Behind the Sign

April 1 in the Year of Our Lord 2025 marks the 42nd annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival — the spring celebration of the agricultural product among so many that single-bloomingly put a pin in the Magic Skagit on the world map of seasonal celebrations — one that if not as well known as the Cherry Blossom Festival in our nation’s capitol attracts no less passionate a throng of admirers, domestic and international. How big a throng, you might ask? Last year the Magic Skagit’s tulip fields attracted 600,000 tourists who contributed an estimated $83 million in revenue in 2024. This is our Meyer Sign tribute to the Magic Skagit's iconic bloom.

Martini Brunch lays claim to a unique culinary genre in the Skagit Valley’s restaurant scene: an “adults-only” party breakfast and lunch venue. Located on 2nd Street, just a few blocks south of Mount Vernon’s downtown core, the bill of fare includes scrumptious eggs Benedicts, buttermilk biscuits and gravy, a “not-so-classic” breakfast plate with spicy pulled pork and giardinera (pickled vegetables), and many more brunch plates that put an entirely new spin on the concept of “scratch cooking.”

The rich history of rodeo in Skagit County is deeply intertwined with the life of Wick Peth, renowned as "the original rodeo bullfighter." Born on April 15, 1930 in Mount Vernon, Washington, Wick grew up in a family of homesteaders and ranchers. The Peth family had a significant influence on the settlement and development of the Skagit Valley. John Peth Sr., Wick's great-grandfather, left Wisconsin in the mid-1870s for Washington Territory, laying the groundwork for a storied family legacy.

Our most recent Thai food discovery has been Taste of Thai by Wipa, and it’s quickly become a favorite. We had driven past its location for years (right off Burlington Blvd. next to the Fred Meyer), but it was word-of-mouth that finally convinced us to give it a try. I’m thankful that we did. Read on and discover why.

Legendary author Tom Robbins passed on at his home in La Conner on February 9, 2025. He was 92 years old and still growing. Back in 1974, just as his literary career was taking off, he gave a high school commencement address in Oak Harbor. It was, quite truly, a speech for the ages -- given all that was going on in the early 1970s. What is most amazing, however, is just how relevant his sentiments remain. "Tommy Rotten's" words on the evening of June 7, 1974 were preserved and shared by Fred Obee, a former Oak Harbor newspaper editor. Thanks, Fred!

Northwest Art Beat (NW Art Beat) is a free, self-guided tour of Skagit Valley art studios that allows you to experience the works and creative […]

Back in 2022, Meyer Sign teamed up with the Skagit County Fairgrounds and Don Wick (Mr. Skagit County himself) to launch an experiment in Magic Skagit oral history. On the first day of that year’s Fair we gathered a group of local dignitaries together for a ribbon cutting on what has become an annual Skagit County Fair exhibit: the Meyer Sign Fair History Booth — a place where people can revisit and relate their memories of Fairs past.

Carrie was a trailblazer for women's rights at a time when female involvement in public life was rare. She was a graduate of the University of Washington, making her a pioneering woman in a still-developing Washington Territory.

Nestled in the heart of downtown Mount Vernon, Tri Dee Arts is a beloved art supply and gift store that has been a retail cornerstone of the community for decades. The store's rich history and commitment to fostering creativity and connection make it a cherished establishment for locals and visitors alike. 

Among the lush greenery and rugged terrain of the Skagit Valley, a utopian concept once flowered in the early 20th century. The settlement known as Equality Colony — located on what is today the eponymous Colony Road — was a bold experiment in the creation of a self-reliant socialist and cooperative community. During the decade in which it existed between 1897 and 1907, Equality Colony was a community in which idealists, reformers, and those searching for a better society came together from around the country to forge a new community model based on cooperation, equality, and shared labor. While barely a trace of the colony exists today, its brief success and history created a legacy that is simultaneously intriguing yet also informative.

Long time residents of the Skagit Valley with an interest in local history are most likely familiar with the name "Dick Fallis." As the creator of Tales of the Magic Skagit, Dick's story is an inspiration to me, and one that I've long wanted to share. Thanks to Dan Royal, historian of the Skagit County Pioneer Association, for making this tribute possible.

Of the many immigrant stories associated with the Skagit Valley, one of the most amazing has to be that of Legson Kayira. Born in the African country of Malawi during the Second World War, Kayira embarked on an incredible journey across Africa, by foot, with the goal of attending Skagit Valley College -- a goal that took him two years and thousands of miles to fulfill. Meyer Sign's Skagit Valley Youth History Project intern Morgan White tells his story in this Tales of the Magic Skagit episode.