Festivals & Events

Polar Bear Plunge – Happy New Year 2012!

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This New Year’s Day, the annual Polar Bear Plunge returned to the south end of Gene Coulon Park in Renton, WA.  At 11 a.m., many brave souls (or least those that wanted to make a statement) jumped into Lake Washington.  The water was 45 degrees with a temperature of 46 degrees outside.

This year the event was co-sponsored by Ivar’s (and yes, clam chowder was served) and the Reserve Sanctuary Apartments at The Landing. Other Puget Sound dips, plunges, dives, or swims are held at Matthews Beach in Kirkland, Magnuson Park, Ballard and Alki in Seattle, and at Pt. Defiance in Tacoma.  No registration required.  My guess is a couple hundred people showed up for the frigid event in Renton.  Some in costume.

Take the plunge and start the year off with a “chill”!  Happy New Year 2012!

Downtown Seattle – Holiday Lights Tour

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Downtown Seattle is a must see during the month of December. 

  • Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton
  • Stay at or visit the Fairmont Olympic Hotel…beautifully decorated for the season
  • Viewing of the bright star on the Macy’s store
  • Get a coffee or hot cocoa at the 2nd busiest Starbucks on the North American continent (corner of Pine and 4th)
  • Shop, view the decor in the window displays
  • see a musical at the 5th Avenue theatre… like Cinderella (we did!)
  • See the snow fall at Pacific Place, nightly at 6 pm
  • grab a bite…plenty of options.  We stopped at pnk Restaurant & Ultra Lounge this year, located at Pacific Place. Ambitious but missed the mark.  The calamari gets a thumbs up.
  • Pike Place Market
  • And what fun “tourist” event was enjoyed?  the Ride the Ducks Holiday Lights Tour:

Ride the Ducks of Seattle, known for a tour of Seattle by amphibious landing craft, does a Holiday Lights Tour during the holiday season.  Go with a participatory attitude and you’ll likely have a good time. Meg “Nog” was our wacky driver.  The music played was a mix of fun holiday music, 1999 by Prince, and what really made it for me was the Rock N Roll All Night (and party every day) by KISS – Whoo Hoo!  Awesome!  They provided warm blankets, bell ringers, and a duck quacker to add to the festive ride.  Bundle up. It is a short tour (30 minutes) and would suggest that they could go to/around the Seattle Center/Space Needle for more “lights”.  Find a coupon.  If you want more Seattle history and landmark discussion, take the regular tour.  It was a fun addition to the season.  http://ridetheducksofseattle.com/ 

See the December 4, 2010 post for more fun things to do during the holiday season.

 

Suncadia Resort

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Suncadia Resort sits just over the Cascade Mountains, 80 miles east of Seattle in the Cle Elum/Roslyn area.  Need a day away?  This just might be it.  On this weekend in October, the 6th annual Suncadia Harvest Festival is a buzz. 

The history in this area abounds.  It  housed the hunting and fishing grounds of the Yakama First Nations people as well as to the former Coal Mine Number 9.  Suncadia has included remnants of the coal mines.

The Suncadia Harvest Festival offers the little tikes a fun time…a straw maze, pumpkin patch, pony rides, and more.  There are arts and crafts, brews and brats, musical entertainment, and mechanical bull and bouncy houses.

Dine – Hoist House Restaurant – an energetic vibe exists, sit indoors or when the weather permits, enjoy the views and fire pits on the patio.  Fifty 6 degrees – located in the Lodge, enjoy a ballgame, happy hour, Wine Flight Wednesday, Prime Rib night or an afternoon of hangin’ out in the afternoon.  Portals, located in the Lodge – a nice selection and beautiful views makes for a nice lunch out with a friend, family, a date with a special someone, or a corporate dinner.  A friend and I enjoyed our time at Portals – great service and menu selection.  The menu changes seasonally.  There are more options…check out the dining section on their website.

