Mountain View
Maria Shimizu Christensen
The Stamp and Scrapbook Expo Is This Weekend
While scrapbooking isn’t the industry giant it once was – generating 2.5 billion in revenue yearly in the early 2000s – it isn’t dead, as some like to claim. The business side of things has changed, but it is still a substantial hobby and passion project for legions of people, even if some of the tools, techniques and technologies have evolved.
Hipcamp Is Airbnb for Campers
Reservations for camping at Washington State Parks and other campgrounds are filling up fast as people anticipate a summer of few or no pandemic restrictions. A lot of people want to do the traveling that they didn’t do for a couple of years, and that includes visiting the great outdoors.
Kids Can Operate Heavy Machinery on Dozer Day
Dozer Day may be one of the most unique, hands-on, family-friendly events around. It’s no secret that kids love big trucks and construction zones, and this is the only place where they can spend a whole day both watching and operating them.
The Sequim Irrigation Festival Runs for Two Weekends
Other towns and cities claim to have the oldest festival in Washington state, but Sequim’s claim is very specific. They say that next year, after 127 years of annual festivities, the Sequim Irrigation Festival will be “Washington state's oldest, longest continuing running festival.” After all this time, they know what they’re doing.
Three Cultural Festivals for May in Seattle
Image from Syttende Mai website, artwork by Maya Jackson. By the time May rolls around in Seattle we’re ready to shake the lingering winter blues and find things to do that remind us summer is near, no matter how much rain the spring season brought us. Festivals start popping up all over the Puget Sound region and it’s nearly impossible to find a weekend that doesn’t have something fun going on.
The B-52s Farewell Tour Kicks Off in Seattle
45 years after playing their very first gig in 1977, the B-52s are calling it quits. At least, on the touring front. The band isn’t officially breaking up but they’re tired of touring and it’s hard to find fault with that considering the longevity of the band.
Seattle Scotch and Beer Fest This Weekend
If you don’t mind making last minute plans, the Seattle Scotch and Beer Fest is an event worthy of a little spontaneity. The highly popular festival is a two-day affair dedicated to craft beers, Scotch and Irish Whiskey, and cocktails, and is a great opportunity to check out specialty distillers in the area, as well as some really top shelf liquors.
2 Free Parks Days Are Coming Up
Several times a year various parks around the state of Washington are free to visit, with no entry or parking fees. Two free days in April will open up nearly every park in the state between them. This is a great opportunity to visit a park you haven’t been to before or haven’t visited in a while.
Bring Cash to the Evergreen Spring Home Show
It’s the biggest home show in the North Sound area and it’s a bit old school. The Washington State Evergreen Spring Home Show takes place over three days, from April 22nd to April 24th, at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe.
There’s a Master Fishmonger in Edmonds
Mutual Fish, on Seattle’s Rainier Avenue, is considered by many, including celebrity chef Tom Douglas, to be the best fish market in Seattle. In business for 75 years – 57 years at its current location – the famed and innovative seafood purveyor has trained generations of fishmongers, including the owner of Kuzma’s Fish Market in Edmonds.
Bremerton’s Vintage Flea Market Is Worth a Day Trip
If vintage treasures, antiques, handmade and repurposed goods are your thing, Bremerton is home to a flea market that takes place every Saturday, all year long. More than 25 vendors hawk their wares in the full space of The Dusty Pug, a vintage store that’s open Wednesdays through Saturdays. They have a large space where the vendors are set up once a week.
19 Cent Dick’s Burgers Are Back With a Twist
Most years Dick’s Drive-In Restaurant celebrates it anniversary with a special sale of 19 cent burgers. The price is a throwback to the original price of a hamburger when the wildly popular local chain first opened its doors in Wallingford in 1954.
Camping for Oyster Lovers on Hood Canal
The oysters of Seal RockPhoto by Maria Shimizu Christensen. A dozen oysters in a prime Seattle restaurant can run you $40 and more per dozen, and if they’re from one of our regional oyster producers they’re worth it, many claim. But a short hop over to the Kitsap Peninsula and Hood Canal will take you to a paradise for oyster lovers who like camping and don’t mind employing a do-it-yourself mentality.
Washington State Parks Campgrounds Are Filling Up Fast
A map of the different camping regionsPicture from Washington State Parks. In a normal year it’s possible to book reservations during the month of March for a prime spot in a popular Washington State Park campground during the busy summer season. While plenty of people plan ahead and the absolute best spots are usually taken, there are always good spots left.
Workshops and Seminars at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival
Take full advantage of the cost of a ticket to the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival by taking part in a hands on workshop and attending how-to seminars. While it isn’t difficult to spend hours just wandering around the displays, there’s a lot more being offered to justify the time and expense of attending.
Discounted Tickets Available for the Upcoming Northwest Flower & Garden Festival
The annual Northwest Flower & Garden Festival isn’t the cheapest show of its kind, but it is among the very best. Better Homes & Gardens magazine named it the best flower and garden show in the country in 2020, and judging by the size of the crowds, people agree.
The Great Junk Hunt Coming to Monroe
Head on up to the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe this coming weekend for The Great Junk Hunt, but don’t forget to purchase your tickets in advance. Tickets will not be available for sale at the door and the only way to get them is online.
Winter at the Pike Place Market
The Pike Place Market is a tourist staple in Seattle, and deservedly so, but that also means its walkways are overflowing during the summer months. It can be a challenge to move through the crowds and get any shopping done. But, the market is open year-round – in fact, it’s only closed two days out of the year, on Thanksgiving and Christmas – so savvy locals know that the off season is prime time to shop the market.
Celebrate Lunar New Year at the Wing Luke Museum
February 1st marks the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar. The Wing Luke Museum in Seattle’s International District will be holding a celebration, but as with many things, it looks a little different this year.
Maria Shimizu Christensen
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Author of a Seattle handbook for newcomers, Maria provides news, guides, and tidbits for city dwellers, visitors, and day trippers
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