TOURISM TODAY

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Alaska Airlines Announces Service from Paine Field in 2018 News You Can Use 1

Air travel will get a lot easier for flyers living in Travel, Tourism & Hospitality 3 Snohomish County and North King County next year when Alaska Airlines begins commercial News from VIC Services 7 service from Paine Field – Snohomish County Airport. Subject to government approvals, starting The Sports Pages 10 by fall of 2018, more than a million North Sound travelers will enjoy shorter commutes to the Around Snohomish County 11 airport and up to nine daily departures.

time stuck in traffic on Interstate 5 and more time enjoying your vacation or making the most of your business trip.”

Imagine spending more time getting to the airport than actually flying to a destination such as Portland, Oregon. That’s what many travelers, who live north of Seattle, and drive to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, frequently experience. According to publicly available traffic data, by flying out of Paine Field, Everett residents, for example, could shave up to 80 minutes off their airport commute, during peak traffic congestion.

“This new service is great news for Snohomish County,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “Businesses will have easier access to major markets and leisure travelers can skip the commute down south, saving Alaska Airlines made the announcement on May time and fuel. For decades, Alaska Airlines has been a 17 in a press release. responsible neighbor in our region, and we welcome them even closer to home at Paine Field.” “As our region continues to grow at a record pace and Sea-Tac Airport nears capacity, the time is Alaska Airlines plans to operate nine daily departures from right to bring air service to our valued guests Paine Field using a fuel-efficient fleet of Boeing 737 and living in the North Sound,” said CEO of Alaska Embraer 175 aircraft. This new service will deliver all the Airlines Brad Tilden. “Today’s news means less (Continued)

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comfort guests expect on an Alaska Runyan Associates for the Washington State Destination Marketing Airlines flight, while taking Association. Travel spending in Snohomish County topped $1.04 billion hundreds of cars off of I-5 every in 2016 – a year-over-year increase of 2.8 percent. day. Tourism is Snohomish County’s second largest industry. Direct tourism- “Alaska understands the local related jobs employ 10,850 people in the county, contributing $297.2 market, so having our Seattle-based million in payroll, $21.7 million in local taxes and $54.3 million in airline be the first to provide state taxes. scheduled passenger service from Everett just confirms the value “Tourism and outdoor recreation in Snohomish County is a significant commercial flights will bring to the contributor to our local economy,” said Amy Spain, executive director of local economy,” Everett Mayor Ray the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau. “The things that make Stephanson said. “Alaska is an Snohomish County a great place for visitors also make it a great place to industry leader in service and live. The development of tourism assets from attractions and hotels, to reliability, and our citizens and biking trails and parks, and our natural assets of coastline and mountain businesses will benefit from having peaks make Snohomish County a wonderful place for visitors to such a convenient travel option explore.” right here in Everett.” As reported by Smith Travel Research, Snohomish County ranked third Led by Propeller Airports and in occupancy behind King and Clark County with an annualized Snohomish County, construction of occupancy of 68.9% in 2016. the state of the art terminal is slated to begin in June. Alaska “Although occupancy was down slightly over the previous year,” said plans to announce routes, flight Spain, “the lodging community was able to hold their rate integrity even schedules and begin selling tickets with the increase of hotel room supply with the completion of new hotel early next year. projects.”

“Propeller couldn’t be prouder than Tourism, however, is about much more than hotel stays. Tourism is a key to partner with the hometown economic development strategy and positively impacts a cross section airline on this new service,” said of businesses, and reaches all communities in Snohomish County. Travel Brett Smith, CEO of Propeller spurs growth, builds a strong tax base, and creates jobs that cannot be Airports. “As Alaska does everyday, outsourced. Travel promotion is a wise strategic investment. It kicks off our goal is to put the customer a virtuous cycle of increased traveler visits, greater traveler spending in first, making the travel experience local businesses, faster job creation and higher tax revenues that far truly exceptional.” surpass the initial investment.

