA | Tickets via Tixr
    Note: This is an external production. Theatre gift certificates and coupons are not valid for this event.

    If you’ve ever wondered what happens when comedians perform one sober set, take an intermission to consume cannabis, and then get back on stage to perform again — this is exactly that experiment, live and in public at one of Everett’s most storied venues.

    Tyler Smith’s The Dope Show is a touring comedy showcase that has developed a cult following for the comedic chaos that premise creates. The contrast between the tight, polished first sets and whatever happens after intermission is the entertainment. It’s unpredictable in the best possible way.

    Washington’s legal cannabis culture has created a whole lane for this kind of event, and seeing it staged inside the 125-year-old Historic Everett Theatre is a combination that probably couldn’t exist anywhere else in the country. Recommended for adults who enjoy boundary-pushing stand-up.

    April 24: Henry Cho

    Friday, April 24 | 8:00 PM
    2911 Colby Ave, Everett, WA | Tickets via box office: 425-258-6766

    Henry Cho is one of those comics who’s been quietly excellent for decades without ever making the kind of noise that gets him on magazine covers. His material is clean, sharp, and consistently underestimated — which is exactly why his shows tend to sell out. If you’ve seen him before, you already know. If you haven’t, April 24th is an excellent entry point.

    The 8 PM showtime makes this an easy choice for a dinner-and-comedy date night in downtown Everett. With limited tickets remaining as of early April, don’t sit on this one.

    April 25: Tracy Alan Moore as Elvis — Fallen Heroes Project Fundraiser

    Saturday, April 25 | Doors 6:30 PM | Show 7:30 PM
    2911 Colby Ave, Everett, WA | Tickets from $69 via venue and ticketing partners

    The month closes on a meaningful note. Tracy Alan Moore is widely considered one of the top Elvis Presley tribute artists on the West Coast, and his April 25 show at the Historic Everett Theatre is also a fundraiser for the Fallen Heroes Project, an organization that supports families of fallen U.S. military personnel.

    At $69 and up, this is one of the pricier evenings on the April calendar, but you’re getting both a high-production Elvis experience and the knowledge that your ticket revenue is going somewhere worthwhile. Moore’s command of Presley’s catalog — from the Sun Records rockabilly days through the Vegas years — is the kind of performance you can describe to people who weren’t there without sounding like you’re overselling it.

    The 1901 venue is a fitting setting for an Elvis show. The King started his career playing theaters not unlike this one, and there’s something genuinely poetic about seeing that tradition honored in a building that predates rock and roll by more than five decades.

    Why the Historic Everett Theatre Keeps Winning

    It would be easy to take this building for granted. It’s been standing on Colby Avenue since 1901 — through both World Wars, the Boeing boom, the 1990s downtown slump, and now the ongoing revival happening block by block through downtown Everett. The fact that it’s still here, still programming shows, still drawing audiences from across Snohomish County, is not an accident.

    The Historic Everett Theatre fills a specific and important niche: intimate enough that there’s not a bad seat in the house, but large enough to attract acts and touring productions that wouldn’t work in a bar. It’s the kind of venue that makes a city feel like a real city — not a bedroom community waiting for something to do on a Saturday night, but a place with its own cultural gravity.

    April’s lineup reflects that: five shows across four weekends, covering tribute rock, blues, stand-up comedy, and a veterans fundraiser. That’s a full month of reasons to stay in Everett instead of driving to Seattle.

    Quick Reference: April at the Historic Everett Theatre

    DateShowDoorsShow Time
    Fri, April 10Stevie Ray Visited + Randy Hansen6:30 PM7:30 PM
    Sat, April 11Hysteria (Def Leppard) + Infinity Project (Journey)6:00 PM7:00 PM
    Sat, April 18Tyler Smith’s The Dope Show (comedy)—7:00 PM
    Fri, April 24Henry Cho (stand-up comedy)—8:00 PM
    Sat, April 25Tracy Alan Moore as Elvis (Fallen Heroes fundraiser)6:30 PM7:30 PM

    Box office: 425-258-6766 | Tickets: Tixr or historiceveretttheatre.org
    Address: 2911 Colby Ave, Everett, WA 98201

    The theatre has been making this city worth living in since the year McKinley was president. Give it a Friday night this April — you won’t regret it.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What time should I arrive at the Historic Everett Theatre?
    For most shows, doors open 30–60 minutes before the listed show time. For April 11, doors open at 6 PM with the show at 7 PM. For April 25, doors are at 6:30 PM for a 7:30 PM show. Arriving at doors is recommended for popular shows where floor space fills quickly.

