Edgewater to pay tribute to its famous 1964 guests
Today we pay tribute to Seattle’s Edgewater Hotel, stalwart champion of Liverpudlian rights since 1964.
That year, the Fab Four mounted their assault on the Emerald City, launching the Seattle leg of their first world tour.
Like Mary and Joseph before them, John, Paul, George and Ringo found no room at the inn. Perhaps put off by the mop-tops and those radical collarless suits, a number of local hostelries refused to put them up.
So the band was all set to bed down in the cowshed. And then (drum roll, please) the mighty Edgewater stepped in.
As is so often the case, standing by one’s principles comes with a price. To wit:
In order to restrain crazed, hysterical fans, the hotel had to have fencing installed. To make matters worse, some determined disciples attempted to swim across Elliott Bay.
If you were a part of this homegrown circus, I hope you’re embarrassed now.
As the final strains of “Love Me Do” faded into the night, the Beatles rushed back to the Edgewater via ambulance. Decoys in taxis created a diversion. (What a great job that must have been. But the pop star stand-in industry doesn’t offer much of a future.)
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, those wacky teen idols fished out the window of their suite.
This historical event leads directly to Edgewater’s room 272, which today dresses out at $1,050 per night in season.
But the Beatles Suite, as it’s called, will come without that price tag for the winner of the Beatles lookalike contest Aug. 21 as part of the hotel’s 45th anniversary celebration.
The day’s festivities also include a four-course dinner, live music from cover band Crème Tangerine, and cleverly named cocktails like the Yellow Sub-Martini and Magical Mystery Mojito.
Learn more or make reservations at edgewaterhotel.com or (800) 624-0670.
A berry good time
He’s back!
My adorable Barry Cranberry hosts the 16th Annual Cranberry Harvest Festival, Oct. 10 and 11.
Appropriately enough, he’s put the celebration together in Grayland, on Washington’s Cranberry Coast.
Here’s what’s on the docket: cranberry bog tours, a cranberry cook-off, the cranberry marketplace, a big berry contest, quilt show, cranberry harvest festival breakfast, photo contest and the cranberry eating contest, of course.
This might be the best part: For 25 cents a nibble, Bite of the Beach will serve you more cranberry treats that you can shake a stick at.
Barry sure knows how to throw a party.
He bids you to visit him online at 2thebeach.org. Or he’ll take your calls at (800) 473-6018.
Regional events
•Poplar Indian Days, Sept. 3-6, Poplar, Mont. This powwow features the usual: dancing, food, crafts and “fellowship with one another.” (visitmt.com/406-768-7623)
•The Art of Being Present, Sept. 4-7, Detroit, Ore. In this workshop, Breitenbush Hot Springs brings you the “Nine Principles of Harmony,” along with “rhythmic movement sequences.” You’ll be relieved to learn these are received fully clothed. (breitenbush.com/503-854-3320)