Swiftwater Cellars  – When you visit, you’ll see the varied and appetizing menu at The Hoist House and visit The Boutique at Swiftwater.  Enjoy the wine tasting, $10 for their second label, No.9 and for $14, try a flight of the Pick Axe line-up.  The Rope Rider Golf Course is now open!  The pro shop is located here too.  Live music on Friday and Saturday evenings and happy hour is served up from 3-6 pm on weekdays.  http://www.swiftwatercellars.com/

Stay – The Lodge at Suncadia.  Enjoy the Glade Spring Spa.  Rent a vacation home.  Purchase a condo or home.   If you have a wedding or corporate event, reserve The Inn at Suncadia.  Beautiful views and a rustic elegance interior invites…I happen to feel right at home here.

Recreation – A swim and fitness center, motorized scooter rentals, ATV tours, bike rentals, boat rentals, hiking, geo caching, a bike scavenger hunt, golf (Prospector, Tumble Creek, Rope Rider), fly fishing, horseback riding, CampCadia for those 4-12 yrs. of age, and more.  Depending on the season, there is plenty of fun to keep you busy, or relaxed.  In the winter, enjoy ice skating, snowshoeing, skiing, a rope tow tubing hill, snowmobile tours, winter fly fishing…now this all sounds really fun!

My favorite part of their marketing is “Four seasons of fun” http://www.suncadiaresort.com/

Poverty Bay Blues and Brews Fest

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The Des Moines Rotary presented the second annual Poverty Bay Blues & Brews Festival, September 10th at the Des Moines Beach Park.  Also, on this day, the Des Moines Farmers Market and Poverty Bay Arts Festival took place.  Come rain or shine.   Blues?  they got it!  Brews?  they got that too!  This year’s line up was Little Bill and the Bluenotes (excellent!!!), Rod Cook and Toast, Fabulous Roofshakers, and Left Hand Smoke.

Breweries participating were Odin, Big Al, Hood Canal, Harmon, Elliott Bay, Airways, Stone, Scuttlebutt, Georgetown, Fish Brewing, and M.T. Head.  Masset Winery poured two varietals.  My favorites (based on what style was being served) were M.T. Head and Fish Brewing Company…especially Reel Ales Starfish Imperial Red Ale and Spire Mountain Apple Cider.  This was a nice event to try new styles and breweries.

B & E Meats, as a sponsor, was cooking up their tri tip beef at the Poverty Bay Blues and Brews Fest.  If you want a great selection of fresh products, stop by (or go out of your way) for Steak, Roast, Spareribs, Ground Beef, Ham Shanks, Pork Sausage, Wieners, Fryers, Whole Turkey, Crab Cakes…and more!  http://www.bnemeats.com/  While you are making a day of it in Des Moines, be sure to stop by B & E Meats and Corky Cellars!  Both located on Marine View Drive.  Corky Cellars has an inviting decor and a varied selection of wine, beer, and gifts.  Tastings occur every Saturday 11 am – 5 pm.  Ric and Dianne are the best!  Stop by, say Hi!, enjoy a taste, and bring some home with you!  http://www.corkycellars.com/

Check out http://www.dmrotary.org/events.php  for a list of sponsors and more event info. No pets.  Age 21 and over.  Free Parking. Bring your chair and/or blanket. Located near the beautiful scenery of the Puget Sound.  Proceeds benefit Highline Music 4 Life. http://www.highlinemusic4life.org/.

Bumbershoot 2011

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Do you know what a Bumbershoot is?  it is an umbrella.  Seattle hosts (and One Reel organizes) this an annual three-day music festival on Labor Day weekend called Bumbershoot…which lists both local and international acts.  It is located at the Seattle Center, which has the grounds and venues to carry it off.   The format changes a bit each year.  2011 was more indie focused with less well-known (but high quality) acts.  The headliner for Monday, Labor Day was Daryl Hall and John Oates.  This year, for the first time, Bumbershoot hosted Youngershoot…activites and music for the family.  There is also art, film, and of course, food.  The type of music often depends on which stage they are performing on…whether it be the Starbucks Stage , the Fountain Lawn Stage, the Fisher Green Stage, the EMP Level 3 Stage, the Exhibition Hall, the Intiman Theatre (comedy), or the Bagley Wright Theatre (dance, theater)… and others.  Most stages has its own sponsor.  The Key Arena hosted the mainstage acts.

