Category Archives: Weekend Picks

Mom & Me at the Zoo
SAT Mom’s admission half off, plus kids’ activities & entertainment at the Woodland Park Zoo. Map
(www.zoo.org)

Seattle Maritime Festival
SAT World’s biggest tugboat race, Coast Guard, fireboat demonstrations, kids’ activities and a chowder cook-off. Waterfront Park and Piers 59-86 along the Seattle Waterfront.
(www.seattlepropellerclub.org)

Mother’s Day Social presented by the Bellevue Botanical Garden
SUN Celebration of the opening day of the rhododendron glen and fern grotto with music and refreshments at Bellevue Botanical Garden. Map
(www.bellevuebotanical.org)

Mother’s Day at the Arboretum
FRI-SUN Enjoy the blooms as well as kids’ activities and free photos at the Washington Park Arboretum. Map
(www.arboretumfoundation.org)

Pacific Science Center Parents Night Out: “Splash of Color.”
SAT combine Art and Science for a dazzling and colourful evening! Watch the Monster Sound live science show, create your own stained glass, and take home your very own ring dye or screen print t-shirt! Map
(www.pacificsciencecenter.org)

Master Gardener Plant Sale & Learning Fair
SAT-SUN Plant marketplace, veggies, annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees plus seminars, garden art and more at the Center for Urban Horticulture in Seattle. Map
(www.kingcountymg.org)

Buds & Blooms Spring Garden Tour
SAT-SUN Family activities with live music and storytelling plus demonstrations, food, guest speakers and gardens in Federal Way.
(www.budsandbloomstour.org)

Farmers Markets opening this weekend
o SAT Federal Way Farmers Market
o SUN Lake Forest Park Farmers Market

Taco Truck Challenge
SAT Live music, street tacos, beer garden and more at Volunteer Park Map
(www.1077theend.com)

Puyallup RV Show
THURS-SUN Special RV show pricing, factory incentives and great financing at the Puyallup Fair & Events Center. Map
(www.puyalluprvshow.com)

Eastside Fuchsia Society Plant Sale at Bellevue Botanical Gardens
FRI-SUN Award winning Fuchsia starts on sale by local hobbyists at Bellevue Botanical Gardens Map
(www.bellevuebotanical.org)

Opening Day of Boating Season
SAT Crew races, decorated boat parade, Navy Band concert on the Montlake Cut in Seattle. Map
(www.seattleyachtclub.org)

Seattle Theater Group Season Launch Celebration
FRI-SUN The Seattle Theatre Group celebrates launch of the upcoming 2012-2013 season at community block party with music, dance, visual performance and demonstration, arts and crafts, food, celebrating the arts and culture of Seattle at the Paramount Theatre. Map
(www.stgpresents.org)

LaConner Garden Day Art Festival
SAT-SUN Flora/Fauna exhibit at Civic Garden Club building, art demonstrations, gallery art sales, plant vendors, music, wine tasting in downtown La Conner, WA. Map
(www.laconnerchamber.com)

Piegrogi Festival
SAT Celebrating Polish food and cultural traditions with several kinds of Pierogi, beer garden, Polish folk music, food vendors at the Polish Cultural Center in Seattle. Map
(www.polishhome.org)

Festival for May at Camlann Medieval Villiage
SAT-SUN Medieval maypole dancing, longbow archery, games, minstrels, blacksmithing, candlemaking, Maypole dance and May Queen at Camlann Medieval Village in Carnation. Directions
(www.camlann.org)

Farmers Markets opening this weekend
o SAT Redmond Farmers Market
o SAT Woodinville Farmers Market

Evergreen Recreation and Sportsmen Expo
SAT-SUN Recreational exhibits, gardening, camping, mountain bikes, trail info, Kids’ free fishing pond and Sky Valley BBQ Championship at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe. Directions
(www.evergreenfair.org)

Seattle Cinerama Science Fiction Film Festival
Thru May 2 Classic Science Fiction films on the big screen, displays from the Paul Allen collection. Schedule Map
(seattlecinerama.com)

