Aquafest 2026 Events
Three days of parades, live music, competitions, and family fun at North Cove Park. July 10–12, 2026.
Carnival by Davis Shows NW
Thursday July 9 through Sunday July 12. Rides, games, and fun for all ages.
Presale wristbands available — unlimited rides for $38/day!
Friday, July 10
Opening Day — Evening Events
Pop Up Museum
Saturday 10 AM – 6 PM
Sunday 10 AM – 4 PM
Community-curated exhibits and stories from Lake Stevens history. Stop in for a quick browse or stay awhile.
Library Book Sale
Saturday 10 AM – 6 PM
Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM
Used books for all ages at great prices. Proceeds support the Lake Stevens Library.
Crafts, Commercial & Food Vendors
Browse local artisans, makers, and food vendors. The full festival marketplace.
Children's Parade
FREE and fun for all ages! Bikes, scooters, strollers, wagons, Power Wheels — all welcome! Sponsored by Lake Stevens Education Foundation and Sunnyside Preschool. Same-day registration available.
Chairs: Carrie Blankenship & Staci Lindstrand
Register →
Ron Stubbs: Hypnotic Mayhem Hypnosis Show
Friday night's headliner. Called "the Rock Star of Hypnosis" by Backstage Magazine and named "Entertainer of the Year" by Hypnotic Edge Magazine. Ron Stubbs brings the Hypnotic Mayhem Tour back to Lake Stevens Aquafest. Toss your preconceived notions of hypnosis shows out the window: this is much more than a typical hypnosis show.
Learn more →
Snap and Glow Photo Booth
Saturday & Sunday — July 11 & 12
Strike a pose! Free digital keepsake photos delivered to your inbox when you sign up for Aquafest updates at the booth. A fun souvenir from the festival for the whole family.
Movies in the Park
Bring a blanket and enjoy a film under the stars. This year’s feature is the original Gremlins (1984) — and whatever you do, don’t get them wet!
Saturday, July 11
Main Event Day — Parade, Competitions, Music & Fireworks
Firefighters' Pancake Breakfast
Also Sunday July 12
Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue serves pancakes, eggs, and ham hot off the grill. Coffee and OJ available. Cost is by donation — proceeds go to Fire 7 Foundation.
Chair: Laana Larson (SRFR)
Beer & Wine Garden
Enjoy a Friday and Saturday lakeside destination to relax and unwind with beer, wine, seltzers, and cocktails. Set in a beautiful open-air space with views of Lake Stevens and nearby entertainment — the perfect spot to take a break and soak up the festival atmosphere. 21+ with valid ID.
Chair: Kelsey Olson
AquaRun 5K / 10K / Kids 1K Fun Run
Lace up for an early-morning run through downtown Lake Stevens. Early-bird pricing through June 16: $40 5K / $50 10K. Kids 1K Fun Run is free. 5K and 10K finishers get a 2026 AquaRun shirt and medal; kids get a medal too. On pace for ~450 runners.
Chair: Connor Davis
Details & register →
Aquafest 3on3 Basketball Tournament
Two days of 3on3 hoops hosted by Stars Unlimited. $180 per team with a 4-game minimum guarantee, participant T-shirts for every player, and champion shirts for division winners. Register at starsunlimited.team by July 5.
Hosted by: Stars Unlimited (Jason Waltman)
Details & register →Lake Stevens Water Ski Tournament
Family-friendly event for skiers of all levels and ages. $20 club members / $30 general public. Categories: Open, Expert, Class I–III, Men's & Women's Novice, and Children under 12. Prizes awarded in each category. AWSA membership required ($10 at event).
Chair: Steve
Baby Race / Diaper Derby
Parents, start your engines! Little ones go head-to-head crawling across the course toward parents waving toys and other enticements at the finish line. Also known locally as the Diaper Dash.
Kids Bubble Dance Party
Dance, bubbles, and fun for the little ones! An hour of music and bubble machines.
Grand Parade
The highlight of Aquafest! Floats, marching bands, community groups, classic cars, and more wind through downtown. Route: starts on Hartford Drive near the Fire Station, down Main Street, turning at 18th St NE, ending at 20th St NE. Special guest this year: the iconic Lake Stevens “chicken drive-in” chicken makes its first parade appearance!