Travel Spending in Snohomish County Tops $1 Billion

Snohomish County ranked fourth out of 39 counties in Washington State in 2016 visitor spending after King, Pierce and Spokane counties, according to the report, “Washington State County Travel Impacts & Visitor Volume for 1991-2016P,” prepared by Dean (Continued)

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Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said, “Those of us who live Ideas taken from this meeting will and work in Snohomish County know that it is one of the most beautiful aid in further design development, places on the planet. Now that tourism’s impact has surpassed $1 billion resulting in an effective visitor per year, we must ensure this cornerstone of our local economy continues wayfinding system unique to Paine to thrive. With increasing numbers of tourists and growing economic Field. impact, we will continue to innovate, attracting even more tourist visits.” The five existing visitor attractions “Economic development is one of our highest priorities, and tourism is a at Paine Field include: key component of our economic development plans,” said Terry Ryan, Snohomish County Council member and Lodging Tax Advisory Committee • Future of Flight Aviation Center chair. “More tourists result in more jobs and an improved standard of and Boeing Tour living in our communities. We are fully committed to supporting Snohomish County’s thriving tourism industry.” • Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum *Note: The total is rounded for reporting purposes. • Historic Flight Foundation

• Museum of Flight Restoration Travel, Tourism & Hospitality News Center • High Trek Adventure Aerial Course at Paine Field Public Input Needed for Aviation Attraction Wayfinding Community Park Signage at Paine Field The public event will be held on Snohomish County Parks, Recreation and Tourism invite the public to Tuesday, July 25, 2017 from 6:00 review visitor attraction signage concepts considered for Paine Field and p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hilton adjacent attractions on July 25, 2017. The project, funded with county Garden Inn conference room, 8401 lodging taxes, includes plans for the signage system, also called Paine Field Blvd, Mukilteo. RSVP wayfinding. There are five major tourist attractions located in and around to the event by emailing Annique the airport campus. This phased project considers the effectiveness of Bennett at, Annique.Bennett@co. existing signage, vehicle connections, place-making elements, and a plan snohomish.wa.us with timeline for future implementation.

Concepts presented at the July meeting are created by Tangram Design LLC, an environmental graphics and wayfinding firm from Denver, CO. UK Travel Writer Hosted for The designs are informed by a Tangram site assessment. A community July FAM Tour engagement workshop, held in March, reviewed the assessment and community feedback contributed to the final draft designs. Snohomish County Tourism Bureau, in conjunction with the Port of “Public feedback is vital in this kind of decision making and I hope that Seattle, recently hosted Lyndsay we receive some direction for how our citizens would like this project to Sutton a writer for the Trinity move forward. This visitor attraction signage system is central to getting Mirror, owner of the majority of people to the many attractions at Paine Field,” said Snohomish County regional daily newspapers in Council Chair, Brian Sullivan. England, Scotland and Wales. He is an award-winning journalist Attendees favored the idea of an aviation attraction district. “Signing a (including Visit USA Travel Writer district is more effective than advertising a series of stand-alone of the Year 2014 and IPW Travel experiences,” said Snohomish County Parks and Tourism Director, Tom Writer of the Year 2016). His Teigen.

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destination features are syndicated Reserve Your Spot in the 2017 Fall/Winter Visitor Guide to the Trinity Mirror network of some 800 titles. He came to the Seattle metro area in mid-June for a two week trip, stopping in Snohomish County for one day on Monday, July 10th.

Mr. Sutton spent most of the day touring some of our aviation attractions at Paine Field.

The Snohomish County Tourism Bureau would like to extend a special thank you to our partners who graciously participated in this Media FAM:

• Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour

• Historic Flight Foundation

• Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum

• Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing

• Hilton Garden Inn Seattle North/Everett

Seattle metro area will receive a double-page spread as a result of his full visit. There is a good possibility that we could receive additional Snohomish County focused editorial as a result of his visit. The average circulation for Lyndsay’s stories is one million per story with a financial return of $72,000 to $120,000 per story.