    Where is the Historic Everett Theatre located?
    The theatre is at 2911 Colby Ave, Everett, WA 98201 in the heart of downtown Everett. Street parking and nearby lots are available. Box office: 425-258-6766.

    How old is the Historic Everett Theatre?
    The Historic Everett Theatre has been operating since 1901, making it over 125 years old and one of the oldest continuously operating performance venues in Washington State.

    Are the April shows all-ages?
    Age restrictions vary by event. The Dope Show on April 18 is a cannabis-themed comedy event — check Tixr or call 425-258-6766 to confirm age policy. Henry Cho on April 24 performs clean comedy appropriate for older teens and adults. Call the box office to confirm policies for specific shows.

    How do I buy tickets for Historic Everett Theatre shows?
    Most shows sell tickets through Tixr, the Historic Everett Theatre’s official website (historiceveretttheatre.org), or resellers like Vivid Seats and SeatGeek. For the Tracy Alan Moore Elvis tribute on April 25, tickets start at $69.

    Is the Fallen Heroes Project a legitimate charity?
    Yes. The Fallen Heroes Project is an established organization that provides support for families of fallen U.S. military personnel. The April 25 Tracy Alan Moore Elvis tribute is a fundraiser benefiting this organization.

    What happens if I have gift certificates or coupons for the Historic Everett Theatre?
    Theatre gift certificates and coupons are valid for Historic Everett Theatre-produced events. The Dope Show on April 18 is an external production and explicitly states that theatre gift certificates and coupons are not valid for that event.

    What other events are coming to Everett in spring 2026?
    Schack Art Center is running its “Water Ways: Healing the Circle of Water and Life” exhibition through May 16. APEX Everett has live music events throughout April including The Black Tones on April 17. The Everett Art Walk runs every third Thursday downtown. Exploring Everett covers the full scene — bookmark us for the latest.

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

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

    Quick Answer: The Everett AquaSox opened their 2026 home schedule on April 7 with a tough 17-2 loss to the Tri-City Dust Devils. Don’t panic — this is the defending Northwest League champion team with five top-30 Mariners prospects, and one rough night doesn’t define a long season.

    Look, nobody said defending a championship was going to be easy. The Everett AquaSox opened their 2026 home schedule Tuesday night at Everett Memorial Stadium and ran into a buzzsaw — dropping their home opener to the Tri-City Dust Devils 17-2 in front of 1,414 fans. It was ugly. It was not representative of what this team is capable of. And if you’re an AquaSox fan, you already know: one game in April does not a season make.

    Here’s what actually matters as the AquaSox settle into their first homestand of 2026.

    What Happened Opening Night

    The numbers were rough. Tri-City jumped out to a 4-0 lead after two innings, extended it to 10-0 through three, and kept piling on. By the time the night was over, the Dust Devils had put up 17 runs against an AquaSox pitching staff that just didn’t have it on Tuesday.

    For Everett, the highlights were few but real. Josh Caron grounded a triple down the left-field line in the fourth inning — a reminder of the kind of contact hitters the AquaSox have on this roster. Luke Stevenson drove in the first AquaSox run with a sacrifice fly. And in the bottom of the eighth, Jonny Farmelo launched a 381-foot solo home run to make it 17-2.

    It’s a box score you’d rather forget. But before you write off this team, let’s talk about what they’re actually working with.

    The 2026 AquaSox Roster Is Stacked With Mariners Prospects

    The Everett AquaSox roster for 2026 is legitimately exciting for anyone who follows the Mariners’ farm system. This is a team built to compete — 22 returners from the 2025 Northwest League Championship squad, plus five of the Mariners’ Top-30 prospects and eight newcomers.

    Here’s who to watch this summer at Everett Memorial Stadium:

    Jonny Farmelo — Outfielder, Mariners No. 6 Prospect

    Farmelo is the name everyone in the Mariners system is talking about. A left-handed hitter with real power (that 381-foot blast on Opening Night was no fluke), he’s back in Everett for his second taste of High-A baseball after battling through an ACL tear in 2024 and a stress reaction in his ribs in 2025. In 29 games last year, he hit .230 with 13 extra-base hits and 16 RBIs. If he stays healthy in 2026, expect those numbers to look a lot better over a full season. He has the tools to move quickly through the system.