Boat Parade
Back to North Cove dock by 5:15 PM
2026 theme: America 250. Decorate your boat in patriotic red, white, and blue honoring our nation's 250th anniversary, then cruise Lake Stevens! Family boats stay near the front by the fire boat. Treats to toss at the docks are encouraged. All boat safety regulations enforced by Lake Stevens PD.
Chair: Jeff Pegrum
Pie Eating Contest
A classic festival showdown. Three divisions: Youth (12–15), Teen (16–18), and Adult (19+). Limited to the first 8 sign-ups per division. $25 first prize in every category. Hands stay behind your back — no touching the pie until the start signal.
I-Party Band
Interactive band performance — get ready to sing, dance, and be part of the show!
Watermelon Eating Contest
Three-minute timed contest. Two divisions limited to 10 people each: Division One (14–18) and Division Two (18+). Most watermelon consumed wins — hands stay behind your back, no touching. Cash prizes. Ties decided by sudden-death round.
KatEGory7
Live R&B, Soul, and Funk on the main stage.
Rockaraoke
Karaoke meets rock concert! Sing your favorite songs backed by a live band on the main stage.
Whyskey Creek
Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band — Southern rock to close out Saturday night before the fireworks!
Fireworks Over Lake Stevens
The grand finale of Saturday! A spectacular fireworks display over the lake, visible from North Cove Park and the surrounding shoreline.
Unconfirmed — check back for updates
Sunday, July 12
Closing Day — Community Events & Family Fun
Firefighters' Pancake Breakfast
Sunday encore! Pancakes, eggs, and ham by SRFR. Donation-based, proceeds to Fire 7 Foundation.
The Music Circle
A performance-based "lessons-to-stage" music school where students learn by playing in real bands. Expect a kid-led set spanning the 60s to present, with serious chops. 30 minutes on the main stage.
$50 Boat Race
Build a wind-powered boat using $50 or less in materials (garage sale prices) and race it on the lake. No motors or engines — paddles for maneuvering only. Coast Guard-approved PFD required. All participants sign an entry form and Hold Harmless Agreement. New this year: a Kids Category for ages 13 & under!
Chair: Karl Slomchinski
Dry Goods Band
Acoustic rock to kick off Sunday afternoon on the main stage.
Stomping Ground
Multi-genre live music on the main stage.
Full Spectrum
Classic rock to close out Aquafest 2026 on the main stage.
Dog Agility Demo
Watch Sno-King Agility Club members demonstrate dog agility, then bring your own dog to try the mini equipment one-on-one with a club member. All breeds welcome. Free, drop-in.
Chairs: Gary Webster & Ken Cross
Proud Pet Show
A free pet show for kids ages 15 and under. Categories like Best Dressed, Most Huggable, Most Unusual, Best Trick, and more. MC’d by Sno-King Agility Club with judges and awards.
Chairs: Gary Webster & Ken Cross
Family Fun Fest
A signature Aquafest tradition — a full afternoon of hands-on activities, games, and entertainment for kids and families at North Cove Park. Pennies in the Hay, Pizza Eating Contest, Bounce House, Face Painting, and more.
Chair: Susan Reich
Try Rowing
Guided sessions: 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM
Back by popular demand! The Lake Stevens Rowing Club offers a free “Try Row” session — an excellent introduction to the sport for youths (13+) and adults of all ages. Start with body-sequencing technique on the erg, then (weather permitting) move to the water in team boats to add proper oar blade work. All experience levels welcome.
Chair: Kevin Tuley • (425) 418-0393
🏎️ Aquafest Car Show
Gates 7:30 AM · Awards around 2:00 PM
Sponsored by Central Welding. Classics, Moderns, Low Riders, Rat Rods, Muscle Cars, Imports, Custom Cars & Trucks, Motorcycles & Trikes — even Tractors! Entry is $35 per vehicle (includes a Car Show T-shirt). New this year: DJ, Bouncy Houses, and Face Painting.
More Events — Details Coming Soon
Event chairs are confirming details. Check back for updates as we get closer to the festival.
Sidewalk Chalk Art
Bring your own chalk!
Entertainment & Live Music
Chair: Ron Stubbs • Band names TBA
Shuttle Service
Ken (Ebenezer) • Rickelle (Senior Center)
Bouncy Houses
TBA
Want to be part of the fun? Volunteer, become a vendor, or sponsor the festival!
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