David's Picks

Edmonds Waterfront Festival
FRI-SUN Family festival, 2 stages of entertainment, arts, crafts and food vendors, kids’ activities and rides, beer garden with dancing, classic yacht show, free shuttle bus throughout Edmonds, Willow Creek fish hatchery free trout fishing for kids. Map
(www.edmondswaterfrontfestival.com)

Seattle Science Festival Expo Day
SAT FREE event with family-friendly hands-on experiments, exhibits, demonstrations, interactive activities, games and live performances. With over 130 exhibitors and two live science stages, there is something for the whole family to enjoy. Map
(www.seattlesciencefestival.org)

Emerald City Reptile Expo 2012
SAT-SUN A celebration of all things reptilian including adoptions fair, education, vendors and information about owning and caring for reptiles at Seattle Center. Map
(www.emeraldcityreptileexpo.com)

Robothon 2012
FRI-SUN Free events this year will include Robo-Magellan, Line Following, Maze, and Minisumo at Seattle Center. Map
(www.robothon.org)

LeMay Car Museum Grand Opening
FRI-SAT Preserving automotive history with display of 500 cars, trucks and motorcycles. Official opening ceremony and outdoor car show on Sat. Map
(www.lemaymuseum.org)

Anacortes Waterfront Festival
SAT-SUN Family-friendly festival celebrates Anacortes’s maritime heritage with free boat rides, live entertainment, car show and swap meet in downtown Anacortes. Map
(www.anacortes.org)

Farmers Markets opening this weekend
o FRI Phinney Farmers Market
o FRI Bothell Farmers Market
o SAT Kent Farmers Market
o SAT Bellevue Farmers Market
o SAT Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market

Memorial Day Monday, May 28

Northwest Folklife Festival
FRI-MON Ethnic music and dance, visual arts, folklore, children’s activities, food, crafts and funky fun at Seattle Center. If you like street musicians this is the festival for you. Free Admission. Map
(www.folklife.org)

Seattle International Film Festival
THRU June 10 Runs for three weeks and features a diverse assortment of predominantly independent and foreign films and documentaries. SIFF is one of the largest film festivals in the world. Venues
(www.siff.net)

World War II Bomber Tours
WED-MON Tour the B17 Bomber “Aluminum Overcast” at the Museum of Flight. Map
(http://www.b17.org/)

Demolition Derby and Fireworks
SUN Demolition Derby, Fireworks, school bus races and more at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe. Map
(www.evergreenspeedway.com)

Hydro Fever
SAT Celebration of the museum’s anniversary with model hydro racing for kids and other memorabilia at the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum in Kent. Map
(www.thunderboats.org)

Edmonds Jazz Connection
SAT Continuous performances by student jazz groups at various locations in Edmonds Map
(www.jazzconnection.org)

Kitsap Harbor Festival
SAT-SUN Tall ships, classic car show, Seagull Calling Festival, sailing regatta, entertainment and more along the waterfront in Bremerton and Port Orchard. Directions
(www.kitsapharborfestival.com)

Hood Canal ShrimpFest
SAT-SUN Craft and food vendors, belt sander races, exhibits, entertainment, children’s activities in Brinnon. Map
(www.emeraldtowns.org)

Street Scramble – Gig Harbor
SAT Fun for families, runners, cyclists, and anyone who likes to explore. Awards and refreshments at the finish. FAQ
(www.streetscramble.com)

University District Street Fair
SAT-SUN More than 300 local arts & crafts vendors, food, street performers, music, kids’ play area and more. Directions
(www.udistrictchamber.org)

Paine Field Aviation Day
SAT Aircraft displays, historic warbirds, kids activities, helicoptor rides Directions
(www.painefield.com)

Seattle Cheese Festival
FRI-SUN Taste and learn more about artisan cheese through various activities at Pike Place Market. Map
(www.seattlecheesefestival.com)

Seattle International Film Festival
THRU June 10 Runs for three weeks and features a diverse assortment of predominantly independent and foreign films and documentaries. SIFF is one of the largest film festivals in the world. Venues
(www.siff.net)

Auburn Petpalooza
SAT An event for pet lovers with live entertainment, Seattle Flydogs demos, pony rides, kids petting zoo, over 150 vendor booths, giveaways and lots of activities to keep both humans and pets entertained. Map
(www.auburnwa.gov)

Port Townsend Rhody Festival
FRI-SAT Craft fair, flower show and carnival in picturesque Port Townsend. From Seattle metro area take the Kingston Ferry at Edmonds and head north on Hwy 104. Map
(www.rhodyfestival.org)

Sequim Irrigation Festival
SAT-SUN Craft fair, car show and events for the entire family in historic Sequim. Oldest continuously running festival in Washington State. Map
(irrigationfestival.com)

Poulsbo Viking Fest
FRI-SUN Annual parade, Viking Village, carnival, food and crafts in Poulsbo. Map
(www.vikingfest.org)

Bremerton Armed Forces Day Parade
SAT Annual parade honoring our military with flag corps, marching bands and drill teams in downtown Bremerton. Pancake breakfast before the parade and bbq after. Map
(www.bremertonchamber.org)

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.