    Felnin Celesten — Shortstop, Mariners No. 7 Prospect

    Celesten is one of the most intriguing prospects in the entire Mariners organization — a switch-hitter at shortstop with serious upside. He got a brief taste of High-A last August (11 games), and now he’s back for a full season. The switch-hitting ability alone makes him valuable; add the defensive profile at short and you’ve got a guy who could be a key piece of Seattle’s future middle infield. Watch him closely in this homestand.

    Luke Stevenson — Catcher, Top-10 Prospect

    Stevenson drove in the AquaSox’s first run of the home season on Tuesday. He’s a catching prospect in the Mariners’ top 10 — a position where Seattle is actively building for the future. Behind the plate and at the dish, Stevenson is someone to follow all season long.

    Carlos Jimenez — Outfielder, Mariners No. 21 Prospect

    The 21st-ranked prospect in Seattle’s system, Jimenez adds another outfield bat to an already deep lineup. He’s one of the newcomers joining the returning championship core, and he’s coming in with something to prove.

    Lucas Kelly — Right-Handed Pitcher, Mariners No. 29 Prospect

    The Mariners need pitching depth like every organization does, and Kelly is one of the arms to watch this summer. On a night like Opening Night when the staff struggled, it’s easy to be critical — but over a full season, seeing how prospects like Kelly develop is exactly why you watch High-A baseball.

    22 Champions Are Back — And That Matters

    This isn’t a retooling project. Twenty-two players who won the 2025 Northwest League Championship are back in Everett uniforms this season. That’s continuity, that’s chemistry, and that’s a roster that already knows what it takes to win in the Northwest League.

    Defending champions in minor league baseball always carry a target on their back — opposing teams game-plan for them, and there’s added pressure every night. One blowout in a six-game series at home doesn’t change who this team is.

    For context: the AquaSox went 3-3 in their opening road series in Spokane before returning home. They picked up their first win of 2026 with a 3-2 victory over the Spokane Indians, powered by home runs from Josh Caron, Carter Dorighi, and Jonny Farmelo. The pitching showed its depth in that game, with Evan Truitt going 4.2 innings and Christian Little adding two shutout frames with five strikeouts.

    These guys can play ball.

    The 2026 Home Schedule: What’s Coming Up

    The AquaSox play Tri-City again through Sunday, April 12, at Everett Memorial Stadium. After that, they’ll continue the home schedule through the summer. Everett Memorial Stadium remains one of the best places in the Pacific Northwest to watch live baseball — affordable tickets, a great atmosphere, and now a roster loaded with legitimate Mariners prospects worth tracking for years to come.

    Tickets and the full schedule are available at milb.com/everett.

    Tuesday was one bad night. The season is 132 games long. Come out to the ballpark and watch what this group can do when everything clicks — because with this much prospect talent, it’s going to be a fun summer in Everett.

    Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 AquaSox

    What was the AquaSox’s opening night result in 2026?

    The Everett AquaSox lost to the Tri-City Dust Devils 17-2 at Everett Memorial Stadium on April 7, 2026, in front of 1,414 fans. It was a tough start to the home season.

    Who are the top prospects on the 2026 AquaSox roster?

    The AquaSox have five Mariners Top-30 prospects: outfielder Jonny Farmelo (No. 6), shortstop Felnin Celesten (No. 7), catcher Luke Stevenson (top-10), outfielder Carlos Jimenez (No. 21), and pitcher Lucas Kelly (No. 29).

    How many returning players are on the 2026 AquaSox from the championship team?

    22 players from the 2025 Northwest League Championship squad are back on the 2026 AquaSox roster, along with 8 newcomers, for a total of 30 players.

    What league do the AquaSox play in?

    The Everett AquaSox compete in the Northwest League as the Seattle Mariners’ High-A affiliate in Minor League Baseball.

    How can I buy AquaSox tickets?

    Tickets are available at milb.com/everett. The AquaSox play at Everett Memorial Stadium Field in Everett, WA.

    When is the 2026 AquaSox home opener series?

    The AquaSox’s first home series runs April 7-12 against the Tri-City Dust Devils at Everett Memorial Stadium.

