Festivals & Events

Jammin’ July

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There is so much to do in July that this is only a mere selection…

  • Bellevue Family Fourth, Seattle Family Fourth…and more, check your local events calendar and enjoy!  
  • Seattle International Beerfest, July 6-8, Seattle Center
  • Take a whirl on the new Seattle Great Wheel, Seattle waterfront
  • Kirkland Uncorked, July 20-22, Marina Park in Kirkland
  • Kirkland Classic Car Show Cruise In and Dance, July 28-29, Downtown Kirkland
  • Red Rooster Route Days, July 21-22, Arlington
  • Bellevue Arts Museum Arts Fair, Bellevue Festival of the Arts, Sixth Street Fair, July 27-29
  • Seafair, July 7 – Aug 5, Seattle
  • Seafair Indian Days Pow Wow, July 20-22, Discovery Park, Seattle  (SORRY – Cancelled for 2012 due to not enough financial resources – too bad!)
  • Kent Cornucopia, July 12-15, Kent
  • Mill Creek Festival and Street Fair, July 14-15, Mill Creek
  • Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival, July 14-15, Walla Walla
  • Renton River Days, July 27-29, Renton
  • Comcast Bite of Seattle, July 20-22, Seattle Center
  • Sequim Lavender Festival, July 20-22, Sequim (and the Sequim Arts Studio Tour)
  • Torchlight Parade, Downtown Seattle, July 28th
  • Chinatown-International District Summer Festival, July 14-15th, Seattle
  • Seattle Wine Awards, July 22, The Rainier Club
  • Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival, July 20-22, Winthrop
  • Could the weekend of July 20-22 get any busier?
  • Whale Watching… Mystic Sea Charters is a fine choice
  • Concerts abound at Chateau Ste Michele
  • Loganberry Festival, July 21st, Greenbank Farm, Whidbey Island
  • and SO MUCH MORE…

It happened in June…

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What’s happening in June?  Lots!  Here is a sampling of activities to get you started:

  • International Kite Challenge, June 2-3, Ocean Shores
  • Portland Rose Festival (OR) – festivities run through June 17th
  • Washington Brewers Festival, June 15-17th, Marymoor Park in Redmond
  • Prospectors’ Days, June 8th – 10th, Republic
  • Check out the brand new Lemay-America’s Car Museum in Tacoma
  • Summer Concerts at the Locks, Seattle
  • Mural-In-A-Day, June 2nd, Toppenish
  • Explore Farmers Markets in your local area…or take a road trip
  • Maritime Gig Festival, June 2-3, Gig Harbor
  • Edmonds Rotary Waterfront Festival, June 1-3, Edmonds
  • Sorticulture Garden Festival, June 8-10, Legion Memorial Park in Everett
  • See April’s “Space Needle at 50!” posting
  • Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration, June 14-17, Leavenworth
  • Berry Dairy Days – 75th Annual, June 14-17, Burlington
  • Edmonds Arts Festival, June 15-17, Edmonds
  • Take a walk, run a marathon
  • Meeker Days, June 15-17, Puyallup
  • Strawberry Festival, June 15-17, Marysville
  • Fremont Fair and Solstice Parade, June 16-17, Seattle
  • Northwest Garlic Festival, June 16-17, Ocean Park
  • Taste of Tacoma, June 29-July 1, Point Defiance Park in Tacoma
  • Take a river rafting trip
  • and so much more…

Fiesta 5k Ole! and Taco Truck Challenge

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Cinco De Mayo on May 5th brought food and fit together!  A great way to start May off, right?  This is the first year for the Fiesta 5k Ole and the second annual 107.7 The End Taco Truck Challenge. http://www.fiesta5kole.com/   Both took place at Volunteer Park in Seattle.  The run/walk started and ended at the park and wound through the historic neighborhoods nearby.  Watch your footing here as the pavement/roads are not the best, but it was nice first year for this event.  The event benefited the HopeHeart Institute http://www.hopeheart.org/.  A margarita garden opened right after the race and the taco trucks opened for business shortly thereafter.  The top three finishers (men’s and women’s categories) received awards and the best costumes also won a prize.  Costumes consisted of ponchos, moustaches, sombreros, an inflatable Corona bottle, lime/pepper fiesta beads, maracas, and someone carried a pinata too.  Live music started around 1:30 pm with the event ending at 9 pm.  Those participating in the event received a white Fiesta 5k Ole t-shirt. Snacks and water were available after the run.  Sponsors were on hand with samples and information.

