The Sweet Sounds of Music Come to Life at Edmonds Summer Market

Summer has truly arrived in Edmonds. Saturday, the sun is out, the ferries sparkle in the light chop of Puget Sound and the fountain roundabout is a swirl of traffic.

It’s about as busy as Edmonds gets, and the popular is the center of attention. Tourists discover the town’s appeal, locals greet each other with smiles and vendors politely display their vegetables, flowers, toffee, strawberries and other goodies fresh from local farms and businesses.

To put the topping on this most delicious of Edmonds treats is the sweet sound of music, providing a soothing soundtrack to the bustle of commerce and jam-packed corridors of culinary delights.

Musicians and summer markets go together like whipped cream and pumpkin pie, and the range of talent on display Saturday was impressive.

Young Jade Folk of Edmonds lived up to her name, strumming songs on her guitar while smiling at passers-by. Like any busker, Folk’s guitar case was flung wide open, and she was rewarded with the steady sight of floating dollar bills. For two or three hours, Folk says she can pull in about $60. This is why you continue guitar lessons, kids.

Just up the sidewalk from Folk sat Kevin Reniche, a talented guitarist who dazzled with his rapid finger-picking, bluesy style and too-cool threads. When he grabbed his harmonica and synched it to his guitar, onlookers quickly dug for their cameras.

Guitar dominated, but other stringed instruments could be heard.

Kaylee Tilton, Edmonds-Woodway ’08, strummed her ukulele over a sign that promised donations would go to her education at Berklee College of Music in Boston. The 21-year-old’s smile looked as bright as her future.

The dichotomous pairing of mournful and joyful sounds, as only the violin can capture, was put on display by 18-year-old , a Shorewood High School graduate on her way to Seattle Pacific University. She started playing at a young age, which was evident for all to see. (Check her out on YouTube.) Her rendition of “Over the Rainbow” was tear-worthy.

Guitars dominated the market, though. Clive Barry, a familiar presence in front of , deftly displayed his skill on the nylon-string guitar, executing hammer-ons and pull-offs while harmonizing through Bob Dylan’s “Shelter From the Storm.” He then segued into a classical number, his forte. Bravo.

Katie Rodrigues, 15, and Aliyah Blue, 16, classmates at Shorecrest High School, serenaded shoppers with soaring harmonies and syncopated guitar chords. The money they collected was to go for a choir trip.

None of the musicians on this day however, no matter their skill, could match the utter cuteness of 12-year-olds Moriah “Bear” Lund and Trevor Kinman. The duo strummed in front of , which seemed appropriate.

They were the sweetest confection around on a day where music, sunshine and a feel-good vibe made Edmonds the best place to be in the whole world.

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