Tourism-related Projects Receive Funding

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The Port of Edmonds and 13 organizations recently received funding for He continued, “On behalf of the several projects that will positively impact tourism to their communities Port of Edmonds, I would like to and greater Snohomish County. thank the Port of Seattle as well as the City of Edmonds and the Port of Edmonds Receives Tourism Promotion Grant Tourism Bureau for their support and collaboration. Teamwork is The Port of Seattle awarded a $10,000 special funding grant to the Port essential to a successful tourism of Edmonds to promote Edmonds as a preferred tourist destination. marketing campaign that will benefit the economic vitality of the The Port of Edmonds uses “Your Homeport Advantage and Choice entire community.” Destination” as a brand statement with “Quality, Service, Value, Convenience” in support of that position.

The Port is aggressively implementing a marketing plan that emphasizes Funding for Heritage Projects tourism as a core strategic imperative with dollar multipliers that strengthen the local economy of Edmonds. Since 2007, the Snohomish County Historic Preservation Commission reviews requests for funding the restoration or repair of archeological and historical resources unique to Snohomish County’s local history.

This year, the Commission received and reviewed over $100,000 in funding requests from local organizations. After evaluating the benefit that each project would have for the citizens of Snohomish County, they recommended to the County Council where funds should be allocated based on promoting An example of that work is the partnership between the Port and Puget the public’s access to county Sound Express (PSE), the latter operating whale watching excursions from history, professional development Edmonds Marina since 2015. PSE is now in their third year of operation and capital improvements, or at the Port of Edmonds and this year expects to bring over 15,000 new collections management. The funds visitors to Edmonds. Many of these day visitors also discover the local are raised through a $1 recording attractions such as art galleries, restaurants and shops, and return for document surcharge and set aside additional visits that increase sales and awareness for local businesses. for preservation projects.

The tourism promotion grant is intended to grow this type of visitorship. Listed here are the projects the The Port works with the City of Edmonds and the Snohomish County Historic Preservation Commission Tourism Bureau to create innovative marketing strategies that will recommended and was approved by leverage the funding provided by the Port of Seattle. County Council for funding in 2017: “This grant funding is a force multiplier that enables the Port to expand our marketing reach into new segments that extends outside our local • The City of Edmonds has region,” said Fred Gouge, commission president, “including inland areas requested help with the exterior such as Salt Lake City, Denver, Phoenix and many other population restoration of the original centers.” skylight on the Edmonds www.Snohomish.org TOURISM TODAY July 2017 Page 6

Museum. The skylight has Society is requesting support to repair and restore 11 of the original significant historical and vintage windows in the D.O. Pearson home that was built in 1890. aesthetic significance to the building. • The City of Lynnwood Parks Department proposes to support teaching about the history of Lynwood with a virtual tour of historic Lynnwood • The Stillaguamish Pioneer sites, the creation of large visual displays and supporting heritage Museum has original Arlington tours. Times newspapers dating back to 1922. They have completed • The History Link project would add Snohomish County historical digitizing from 1922 to 1940 information to HistoryLink, the on-line encyclopedia of Washington and this request is to fund State history. digitizing from 1941 to 1950. • The Monroe Historical Society would scan and digitally enhance the • Another proposed project for newspaper collection and add Optical Character Recognition software the Stillaguamish Pioneer to make the newspapers easily searchable. Museum is the printing of a book detailing the stories • The Sky Valley Arts Council’s proposed project is the restoration of behind the depiction of the Startup Gym. This project is to bring the electrical and plumbing buildings and the architects in up to current standards. a historic quilt. • The Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society Project would develop • Snohomish County Parks interpretive signs to increase public awareness of the significance of requested funding for public the Arlington Pioneer Memorial Cemetery. education about the history of Snohomish County by telling About the Historic Preservation Commission: the history of seven individual park sites. Through the Historic Preservation Commission, Snohomish County seeks to identify, preserve and protect significant historic and archaeological • The Edmonds South properties that celebrates the rich history of Snohomish County. The Snohomish County Historical Historic Preservation Commission offers a number of services to support Society would develop a preservation efforts of these irreplaceable county assets including a travelling exhibit highlighting registry of historic places, educational resources, and incentives for the history of Edmonds and historic building rehabilitation. South Snohomish County. Go to the Historic Preservation Commission web page or contact Hal • The League of Snohomish Gausman, Park’s cultural resource manager, at: County Historical Organizations would create hardcopy and [email protected] or 360-805-6729. electronic mobile tours of Snohomish County museums and genealogical societies.

