ARLINGTON — In the effort to relive last year’s grand-opening celebration of North Olympic Avenue, the Downtown Arlington Business Association worked with the city of Arlington to present Arlington Community Day, Saturday, Sept. 20.

Last year’s weather and two major features were revived: the Bite of Arlington rallied 14 restaurants and coffee shops offering special deals and samples, and the Angel of the Winds Poker Walk gave away $500 in prize money.

“We upped the first-place prize an extra $100 this year,” said John Cronin, from Angel of the Winds Casino. Downtown merchant Robin Miller won $50 as third prize winner with a full house comprised of three aces and two tens.

New this year, the Arlington Farmers’ Market offered a veggie carving contest where kids created all sorts of monsters out of vegetables, and more than 35 community groups endured the wet day gathered in the newly paved city parking lot to promote their programs. The food bank gathered donations, and Arlington Fire Chief Jim Rankin and the emergency preparedness manager Chris Badger talked to the public on how to be ready for major disasters.

In the merchants parking lot down the street, community churches provided all sorts of fun for kids, with balloon hats created by Taunya Sanchez and her son, Anthony Sanchez, from the children’s department of the Assembly of God.

Deena Jones, of Arlington United Church, promoted both her church and the Friends of the Arlington Library at her booth. Kids enjoyed bouncing in the bouncy house next to that booth.

“We’ve had the best day yet,” said market coordinator, Mark Lovejoy. Even by noon, before the event started, the farmers market broke all records, he said.

The Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Associations’s Pioneer Day also benefitted from the event, when tractor-pulled wagon rides brought kids and their parents from downtown to the museum for the sixth annual Pioneer Days event.

“We had a good crowd,” said Myrtle Rausch, president of the pioneer association.

The Arlington Arts Council gave restaurant certificates to the winners of a sidewalk chalk art and recruited entries in its scarecrow contest, with another $225 up for prize money. Merchants and residents are encouraged to make scarecrows to decorate downtown Arlington throughout the month of October and the winners will be announced at the next big day in town, the Snohomish County Farm Tour and the DABA October Hunt, set for Oct. 18. Entry forms are available at The Arlington Times.

Finally, at the end of the very damp day, many of the same folks found their way to Presidents Elementary School to play bingo to benefit Dollars for Scholars, a fundraising organization that leverages dollars for scholarships for graduates of Arlington School District. They raised $2,000 from sponsors, bingo players and food sales.

Winners of Poker Walk

$250 first place — Brandon Hardman, with four aces.

$100 second place — Don Alger, three aces and two jacks.

$50 third place — Robin Miller, full house with aces over tens.

$50 fourth place — Danny Norman, full house with queens over kings.

$50 fifth place — Judy Edwards, full house with queens over jacks.

Chalk art contest

Ages 4 - 6

Levi Donnelson

McKenzie Leathers

Logan Bruss

Ages 7 - 9

Gabby Taylor

Emma Reinsman

Melody Songster

Ages 10 - 12

Ariel Taylor

Emily Songster

McKenzie Wolfington

Arlington Times News Editor Sarah Arney can be reached at sarney@arlingtontimes.com or 360-659-1300.

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