 Several waves of Appalachian emigrants arrived in the area from North Carolina, forming a culture that is seen in the town's annual bluegrass festival and rodeo.Darrington was incorporated as a town on October 15, 1945, and continues to operate under a mayor–council government.It has transitioned away from logging and towards tourism due to its proximity to the Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest, which includes outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, and fishing.