  • Silvertips Enter Round 2 as WHL’s Hottest Team: Get to Angel of the Winds Arena This Friday

    Silvertips Enter Round 2 as WHL’s Hottest Team: Get to Angel of the Winds Arena This Friday

    Quick Answer: The Everett Silvertips swept the Portland Winterhawks 4-0 in Round 1 of the 2026 WHL Playoffs, outscoring them 25-5. They now face the Kelowna Rockets in Round 2, with Games 1 and 2 at Angel of the Winds Arena on Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11.

    The Everett Silvertips swept the Portland Winterhawks out of the playoffs like they weren’t even there. Twenty-five goals. Four games. Zero losses. Now, the best team in the Western Hockey League all season is heading into Round 2 of the 2026 WHL Playoffs — and the party starts right here at Angel of the Winds Arena this Friday night.

    If you haven’t been paying attention to this Silvertips squad all year, now is the time to start. This is a team playing playoff hockey at a different level than everyone else.

    The First Round Was a Statement

    Let’s recap what the Silvertips just did to Portland, because it deserves a moment.

    Game 1: 8-1. Eight goals. They didn’t ease into the playoffs — they detonated.

    Game 2: 4-1. Four unanswered goals after falling behind.

    Game 3: 7-0. Seven different skaters scored. A shutout. A statement.

    Game 4: Down 2-0 in Portland, they scored six unanswered to win 6-3. Forward Zackary Shantz finished with a three-point night (1G, 2A) to seal the comeback.

    Final tally: 25 goals for, 5 against in a four-game sweep. The Silvertips outscored Portland by twenty goals. That’s not a series — that’s a message to the rest of the Western Conference. This was the Silvertips’ first playoff series sweep since 2016 — and fittingly, it was also against the Winterhawks back then.

    What Makes the 2026 Silvertips So Dangerous

    The Silvertips entered the postseason as the regular season’s top team — winners of the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as the WHL’s best record-holder — and the third-highest scoring team in the league. They’ve got a balanced attack that makes them nearly impossible to key on.

    Matias Vanhanen and Julius Miettinen have been the offensive engines in the playoffs so far, combining for 13 points (7 goals) through four games. Both players carried their strong regular-season form right into the postseason without missing a beat.

    Carter Bear is the name to watch in this series. Against Kelowna in the regular season, Bear was flat-out dominant — 8 points on 5 goals and 3 assists in just four games. If that production carries over, the Rockets are going to have a very hard time containing him.

    The Silvertips don’t just have one line. Seven different goal-scorers in Game 3 tells you everything you need to know about how this team is built.

    The Opponent: Kelowna Rockets Bring Playoff Motivation

    The Kelowna Rockets are not a team to sleep on. They swept the Kamloops Blazers in Round 1 and they’ll be playing with extra motivation as the host of the 2026 Memorial Cup. For Kelowna, every game this spring is a warmup for the biggest junior hockey tournament on the continent being played in their own building.

    The Rockets’ top weapons are Vojtec Cihar and Tij Iginla, who combined for 11 goals and 20 points in the first round against Kamloops. Both players got hot at exactly the right time.

    But here’s the thing: the Silvertips dominated Kelowna during the regular season. Everett went 4-0 against the Rockets in their regular-season matchups. Kelowna knows they’re facing an uphill battle — their own local press is acknowledging as much.

    2026 WHL Playoffs Round 2 Schedule: Silvertips vs. Rockets

    This is your window to be part of something special in person. The series opens in Everett with back-to-back home games:

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

    Angel of the Winds Arena playoff hockey is some of the best live sports entertainment in the Pacific Northwest. The building gets loud, the energy is real, and the Silvertips have given their fans every reason to pack the house this weekend. Tickets are available at everettsilvertips.com and through the Angel of the Winds Arena box office.

    Why This Run Feels Different

    Being the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy winner means you had the best record in the WHL all season. That’s not luck — that’s consistency across 68 regular-season games. And then to open the playoffs by outscoring your opponent 25-5 in a sweep? That’s dominance.

    The Silvertips have the offensive depth to grind teams down, the defensive structure to protect leads, and the playoff experience to handle adversity. That 6-3 comeback in Game 4 at Portland — down 2-0 on the road — is the mentality of a team that believes it’s going to win.

    Kelowna has the motivation of the Memorial Cup and two dangerous forwards who can change games. This should be a quality second round. But right now, the Silvertips are the hottest team in the WHL, and they’re playing their next two games at home.

    Get to the arena Friday night.