• The Granite Falls Historic Society’s project seeks to upgrade both hardware and software to enable improved access to maps of local historical sites. LaBrue Joins Future of Flight

• The Stanwood Area Historical After a lengthy search, the executive team at the Future of Flight Aviation

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Center and Boeing Tour tapped grandchildren. A world traveler, he Tacoma, and Portland. Terry LaBrue to join the enjoys Masters swimming, cross- organization as its marketing and country, cycling and amateur tourism director. He started on May photography. 8. Welcome Terry!

New Look, Name for Everett’s Holiday Inn

On Apr. 28, Bellingham-based Hollander Hospitality announced plans for an extensive transformation of the Holiday Inn Downtown Everett and its plan to The hotel’s general manager, Greg rebrand the hotel as Delta Hotels Willie, can be reached at: by Marriott. An opening date is expected this summer. [email protected] or 425- 339-2000. The multi-million dollar renovation will encompass the entire hotel, He brings more than two decades featuring redesigned guestrooms, of experience leading marketing extended stay suites, newly and communications programs for remodeled event space with state- a number of travel and tourism of-the-art technology, intuitive organizations including Grays redesigned public space, a new News from VIC Services Harbor County Tourism, the City of modern restaurant & bar concept, Westport Tourism, Seattle Center, and an update to the exterior. and Quinault Beach Resort and Annual Volunteer Recognition Casino. As principal of LaBrue The hotel will re-open with: 232 Event a Big Success Communications, he created and guestrooms, Approx. 13,500 implemented long-term marketing square-feet of total meeting space More than 40 volunteers gathered strategies and advertising and including a, 7,000-square-foot on Apr. 28 at the Staybridge Suites public relations initiatives to grow grand ballroom, indoor swimming in Mukilteo to honor numerous businesses, non-profits, and pool, fitness center and a business volunteers, and to celebrate government programs. center. another year of working together to help visitors fully experience As an award-winning public This will be the first Delta Hotels’ Snohomish County. relations professional, Terry is branded hotel in the Seattle area accredited by the Public Relations and only the second in the U.S. Four people were named Volunteer Society of America and serves on Hollander Hospitality operates of the Year for their service and its regional board, the North Pacific multiple hotels under a number of dedication: District. A Washington transplant well-known brands, including Best from California, he graduated with Western Premier, Courtyard by honors from California State Marriott, Crowne Plaza Hotels & University, Fresno. Terry is married Resorts, Fairfield Inn & Suites by to wife Linda, and they have two Marriott, and Holiday Inn Express & grown children and three lively Suites in Seattle, Puyallup, www.Snohomish.org TOURISM TODAY July 2017 Page 8

Stacey Pfeiffer, visitor services and training manager, also gave volunteers recognition awards for 10 years, 5 years awards, 500 hours or more, 300 hours or more, and 200 hours or more of service.

The Importance of Visitor Information Center Volunteers:

• Served over 30,000 visitors at the VICs

Bob Temple, Future of Flight Aviation • Provided more than 11,258 hours of service, an in-kind value of Center & Boeing Tour VIC $326,369!