The 107.7 The End Taco Truck Challenge had a good selection of vendors/mobile trucks to satisfy your taste buds.  These included El Camion (the Challenge favorite), Contigo Modern Mexican, Here and There, Taquiera La Fondita, Lumpia World, Skillet, Charlie’s Buns ‘n Stuff, Snout & Co., Athena’s, Fusion on the Run, Streetzeria, and more.  As the lines were quite long for El Camion, we enjoyed samplings from Lumpia, fish tacos from Here and There, and Tres Quesos Gordita along with Carnitas Rojas and Short Rib tacos at Contigo.  I overheard that the Cuban Sandwich at Snout & Co. was quite good.

Some walking/running events have already come and gone, including the MS Walk (www.walk4ms.org),  but others are right around the corner.  Check out http://www.runningintheusa.com/race/List.aspx?Rank=Month&Month=5&State=WA&Page=1 for a list of events in Washington State.  This site will allow you to sort by type of race, month, etc…

Month of May

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The month of May is the start of the festival season, the summer concert calendars have just been released, it’s a month of planning and one with so much to do.

There is a plethora of things to do this month – here is a sampling of ideas:

  • Apple Blossom Festival through May 6th in Wenatchee
  • Opening Day of boating season – May 5th
  • Watch the Kentucky Derby or take in a race at Emerald Downs
  • Gig Harbor Beer Festival – May 12
  • Spring Barrel Tasting, Lake Chelan – May 19-20th
  • The Mobile Food Truck Rodeo – May 6th – Fremont Studios
  • ’49er Days – May 11-13th in Winthrop
  • May 18th – Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980 – plan a trip
  • Penn Cove Water Festival, Coupeville – May 19th
  • 41st Annual Methow Valley Rodeo – May 26-27th
  • Rhododendron Festival, Port Townsend May 14-19th
  • Columbia River Wine and Pear Festival – May 19-20th, Hood River, OR
  • Market Flower Festival begins at Pike Place Market
  • 43rd annual University District Street Fair – May 19-20th
  • Viking Fest – May 18,19,20th, Poulbso and Kitsap County
  • Camano Island Studio Tour – always on Mother’s Day weekend – this year May 11-13 with an encore weekend on the May 19-20.  This is a nice event…drive around to various studios/homes –  a wonderful variety of art
  • Nordstrom Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes walk/run – May 20th
  • Celebrate Cinco de Mayo on May 5th – http://seattle.cbslocal.com/2012/04/18/best-cinco-de-mayo-activities-in-puget-sound/
  • Pike Place Market – Seattle Cheese Festival, May 19-20th
  • Market Flower Festival begins at Pike Place Market
  • Summerfest May 26-28th in Long Beach
  • Northwest Folklife Festival at Seattle Center – Memorial Day weekend

Enjoy!

Mt. Rainier Road to Paradise Wine Fest… and more

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Need a getaway to the Mt. Rainier area? The Mt. Rainier On the Road to Paradise Wine Festival in Ashford, WA is held in the Spring and Fall every year. The Spring festival was held on April 28th and in the Fall, it is scheduled for November 3rd.  Keep track of the event at http://www.road-to-paradise.com/index.html.  The Spring wine festival showcased 11 wineries, 1 brewery, and Mountain Lodge Farm cheese.  Also, celebration artist Teresa R. Oltman showed her paintings and painted wine glasses.  I happened to purchase a great piece of art made of acrylic and oil (see pic below). http://teresacelebrationartist.blogspot.com/ Appetizers and bbq pork sliders were available for purchase (or with the tickets that come with admission).  Live entertainment was enjoyed – Bill Compher was the perfect starter http://www.cedarcreektreehouse.com/music.htm and the Randy Oxford Band, the perfect end to the event.  Local artist, Teresa Oltman sang on a couple of songs with the Band as well. http://randyoxford.com.  Shoestrings also performed. A welcome addition to a trip to Mt. Rainier during the slower tourist season in the spring and fall.  Some lodging offered complimentary tickets to the festival with a stay.

