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August 29 Bumbershoot SAT-MON Music, dance, theater, film, arts and children's performances at Seattle Center. directions Bremerton Blackberry Festival SUN-MON Entertainment, food, fun run, bike ride and fly-in on the Bremerton Boardwalk. Take a scenic ferry ride from downtown Seattle ferry schedule Evergreen State Fair THURS-Sept 1 Final weekend. Not as large as the Puyallup fair coming up next week but still lots of fun. In Monroe directions Italian Concours d'Elegance SUN Exhibit of cars and motorcycles from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and more at Des Moines Marina. directions For my friends in the south sound: LeMay Museum Car Show & Auction SAT Display of more than 1,000 vintage, classic and specialty automobiles in Tacoma. directions Olympia Harbor Days FRI-SUN Tour of tugboats, tall-ships, entertainment, food, art and children's activities at Percival Landing Park. directions August 06 South Lake Union Block Party FRI Food, beer & wine gardens, music, Muttmazing Race for dogs and kids' activities at Westlake and Denny in downtown Seattle. directions Bubblefest WED-SUN Bubble-artist performances, crafts, giant kid-friendly foam pit at Pacific Science Center in downtown Seattle. My kids loved this when they were < 10yrs. directions NW Fuchsia Society Show & Plant Sale FRI-SUN Judged flower show with plants also on sale Country Village in Bothell. If you are looking for an easy to grow yet beautiful flowering plant, the fuchsia may be for you. directions A Taste of Edmonds FRI-SUN Food from 40 vendors, arts & crafts, entertainment, children's activities, beer & wine gardens along 5th and Main St. in Edmonds directions August 01 Seafair Hydroplane Races & Air Show FRI-SUN The Chevrolet Cup hydroplane races on Lake Washington and Air Show featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels at Genesee Park. Shuttles every 15 min from the Eastgate Park N Ride. Tip: get there early and take a blanket or cushion, the best seating is on a steep grassy hillside. There are also a couple of beaches on Mercer Island that have a good view of the airshow, such as Calkins Landing directions. Seafair Fleet Week WED-SUN Free public tours of U.S. Navy & Coast Guard and Canadian Navy ships arrive at Pier 90. Lake City Pioneer Days FRI-SAT Salmon bake and model railroad display along with steet fair, parade and vintage car show. Thurston County Fair WED-SUN Farm animals, entertainment, carnival and food at the Thurston County Fairgrounds in Olympia. Snoqualmie Railroad Days FRI-SUN Parade, food, arts & crafts, helicopter rides, train rides, kids' activities and more. July 25 SandSations Sand Sculpture Competition FRI-SAT Teams from around the country compete to build the most creative and intricate sand sculpture. At Long Beach, WA. directions NASCAR Camping World Washington 500 SAT Watch 800HP stock cars battle for 500 laps on a 5/8 mile oval. This is the once per year national level NASCAR race in our area. At Evergreen Speedway in Monroe. directions NW Fuchsia Society Flower Show SAT-SUN Judged display of fuchsias at the beautiful Hiram Chittenden Locks in Ballard. directions Ballard SeafoodFest SAT-SUN Food, entertainment, beer & wine, kids' activities, arts & crafts and more in Ballard. directions Model Family Kite Fest SAT Family funFly, stunt kite demonstrations, kids kite building, music, prizes. At Magnuson Park in Seattle. directions Seafair Torchlight Parade SAT "Amazing Adventures" is the theme this year with marching bands, floats, drill teams, the Seafair Clowns & Pirates and more starting at 7:30PM from the Seattle Center. (www.seafair.com). Capitol Hill Block Party FRI-SAT Music from local and national bands with food and vendors along 10th Ave & East Pike. directions 6th Street Art Fair FRI-SUN Artwork by more than 120 artists, music, food and more in downtown Bellevue. (www.bellevuedowntown.com). Bellevue Arts Museum ArtsFair FRI-SUN More than 300 arts and crafts vendors, entertainment, art demos and more at Bellevue Arts Museum. directions (www.bellevuearts.org). Alki Beach Art Fair SAT-SUN Juried art fair, music, food, children's art and more at Alki Beach Promenade. directions SOUTH Pacific Northwest Nationals Auto Show FRI-SUN Display of more than 2000 hot rods, customs, classics at Puyallup Fair and Events Center and drag races at Pacific Raceways in Kent. directions Lake Stevens Aquafest THURS-SUN Arts & crafts, horse-drawn carriage rides, parade & Bite of Lake Stevens. directions Westfield Southcenter Grand Opening FRI-SUN Grand opening of newly remodeled shopping center. Renton River Days WED-SUN Crafts, games, entertainment, pony rides, parade and more at Liberty Park and other downtown Renton locations. Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games & Clan Gathering SAT-SUN Bagpipes, drums, Celtic arts, folk music, food, beer, parade and games at Enumclaw Expo Center. Enumclaw Street Fair FRI-SAT Entertainment, food, farmers market, arts & crafts and more. July 11 Vashon Island Strawberry Festival SAT-SUN Grand Parade, the Classic Car parade, music throughout the day, both Saturday and Sunday, Saturday night street dances, food & vendor booths. A short ferry ride from West Seattle to this picturesque island community. One of my family’s favorites. (http://vashonchamber.com/strawberry_fest.htm ). Seattle's Chinatown-International District Summer Festival SAT-SUN Pan-Asian street festival with lion and dragon dances, taiko drumming, drill teams, karaoke, arts & crafts and food at Hing Hay Park. (www.cidbia.org). Pioneer Square Fire Festival FRI-SAT Firefighters from across the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia show off their skills and compete for personal glory in what is called “the toughest 2 minutes in sports.”. (http://www.pioneersquare.org/fire.html ). Mercer Island Summer Celebration SAT-SUN Pirates, arts & crafts, live music & theater, parade, fireworks, classic car show and more at Luther Burbank Park & Mercerdale Park. (www.misummercelebration.com). Wallingford seafair Kiddies Parade & Street Fair SAT Street fair with food, vendors and entertainment plus parade at 11am along Wallingford Avenue North. (www.wallingford.org). West Seattle Summer Fest FRI-SUN Street fair with music, arts, food, beer garden and street dance at West Seattle Junction. (www.westseattlefestival.com). Kent Cornucopia Days THURS-SUN Festival, street fair, food, carnival, parade and more in Kent. (www.kcdays.com). Redmond Derby Days SAT Bike race, kids' parade, music, food and more at Redmond City Hall campus. (www.redmond.gov). Bastille Day SAT-SUN French food, wine, music, art and more at Seattle Center. (www.seattle-bastille.org). Tivoli/Viking Days FRI-SUN Scandinavian food, crafts, music, dancing and more at the Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard. (www.nordicmuseum.org). Model Airplane Show SUN Marymoor R/C Club open house with flying demos and displays at the Model Airplane Field at Marymoor Park. (425.747.2039). Arlington Fly-in WED-SUN Airshow, flight demonstrations, bands, military vehicles, hot air balloons, fireworks and music at Arlington Airport. (www.arlingtonflyin.org). July 03 There will be many 4th of July fireworks displays on Friday the 4th of July. Take your pick: · Demolition Derby and Fireworks Evergreen Speedway in Monroe <– my kids favorite! · 4th of Jul-Ivars Seattle waterfront – Elliot Bay · Wamu Family 4th Gas Works Park – Lake Union · Bellevue Family 4th · Kirkland 4th of July Festivities · Fourth on the Plateau · 4th of July Fireworks on Lake Sammamish · More community Fourth of July events Other events this weekend: Milk Carton Derby SAT Nearly 100 hand built milk-carton crafts along with shore activities and food at Green Lake Park. (www.seafair.com). Seafair Pirates Landing SAT Annual landing of the Pirates with kids' activities, entertainment and more at Alki Beach Park. (www.seafair.com). Vintage Races FRI-SUN Miss the unmistakable sound of the big block V8? Get your horsepower fix watching vintage stock cars racing on the road course at Pacific Raceways. (www.sovren.org). Bluesfest FRI Crafts, games, food vendors, music at Wilmot Gateway Park, Woodinville. (www.ci.woodinville.wa.us). Carnation Celebration FRI Pancake breakfast, 5K run, kiddie parade, grand parade, car show, fireworks at Tolt-MacDonald Park. (www.carnation4th.org). Seattle International Beerfest FRI-SUN More than 130 beers from 15 countries plus live music at Mural Amphitheater at Seattle Center. (www.seattlebeerfest.com). Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival FRI-SUN Celebration of local maritime heritage with boat display, toy-boat building, sailing model boats, boat rides & races, food and live music at Lake Union Park and Center for Wooden Boats. (www.cwb.org/BoatFest2008.htm). Tall Ships Tacoma THURS-MON Tours and adventures on 32 sailing vessels as well as entertainment along Foss Waterway. (www.tallshipstacoma.com). June 27 Bellevue Strawberry Festival SAT-SUN Fresh strawberry shortcake, games, entertainment and more at Crossroads International Park. (www.bellevuestrawberryfestival.org). Burien Strawberry Festival & Arts Festival SAT-SUN Entertainment, gallery exhibits, kids and community performers, food and more at Burien Community Center. (www.burienstrawberryfestival.org). Taste of Tacoma FRI-SUN Food from 30 restaurants, 20 food product companies as well as four stages of music, beer