    Frequently Asked Questions About the Silvertips 2026 Playoff Run

    When do the Silvertips play next in the 2026 WHL Playoffs?

    Game 1 of the second round against the Kelowna Rockets is Friday, April 10, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, WA. Game 2 follows on Saturday, April 11, at the same venue.

    How did the Silvertips do in Round 1 of the 2026 WHL Playoffs?

    The Silvertips swept the Portland Winterhawks 4-0, winning 8-1, 4-1, 7-0, and 6-3. They scored 25 goals while allowing only 5 across the series.

    Who are the Silvertips’ key players to watch in Round 2?

    Matias Vanhanen and Julius Miettinen lead the offense with 6 points each in the playoffs. Carter Bear had 8 points (5G, 3A) against Kelowna in the regular season and is a major threat in this series.

    Who are the Kelowna Rockets and why are they dangerous?

    Kelowna is the 2026 Memorial Cup host and swept Kamloops in Round 1. Their key forwards Vojtec Cihar and Tij Iginla combined for 11 goals in the first round. They’re motivated and battle-tested.

    What is the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy?

    The Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy is awarded to the WHL team with the best regular-season record. The Silvertips won it for the 2025-26 season, making them the No. 1 overall seed in the WHL Playoffs.

    Where can I buy Everett Silvertips playoff tickets?

    Tickets are available at everettsilvertips.com (Playoff Ticket Central section) and through the Angel of the Winds Arena box office at angelofthewindsarena.com, or by calling 1-425-322-2600.

  • Naval Station Everett’s Fight for Its Future After the Frigate Program Collapse

    Naval Station Everett’s Fight for Its Future After the Frigate Program Collapse

    Q: What happened to the frigates coming to Naval Station Everett?
    A: The Navy cancelled the Constellation-class frigate program in November 2025 after years of cost overruns and construction delays, ending a plan to homeport 12 new ships in Everett. Local leaders are now fighting to ensure the base secures a role in whatever comes next.

    Naval Station Everett’s Fight for Its Future After the Frigate Program Collapse

    For years, Naval Station Everett had a clearly defined destiny: become the Pacific homeport for 12 brand-new Constellation-class guided-missile frigates, transforming the base into one of the most significant surface combatant hubs on the West Coast. The frigates would bring thousands of additional sailors and their families to Snohomish County, generate billions in economic activity, and cement Everett’s identity as a Navy town well into the 21st century.

    Then, on November 25, 2025, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan posted a message on social media: the Constellation-class frigate program was over.

    The cancellation sent shockwaves through the Everett community — and set off a scramble that’s still playing out today.

    What Happened to the Constellation-Class Frigates

    The Constellation-class frigate program, designated FFG-62, was supposed to be the Navy’s answer to a capability gap in its surface fleet: a capable, affordable, medium-sized warship that could be produced faster and cheaper than the larger DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. Congress funded the program starting in 2020, and in 2021 the Navy selected Naval Station Everett as the future homeport for all 12 ships.

    The problems began almost immediately. Construction of the lead ship, USS Constellation (FFG-62), began at Fincantieri Marinette Marine’s shipyard in Wisconsin — but the program struggled from the start to complete its functional design. Without design stability, construction stalled. By May 2024, the Government Accountability Office found that the first ship was running approximately three years behind its original schedule, with delivery pushed to at least April 2029 instead of the originally planned July 2026.

    Costs climbed alongside the delays. The lead ship had gained nearly 759 tons of additional weight compared to original specifications, and the price tag ballooned. Secretary Phelan’s blunt assessment: “The Constellation-class frigate was canceled because, candidly, it didn’t make sense anymore to build it. It was 80 percent of the cost of a destroyer and 60 percent of the capability.”

    Construction on the first two ships — USS Constellation (FFG-62) and one follow-on hull — will continue to completion. But homeporting decisions for those ships have not been made, and may not be made until much closer to their eventual commissioning dates. The remaining ships on order have been cancelled entirely.

    What It Means for Everett

    Naval Station Everett currently employs approximately 6,000 military personnel and 500 civilian workers, making it one of Snohomish County’s largest employers. The base’s economic footprint touches everything from local housing markets to small businesses that cater to military families.

    The frigate program had been expected to dramatically expand that footprint. New personnel would have created demand for thousands of additional housing units, strained and eventually grown local schools, and generated ripple effects throughout the regional economy. The Navy had already secured $19 million from Congress to build 88 new family-style military homes at the Navy Support Complex in Smokey Point — 11 miles north of the main base in Marysville — specifically to prepare for the incoming frigate crews and their families. That construction was anticipated to begin in early 2026.