I was able see a variety this year… the Trey McIntyre Project, Legendary Oaks, Quadron, Wayne Federman and The Gregory Brothers, Dennis Coffey, Charles Bradley, Fitz  and the Tantrums, and part Daryl Hall and John Oates and The Reverend Horton Heat.  All were great choices and I’d have to say my faves were Dennis Coffey (funkn’ it out), Charles Bradley (the Screaming Eagle of Soul), and Fitz and the Tantrums.  That is what is interesting (and fun) about Bumbershoot, there are so many genres and options.  There are so many choices, that you undoubtedly miss those you wish you could have seen too, especially if you only go one day.  You could certainly enjoy something each day of the festival. 

You can bring your own chair and food in, which is helpful if you’re there for all day, which you should be!  Park across the street and you’ll have access to your vehicle without much trouble.  This year mind you we had 80 degree weather… but whether rain (Bumbershoot needed) or shine, you’ll have a good time and see a band, comedy act, dance troupe, or other that you haven’t seen before.

If you didn’t get to it this year – maybe try it next year!  Cool!

Art in the Garden

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Bellevue Botanical Garden’s second annual Art in the Garden was August 26-28th.  It was a nice location for such an event as there is plenty of space for the showing of mosaics, ceramic luminaries, cast iron and steel sculptures, cement leaves, and copper water features, among others.  The price range for most of the outdoor art was $50 – 1000’s (with a few less than).  I especially liked Aiko Vail/Poul Erickson’s fused glass as well as Alison Hoagland’s blown glass garden ornaments.  Another favorite was John Daoura’s wine barrel furniture (Dakota Craftworks) – the quality is apparent in these pieces, whether it be the chair, table, or other.  The chair has a space for a wine glass too. 

The Bellevue Botanical Garden boasts 53 acres of display gardens, woodlands, meadows, and wetlands.  The Art in the Garden gave us an opportunity to view what was in season, which was mainly the dahlias.  The land that makes up the Bellevue Botanical Garden also hosts those looking for outdoor recreation, with trails such as the Lake to Lake trail, Lost Meadow Trail and the Loop Trail.  Stop in to visit The Trillium Gift Shop or in December, the festive Garden D’Lights.   http://www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/botanical_garden.htm  http://www.bellevuebotanical.org/fmvisitor.htm

Seahawks Training Camp

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Since the new VMAC (Virginia Mason Athletic Center) was built on the shores of Lake Washington in Renton, WA, the Seattle Seahawks have opened up practice/training camp to the public.  This year there are 15 practices between July 29th and August 15th.  It is a nice opportunity to see the new recruits and veterans get ready for their upcoming NFL season.  You will see a scrimmage and drills.  The practice lasts about two hours and possibly a bit longer with the signing of autographs.  You must register at trainingcampregistration.seahawks.com and only those who register will be allowed at camp.  At registration, you will be charged a $5 transportation fee.  Chairs and snacks may be brought in, with restrictions of course.  There is merchandise and also food and beverages available.  Sports Authority offered a $10 coupon for anything purchased over $25 there at the complex.  We indeed made use of this. Park at The Landing in Renton (3rd and 4th level of the parking garage) and take the shuttle buses to and from the event.  They have the process down well…you will check in at the Landing prior to boarding.  This is a nice afternoon for the kids, family, and friends!

Whether it be prior to or after training camp, check out The Landing.  The Landing is still expanding but you will find a nice variety of retail options – Regal Cinemas (entertainment), services, shopping, dining, and more.  http://www.thelandinginrenton.com/.  Today’s stop was at Vino at the Landing…always recommended.  http://www.vinoatthelanding.com/home

Gig Harbor Wine and Food Festival

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The second annual Gig Harbor Wine and Food Festival, held on the grounds of the Harbor History Museum, took place on Saturday, August 6, 2011.  The festival included 35+ wine (and a few beer) participants, cooking demonstrations, classes, a celebrity chef cook-off, as well as the opportunity to bid on some very nice luxury items and dining packages.  Proceeds benefit the Harbor History Museum and the Gig Harbor Historic Waterfront Association.  http://www.harborwineandfoodfest.com/