garden, carnival rides and kids' activities at Point Defiance Park. (www.tasteoftacoma.com). Midsommarfest SUN Music and dance, kids' activities, crafts, food and more at Saint Edward State Park in Kenmore. (www.skandia-folkdance.org). Greenway Days SAT-SUN Exploring the Mountains to Sound Greenway to learn about cultural, historic and recreational treasures. Several events in Issaquah (www.mtsgreenway.org). June 20 Fremont Fair SAT-SUN Seattle’s most colorful street fair located in funky and friendly Fremont neighborhood—Seattle, Washington's own "Center of the Universe." (www.fremontfair.com). Inspiring Impressionism – exhibit opening at Seattle Art Museum Exhibition pairing Impressionism painters with the old masters who inspired them. (http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/ ). Sorticulture-Everett's Garden Arts Festival FRI-SUN A celebration of creative outdoor living, featuring handcrafted, locally-made garden embellishments, unusual plants, gardening and culinary presentations, live acoustic music, food, noon-8 p.m. June 20; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. June 21-22 at Legion Memorial Park. (www.everettwa.org/arts). Marysville Strawberry Festival Thru SUN Food, entertainment, arts & crafts, carnival, car show, parade, fireworks and strawberries! (www.maryfest.com). Ezra Meeker Days FRI-SUN Entertainment stages with free live music, food courts, inflatable rides for the Kids In Puyallup (David’s home town!). (http://www.puyallupmainstreet.com/meekerdays.html ). Northwest Trek Slugfest SAT-SUN Learn about the Pacific Northwest's most valuable and misunderstood mollusk - the yellow-greenish banana slug through a fun filled day of sluggy activities for the whole family to enjoy. (http://www.nwtrek.org/). June 13 Edmonds Arts Festival FRI-SUN Arts & crafts, live entertainment and children's activities at the Frances Anderson Center. (www.edmondsartsfestival.com). Maple Valley Days FRI-SUN Parade, classic car show, food, arts & crafts, radio-controlled hydros and more at Lake Wilderness Park. (www.maplevalleydays.com). Father's Day Barbecue at Woodland Park Zoo SUN Barbecue beef sandwiches, hot dogs, baked beans, salads, watermelon eating contest, animal encounters, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (www.zoo.org). Washington Brewers Festival FRI-SUN All-ages festival with music, kids' activities and tastes from a selection of more than 150 Washington state craft beers at Saint Edwards State Park in Kenmore. (www.washingtonbeer.com). Olympic Air Show SAT-SUN Featuring seven decades of military aircraft, from nostalgic bi-planes to high performance jets. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Olympic Flight Museum. (www.olympicflightmuseum.com). ~1.5 hr driving directions. Ocean Shores Kite Challenge SAT-SUN Kite fliers from around the world gather on the beach for a weekend of fun and competitions, including sport-kite fliers and kite displays at Ocean Shores Convention Center. ~3 hrs driving directions Seattle International Film Festival THRU June 15 Last weekend. The largest film festival in the United States features predominantly independent and foreign films. (www.siff.net). May 30 Pike Place Market Street Festival SAT-SUN Wine-tasting, cook-offs, children's activities, crafts, live music and more at Pike Place Market. (www.pikeplacemarketstreetfestival.com). Edmonds Waterfront Festival FRI-SUN Family festival with a nautical theme with crafts, food, belt-sander races, exhibits, music, children's activities and more at Edmonds Marina. (www.edmondswaterfrontfestival.com). Seattle International Film Festival THRU June 15 The largest film festival in the United States and among the top film festivals in the world. SIFF runs for three weeks (24 days) and features a diverse assortment of predominantly independent and foreign films and, in recent years, a strong contingent of documentaries. (www.siff.net). May 22 Memorial Day weekend is here! If you are looking for some things to do here are my suggestions: Northwest Folklife Festival FRI-MON Ethnic music and dance, visual arts, folklore, children's activities, food, crafts and funky fun at Seattle Center. Free Admission. (www.folklife.org). Seattle International Children's Festival THRU MON Performing arts event for all ages with live international circus, theatre, music, dance, puppetry, multi-media performance, hands-on activities and more, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday plus evening performances at Seattle Center. (www.seattleinternational.org). World War II B17 Bombers & Warbirds WED-SUN Tour the B17 through Sunday and catch the Warbirds fly-in on Saturday at the Museum of Flight. (www.museumofflight.org). Monster Trucks SUN