The evening of Thursday, July 12, marked the kickoffs for free outdoor summer entertainment in both Marysville and Arlington, as rock-and-roll band Shameless Hussy performed in Jennings Park starting at 7 p.m., while “Scooby Doo: Curse of the Lake Monster” began around 9 p.m. in Terrace Park, after the standard 7 p.m. karaoke session for all ages.

Marysville Parks and Recreation Director Jim Ballew and Arlington Recreation Manager Sarah Lopez both turned out for the opening nights of their respective cities’ events, which benefited from sunny skies, warm weather and enthusiastic attendees.

Bret and Teri Engberg had just recently moved back to Marysville after nearly 20 years away in Bothell, and only happened to learn about the city’s free summer concert and movie series from the newspaper.

“They didn’t have this when we lived here before,” Bret Engberg said. “They’ve really cleaned this park up since then. It’s just a beautiful day with great weather anyway.”

“We always have a date night once a week,” Teri Engberg said. “This is a great show, there are no mosquitos and it’s nice that dogs are allowed to be here too, since a lot of parks don’t allow dogs at concerts.”

Over at Terrace Park that same night, Crystal Marino and Stephanie Mireau joined a number of other attendees in stepping up to the mic to sing some karaoke while they waited for their movie to begin. The two had made a point of attending the entire outdoor movie and karaoke series in Arlington last summer, and even though Marino needed to get up early for work the next day, she planned to stay up as late as she could to watch “Scooby Doo” that night.

“I love the way Terrace Park is just set up to be an outdoor theater,” said Marino, noting the “steps” in the side of the hill which go with the park’s name.

James Hayes and his young daughters Kylee and Madison were also faithful attendees of last year’s series who returned to Terrace Park this year.

“It’s a great place to hang out and get to know your neighbors in town,” James Hayes said. “It’s just good, clean family fun.”

Marysville’s concert and movie series in Jennings Park continues with reggae band Shaggy Sweet on Thursday, July 19, and a showing of the film “Big Miracle” on Friday, July 20, near the Lions Centennial Pavilion on 6915 Armar Rd.

Arlington’s movie and karaoke series continues with “Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon” on July 19, and will be followed by Shakespeare in the Park, presented by Last Leaf Productions, on Saturday, July 21, at 6 p.m. in Terrace Park.

For more information on Marysville’s summer events, log onto www.marysvillewa.gov or call 360-363-8400.

For more information on Arlington’s summer events, log onto www.alringtonwa.gov or call 360-403-3448.