World Rythm Festival
FRI-SUN Drum, dance, listen and learn in more than 100 performances and workshops with music of Africa, Asia, Cuba, Brazil, India, America, Middle East and more for youth and adults at Seattle Center. Map
(www.swps.org)

Street Scramble – Columbia City
FRI-SUN Fun for families, runners, cyclists, and anyone who likes to explore. Awards and refreshments at the finish. FAQ Map
(www.streetscramble.com)

Dirty Dan Days Seafood Festival
SUN Historic Fairhaven District celebrates its eclectic founder, featuring the world’s only uphill piano race, live music, games, rowing race, Chuckanut Chowder Cook-off with 15 local restaurant chefs with public tastings at Fairhaven Village Green in Bellingham. Map
(www.fairhaven.com)

Next50 Opening Day- Seattle Center 50th Anniversary Celebration
SAT Opening day ceremonies with John Keister and the cast of
Almost Live!, Tom Skerritt, a host of choirs, bands and
more followed by food, beer garden, live music, Skatepark demonstrations and a zip line. At the Seattle Center. Map
(www.seattlecenter.com)

Seattle Cinerama Science Fiction Film Festival
Thru May 2 Classic Science Fiction films on the big screen, displays from the Paul Allen collection. Schedule Map
(seattlecinerama.com)

Puyallup Spring Fair
THURS-SUN Rides, entertainment, animal exhibits, food, rodeo, Monster Truck show, garden show and more at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. Map
(www.thefair.com)

Chinese Floral Art Exhibition
FRI-SUN Hua Yuan Chinese Floral Art Exhibition – Bellevue Botanical Gardens Map
(www.bellevuebotanical.org)

Pacific Science Center Parents Night Out: Bubble Bash
SAT We will start with a very exciting Bubbles live science show! We will also experiment with giant bubbles, create a crystal ball bubble using dry ice, and will explore what happens when you combine bubbles and a van de graaf generator! Map
(www.pacificsciencecenter.org)

Bothell Country Villiage Fuchsia and Dahlia Tuber Sale
SAT-SUN Hosted by the Sno-King Fuchsia Society and the Seattle Dahlia Society in perfect time to get those fuchsia baskets started and dahlias planted for summer color! Call 425-483-2250 for information. Map
(www.countryvillagebothell.com)

Marine Mammal Mania: Harbor Seals
FRI-SUN Learn about the furry inhabitants of the Aquarium. Special talks and demonstrations, guest speakers and hands-on activities. Map
(www.seattleaquarium.org)

Farmers Markets opening this weekend
SAT Issaquah Farmers Market
SUN Broadway Farmers Market

Everett Home and Garden Show
FRI-SUN Home building and remodeling ideas, vendors and information for your home, garden and yard at Comcast Arena. Map
(www.everetthomegardenshow.com)

LaConner Tulip Parade
SAT Part of the Tulip Festival, a “not-so-impromptu” tulip parade through downtown LaConner. Map
(www.laconnerchamber.com)

Mount Vernon Street Fair
FRI-SUN Part of the Tulip Festival with arts & crafts, entertainment and food in downtown Mount Vernon. Map
(http://www.mountvernondowntown.org/)

Daffodil Festival Grand Floral Parade
SAT Floats adorned with thousands of daffodils on parade through Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner and Orting.
(www.daffodilfestival.net)

Fred Meyer Fuchsia Saturday
SAT Special price on fuchsia starts with free potting at Fred Meyer
(www.fredmeyer.com)

Gillman Village Issaquah Easter Eggstravaganza
SAT Treats for kids and photos with Easter Bunny
(www.gilmanvillage.com)

Sammamish YMCA Eggstravaganza
SAT Egg hunt, Easter Bunny and games
(www.seattleymca.org/Locations/Sammamish/Pages/Home.aspx)

Vasa Park Easter Egg Hunt
SAT 1000’s of eggs and prizes
(www.vasaparkresort.com)

