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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Talk about your cow and pony shows

Christianne Sharman

The travel industry wrote a little song for you. It goes something like this:

Don’t…

Don’t you want me?

You know I don’t believe you when you say that you don’t need me.

You remember Human League, don’t you?

Despite your heedless, callous behavior, your autumn opportunities are coming fast and furious. And it’s high time you showed tourism what it means to you.

Let’s do the roundup.

Friday, the Suncadia Harvest Festival gets underway at the historic Nelson Dairy Farm. That’s right. Cows. You can’t get that from your phone service, dry cleaner or the manufacturing sector.

No, sir. Tourism. That’s the thing for you.

You get two chances at this free, “family-friendly” festival along the Cle Elum River. The event runs through Oct. 12, and then again the following weekend. Both options deliver live entertainment, pie-eating contests, a pumpkin catapult, geo-caching, nature hikes, hundreds of straw bales in the form of a maze, and wagon and pony rides.

Are you kidding me? Cows and ponies? Isn’t that enough for you?

Find out more at www.suncadiaresort.com or (866) 904-6301.

Still time for camping

Moving on.

The Camping and RVing BC Coalition has released its much-anticipated fall camping recommendations. – suitable for a “rustic outdoor enthusiast or ‘glamper’ (glamorous camper).”

Blue River Campground, Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park and Chimney Lake North Recreation Site are all open until Oct. 15. You’re welcome at Evely Recreation Site on Okanagan Lake until Halloween. Paradise Valley Campground in Squamish and Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park are yours for the taking all year.

Campers and RV fans will find loads of information at www.camping.bc.ca. They have a phone number, too: (604) 945-7676.

Get in the game

Next on your agenda: Meat.

On Oct. 19, Nicky USA’s Eighth annual Wild About Game and Wine Celebration matches some of “the best” chefs in the region with venison, quail, rabbit, elk, duck and other dead critters in a day-long orgy of flesh.

Vegetarian types will want to steer clear of the Resort at The Mountain in Welches, Ore., during the event. Or you could hide in the corner with a bottle of wine from the culinary marketplace.

I’ll see you there.

Throughout the day, demonstration chefs will show the amateurs how it’s done. And another team will take each other on in the cook-off. Each gets a “secret” main ingredient – it could be anything, as long as it’s meat – and improvises a dish. The panel of judges includes the editor of NW Palate Magazine and a contributing writer to Gourmet Magazine.

The afternoon’s cookbook signing session winds up in time for the showpiece wild game buffet.

If you’re still mobile, retire to your room to digest. The resort put together a package for you with a night’s accommodations, two tickets to the day’s events and two buffet tickets. It starts at $269 based on double occupancy.

Book your reservation at www.theresort.com or (800) 669-7666.

What recession?

Less carnivorous pleasures await at Willows Lodge, just outside Seattle. Their recently introduced “Northwest Wine Country Adventure” combines three nights in a “Nicer” guestroom, a 90-minute couples massage, a VIP tour of Woodinville wine country; and $100 in-dining credit at the Barking Frog with a full-day outdoor outing hosted by Evergreen Escapes. In the fall that usually entails a visit to Whidbey Island for boating and “exploring.”

All this for a mere $1,960.

Live it up.

To get started, visit www.willowslodge.com or call (877) 424-3930.

Regional events

Old Faithful Fall Cycle Tour, Oct. 11, West Yellowstone, Montana. This 60-mile ride takes you past geysers, thermal features and wildlife. (www.visitmt.com/546-646-7007)

11th Annual ROMP!, Oct. 23-26, Victoria, B.C. Kick up your heels with guest artists, independent choreographers, and dance on video and film. (www.suddenlydance.ca/250-389-6059)