Snohomish County PUD will unveil a student-created art installation called "El Sol al Alcance de tus Manos" (The Sun Within Your Reach) on Saturday, Sept. 19, at Walter E. Hall Park in South Everett, capping what the utility described as a long-awaited project blending youth creativity with solar energy.

The free ribbon-cutting ceremony runs from 10 to 11 a.m. at the 137-acre park, 1226 W Casino Road, followed by a community celebration until 1 p.m.

Mayor Cassie Franklin, PUD Commissioner Julieta Altamirano-Crosby, Councilmember Luis Burbano and PUD Commissioner Sid Logan are all scheduled to speak during the ceremony, according to Snohomish County PUD's announcement posted Aug. 18.

The installation was created by local students, though the PUD has not publicly identified the school or program involved. The project's name and its #CommunitySolar hashtag suggest a tie to solar energy infrastructure at the park, but the utility has not detailed what that solar component looks like on the ground.

After the ribbon falls

The community celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. offers hands-on activities for all ages. Attendees can tour the art with the student artists who made it, learn technical details about the solar project, build a take-home solar oven and make s'mores with it (while supplies last), and pick up free treats and energy-saving items. The PUD will also share information about its Community Energy Fund.

Supplies are limited.

South Everett's growing public art footprint

The Walter E. Hall Park piece adds to a wave of student-driven public art in the neighborhood. In June, the Everett Herald reported that artist Mohamed Kujabi worked with Voyager Middle School students to design and paint murals near the school, a project funded by the City of Everett and supported by the Bunker Arts Collective. Whether Kujabi or Voyager students are involved in the Walter E. Hall Park installation has not been confirmed.

The park has hosted previous PUD community partnerships, including an Arbor Day tree-planting event with the Mukilteo/South Everett Boys and Girls Club in April 2025. The Sept. 19 event is free and open to all ages. The park is open 6 a.m. to dusk.