City Of Redmond Eggstravaganza
SAT Egg hunt 10am, crafts, face painting games, Easter bunny photos (www.ci.redmond.wa.us)

Snohomish Easter Parade
SAT Easter bonnet contest, kids’ egg hunt and the only major Easter parade in the state. (www.cityofsnohomish.com)

Marine Mammal Mania!
FRI-SUN Sea Otters. learn about the furry inhabitants of the Aquarium with hands-on activities for kids, special talks and demonstrations(http://www.seattleaquarium.org )

Racing Season Opener at Evergreen Speedway
SUN Fireworks, Demolition Derby, Mr. Dizzy Map
(www.evergreenspeedway.com)

Puget Sound Dahlia Association tuber sale at Bellevue Botanical Gardens
SAT Exhibition quality Dahlias on sale by local hobbyists at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens Map
(www.pugetsounddahlias.org)

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
SUN Thru April 30 Tulip and Daffodil fields in bloom around Mt. Vernon and LaConner in Skagit County. Directions and parking
(www.tulipfestival.org)

Planning your Tulip Festival trip: Before you leave, bookmark or print the field map. Take I-5 north towards Bellingham. Just past Mt. Vernon take exit 230 or exit 231 and turn left. Follow the field map to drive by the tulip and daffodil fields. Some fields allow self guided walking tours. Be careful to park legally. There are also several farms that charge a few dollars admission. These places have demonstration fields with many colors as well as amenities like restrooms, food vendors and gift shops. The two biggest are Tulip Town and Roozengaarde. The locations of these are also shown on the field map. Note: farm roads were not designed to handle heavy traffic. I recommend planning to arrive early to avoid jams.

Taste Washington
SAT-SUN Wine tasting from from more than 200 local wineries plus food from local restaurants at CenturyLink Field Event Center. Map
(tastewashington.org)

Washington Cask Beer Festival
SAT Handcrafted cask-conditioned beers from innovative regional breweries, admission includes a commemorative tasting cup and tastes at the Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion Map
(www.washingtonbeer.com)

Emerald City COMICON
FRI-SUN The Premier comic book & pop culture convention in the Pacific NW since 2003. Artists, celebrities and hundreds of booths at the Washington State Convention Center. Map
(www.emeraldcitycomicon.com)

Best of the Northwest
FRI-SUN Spring Art & Fine Craft show featuring local artisans at Magnuson Park. Map
(www.nwartalliance.com)

Cherry Blossom Viewing

Cherry blossom viewing or “hanami,” is a tradition in Japanese culture. As Japanese people began immigrating to the United States during the latter part of the 1800’s, they would plant cherry trees wherever they lived. in 1976 the Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Miki gifted Seattle with 1,000 Japanese cherry blossom trees to celebrate the country’s bicentennial. These trees were planted along Lake Washington Boulevard and Seward Park, and the Seattle area has many additional Japanese cherry trees in numerous public and private spaces.

Location for great hanami in the Seattle area: Lake Washington Boulevard, The Seattle Center, the Arboretum, the Japanese Garden, the University of Washington, Seward Park, Woodland Park, and the Seattle Buddhist Church Wysteria Plaza.

Home Remodeling Expo
FRI-SUN Experts showcase everything for the home including cabinetry, flooring, additions, basements, energy efficiency and more at the Washington State Convention Center. Directions and Parking
(www.homeshowcenter.com)

FIRST Robotics Competition
FRI-SUN Students from 80 area high schools compete for honors and recognition that reward design excellence at CenturyLink Event Center. Directions
(www.firstwa.org)

Taste of Norway Heritage Festival
SAT Traditional Norwegian food, crafts, music, dance, genealogy, children’s activities, vendors in Ballard. Map
(http://www.leiferiksonlodge.com)

Street Scramble – U District
FRI-SUN Fun for families, runners, cyclists, and anyone who likes to explore. Awards and refreshments at the finish. FAQ
(www.streetscramble.com)

Vegfest
SAT-SUN Vegetarian food festival with cooking demos, samples, book sale and kids’ activities at Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. Directions
(www.vegofwa.org)