Tourism is a 1 billion dollar industry and creates over 10,000 jobs in Snohomish County

VIC Volunteers Provide Support at Local Community Events

Volunteers Amy Liaw from the visitor center at Future of Flight and Phyllis Marilyn Carlson, South County VIC at and Dick Henshaw of the East Snohomish County VIC answered many Heritage Park questions and distributed informative visitor guides to attendees of Paine Field Aviation Day on Saturday, May 20 and at the Marysville Strawberry Festival, June 10-17.

Volunteers will provide community support and information services at these Summer events: the Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum’s SkyFair on Saturday, July 22, Everett Mall Community Day on Sunday July 24, Fresh Paint at the Everett Marina on Saturday, August 19 & Sunday, August 20, the Evergreen State Fair August 24 – September 4 and at the Vintage Aircraft Weekend Saturday, September 2 & Sunday, Clark Fowler, East County Snohomish VIC September 3. If you see their mobile Visitor Information Centers, please in historic downtown Snohomish stop by and say hello!

SCTB Provides Continued Hospitality Training

Front desk staff are often guests first and only contact for visitor information. The Snohomish County Tourism Bureau’s hospitality training sessions are designed to familiarize those employees with Snohomish County’s events, attractions, sights, and experiences as well as those Ginger Dollarhide, Special Projects at SCTB nearby. administration office Stacey Pfeiffer, visitor services and training manager, conducted Ginger also earned her 20 Year hospitality training for the front line staff at the Lynnwood Convention Service Award along with Andy Center on Mar. 18. She also spoke at the Greater Marysville Tulalip Bresler, a Future of Flight Chamber of Commerce volunteer appreciation luncheon on Apr. 26 about volunteer. Karen Hume, another services and resources the bureau provides to other city and chamber Special Projects volunteer, received her 15 Years of Service Award. visitor programs.

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South Snohomish County VIC Welcomes New Neighbors To better serve travelers and guests to Snohomish County, volunteers Two new organizations are joined the South Snohomish County Visitor attend a number of engaging Information Center in making the Wickers Building their home at Heritage training sessions and informative Park. site tours. These events give volunteers an “inside look” at many of Snohomish County’s popular destinations. They ask many questions and then share it with visitors as well as fellow volunteers.

A hotel tour and hosted lunch at the Angel of the Winds Casino Resort on May 24 kicked off the summer schedule. Work continues to confirm dates and details for the following upcoming tours:

• Skykomish River Valley including Sultan, Index, and Gold Bar The Lynnwood Chamber of Commerce celebrated their new office space • Stillaguamish River Valley with a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 20. Chamber Board Chairman featuring Arlington, Darrington, Peter Harvey and Lynnwood Chamber ambassadors Valerie Claypool and and Oso Andrea Manchester welcomed guests including Snohomish County Councilmembers Sam Low and Terry Ryan, Economic Alliance Snohomish • Granite Falls, Lakes Stevens County President Patrick Pierce, Lynnwood City Councilmember Shannon Sessions, Lynnwood Mayor Nicola Smith, and Lynnwood Councilmembers For more information about George Hurst and Ian Cotton. volunteer opportunities at the Visitor Information Centers, contact For membership information, call 425-563-7505 or email info@ Stacey Pfeiffer, visitor services and thelynnwoodchamber.com. training manager, 425-348-5802, ext. 103 or [email protected]. On May 6, the Northwest Veterans Museum happily opened their doors to an enthusiastic crowd of representatives from several veterans’ organizations, families of veterans, and city and elected officials. On display in the museum is a plethora of personal belongings and letters, photographs, uniforms, equipment, and more that provide a glimpse into Volunteer Opportunities the lives of soldiers during times of war and peace. Abound

Hours: Mon., Thurs., and Sat., 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Would you like to share with visitors your favorite places to dine, shop, The Wickers Building is located at 19921 Poplar Way. Be sure to stop in play, explore, and more? Then join and say hi! our volunteer family and make new friends plus learn more about Snohomish County’s secrets and surprises! Volunteer Training and Familiarity Tours As a visitor information center

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volunteer, you’ll meet people from around the world and learn more about Flag Football World Championship what Snohomish County has to offer to visitors and locals alike. We can Tour. They also attended various also use your talents at the administration office to assist with a variety of educational sessions. tasks such as data entry, mailings, and more.

