Need a new Fourth tradition? Here are 14 places to celebrate

Independence Day is here.

Annual traditions for the Fourth of July are important — whether that be a local parade or carnival, fireworks show, or your family’s own patriotic bash. But maybe this is the year to find a new way to celebrate.

Classic rock will be the focus of Everett Music Initiative and Scuttlebutt Brewing’s Fourth of July concert from 4 to 10 p.m. at Boxcar Park in Everett. There will also be a beer garden, food trucks and fireworks.

Thursday’s concert lineup is Problem Child (AC/DC tribute), No Quarter (Led Zeppelin tribute), El Loco (ZZ TOP tribute) and Almighty’s. A fireworks show caps off the night at 10:10 p.m.

Here are some other ways to celebrate on July 4 in Snohomish and Island counties:

ARLINGTON

Arlington’s Fourth of July: Primarily along Olympic Avenue and at Haller Park, 1100 West Ave. Call for details 360-403-3448. Events: pancake breakfast; Pedal-Paddle-Puff Triathlon; noon to 4 p.m. More at www.arlingtonwa.gov.

Old Fashioned Fourth: At Legion Memorial Park, 114 N. Olympic Ave.; kids parade at 4:30 p.m. and grand parade at 5 p.m. along Olympic Avenue; the Rotary Duck Dash at Haller Park at 7:30 p.m and fireworks at 9 p.m. at Boys & Girls Club, 18513 59th Ave. NE. More at www.arlingtonwa.gov.

BOTHELL

Fourth of July Freedom Festival: The festival is 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children’s parade begins at 11:15 a.m., followed by the grand parade at noon on Main Street. People mark their parade spots days in advance. There will also be a pancake breakfast and food trucks. Call 425-802-8233 or 206-571-7777. More at www.ci.bothell.wa.us.

DARRINGTON

Old Fashioned 4th of July: Parade starts at noon on Darrington Street, followed by the Mansford Grange community fair at Old School Park, 1026 Alvord St. Games include tug of war, water balloon toss and racing turtles. Fireworks at dusk at Darrington High School’s football field, 1085 Fir St. Call 360-436-1131. More at www.discoverdarrington.com.

EDMONDS

An Edmonds Kind of Fourth: Free events include 10 a.m. Beat Brackett 5K & Baby Bracket 1K; 11:30 a.m. Children’s Parade from Fifth and Walnut; noon grand parade from Sixth and Main; 2:30 p.m. firefighters water ball competition at City Park, Third and Pine; 6 p.m. entertainment and food vendors followed by fireworks at 10 p.m. at Civic Field, Sixth and Bell. People stake out their spots well in advance, so arrive early. More at www.edmondsfourth.com.

EVERETT

Colors of Freedom celebration: Parade is 11 a.m. on Colby and Wetmore avenues, between Wall and 26th streets with marching bands, drill teams, stilt walkers and clowns. Festival is 1 to 11 p.m., Legion Memorial Park, 145 Alverson Blvd. Live music, food fair, beer garden, kids’ activities, fireworks. No parking at Legion Park, so ride free Everett Transit shuttles from Everett Station. Thunder on the Bay Fireworks 10:20 p.m. Other good viewing locations are Grand Avenue Park, 1800 Grand Ave., and the Everett Marina, 1205 Craftsman Way. More at www.everettwa.gov/790.

Everett YMCA Yankee Doodle Dash: The 20th annual race, 1 mile, 5K, 10K and kids races, at Everett Family YMCA, 2720 Rockefeller Ave. Check-in starts 6:45 a.m. Races start at 8:30 a.m.

Imagine Children’s Museum celebration: Wear Your Red, White and Blue, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1502 Wall St. Admission is $5 for everyone older than 1; free admission for military families with military ID; patriotic hat-making, trivia wheel and floor puzzles. Call 425-258-1006. More at www.imaginecm.org.

Everett Public Safety Open House: After the parade, noon to 4 p.m., Everett Police Department, 3200 Wetmore Ave. Meet Everett police officers and see the equipment they use to solve crime; kids’ activities and Colby the Crime Dog. More at www.everettwa.org/1500.

Everett First Baptist’s Fun in the Sun Street Fair: Noon to 3 p.m. at Pacific and Wetmore avenues. Activities for kids, antique car show, free cotton candy and more. Visit www.fbc-everett.org for more information.

OAK HARBOR

Old Fashioned Fourth of July: Windjammer Park, SW Beeksma Drive; 360-675-3755. Carnival starts at 11 a.m. July 4 and 1 p.m. July 5-7, pancake breakfast 7:30 to 11 a.m. First United Methodist Church, 1050 SE Ireland St.; parade 11 a.m. Pioneer Way; street fair 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Bayshore Drive; beer garden 11 a.m to 11 p.m. Fintstone Park, SE Bayshore Drive, barbecue, 1 to 3 p.m. Elks Lodge, 155 NE Ernst St.; and fireworks show 10:30 p.m. More at www.oakharborchamber.com.

STANWOOD

Stanwood Fourth of July Parade and Ice Cream Social: 11 a.m., from Josephine Sunset Home parking lot, 9901 272nd Place NW to the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center, 27112 102nd Ave. NW, for ice cream. More at www.sahs-fncc.org.

CAMANO ISLAND

Fourth of July Camano Style: 10 a.m. to noon, Utsalady Ladies Aid Building, 78 Utsalady Road. Patriotic walk followed by a ceremony with families, pets, kids in wagons, antique cars, goats, horses and other critters. Home-baked treats at the Utsalady Ladies Aid bake sale. More at www.discoverstanwoodcamano.com.