7 Wonderful Washington Food Festivals
Home to America’s largest coffee chain, incredible natural beauty and a few of the most popular cities in the country, Washington is just one of those places you have to see to believe. And while you should definitely spend some time exploring the volcanoes, beaches and mountain ranges, you should also add some of these delightful Washington food festivals to your Evergreen State bucket list.
Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival
Port Angeles
The Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival in Port Angeles is one of the most celebrated festivals in the country. You may think this is an event that exclusively honors all things aquaculture, but there’s so much more to it than that. Visitors can celebrate the long-standing maritime traditions of the Olympic Peninsula as they enjoy scenic waterfront views, listen to live musical entertainment, participate in a variety of fun activities and savor the delicious and ever-popular Dungeness Crab. Fun fact: the Dungeness Crab was actually named after a nearby village in the area.
See more: What’s In Season? Washington Produce Calendar
Cider Swig
Gig Harbor
If Gig Harbor wasn’t already charming enough with its breathtaking views of the water and mountains, now you can enjoy the scenery with a tall glass of cider hand. Cider Swig brings together a variety of regional ciders for guests to sample while enjoying live musical entertainment. There are so many delicious “curbside” dishes by area chefs that you’ll likely have a hard time deciding what to eat first. There’s even an annual “Battle of the Pie” contest, which should definitely be at the top of your to-do list.
Wenatchee River Salmon Festival
Leavenworth
The Wenatchee River runs more than 50 miles through the state of Washington – and when fall rolls around, it’s the place where you can see thousands of salmon returning home. That’s one of the many reasons the Wenatchee River Salmon Festival has become a special and iconic event. Held at the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, this festival offers everything from activities and crafts to outdoor recreation and a fascinating history lesson on salmon and its impact on the area. You can also enjoy a Native American tribal village with drumming and dancing exhibitions, traditional games and a salmon bake that’s sure to leave you wanting more.
National Lentil Festival
Pullman
There are all kinds of food festivals across the country, but who’s ever heard about one dedicated to lentils? The people of Pullman, that’s who! This city is tucked along the eastern border of Washington and northern Idaho, which is famous for growing approximately a quarter of the lentils in the United States. If that isn’t worth celebrating, we don’t know what is.
Vegetarians and meat lovers alike can find something delicious and entertaining to enjoy at the National Lentil Festival. Previous winners of the lentil cook-off competition have crafted everything from gnocchi to chorizo dishes. And everyone can participate in festival activities like the 5K, golf tournament, cooking demonstrations and so much more.
See more: Washington’s Top 10 Ag Products (Infographic)
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Pacific Northwest Mushroom Festival
Lacey
If you’re looking for a way to break up some of those long summer days, a mushroom festival might be just what the doctor ordered. Since 2008, the Pacific Northwest Mushroom Festival has worked to educate the public on the health and agritourism benefits mushrooms contribute to the region. With live entertainment, celebrity chefs, a multitude of vendors and artisans, and plenty of activities for the whole family, this is definitely one annual event worth attending.
Oysterfest
Shelton
The commercial oyster industry in Washington got its start in 1851, and today you can find all the major edible species right here in the state. With that in mind, it only makes sense that Oysterfest would be dubbed Washington’s official seafood festival. Each October, you will find locals and tourists flocking to Shelton to enjoy the West Coast Oyster Shucking Championships. The festival also features a delightful array of microbrews, dozens of delicious seafood dishes fresh from the ocean, and plenty of events and entertainment activities to satisfy the whole family.
See more: Oysters Rockefeller
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Kirkland Uncorked
Kirkland
For all the wine connoisseurs in the Evergreen State, Kirkland Uncorked is the celebration to top all other wine events. This weekend festival celebrates everything that Washington wineries have to offer. You can spend a leisurely afternoon in the tasting garden sampling whites, reds and everything in between. There’s also live music, a weekend grill-off and a street fair featuring food trucks, a market and a boat show.