July in the Upper Skagit Valley typically is packed with events, and this year is no exception. Here’s a look at the major happenings this month, in order.

July 4 Parade, Concrete
Concrete Chamber of Commerce once more will host the popular July 4 parade, a bite-sized chunk of patriotism and fun.

Parade participants are asked to begin lining up at the post office at 10 a.m., with the parade scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. No registration is needed; just show up. The parade will make its way through Concrete Town Center, then circle back for a party. Concrete Mayor Judd Wilson will demonstrate his grilling prowess (which is prodigious; don’t miss it), a Zumba demonstration will liven the street, and cartoons will play at Concrete Theatre.

For more information, go to www.concrete-wa.com and click on “Annual Events.”

July 13: Lyman Car & Craft Show, Lyman
Already one of the more popular car shows in the state, the 13th annual Lyman Car & Craft Show will again fill S. Main St. in Lyman with vintage and hot rod cars.

The show will be held Sat., July 13, from 8 a.m. till about 4 p.m. Registration is from 8 a.m. till noon, and is $15 per vehicle. For more registration information, call 360.826.3315. Look for the craft component in the field next to Minkler Mansion. For booth information, call 360.826.4906.

The event is a fundraiser for Lyman Cemetery and City Park. A silent auction and raffle will help to bolster proceeds, with a 50-inch Panasonic plasma TV on the raffle ticket.

July 18: Concrete Youth Activity Day
In its sixth year, Concrete Youth Activity Day promises fun for the whole family. Held this year on July 18, Activity Day is a free day for youth and families to enjoy a free T-shirt, a skateboard competition, field games, hands-on activities, live music, hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream and drinks, connection with resource providers, prizes, and an outdoor family movie.

Last year, 50 agencies and service providers showed up to educate attendees, 300 youth registered, and an estimated 500 showed up. Organizers expect a similar turnout this year.

For more information, call 360.419.3307 or 360.336.9406.

July 20: Cement City Street Fair, Concrete
Sponsored by United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley, in collaboration with the Concrete Chamber of Commerce and local businesses, the Cement City Street Fair is designed to bring healthful, family fun to eastern Skagit County.

The event will be held Sat., July 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Concrete Town Center. Look for a variety of local and county vendors, healthful foods, educational booths, a Zumba demonstration. Skagit Valley Roller Derby will perform at 2:30 p.m.

“It’s our way of reaching out and working with the community,” said Valerie Stafford, director of communications and development at United General. “We always look forward to bringing health screenings and resources to Concrete.”

For more information, send an e-mail to [email protected] or call 360.856.7245.

July 20: Community Celebration and Open House hosted by Puget Sound Energy, Concrete
It’s been more than two years coming, but PSE’s new power house and floating surface collector are complete, and the utility wants to throw a party—so we’ll let them!

Join PSE at its Baker River Hydroelectric Project on Sat., July 20, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., for its celebration and open house. The fun will be centered at PSE’s visitor center, 46110 E. Main St., Concrete. Guests will be treated to free, behind-the-scenes guided bus tours of the project, including PSE’s fish-enhancement facilities. The day’s schedule also includes free food, activities for kids, fish and wildlife demonstrations, educational and historical displays, information about PSE’s latest undertaking, safety demonstrations, and more.

Reservations for the free guided tours are recommended; call 360.766.5656 or e-mail [email protected]. Shuttles are available to the Baker facility from Cement City Street Fair and the Fly-In, which also are happening that same day.

July 19–21: North Cascade Vintage Aero Weekend (Fly-In), Concrete
Boasting a 30-year history, the popular Concrete Fly-In has changed in name during its history, but not in spirit. Hosted by the North Cascades Vintage Aircraft Museum at Mears Field in Concrete, the event draws aircraft aficionados and looky-loos from up to 300 miles away.

This year’s attendees can expect to enjoy dozens of aircraft, helicopter rides, antique motorcycles and cars, and even more food vendors. No promises, but you might want to keep your eyes peeled for a twin-engine Lockheed Electra, a “sister” to Amelia Earhart’s airplane, that might make an appearance this year.