Monster Trucks, Demolition Derby, Fireworks, and more at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe. directions (http://www.evergreenspeedway.net/artman/publish/article_12.shtml ). May 16 University District Street Fair SAT-SUN More than 300 local arts & crafts vendors, food, street performers, live music, kids' play area and more. (http://www.udistrictchamber.org/StreetFair/index.html). Seattle Cheese Festival FRI-SUN Taste and learn more about artisan cheese through various activities at Pike Place Market. (www.seattlecheesefestival.com). Global Import and Domestic Car Show SAT Hundreds of show quality sport compacts (tuners) from all over the nation, car competition, live music at the Tacoma Dome. (www.globalimportcarshow.com). Fort Nisqually Living History Museum SAT Celebrating the birthday of Queen Victoria with cannons, muskets, birthday toasts and re-enactors. Take I-5 south to Tacoma and follow signs to Point Defiance Park, about 1 hr. driving directions (www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=825). Port Townsend Rhody Festival SAT Parade, craft fair, flower show and carnival in picturesque Port Townsend. Take the Kingston Ferry at Edmonds and head north on hwy 104, about 2 hrs. driving directions. (http://www.ptguide.com/rhodyfest/index.html). May 09 Seattle Maritime Festival SAT Tugboat parade and races, chowder cook-off, Coast Guard sea-air rescue demonstrations, survival suit races and kids' activities at Piers 62/62 & 66. (www.seattlepropellerclub.org). Mom & Me at the Zoo SAT 18th Annual celebration at both Woodland Park Zoo and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium with kids' activities & entertainment. (www.zoo.org). Mother's Day at the Arboretum SUN Enjoy the blooms at the arboretum as well as kids' activities and free photos. (www.arboretumfoundation.org). Mother's Day Social SUN Celebration of the opening day of the rhododendron glen and fern grotto with music and refreshments at Bellevue Botanical Garden. (www.bellevuebotanical.org). Burien Spring Stroll Art Walk SAT Visual arts, food from local businesses and arts-related events, all at marked with balloons, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Art walk maps at info booth at Ninth Avenue Southwest and Southwest 152nd Street in downtown Burien. (www.discoverburien.com). May 02 Opening Day of Boating Season SAT Celebrate boating with the US Navy Band, dragon boat races, crew races and a boat parade along the Montlake Cut. (www.seattleyachtclub.org). Keta Salmon Cookoff & Wild Seafood BBQ SAT Local chefs prepare wild keta salmon and sharing their recipes and secrets; local fishermen, restaurateurs, and barbecue aficionados match skills in a competition featuring wild keta salmon, albacore tuna and other seafood delicacies at Fisherman's Terminal in Seattle. (www.portseattle.org/seaport/marinas/fishermensterminal/index.shtml). Skagit Valley Tulip Festival EXTENDED THRU SUN The tulips are still blooming due to the late spring in Skagit Valley so the festival continues on through this weekend. (www.tulipfestival.org). Master Gardener Foundation Plant Sale SAT-SUN Plants propagated from Master Gardeners' gardens, plus vendors from specialty nurseries, garden art, new and used gardening books, garden gloves and thousands of tomato starts. Master Gardener Personal Shoppers available to help you choose plants that will thrive in your landscape at the Center for Urban Horticulture. (www.mgfkc.org). Port Townsend Victorian Festival FRI-SUN Celebration of Port Townsend's Victorian heritage with walking tours, Grand Ball, fashion show and more. (www.victorianfestival.org). April 25 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Final weekend of the Skagit Tulip Festival in Mt.Vernon. Tulip fields are in full bloom and some daffodils still remain as well! (check the bloom map on the web site at http://www.tulipfestival.org). If there is a chance of rain be sure to take your umbrella and outdoor shoes as there can be puddles in the fields.
Planning your Tulip Festival trip: Before leaving, print the tulip field map. Take I-5 north towards Bellingham. Just past Mt. Vernon take exit 230 or exit 231 and turn left. Follow the field map to drive by the tulip fields. Some fields allow self guided walking tours. Be careful to park legally. There are also several farms that charge a few dollars admission. These places have demonstration fields with many colors as well as amenities like restrooms, food vendors and gift shops. The two biggest are Tulip Town and Roozengaarde. See the tulip field map for their location.
Pike Place Market Kids & Family Day SUN Live music and entertainment, cooking demos, face painting and more at the Market. (www.pikeplacemarket.org).