We stayed at the Nisqually Lodge – it is clean and has an inviting lobby for conversation.  The bed is not so comfortable, but works. http://www.escapetothemountains.com/NisquallyLodge.htm

I scouted out the food options and found that Copper Creek Inn would make a nice stop for breakfast.  It is no Maltby Cafe, but the location and ambiance are ideal.  Copper Creek’s menu is plentiful.  To give you an idea of what the menu looks like:  Breakfast – Build your own omelet, Hikers Hot Stack Old-Fashioned Pancakes, Sunrise Breakfast (and many side options); Lunch – Cheeseburger, Turkey Bacon Club, Grilled Ham ‘n Cheese, Soups and Chili; Dinner – Pasta, Steaks, Trout and Fried Chicken. Their specialty of the Inn is Copper Creek’s blackberry jam and their world-famous blackberry pie, since 1954  is served all day… and more.  Various cabins are available for lodging and be sure to stop by the gift shop.  Copper Creek Inn is located two miles from the Mt. Rainier National Park entrance and has been around since the 1940’s (built in the 1920’s as a service station and lunch counter).  Check out all the details at http://www.coppercreekinn.com/

Experience the forest!  www.discovertheforest.org  Unplug.

And remember…you are in the heart of one of the most beautiful regions in the world, so get out and enjoy a nice hike on one of the abundant trails all around you and the many waterfalls that fill the mountain air with a peaceful tranquility.

Space Needle at 50!

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Today begins a six month celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the World’s Fair and the Space Needle… as a Seattle, Washington symbol and attraction.  The celebration runs April 21 – October 21st, 2012.

The Seattle Center showcases festivals, sporting events, fireworks at the Needle on New Year’s Eve, arts & entertainment, and holiday happenings.  The Seattle Center is changing and leaving behind some history with it.  One thing that the Space Needle represented fifty years ago is the future (space age), and today in 2012, the anniversary celebration takes on “The Next Fifty” in which the city will be focusing on the areas that will promote future development and well-being for the area.  Many human interest stories and other are being showcased right now… whether it be the iron worker that helped build the Space Needle, the shuttle drivers, or of those that came to enjoy the rides.  It was just recently that the amusement part of the Seattle Center has been removed.  Elvis Presley showed up at the fair in the late summer to shoot “It Happened At The World’s Fair”.  There have been books published.  The local newspapers, magazines, and news stations of the Puget Sound are featuring these stories.  Check out their websites for past photos, stories, and a list of events.

A number of events, publications, and attractions that are surrounding this celebration are:

I could go on and on about all the activities, both those that regularly occur here, as well as those that focus on the 1962 World’s Fair 50th Anniversary.  To help you gather your itinerary and make your plans:  www.spaceneedle.com; www.seattlecenter.com; www.pacificsciencenter.org; www.thenextfifty.org; www.mccawhall.com; www.chihulygardenandglass.com; www.seattlemonorail.com; www.keyarena.com; www.empsfm.org; www.2daysinseattle.com; www.visitseattle.org

Whether you are 20 or 90 years of age, take the time to learn or to remember, and you will no doubt find it fascinating.  This was and is both a local and international celebration.  So cool!

Washington Artisan Cheesemakers Festival

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The Washington Artisan Cheesemakers Festival, held on Saturday, April 7th at the Seattle Design Center (Sixth Ave S) showcased some of Washington finest cheesemakers, but also a number of local cider, beer, wine, and artisan food vendors.  21 and over.  This event is a benefit for the Cascade Harvest Coalition.  http://www.cascadeharvest.org/

There is cheese made from cow, sheep and goat.  There is organic, raw, and farmstead.  Farmstead cheese is a cheese made from milk from the farmer’s own herd or flock, on the farm where the animals are raised.  The types were varied.  Cheesemakers came from Tacoma, Seattle, Adna, Winlock, Bow, Chehalis, Vashon, Dayton, Freeland, Eatonville, Port Townsend, Omak, Fall City, Lynden, Twisp, Tieton, Doty, and Darrington.  Quite the mix!  After tasting many of, but not all, my hands-down favorite is Dinah’s Cheese from Kurtwood Farms on Vashon Island http://www.kurtwoodfarms.com/ – excellent quality! Cow/soft-ripened/bloomy/Aged 30 days/Farmstead.  Others that I enjoyed were Willapa Hills Cheese (Two-Face and Big Boy Blue), Beechers Handmade Cheese (Flagship), and Backcountry Creamery’s Trailblazer and Camp Chego.  Also, Mountain Lodge Farm’s table/display was nicely done as well as their selections…Chevre and Paradise.