The only sad note to this year’s event is construction in the Concrete High School kitchen, which will prevent the Concrete Lions Club from hosting its popular Fly-In Breakfast this year.

July 24–28: National Field Archery Association Outdoor National Championship, Darrington
Darrington again has been chosen to host the 2013 National Field Archery Association Outdoor National Championship from July 24–28. The event, which is held every three years, will play out at the Darrington Archery Range, 312 Sauk Ave., in Darrington (behind the high school).

Competition usually starts at 8 a.m. each day, with archers off the range by 4 p.m. For more information, see the article on p. 25 in the July print edition and call 360.436.0282.

July 27: Patriot Day, Concrete
Mears Field in Concrete will host Patriot Day on Sat., July 27.

This event grew out of a plan to install a statue of hometown hero Douglas M. Vose III, spearheaded by his brother, Jason Vose. Here’s a snapshot of the events planned for Patriot Day:

• 9 a.m.: 5K Fun Run to benefit Wounded Warriors
• 2 p.m. Douglas Vose III Statue Dedication Ceremony, including live parachute demonstration, F-18 fly-over, C-130 fly-over, live music, and guest speakers Senator Kirk Pearson and Col. George Thiebes
• 3 p.m.: Black Daggers jump
• 4 p.m.: Concert, displays, and USO mobile canteen open

Patriot Day is sponsored by Concrete Chamber of Commerce and the Douglas M. Vose Scholarship Foundation. For more information, go to http://honoringthosewhoserve.com/home.html.

July 27: Yellow Ribbon Poker Run 4
Also on July 27, Sedro-Woolley Community Troop Support will host its fourth annual Yellow Ribbon Poker Run.

The day begins at the Sedro-Woolley Eagles building, 1000 Metcalf St., with a 7 a.m. breakfast and registration period. From there, a day-long ride beckons, as well as a bike show and a party at Riverfront Park in Sedro-Woolley.

Registration for one rider and motorcycle is $20; a rider with a passenger is $35.

For more information, go to www.swcommunitytroopsupport.com or call 360.856.4397.

July 31: New Old-time Chautauqua, Concrete
On July 31, the New Old Time Chautauqua, a traveling educational vaudeville variety show, will partner with KSVU 90.1 FM to present a unique, two-hour vaudeville show in Concrete.

The show will be preceded by three free community events: a parade through Concrete Town Center, rife with jugglers, stilt-walkers, and dancers; two hours of workshops in which children and adults alike can learn circus skills; and a potluck, where the community can mingle with the performers who make the magic.

Here’s a schedule of the day’s events:

• Workshops at Concrete Center from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., free admission
• Community Potluck at Concrete Center from 5 to 6 p.m.
• Parade through Concrete Town Center from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.; all are welcome to join
• The main attraction: A giant show featuring jugglers, trapeze artists, magic, poets, dancers, mimes, puppeteers, acrobats, stilt-walkers, clowns, musicians, and more at Concrete Theatre, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.; admission is $10 for adults and $6 for kids; a silent auction will support KSVU. For tickets, go to www.concrete-theatre.com.

Aug. 4: Salmon Barbecue, Marblemount
No, it’s not in July, but it’s Marblemount Community Hall’s biggest annual fundraiser, so it’s worth mentioning.

Slated for Aug. 4 from noon to 6 p.m., the Salmon Barbecue will be held at the hall, 60155 SR 20, in Marblemount (next door to Marblemount Diner).

The big meal includes salmon, pasta salad, cole slaw, baked beans, a beverage, and a dessert for $12. A hot dog meal with the same sides is $9, and a kid-sized hot dog meal is $5. The event provides diners a chance to enjoy a meal with friends while providing much-needed funds for the maintenance and operation of the hall, the social hub for Marblemount.

Scheduled activities for kids include face painting, a fish pond, a craft table, a haystack game, and balloons. Raffle prizes also will raise funds while providing fun gifts for the lucky winners.

Compiled by J. K. M.
posted 7.2.13