Contact Stacey Pfeiffer, visitor services and training manager, 425-348- 5802, ext. 103 or [email protected] for more information.

Snohomish County Visitor Information Center locations:

East Snohomish County Branch 1301 First St. (From Hwy 2 or The Snohomish County Sports Hwy 9), Snohomish Commission was a finalist for the Phone: (360) 862-9609 2016 Sports Commission of the Open: Mon. – Sun. Year, an award given to a stand- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., year-round alone sports commission, sports council, or sports authority for their outstanding impact on their local South Snohomish County Branch at Heritage Park 19921 Poplar Way (I-5 exit 181), Lynnwood community through sport tourism, Phone: (425) 776-3977 and commitment to the NASC and Open: Mon., Wed., Fri., Sat., its mission. The Harris County 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Tues., Thurs., & Sun., 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Houston Sports Authority was awarded the honor for 2016. Snohomish County Visitor Center at Future of Flight Aviation Center & Colorado Springs Sales Mission Boeing Tour 8415 Paine Field Blvd. (I-5 Exit 189 West), Mukilteo Immediately following the NASC Phone: (425) 438-8100, ext. 236 Sports Events Symposium, Tammy Open: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily Dunn traveled to Colorado Springs to meet with several US Olympic Sports NGBs. She met with USA Volleyball, U.S. Figure Skating, USA Triathlon, and Corporate Games to learn about upcoming The Sports Pages sports events for opportunities to bid and host those competitions.

NASC Sports Events Symposium Recent Sports Events & the Economic Impact Tammy Dunn, sports development director, Ryan Gilmore, sports sales manager, and Haley Lannom, sports sales & events coordinator, NWAC Men & Women Basketball represented the Snohomish County Sports Commission at the 25th Championships, March 9-12, & Annual National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) Sports Events March 18-19, 2017 Symposium, Mar. 27-30, in Sacramento, California. This year, 4,400 spectators attended the basketball The team met with 31 sports event owners to learn what sporting events championship to watch 16 men’s Snohomish County could host from 2018 and beyond. They met with USA and 16 women’s teams play over Badminton, Biggest Loser Race Series, Urban Warrior Games, USA six days at Walt Price Fitness Gymnastics, USA Track & Field, National Beep Baseball Association, and Center at Everett Community

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College. 9, 2017 Room Nights: 793 | Economic The annual event produced by the Snohomish Running Company Impact: $1,021,705 attracted 431 runners for the half marathon and 232 runners for the 10K race. USA Gymnastics Collegiate Men & Room Nights: 50 | Economic Impact: $37,155 Men State Championships, March 24-26, 2017 USA Gymnastics State Compulsory Championships, April 21-23, 2017 Eight teams from across the United Northwest Aerials hosted the championships at Walt Price Fitness Center States competed in the USA at Everett Community College. Over 800 gymnasts competed over the Gymnastics Collegiate Men three-day competition. Championships at the Walt Price Room Nights: 82 | Economic Impact: $650,519 Fitness Center at Everett Community College. In addition, Snohomish Women’s Run, May 7, 2017 386 men gymnasts competed at The annual women’s only event saw 333 runners compete in the half the USA Gymnastics Washington marathon and 561 runners compete in the 10K race. State Men Championships in the Room Nights: 43 | Economic Impact: $82,364 same weekend. Room Nights: 223 | Economic Impact: $424,613

