Region sparkles with summer action
The Walla Walla Valley Spring Release Weekend happens May 7-8 throughout the Walla Walla area. The Valley’s winemakers will be on hand to introduce new wines and share the creative winemaking process. For more information call the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance at (509) 526-3117 or visit www.wallawallawine.com.
• The town of Manson on Lake Chelan holds its annual Manson Apple Blossom Festival May 12-15. The event features a carnival, pageant, apple-eating contest, quilt show, fun run and a craft and food fair. A car and Harley show and a rock and mineral show also are part of the event. Call (509) 687-3111 or go to www.cometothelake.com for more information.
• The Coulee City Last Stand Rodeo – May 27-29 – gets your summer started off right with the Last Stand Bull-A-Rama, Cowboy Breakfast, Cow Pie Jog, parade, rodeo, steer roping and much more! Go to www.couleecity.com for more information.
• Tour the constellations and become an expert backyard stargazer with a visit to the Goldendale Observatory now through September. The Summer Evening Program runs Wednesday through Sunday, 2-5 p.m., and 8 p.m. to midnight. Go to www.perr.com/gosp.html for more information or call (509) 773-3141.
• The North Idaho Timberfest is held in Sandpoint, Idaho, at the Bonner County Fairgrounds on June 4. One of the region’s largest celebrations of timber industry and culture, it features timber-sports events, logging and truck contests, and the Snagfaller’s Ball. Check out www.sandpoint.org/timberfest/ or call (208) 263-1288 for more information.
• The annual Leavenworth Wine Walk is held June 4-5. Stroll through this Bavarian town while sipping wine from premier Northwest wineries and visit the many shops and art galleries along the way. Call (509) 548-5807 or go to www.leavenworth.org for more information.
• The Second Annual Washington Waterfowl Festival takes place June 4-5 at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Kennewick. A shooting exhibition, duck decoy carving, art exhibits, food vendors and a kids’ activity area, including a BB shooting range, and duck decoy painting are just some of the activities. Call (509) 628-3110 or go to www.waterfowlfestival.org to find out more.
• If you like big, dirty trucks check out the Tough Trucks and Mudd Boggs Drag Races in Lake Chelan June 11-12. The event features side-by-side mud drag races, an off-road course race, motorcycle races, ATV races and truck tug-o-war. Meet the drivers after the race. Call (509) 687-8212 or go to www.ncweventcalendar.com for more information.
• Saturday June 25 – The Sunshine and Wine Festival at the fairgrounds in Yakima features food from local restaurants and dozens of Yakima Valley wineries. Call (509) 248-7160 or visit www.sunshineandwine.com.
• The annual Apple Run Car Show happens in Wenatchee June 25-26 at Confluence State Park. More than 300 pre-1971 rods and classic cars of all types are featured, along with food and art booths and live music. Call (509) 884-7053 or go to www.ncweventcalendar.com for more information.
• Bayview Daze in Bayview, Idaho, takes place July 1-3. There’s a parade Saturday morning at 11 and fireworks Saturday night at 10 p.m. after a lighted boat parade. An arts and crafts street fair runs all three days. Call (208) 683-2963 or visit www.bayviewidaho.org for more information.
• Smokiam Days in Soap Lake is a one-day festival commemorating the 4th of July on the 3rd of July because … well, it’s more convenient! Check out the great fireworks show in one of Washington’s unique towns. Call the chamber at (509) 246-1821 or visit www.soaplakecoc.org.
• The Chewelah Chataqua Arts and Crafts Fair takes place in the Chewelah City Park July 7-10. The event features food booths, a beer garden, dozens of artists, a fun run, golf tournament, parade, carnival, live music, climbing wall and a three-day square-dance festival. Call (509) 935-8991 or go to www.chewelah.org for more information.
• The Royal City SummerFest happens July 8-9 and features a talent show, barbecue, community parade and other fun events in the city’s park. Call (509) 346-2854 for more information.
• Ritzville gets Bluesy on Saturday July 9 with the Ritzville Blues Festival in downtown Ritzville from noon until midnight. Call (509) 659-1936 or go to www.ritzvilleblues.com for a complete lineup of entertainers.
• The Sandpoint Wooden Boat Festival happens July 16-17. The event features classic wooden boats and a classic car show, sand sculpture contests and more at the Old Power House and the Sandpoint City Boardwalk. Call (208) 255-1876 or visit www.sandpointonline.com for more details.
• Moses Lake is host to the Grant County Fair Aug. 16-20 at the Grant County Fairgrounds. One of the best fairs around with all the good stuff you need for a fair – food, music, rides and livestock. Go to www.grantcountyfair.com for more information.
• Aug. 19-21 is the three-day Huckleberry/Heritage Festival in Wallace, Idaho, and it isn’t to be missed. Craft vendors on the lawn of the NP Depot Museum, entertainment at the gazebo, hands-on displays, the annual 5K run and the huckleberry bake-off round out the activities. Call (208) 753-7151 or go to www.wallaceidahochamber.com for more information.
• The Pullman National Lentil Festival takes place Aug. 19-20 throughout downtown Pullman. The festival features food, music and arts and crafts – all celebrating the lentil. Call (800) 365-6948 or visit www.lentilfest.com to find out more.
• Aug. 26-28 is the Deer Park Fair. The County Fair features livestock, 4-H shows, crafts, vendors, booths, exhibits, the Tri-County Association of the Arts and the Pee Wee Rodeo. Area youth also are featured in 24 events. Call (509) 276-2444 or check www.deerparkchamber.com for more information.