    With the program cancelled, the region now faces a more uncertain equation. The housing investment may still proceed, but the population surge that justified it is on hold. And the question of what Naval Station Everett’s long-term mission will look like — with or without new frigates — is very much unanswered.

    Everett Leaders Push Back

    The response from Snohomish County’s political and economic leadership has been forceful, if not always optimistic.

    Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), whose district includes Naval Station Everett and who has spent years advocating for the base on Capitol Hill, called the cancellation “disheartening” but immediately redirected his focus toward the future. In an interview in December 2025, Larsen said Naval Station Everett is “uniquely situated” to receive whatever next-generation frigates the Navy ultimately develops — pointing to the same geographic, logistical, and strategic advantages that originally made Everett the Navy’s choice for the Constellation-class ships.

    Larsen has since been pressing defense officials to ensure that Everett is at the front of the line when homeporting decisions are made for the Navy’s new FF(X) program — the replacement frigate concept based on the Coast Guard’s Legend-class National Security Cutter. Congress has already appropriated $242 million in long-lead funding for the first FF(X) ships, and the program is moving forward, though no homeporting decisions have been announced.

    On the local advocacy front, the Economic Alliance Snohomish County has re-activated its Military Affairs Committee — a group that had previously gone dormant — specifically to serve as what organizers called “a coordinated regional voice that understands both the national security implications and the local economic impacts” of decisions affecting the base. Representatives from the Port of Everett, the City of Everett, Snohomish County government, and the Economic Alliance have all been making trips to Washington, D.C., to make the case for Naval Station Everett’s continued relevance.

    The FF(X) Program: Everett’s Next Best Hope

    The Navy’s replacement frigate concept, officially called FF(X), represents a significant philosophical shift from the Constellation-class approach. Rather than designing an entirely new ship from scratch — the approach that led to the Constellation’s cost and timeline disasters — the FF(X) will be based on an existing, proven design: the Coast Guard’s 418-foot Legend-class National Security Cutter, built by Huntington Ingalls Industries.

    The theory is straightforward: use a design that’s already been built, add naval combat systems, and avoid the years of engineering uncertainty that plagued the Constellation program. The FF(X) program was announced in December 2025, with Huntington Ingalls Industries named as the builder.

    No homeporting decisions have been made. The first FF(X) ships won’t be ready for years. But the Navy’s shift to a more producible design gives Everett advocates something concrete to fight for — and a program that at least has a realistic path to completion.

    What the Base Means to This Community

    Beyond the economics and the politics, it’s worth pausing to remember what Naval Station Everett actually is: a community. Roughly 6,000 service members and their families live, work, and raise children in Snohomish County. They fill the bleachers at high school football games. They shop at local businesses. Their spouses navigate the particular challenges of military life — frequent moves, long deployments, career uncertainty — often far from extended family.

    The Everett Vet Center, located at 1010 SE Everett Mall Way, provides confidential counseling and support for veterans, service members, and their families. The Snohomish County Veterans’ Assistance Program serves as a single portal for veterans seeking help with emergency financial assistance, employment, and benefits navigation. These aren’t abstract institutions — they’re the connective tissue of a military community that has made its home here.

    Whatever happens with frigates and fleet allocations in the years ahead, that community isn’t going anywhere. The men and women of Naval Station Everett serve with distinction. Their families carry significant burdens with quiet strength. And the people of Everett have, by and large, embraced them as neighbors.

    That relationship is worth fighting for — which is exactly what Everett’s leaders say they intend to do.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is Naval Station Everett at risk of closing?

    There are no current indications of closure. The base remains active with approximately 6,000 military personnel and 500 civilian employees. While the cancellation of the Constellation-class frigate program is a setback, local and congressional leaders are actively advocating for the base to receive future naval assets.

    What happened to the 12 frigates that were supposed to come to Everett?

    The Constellation-class frigate program was cancelled by the Secretary of the Navy in November 2025 due to construction delays and cost overruns. Only the first two ships (FFG-62 and FFG-63) will be completed; the remaining 10 planned ships have been cancelled.

    Will Everett still get new ships?

