MARYSVILLE — School’s still out for summer, but that didn’t stop the party at Allen Creek Elementary Aug. 5, as The Grove Church continued its nearly week-long celebration throughout the Marysville community.

Patty Thometz, children’s pastor for the church, explained that the series of public parties is part of the church’s commitment to serving the city of Marysville. In previous years, this has involved cleaning up schools and parks, but this year, the program expanded to include the block parties, which kicked off at Cedar Landing Apartments Aug. 4.

“We do whatever the community wants,” Thomtez said. “Our goal this year is to provide the biggest and most fun party, for free, to all of Marysville’s children.”

The church’s roughly 200 volunteers also conducted parties at the Tulalip Boys & Girls Club on Aug. 6 and Liberty Elementary on Aug. 7, before wrapping up the week at The Meadows on Aug. 8. Thometz credited 52 young volunteers, between the fourth and eighth grades, with volunteering at Allen Creek, despite the challenges of doing so.

“They’re not allowed to eat any of the food or play any of the games,” Thometz said. “Although they’re still supervised by adults, it’s their job to set up and run each party, as well as to tear down after the event and canvas the next location with fliers.

“They’re the ones running the show, and they pay to do it,” she added. “We’ve even had people take weeklong vacations just to take part in putting on these block parties. And they still smile a lot and offer lots of hugs.”