Washington events
Among the event highlights in Washington this fall:
• Puyallup Fair, Sept. 10-26, Puyallup. In its 104th year, the fair features plenty of animals, rides, displays, food and big-name entertainment including Kenny Rogers, Bill Cosby, Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Styx, REO Speedwagon and Los Lobos. (253-841-5045, www.thefair.com)
• Aki Matsuri Japanese Fall Festival, Sept. 11-12, Bellevue. Weekend festivities include arts and crafts, gardening exhibits, historical displays, kite making, origami, martial arts lectures and demonstrations, cooking and teahouse demonstrations, and more. (425-861-7865, www.enma.org)
• Desert Heart – Pasco’s Fiery Food Festival, Sept. 11-12, Pasco. Food, arts and crafts, fresh fruits and vegetables, entertainment on two stages, microbrew garden, children’s activities and more. (509-943-5109, www.bsolid.com/fieryfoods/index.html)
• Wenatchee River Salmon Festival, Sept. 18-19, Leavenworth. Featuring Reptile Man, Gyotaku, hands-on activities, hatchery tours, Native American encampment, 10K run and kids’ fun run, arts, music, food. (509-548-6662, www.salmonfest.org/home.htm)
• Walla Walla Valley Quilt Festival, Sept. 20-26, Walla Walla. With Quilt Guild show, featured quilter, 1933 World’s Fair quilt, quilt challenge, silent auction of six quilts and quilting workshop/class. (541-938-6130, www.wallawallaquiltfestival.org)
• Great Prosser Balloon Rally, Sept. 24-26, Prosser. Sunrise launches Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting), Night Glow at dusk Saturday, family-oriented entertainment. (509-786-3177, www.prosserchamber.org/balloon_rally.htm)
• Oktoberfest Leavenworth, Oct. 1-9, Leavenworth. Opening ceremony with the tapping of authentic Oktoberfest Bier from Munich, German food, entertainment, music and dancing, all surrounded by Leavenworth’s Bavarian decor. (509-548-4326, www.oktoberfestleavenworth.com)
• Issaquah Salmon Days Festival, Oct. 2-3, Issaquah. Celebrating the annual return of the salmon to the area’s lakes, streams and downtown hatchery, with a Grande Parade, sporting events, three stages of live entertainment, marketplace of more than 300 artists selling handcrafted pieces, hatchery tours, salmon barbecue, the Field of Fun and more. (206-270-2532, www.salmondays.org)
• Dungeness Crab and Seafood Festival, Oct. 9-10, Sequim. Fresh Dungeness crab, salmon, mussels, oysters and fresh organic produce at a beautiful waterfront setting with music, cooking demonstrations and more. (360-457-6110, www.crabfestival.org)
• Scandinavian Heritage Festival, Oct. 9-10, Puyallup. Scandinavian cultural exhibits, arts and crafts, spinning, lace-making and embroidery demonstrations, music, food, folk dancing, gift items, raffle. (425-881-1544, www.thefair.com)
• Best of the Northwest, Nov. 19-21, Seattle. Holiday shopping extravaganza with Northwest art and unique and functional crafts in metal, glass, wood, jewelry, wearable art, pottery, photography, mixed media, fiber arts, basketry and more. (206-525-5926, www.bestnwcrafts.com)
• Lewis and Clark Fortnight, Nov. 28-Dec. 11, Vancouver. Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Lewis and Clark’s visit to Clark County, with National Park Service Exhibit – Corps of Discovery II, local exhibits, children’s activities, Christmas festivals. (360-906-7119)
• Argosy Christmas Ship Festival, Dec. 1-23, Seattle. Annual ship-to-shore holiday celebration with performances by Northwest choirs broadcast to bonfire sites onshore and to other boats participating in the parade. (206-623-1445, www.argosycruises.com)
Source: Washington State Tourism (360-725-5052, www.experiencewashington.com)