    It’s possible but not confirmed. The Navy has launched a new FF(X) frigate program based on the Coast Guard’s National Security Cutter design. No homeporting decisions have been made, but Rep. Rick Larsen and other local leaders are advocating for Naval Station Everett to be a priority homeport.

    What is the FF(X) frigate?

    The FF(X) is the Navy’s next-generation small surface combatant, intended to replace the cancelled Constellation-class. It will be built by Huntington Ingalls Industries and based on the Legend-class National Security Cutter design. Congress approved $242 million in long-lead funding for the program in early 2026.

    What military housing is being built near Naval Station Everett?

    Congress approved $19 million to construct 88 new family-style military homes at the Navy Support Complex in Smokey Point (Marysville), originally intended to house families of incoming frigate crews. The status of that construction in light of the frigate cancellation has not been formally announced.

    How does Naval Station Everett affect the local economy?

    The base employs approximately 6,000 military personnel and 500 civilian workers, making it one of Snohomish County’s largest employers. Military families’ spending, housing needs, and community engagement generate significant economic activity throughout the region.

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

    The Economic Alliance has reactivated its Military Affairs Committee to advocate for the base at the federal level, coordinating with the Port of Everett, City of Everett, and Snohomish County to present a unified regional voice in Washington, D.C.

    See also: NAVSTA Everett After the Frigate Collapse: What the Base Fights For Next | What the Frigate Cancellation Means for Military Families at NAVSTA Everett

  • Boeing 777X Production Flight Targeting April from Paine Field: What It Means for Everett

    Boeing 777X Production Flight Targeting April from Paine Field: What It Means for Everett

    A Milestone Years in the Making

    What is the Boeing 777X first production flight? Boeing is targeting April 2026 for the first flight of a production-configured 777-9 aircraft from Paine Field in Everett, Washington. This milestone — the first time a delivery-standard 777X will take to the air — is a required step in the FAA certification process for the world’s largest twin-engine passenger jet.

    After more than six years of delays, billions in development charges, and enough setbacks to fill a book, Boeing’s 777X program is approaching a moment the aviation world has been waiting for: the first flight of an actual production aircraft.

    Boeing is targeting April 2026 for that flight, which will originate from Paine Field in Everett — the same airfield where generations of Boeing widebody jets have taken their first steps into the sky. The aircraft is a 777-9 variant, destined for launch customer Lufthansa, and it has been undergoing fuel system checks and engine testing at Boeing’s fuel docks on the Paine Field flight line.

    For Everett, this is more than an aviation industry milestone. It’s a reminder of why this city, this campus, and this workforce matter to global aviation.

    What Makes This Flight Different

    Boeing has been flying 777X test aircraft for years. The first 777X flight happened in January 2020, and the company has accumulated thousands of hours of test flight data with a fleet of prototype aircraft. But those earlier jets were built specifically for testing — modified from production-standard in various ways to support the certification process.

    This April flight would be different. The aircraft scheduled to take off from Paine Field is a production-configured 777-9 — built to the same specification as jets that would eventually carry passengers. Regulators require this step. The FAA must see a delivery-standard aircraft fly before it can grant Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) for production jets, which would then allow FAA pilots to enter the cockpit for the final stages of certification flying.

    In simple terms: all the test flying done up to this point has been prologue. The April flight is where the certification clock really starts ticking on a production 777X.

    The 777X: What It Is

    The 777-9 is the larger of two planned 777X variants (the smaller 777-8 will follow later). It is, by most measures, the most capable large twin-engine passenger jet ever designed.

    The aircraft spans 71.8 meters in wingspan — but its distinctive folding wingtips retract to 64.8 meters for gate compatibility at airports not built for a jet this size. It is powered by the GE9X engine, currently the world’s largest commercial turbofan. A typical 777-9 configuration seats around 426 passengers in a two-class layout, though airline configurations will vary.

    Airlines including Emirates, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Cathay Pacific have been waiting on 777X orders. The aircraft has more than 540 firm orders — a backlog that represents hundreds of billions of dollars in potential revenue for Boeing, if and when the program achieves certification and delivery.

    The Road That Got Here

    Honesty requires acknowledging how difficult the path to this April moment has been. The 777X was originally projected to enter service in 2020. It is now expected to reach airlines no earlier than 2027 — a seven-year slip from initial projections.