FlorAbundance Plant Sale SAT-SUN Perennials, annuals, trees, shrubs, rhododendrons, native plants, vegetable starts and more from more than 45 specialty nurseries; proceeds benefit Washington Park Arboretum, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday at Magnuson Park. (www.arboretumfoundation.org).
Remodeled Kitchen and Bath Tour SAT-SUN Open house tour of 15 homes in Seattle, Bellevue, Bothell, Issaquah, Kenmore and Redmond, "passport" maps available at Dunn Lumber stores and tour homes. (www.remodeltour.com).
Spring Garden Fair SAT Exhibits, information, workshops and seminars on natural yard card, perennial and native plant sale, sale or rain barrels and compost bins, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Redmond City Hall. (www.springgardenfair.com). April 18 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Third weekend of the Skagit Tulip Festival in Mt.Vernon. The daffodils are still in full bloom, and a few tulip fields are showing color (check the bloom map on the web site at http://www.tulipfestival.org).
Planning your Tulip Festival trip: Before leaving, print the tulip field map. Take I-5 north towards Bellingham. Just past Mt. Vernon take exit 230 or exit 231 and turn left. Follow the field map to drive by the tulip fields. Some fields allow self guided walking tours. Be careful to park legally. There are also several farms that charge a few dollars admission. These places have demonstration fields with many colors as well as amenities like restrooms, food vendors and gift shops.
The Spring Fair In Puyallup It’s spring baby! Carnival rides, entertainment, animal exhibits and garden show. KIDZONE includes a Reptile Show, FREE Face Painting and a catch and release fishing pond. Most activities are in indoor barns. http://www.thefair.com/
Seattle Center Cherry Blossom Festival Celebrate the beauty of spring at the Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival. From the booms of taiko drums to the silence of ikebana flowers, the event is a feast for the senses. Delicious Japanese food, tea ceremony demonstrations and artwork present both a modern and ancient view of this complex culture. Indoors at the Center House. http://www.seattlecenter.com/
NWFS Fuchsia & Dahlia Tuber Sale (Bothell Country Village) Northwest Fuchsia Society members offer plant material from their own collections at bargain prices. My favorite plant sale of the year.
Healthy Living Expo Health and fitness information for the whole family in one convenient location. Free admission. http://qwestfield.com/home.aspx
Everett Home and Garden Show Home improvement, gardening, new building and remodeling exhibits, vendors and seminars, noon-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Comcast Arena at Everett Events Center. (www.westlakepromo.com). April 10
Spring weather is finally arriving in Seattle this weekend, and it’s time to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful springtime blooms! Here are my picks for this weekend:
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival This is the second weekend of the Skagit Tulip Festival in Mt.Vernon. The daffodils are now in full bloom, but few tulips yet (check the current bloom map on the web site at http://www.tulipfestival.org).
Daffodil Festival
The Daffodil Festival started in 1933 in my hometown of Puyallup as a tribute to the Puyallup Valley Flower industry and has grown to be one of the largest festivals and parades in the nation. This weekend is the Grand Floral Street Parade, a parade of fabulous floral floats travelling through the cities of Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner and Orting, all in one day. (http://www.daffodilfestival.net/).
Cherry Blossom Viewing
The tradition of cherry blossom gazing is called “hanami,” and is deeply steeped in Japanese culture. As Japanese people began immigrating to the United States during the latter part of the 1800’s, they would plant cherry trees wherever they lived. in 1976 the Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Miki gifted Seattle with 1,000 Japanese cherry blossom trees to celebrate the country’s bicentennial. These trees were planted along Lake Washington Boulevard and Seward Park, but the Seattle area is rife with additional Japanese cherry trees in numerous public and private spaces.
Location for great hanami: Lake Washington Boulevard, The Seattle Center, the Arboretum, the Japanese Garden, the University of Washington, Seward Park, Woodland Park, and the Seattle Buddhist Church Wysteria Plaza.
AF Early Bloomers Plant Sale
The annual Arboretum Foundation plant sale in the Washington Park Arboretum (located at Plant Donations and the Pat Calvert Greenhouse).
Once you have enjoyed the blooms here are a couple of other ideas for the rest of the weekend:
Seattle Condo Tour SAT-SUN Tour new condominiums on the Eastside this weekend with shuttle at Bellevue High. (www.seattlecondotour.com).
Whirligig 2008
SAT-SUN Last weekend for this annual kid’s carnival! Inflatable slides, face painting, balloon art, entertainment and a Toddler Zone indoors at Seattle Center House. (www.seattlecenter.com).
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