With football being played, and kids back to school, you know fall's on the horizon. Now is a great time to finalize your bulb plans,so those of us in the northern hemisphere can get the bulbs in the ground in the fall for beautiful gardens in the spring. Visit tuliptown.com and tulips.com to order from the folks who create those great gardens you love to visit in April. In fact, order from www.tulips.com by August 31 and you just might get some free bulbs! http://www.tulips.com/free_bulb_offer And don't forget to see what's new at Tulip Town: http://tuliptown.com/wordpress/?post_type=product Don't forget to LIKE and SHARE so your friends will know, too...unless, that is, you want to keep the beauty to yourself! LOL

The Mount Vernon Downtown Association presents the 3rd annual Harvest Moon Festival on August 26, 5-10 pm, following the Farmers Market in downtown Mount Vernon on Riverwalk Plaza along the Skagit River. This year’s theme is Retro on the River, featuring live music, brews, ciders, wine, and local food, along with dancing to Fantasy Band and Sunset Superman. Both bands will be performing great hits from the 70s and 80’s with a crowd pleasing, high energy show. Advance tickets are $20 at brownpapertickets.com; $25 at the gate. Designated driver tickets are $15 at the gate. Tickets include 2 beverages of choice. Must be 21 and older to attend. For more information, visit: www.mountvernondowntown.org, email info@mountvernondowntown.org, or call (360) 336-3801.

For our Skagit County friends...share the news about this wonderful event this Friday. It's earlier than usual and many who need the services may not be aware of the new date...help us spread the word. The graphic they've chosen to use is from two years ago. The date for this year is Friday, August 25. Thanks!

Just another reason to be in La Conner on a Saturday in August!

Don't forget the Pigs in the Parks contest from Peoples Bank. Here's the latest...yes, there are piggies in each of these parks in Washington! Good luck!

Now that our most recent eclipse is history, here's a way to introduce your family to some of Skagit County's history, with a visit on Sunday to the restored Skagit City School. More info here: https://www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/HistoricalSociety

Although we're not in the path of totality, like our friends to the south, here in Mount Vernon, we'll see about 89% of the eclipse on Monday. According to the website below, here in the 98273 ZIP area: The moon will be in the sun's path starting at 9:09am and continue for 2hours 29minutes. The best time to see the peak of the eclipse will be 10:21am. For info on your location, check out this link...don't forget to LIKE and SHARE! https://interactives.courier-journal.com/projects/eclipse-2017/

Concrete's annual Cascade Days take place this weekend, kicking off Saturday with a parade at 11am followed by a car show,fire fighter's muster, car bash, and log show. Sunday starts at 10am and activities include chain saw carving, pie- & watermelon-eating contests, ice carving, a pet show, and more. The Dump Rush, a dash through a 3K obstacle course with mud, takes place at both 10am and noon. Don't forget to save time for GREAT pizza at Annie's Pizza Station! http://www.anniespizzastation.net/ Wow! More info here: http://www.cascadedays.com/

Hey, Washingtonians…when was the last time you saw a pig in the park? A piggy bank, that is! Our friends at Peoples Bank have hidden piggy banks just like the one in the picture below in parks throughout Washington, and they want you to find them. Here's how to win: • Follow their Instagram account @peoplesbankwa and watch for clues about where the pigs are hiding. • Get out and explore the parks near you! • If you find a piggy bank, bring it to your local Peoples Bank branch and they'll give you a pair of sunglasses. But wait, there's more! • In addition to the free pair of sunglasses, you will be entered into a drawing for one of six grand prizes. • Each grand prize winner will receive a swag bag full of cool stuff donated by local businesses, including the Festival! Learn more at https://www.peoplesbank-wa.com/pigsinparks Good luck...and don't forget to LIKE and SHARE this page.

We teased you last week about seeing Melissa Jander's gorgeous art work at our Unveiling, sponsored by Heritage Bank, November 14. Here's what Melissa has been up to recently...enjoy! http://www.melissajander.com/blog/stretching-summer

Farmer’s Market along the Riverwalk in Mount Vernon is the place to be this Saturday (August 19) for the Third Annual Farm Food Feud, in support of Friendship House, sponsored by our good friends at Judd & Black. It’s a cooking competition among three chefs, featuring products from the Market. The winner goes home with $200 plus the wildly popular and much sought after “Ugly Monkey” trophy. Each chef receives $40 to spend at the Market that morning with 30 minutes to shop. They may not bring any additional ingredients although a pantry of generic essentials will be available. Prep and cooking (using only one burner) begins at 11:00 a.m. with five judges determining the winner at noon. Not only are the chefs from great restaurants, each is also a Festival sponsor! Third Street Café / C Square at the Co-op (MV): Maryna Fredrickson Anelia’s Kitchen & Stage (La Conner:) Ben Guadagnoli Valley Shine Distillery & Restaurant (MV): Paul Maccario Friendship House shelters, feeds, clothes and heals those in need. Learn more at http://www.skagitfriendshiphouse.org/ Visit juddblack.com for your appliance needs.

Skagit County's Fair is going strong in Mount Vernon. It is open 10 am to 10 pm through August 12. Be sure to check out the winning Tulip Quilt by Suzanne Lockbridge of Anacortes!