EVERETT—The Port of Everett and Schack Art Center are partnering once again to bring art – and the thrill of the hunt – back to the waterfront this summer with the return of the popular FREE program, Float Find.
Float Find kicks off July 10 and continues through August 28, featuring a free, eight-week-long treasure quest in search of one-of-a-kind, locally blown glass floats hidden around the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place and Jetty Island destinations.
In total, 200 unique glass floats will be hidden for the public to find. Every Friday from July 10 – Aug. 28, twenty-five floats will be hidden: 5 shoreside at Waterfront Place and 20 beachside at Jetty Island. Cityside, Float Finders will also have a chance to win a float at Downtown Everett Association’s “Summer in the City” on Aug. 14-15 or at Schack Art Center’s Fresh Paint art festival on Aug. 15-16.
A big thank you to program sponsor, Visit Everett with additional support provided by Snohomish County Tourism Promotional Area. Special thanks to our partners at Hotel Indigo for in-kind support.
Local businesses can also join the fun by sponsoring floats and their Friday “clue drop” riddles posted to social media and on the Port’s website. Click here for sponsorship opportunities.
Last year’s Float Find resulted in a 10% increase in visitors to Waterfront Place, along with significant attention online as Float Finders eagerly awaited Friday clue drops and posted photos of their finds. Schack Art Center’s Fresh Paint Art Festival also saw a jump in attendance.
Catherine Soper, Port of Everett Chief of Business Development & Tourism: “Restoring Float Find last summer was a huge success, attracting both new and longtime visitors to the waterfront in search of beautiful glass floats made locally by the artists at Schack Art Center. We’re proud of the way Float Find connects people to Waterfront Place, Jetty Island, and downtown Everett in a fun and meaningful way. We look forward to another exciting summer of making art accessible at Waterfront Place and to supporting the connection between the Everett waterfront and downtown business area.”
Raedle Alburn, Executive Director, Schack Art Center: “At Schack Art Center, we’re thrilled to partner with the Port of Everett to bring the beauty and excitement of hand-blown glass to our community through Float Find. Glassblowing is an ancient art form that has found an extraordinary home here in the Pacific Northwest, and every float is handcrafted right here in Everett by talented local artists. Seeing thousands of people explore our waterfront, search for these unique treasures, and share the excitement with family and friends brings us so much joy. We’re especially excited to be at the Port every Friday throughout the season, offering free artmaking activities for all ages, while continuing the celebration in our galleries at Schack Art Center. Together, we’re creating opportunities for people to discover art, connect with one another, and experience the creativity that makes Everett such a special place.”
How it Works
There are THREE ways to seek out these one-of-a-kind glass floats hand blown by local artists during Float Find 2026:
- SEEK SHORESIDE: Every Friday from July 10 – August 28, five clear clue balls will be hidden around the waterfront. The Port will post one or more “clue drops” on its Facebook, Instagram and the Float Find webpage. Following the clue(s), begin your search around the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place. The clear balls will always be hidden within the Float Find boundary (see map) and within public spaces or around participating businesses in locations that are ADA friendly. If you find an authentic clear ball with a Float Find ticket inside, take it into Hotel Indigo’s front desk to exchange it for your real blown glass float.
- VOYAGE OUT BEACHSIDE: Every Friday from July 10 – August 28, City parks staff will hide 20 real glass floats around Jetty Island. No clue drops will be shared for this quest, but all floats will be hidden within the bounds of the Jetty Island Float Find boundary (see map). Boat out or snag a spot on the seasonal passenger ferry to Jetty Island for a chance to find a float (reservation required, book here). While its finders’ keepers, tags attached to the float will ask you to “check in” your float online so that we know all are accounted for.
- ATTEND DOWNTOWN EVERETT ASSOCIATION’S SUMMER IN THE CITY FESTIVAL AND SCHACK ART CENTER’S FRESH PAINT Explore Downtown Everett during Downtown Everett Association’s (DEA) “Summer in the City” festival on Aug. 14–15 OR Schack Art Center’s Fresh Paint art festival on Aug. 15-16. At Summer in the City, get an entry form with any purchase at participating businesses or a drink in the Beer Garden and return it by Aug. 21 for a chance to win one of 50 glass floats. Winners will be notified on Aug. 25. Turn in entry forms at DEA’s booth at Summer in the City, DEA’s main office, or at the info booth at Schack’s Fresh Paint. At Fresh Paint, grab a bingo card, complete activities or view demonstrations or visit partners at the festival to get bingo! Turn in your card at Schack Art Center’s info booth for a chance to win a glass float.
For full Float Find details, including rules, tips, FAQs and more, visit www.portofeverett.com/floatfind. Don’t forget to follow the Port of Everett and Schack Art Center on social media to watch for Friday clue drops and to tag us in your float finding adventures!
Interested in sponsoring floats to help in our efforts to fund this beloved art program? View sponsorship flier or e-mail publicaffairs@portofeverett.com
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