Pacific Northwest AAU Karate District Championships, April 1, 2017 Around Snohomish County USA Karate Academy Shoreline welcomed 130 karateka to the Puget Sound Express Offers New 3-Day NW Culinary Cruise, annual Pacific Northwest AAU Oct. 27-29 Karate District Championships at Lynnwood High School. Make plans now for a fall culinary and adventure excursion led by Chef Room nights: 50 | Economic Diane LaVonne of Diane’s Market Kitchen in Seattle and the experienced crew of Puget Sound Express. Impact: $37,155 Savor culinary explorations led by Chef Diane aboard the comfortable, USA Gymnastics Men’s Region 2 spacious Glacier Spirit during the day and her cooking demonstrations in Championships, April 6-9, 2017 the evening. Be alert for majestic orcas, humpback whales, and other Everett Community College had marine life as you cruise Penn Cove, Dungeness Wildlife Refuge, and the 545 gymnasts, level 4-10, from Salish Sea. You’ll overnight at the historic Ravenscroft Inn in Port Townsend and explore the seaside town on your own after dinner. Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, Montana, and Washington. The cruise is limited to just 15 guests, ensuring you will enjoy the Room Nights: 300 | Economic camaraderie of your fellow “foodies” and personal attention from Chef Impact: $764,313 Diane and the Puget Sound Express staff.

Lake Stevens Spring Sprint • Go to the 3-Day Taste of Northwest Culinary Cruise web page to view Invitational, April 8-9, 2017 the prospective itinerary, make reservations, and for more information. The Lake Stevens Rowing Club welcomed 27 rowing clubs to compete in juniors, open, and New Name for Flying Heritage Collection masters divisions. On Mar. 28, the Flying Heritage Collection announced construction of a Room Nights: 60 | Economic third hangar and its new name, Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum, Impact: $188,844 to fully reflect the scope of the museum’s collections and mission.

Everett Half Marathon & 10K, April

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touchscreens, visitors can choose how they want to explore the complex topic of war in an engaging and easy to understand way.

• Upcoming Summer Events The summer season kicked off with the museum’s popular and loud Tankfest Northwest on May 27. The day-long event showcased military equipment demonstrations and displays, remote control tanks, educational presenters, plenty of activities for children, and more.

Go to www.flyingheritage.com for tickets and the calendar page for a complete lineup of scheduled public events.

The Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum is located at 3407 109th St SW in Everett. “Since it’s opening in 2008, our mission has been to offer visitors unique ways to explore and High Ropes Course Now Open examine history, which we’ve accomplished by providing first- On May 4, Snohomish County leaders joined with Scott Chreist, owner of hand experiences with the world’s High Trek Adventures Aerial Park & Zip Line, to celebrate the official finest collection of flying aircraft,” opening of Everett’s newest attraction located at Paine Field Community said Adrian Hunt, executive Park. director, Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum, in a press release. Snohomish County Executive Director Ken Klein, County Councilmembers “We’re thrilled to evolve the brand Stephanie Wright and Sam Low, and Parks, Recreation and Tourism to reflect our ever-growing Director Tom Teigen joined Scott for the ribbon cutting ceremony and collection of planes, tanks and welcome. artifacts.” High Trek Adventures Aerial Park & Zip Line is a high ropes course that The Flying Heritage & Combat includes more than 800 feet of zip line around the premises. The course Armor Museum will break ground is color-coded based on difficulty so participants can easily choose their on a third hanger in 2017. By level of adventure. The three levels of heights are 15, 30, and 45 feet adding 30,816 square feet of new above the ground. hangar space, the museum will increase its capacity to accommodate the growing collection of aircraft and vehicles. Plans call for introducing more than 40 artifacts including vehicles and planes in 2017 – making it the largest operational military vehicle and warbird collection on the west coast. This expansion is the result of the growth in historic military aircraft and iconic combat armor.

• New Exhibit: Why War: The Causes of Conflict - This highly interactive exhibit examines the major wars in America’s history, The attraction will also offer event services for birthdays, celebrations, exploring common causes and corporate teambuilding, company picnics, and other groups. roots of military confrontations. Featuring full-scaled, detailed Go to hightrekeverett.com for pricing, reservations, hours, and more replicas and large-scale information.

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