LYNNWOOD—Six blocks of 44th Avenue, from 188th Street Southwest to 194th Street Southwest, were closed off on Saturday, September 6, for the Fair on 44th – the city’s annual community health and safety block party. Not even the light drizzle of rain prevented thousands of attendees.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. guests could participate in free tours, demonstrations, and activities from the event’s approximately 100 organization-partnered booths including Verdant Health, Support 7, Project Girl, upcoming Shoot 360, Soccer Shots Seattle, Dave and Busters, and more.
The Foundation for Edmonds School District passed out single-serving, shelf-stable, quick heat and ready-to-eat food items through its Nourishing Network, and Kroger-QFC offered on-site vaccinations for Pneumonia, Flu, COVID-19, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), Tetanus-Diphtheria (Tdap), Shingles, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Meningitis.
South County Fire demonstrated their technology’s capabilities, the Lynnwood PD rolled out their fleet of vehicles and wowed crowds with their beloved K-9 units, the Snohomish County PUD led demonstrations on the dangers of fallen power lines, and the North Sound Metro SWAT allowed photo opportunities with one of its armored vehicles.
And speaking of Lynnwood PD’s K-9 unit, Saturday, September 6 (the day of the fair) also marked Lynnwood PD K-9 Officer Rico, the German Shepherd’s eighth birthday.
Children could pick out a book from Sno-Isle Library’s mobile book truck just in time for the school year and guests could learn all about what the city’s new Lynnwood Neighborhood Center has to offer when it opens this January.
Community Transit also wheeled in one of its buses which fairgoers could step on and tour from the inside-out.
The City of Lynnwood staff, through its various departments, had booths to answer any questions the public may have about city operations, learn about upcoming construction projects, and all things Lynnwood.
As for entertainment, the Northwest Junior Pipe Band brought the sounds of Scotland to Lynnwood, while Hip Hop Kontagious and the Washington Indian Association’s Bhanagra dances impressed fairgoers with their rhythmic athleticism.
The Lynnwood Recreation Center also hosted fitness classes such as Zumba, line dancing, and belly dancing, as well as aquatics performances.
Several booths had free giveaways, arts and crafts, and hands-on activities for attendees of all ages. Children could even partake in painting one of the city’s tractors.
The Fair also hosted a variety of food trucks including Fil Up, Kool Kidz Ice Cream, Kona Ice of Everett, Navi’s Catering Kitchen, GOODBELLY, Trio Truck, and Tacos Pirata.
Lynnwood City Council members seen walking among the crowds of thousands were George Hurst, Joshua Binda, David Parshall, Derica Escamilla, and Lynnwood Mayor Christine Frizzell.
Mascots Zip and Zap the squirrel (Snohomish County PUD), Clark the Shark, a Fair on 44th staple, and Sno-Isle Libraries Giraffe could also be seen walking about.
Lynnwood’s Fair on 44th is an annual tradition which began in 2016 to showcase community assets and build connections between residents and public safety agencies. The purpose of the event is to build a community gathering place where Lynnwood residents can learn more about public safety assets and resources.
Since its inception, the Fair on 44th has grown to be one of Lynnwood’s largest community events located right outside the Civic Campus and Lynnwood Police station, leading to South County Fire’s Station 15.
The Fair on 44th was placed on hiatus during the COVID-19 outbreak but returned in 2022.
Saturday’s event marked seven years of the Fair on 44th and was sponsored by Community Transit (CT) and Molina Health Care, along with Gesa Credit Union (DBGESA).
Author: Kienan Briscoe
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