Free admission to several Western Washington museums is available during Smithsonian Magazine's seventh annual Museum Day this weekend.

It's part of the Smithsonian's annual effort to boost museum attendance - admission is always free to the Smithsonian galleries in Washington, D.C.

Museum Day is Saturday, Sept. 24. Participating local museums are Whatcom Museum, Lynden Pioneer Museum and the Skagit County Historical Museum in La Conner.

A Museum Day ticket is available to download and print at smithsonian.com/museumday. Each ticket provides free access for two people. One ticket is available per household, per email address.

- In addition to Lynden Pioneer Museum's regular exhibits - which include a historical replica of downtown Lynden with shops, stores and offices; a farmhouse circa 1900; and more than 60 vintage buggies, cars and tractors - visitors can now see the "Flying Spokes" collection of bicycles.

The museum is at 217 Front St., near Third Street downtown. Regular admission is $7 adults; $4 seniors and students; and free for kids 6 and younger. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 360-354-3675 or see lyndenpioneermuseum.org.

- At Skagit County Historical Museum, visitors can see the new "Paint Me a River Too!" exhibit and the Skagit Legacy galleries with life-size historical dioramas and displays.

The museum, at 501 S. Fourth St. in La Conner, is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Regular admission is $8 for a family; $4 adults; $3 seniors and children 6 to 12; and free for kids 5 and younger. For more information, call 360-466-3365 or see skagitcounty.net/museum.

- At Whatcom Museum, regular admission is $10 general; $8 students, military with valid ID, and people over 62; and $4.50 for children 5 and younger. Hours for the Old City Hall building at 121 Prospect St. are noon to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday; hours for the Lightcatcher building at 250 Flora St. are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday; and the Lightcatcher's Family Interactive Gallery for children opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday and Friday.

Admission is $5 on Saturday, Sept. 24, allowing entry into both museums.

ARBOR DAY EVENTS

A special free celebration to mark Arbor Day will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Elizabeth Park, at Elizabeth and Madison streets in Columbia neighborhood.

The celebration is part of the final day of events surrounding Whatcom Water Week. Activities include:

- A tree identification tour at 10:30 a.m., and free tree guides for several Bellingham parks will be available.

- A youth tree climb from 12:30 to 2 p.m., in which participants climb a tree under the guidance of professional climbers. Helmet, harness and rope are provided. Participants' parent or legal guardian must be present to sign a liability release form.

- Building nesting boxes, and other activities for children.

- A tree health demonstration, and an opportunity to ask an arborist about your tree.

For details, call Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department, 360-778-7105.

WATER RANGER TREASURE HUNT

As part of Whatcom Water Week, the Sudden Valley Community Association and the local Kiwanis Club will host a free Water Ranger Treasure Hunt for children of all ages from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24,

Participants should meet at the Sudden Valley clubhouse in Sudden Valley Gate 2, near the intersection of Lake Louise Road and Lake Whatcom Boulevard.

The event features a guided nature walk around the Lake Louise Trail, followed by light refreshments and games. Staff and volunteers will coordinate the activities. Participants are asked to dress appropriately for the weather. Children will receive educational materials and a special Water Ranger badge. Parents are welcome.

For details, contact Kira Furman Swanson at 360-734-6430, ext. 302, or ces1@suddenvalley.com.

TAYLOR SHELLFISH TOUR

Taylor Shellfish Farms will offer 45-minute tours of its operations and a shellfish cooking demonstration with free samples from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at 2182 Chuckanut Drive, in Bow. It's also part of Whatcom Water Week, so visitors will learn about different farming methods and why water quality is important to shellfish farmers.

A cooking demonstration will follow the tour. For details, call 360-766-6002 or see taylorshellfishfarms.com.