For tips on choosing a cheese, you may want to consider the following:  kind/texture, rind, and age.  And for tips on how to serve and store cheese, check out these sites:  http://www.newpi.coop/Products/Cheese/HowtoEnjoyCheese.aspx;  http://www.artisanalcheese.com/products.asp?dept=1013

After tasting the 20+ Cheesemakers selections, most can be purchased at the festival cheese shop. Additional drink tickets could be purchased here as well. To try these tasty bites, be prepared to stand in line.  A suggestion…”light” live music would be nice as well as maybe to incorporate the artisan cheeses in specialty dishes made by local restaurants.  To view the full list of Cheesemakers, Sponsors, Artisan Food, Wine, Beer, and Cider vendors, check out:  http://washingtonartisancheese.com/

Hello April!

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It is April 1st and it is a time to think ahead to sunnier days and the upcoming festival season.  Have you started getting tickets to the plethora of summer concerts?  Did you know that this March was the 3rd wettest on record for March in Seattle history?  Why am I thinking Summer when it is Spring?  It’s the time of year to Spring ahead, right?

Looking for something to do this month?  Here is a sampling of ideas:

  • Head to Mount Vernon (and surrounding towns) to see the tulip fields – the largest display in the great US of A
  • It’s National Park Week – admission to the National Park’s is free all week April 21 – April 29th
  • Enjoy a new restaurant during Seattle Restaurant Week – April 8 – 12th and 15 – 19th
  • Washington Artisan Cheesemakers Festival – April 7th at the Seattle Design Center
  • The Space Needle starts their 50-year celebration this month (a separate post coming soon)
  • Pike Place Market – April 20th Arcade Lights: a celebration of artisan food, beer, and wine
  • Support a cause – how about the MS Walk on April 15th? Alaska Airlines Arena/UW
  • Go shopping for a pop of color
  • April 21st – World Class Crab Races and Feed, Westport, WA
  • Moooove on over to the Spring Fair in Puyallup – April 19th – 22nd
  • See the Pacific Northwest Ballet perform Carmina Burana and Apollo at McCaw Hall
  • Check out the 3rd annual Mt. Rainier Spring Wine Festival in Ashford, WA on April 28th (2-8 pm)
  • Astoria, OR hosts the 30th annual Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival – April 27, 28, 29th
  • Take a walk on a trail closest to you…or maybe within four hours reach?
  • It’s baseball season – get in to the swing of things with a Seattle Mariners game at Safeco Field
  • Check your listings for an Earth Day event
  • Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival 2012 at the Seattle Center

Washington Wine Month

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March is Washington Wine Month!  If you missed the first festival of the month, the Poverty Bay Wine Festival in Des Moines, WA (one of my favorites), you will have other opportunities to partake in the festivities.  Other events this month are:

  • Walla Walla Wine @ Sodo Park – Monday, March 12th at Herban Feast http://wallawallawine.com/
  • Stop by your local wine shop for a tasting event – they’ll be able to tell you what you need to know about wine
  • Try a new varietal at a favorite restaurant
  • Taste Washington – Saturday, March 31st and Sunday, April 1st at CenturyLink Field Event Center  http://tastewashington.org/

Some events during the month are listed on various blogs, newsletters, and websites… like  http://www.washingtonwine.org/events/

Exotic Wines Festival

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The 3rd annual Exotic Wines Festival took place at Teatro ZinZanni, Tuesday, February 21st, 2012.  As this evening was also Mardi Gras, there were attendees in costume and many of the wine reps were wearing masks, hats, beads…all which made it very festive!  And the location at Teatro ZinZanni was perfect! 25 Washington wineries poured some of their more unique wines using these exotic grapes.  These include Tempranillo, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Viognier, Mourvedre, and more.  I had the opportunity to try a number of these and my favorites came from Brian Carter Cellars, Five Star Cellars, Kerloo, and Pleasant Hill Cellars.  A special performance by the beautiful and fabulous Vita Radionova, with the use of hula hoops, was a special treat!  Also, the guests enjoyed getting their pictures taken with the sexy Manuela Horn.  So much fun!  Proceeds benefited the ZinZanni Institute for Circus Arts (ZICA).  http://dreams.zinzanni.org/

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