Pacific Science Center Parents Night Out: Constellation Detectives.”
SAT Join us for a night under the “stars” during our own private planetarium show. Learn about the stars by constructing your own constellation finder, and take an exploration into space by creating your very own rocket! Map
(www.pacificsciencecenter.org)

Port Townsend Victorian Festival
THU-SAT Victorian Grand Ball, historical theatrics, living history re-enactments, historic home tour, sponsored by the Victorian Society in America-Northwest. Downtown Port Townsend Map
(www.victorianfestival.org)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
SAT The Parade travels north on 4th Ave to the Reviewing Stand at Westlake Park and ends at the Seattle Center. (www.irishclub.org)

Irish Festival
SAT-SUN Irish & Celtic products, singing, dancing, children’s activities and more at Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. Map
(http://irishclub.org)

St. Patrick’s Day Dash
SAT Leprechaun Lap for ages and younger and parents, 8 a.m.; racers, 8:30 a.m.; runners/joggers, 8:40 a.m.; walkers, 9 a.m., all nearly 4 miles, prizes for best costumes; no dogs, scooters, blades or bikes allowed; Post Dash Bash music, Irish dancers, beer garden at Seattle Center.
(http://stpatsdash.com)

Ballard St. Patrick’s Day Festival
FRI-SUN Family friendly celebration of the history and legacy of Ireland and Saint Patrick’s Day and its influence on America with food, full bar, entertainment including the Boys of Greenwood Glen, dance lessons and the National Scottish Fiddle Champion at Ballard Odd Fellows Hall. Map

St. Patrick’s Day at Point Defiance Zoo
SAT Special green enrichment treats and festive toys for the animals. Map
(www.pdza.org)

Greater Seattle Toy Show
SAT Vendors with toys of all types, emphasis on vehicle toys at Kent Commons. Map
(www.oldride.com)

Doll, Teddy Bear & Antique Show
FRI-SUN Commercial exhibit and sale of antique to modern dolls, bears, supplies, clothing, jewelry at Puyallup Fair and Events Center. Map (www.dolls4all.com)

Daylight Savings Time begins
SUN A reminder to set your clocks ahead one hour on Sunday.

Snohomish Wine Festival
SAT The Festival will showcase 19 wineries from Oregon and Washington and will include many of the Snohomish area wineries. Guests will receive a commemorative wine glass, wine tastings, appetizers from local area restaurants and caterers, and entertainment by Back Porch Blues Unplugged and Bubbles & Fog at A Manor of Wine. Map
(www.snohomishwinefestival.com)

Seattle International Bicycle Expo
SAT-SUN Cascade Bicycle Club event celebrating cycling with largest consumer bicycle show in the United States! Expect more than 300 exhibits of bikes, gear, travel, health and fitness. Directions & Parking
(www.cascade.org)

Blitz Battles MS Pub Crawl
SAT 3PM Seahawks mascot, Blitz, is hosting his 3rd annual pub crawl in Belltown on Saturday to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis.

Seattle Kennel Club Dog Show
SAT-SUN Over 2400 dogs compete in categories including appearance, obediance and agility at CenturyLink Field Event Center Directions
(www.seattledogshow.org)

Children’s Story Program at the Elisabeth C. Miller Library
SAT 10:30AM – Programs are presented one Saturday a month for children ages 3 to 8 and their families. All ages are welcome. Map
(depts.washington.edu/hortlib/index.shtml)

Tacoma Remodeling Expo
FRI-SUN Explore hundreds of exhibits on remodeling kitchens, baths, outdoor spaces and more at the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center. Directions & Parking
(homeshowcenter.com)

Tacoma RV Show
THURS-SUN If you love RV’s, then you cannot afford to miss the Tacoma RV Show, the first RV event of the year at the Tacoma Dome. Bing Directions
(www.otshows.com)

International Gem & Jewelry Show
FRI-SUN Diamonds, silver, gold, necklaces, estate jewelry, watches and more at Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. Map
(www.intergem.com)