This year, the visiting Celebrity Chef was Chef Kevin Gillespie, a 2-time semi-finalist for the James Beard Foundation ‘Rising Star Chef of the Year’ award, a fan favorite of Bravo’s “Top Chef” season 6 and executive chef and co-owner of the Woodfire Grill in Atlanta.  He took part in a cooking demonstration, the chef cook-off, and also signed books during his time here.   Celebrity Chef Thad Lyman of Brix 25 was a big part of the day along with Chefs Jasmine Biernacki (Piece of the Earth Farm), Chef Jeremy Barber (Horseshoe Lake Golf Course) and Chef Tin (Clearwater Casino).   My favorite restaurant sampling served was the Wild Boar Bourguignon from JW (Jason Winniford) and humble cook Justin Goodfellow…delicious!   http://www.jwgigharbor.com/  There were wine and beer classes along with other interesting seminars… like “What’s in your Basket?’  And the wine?  it was good to try a few of those that I had not yet heard of, although there were many more that I did not get to. 

Not that an overnight is needed, but I want to give the Inn at Gig Harbor a mention.  It is a full service hotel and event center.  The bedding is really comfortable, the service all-around is good, and breakfast at The Heritage Restaurant was enjoyed.  If you are familiar with Gig Harbor, it is located closer to the freeway than to the waterfront.   http://innatgigharbor.com/  Also, when walking around town, visit The Harbor Peddler.  It has a nice variety of gifts, personal items, home decor, etc…  The Harbor History Museum is a recommended stop http://www.harborhistorymuseum.org/ and while walking the waterfront, check out the various signage providing historical info.  www.gigharborguide.com

Bellevue Arts Fair

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The Bellevue Arts Fair celebrates its 65th year!  It takes place during the last weekend of July typically and this weekend is it!  July 29-31, 2011.  So, there are two days left!  It is ranked among the top 100 fairs in the United States and currently known as the Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM) Arts Fair.  This event brings artists from all over the country, offering a variety of high quality goods.  The BAM offers free admission during this three-day event.  The fair is made of three separate sections – the BAM Arts Fair section at Bellevue Square, Bellevue’s 6th Street Fair, and Bellevue’s Festival of the Arts.  There is live entertainment, a demonstration stage and check out the Chalk Mural and/or show off your own artistic side by “chalking” it on NE 6th Street.  Concessions are here too…support your local rotary or kiwanis or try the renowned burger from Skillet…it won’t disappoint! (although mine was a bit undercooked for my liking).

Some of my favorites this year are:

Note to those wanting to bring pets…I love them but crowds of this magnitude make it unsafe for our pooches.  We are concentrating at looking at the art and not what is directly beneath us.  I happened to hear a poor little guy yelping away as his paw was most likely broken.

http://www.bellevuefest.org/; http://www.bellevuearts.org

 http://www.bellevuedowntown.org/events/sixth_street/index.htm

Enjoy the art, enjoy the sun, enjoy your friends or family!  A great event for a get-together!

Pick A Festival, Any Festival 2011

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This is a follow-up to the July 2010 post Pick A Festival, Any Festival.  It is true again that this weekend every year is packed with things to do.  Again this year, Kirkland Uncorked did not disappoint.  I liked Kirkland Uncorked’s Facebook posting…”Rain or shine we are still tasting wine!”  Kirkland Uncorked brings the arts (presented by Kirkland Arts Center), a boat showcase, grilling demonstrations, restaurant sampling, and of course…wine.  One thing I noticed that was new (or bigger than before) were the paddle boarders showing off their stuff.  And there is the City Dog Magazine Dog Modeling Contest.  Pyramid beer and Mojitos are for purchase while listening to the various entertainment throughout the day.  Some of my favorite wine tastings this year were from Maryhill Winery (Viognier),  Five Star Cellars (Kenzie, Merlot and Cab), Convergence Zone Cellars (Dewpoint), Tempus Cellars (Evergreen Vineyard Riesling),  Tsillan Cellars (Syrah Grenache), and Northwest Cellars Winery (Adagio and Sangiovese).  Mind you, I didn’t try every varietal that was being poured and everyone does have their individual palate.  This festival seems to be a good friend and group event too…bachelorette party, and more.  Have fun!  http://www.kirklanduncorked.com/