    The delays have accumulated from multiple directions. A GE9X engine blade issue discovered during early testing required design changes and grounding of the test fleet. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the aviation market so severely that Boeing and airlines briefly discussed delaying the program voluntarily. The global 737 MAX crisis — stemming from two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 — consumed enormous company and regulatory bandwidth, slowing every program Boeing was running. And then came the 2024 IAM machinists’ strike, which idled the Everett factory for weeks during a critical phase.

    The program has generated more than $15 billion in development charges, making it one of the most expensive commercial aircraft development programs in history.

    Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has been characteristically candid about where the program stands. “The mountain of work is still there,” he acknowledged in recent months, noting that the company is “falling behind on certification.” Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr has publicly confirmed that his airline does not expect 777X delivery until Q1 2027 at the earliest.

    What April Means — And What It Doesn’t

    A successful April production flight would not mean the 777X is certified. It would not mean deliveries are imminent. What it would mean is that Boeing has cleared one of the final procedural hurdles required before the FAA can assign its pilots to conduct the certification test flights that form the basis of a type certificate.

    If the flight goes well, Boeing expects the FAA to grant TIA for production-configured aircraft by the second half of 2026. That would enable a final certification push — additional flight hours, systems testing, and the formal regulatory review — that Boeing hopes concludes before the end of 2026. Delivery to Lufthansa, pending airline readiness and the logistics of preparing the first handover aircraft, would then follow in early 2027.

    There is also a GE Aerospace engine matter in the background — a potential component issue that was flagged recently. Boeing and GE have both indicated they do not expect it to affect the 2027 delivery timeline, but it is worth monitoring.

    Paine Field: Where History Gets Made

    The choice of location — Paine Field — is not incidental. Boeing’s Everett factory has a runway complex capable of handling the world’s heaviest commercial aircraft, and it is where virtually every Boeing widebody has made its first flight. The 747’s inaugural flight departed from here in 1969. The 777’s first flight was here in 1994. The 787’s first flight lifted off from Paine Field in 2009.

    The 777X’s production first flight will add another chapter to that history. For Everett residents who have grown up watching enormous jets bank over the Cascade foothills on their way back around for landing, April could bring one of those days worth watching the sky.

    The Everett Workforce Behind the 777X

    The production 777-9 sitting at Boeing’s Paine Field fuel docks didn’t assemble itself. It was built by the machinists, engineers, quality inspectors, and support workers who make up the Everett campus workforce — members of IAM District 751 and SPEEA, the engineers’ union, along with thousands of non-union Boeing employees.

    The 777X has been a complex program for the Everett workforce, not only because of the jet’s technical ambitions but because of the uncertainty that prolonged delays create for workers and their families. Every month of slip means months more of holding pattern — not knowing when hiring will accelerate, when overtime will be available, when the program’s full production rhythm will arrive.

    A successful April production flight doesn’t resolve that uncertainty overnight. But it is a real step toward the moment when the 777X transitions from an aspirational program to a delivering one — and when the Everett factory’s newest and most capable jet becomes part of the daily rhythm of this city’s most defining industry.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When will the Boeing 777X first production flight happen?
    Boeing is targeting April 2026 for the first flight of a production-configured 777-9 from Paine Field in Everett, Washington. The exact date has not been publicly announced.

    What is the difference between this flight and earlier 777X test flights?
    Previous 777X flights used prototype aircraft built specifically for testing. This April flight involves a production-standard 777-9 — built to the same specification as jets intended for airline delivery. Regulators require this step before FAA pilots can join the cockpit for final certification flights.

    Who is the launch customer for the 777X?
    Lufthansa is the 777X launch customer. The German airline’s CEO has confirmed they do not expect delivery until Q1 2027 at the earliest.

    When will the 777X be certified and enter service?
    Boeing expects FAA certification in late 2026 and first deliveries to airlines in early 2027, pending a successful production flight and completion of remaining certification test flying.

    Why has the 777X been delayed so many times?
    The program has faced compounding challenges: a GE9X engine blade issue, COVID-19 market disruption, the diversion of Boeing resources to address the 737 MAX crisis, and the 2024 machinists’ strike. Development charges have exceeded $15 billion.

    Where is the 777X built?
    The 777X is assembled at Boeing’s Everett factory — the world’s largest building by volume — adjacent to Paine Field in Everett, Washington. It employs thousands of Snohomish County workers.

    How many 777X orders does Boeing have?
    Boeing has more than 540 firm orders for the 777X from airlines including Emirates, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Cathay Pacific.