Eight Community Days

by Ann M. Colford


Prospector Days (June 11-13, downtown Republic, Wash.) -- The Ferry County seat began civic life as a mining boom town called Eureka. The town has been through a lot since then, but this weekend is a tribute to Republic's mining past. Arts and crafts, a pancake feed and dozens of fun events fill Main Street and the city park with revelers.





Cashmere Founders Days (June 25-27, downtown Cashmere, Wash.) -- Visualize 5,000 ping-pong balls raining from the sky, and you'll see the small town fun in store at Cashmere's Founders Days celebration. A grand parade with floats from across the state is the highlight for this year's event, commemorating the town's 100th birthday.





Pend Oreille Valley Lavender Festival (July 10-11, Cusick, Wash.) -- A field full of lavender in full bloom is a feast for the senses, and the folks at LeClerc Creek Lavender Farm will host a weekend celebration of the plant's traditional and not-so-traditional uses. Enjoy art, music and food, along with a little education, amid the scented fields.





Sweet Onion Festival (July 17, Walla Walla County Fairgrounds) -- Just the thought of it brings tears to the eyes -- a day-long festival dedicated to the delectable Walla Walla Sweet Onion. Chef Joan shares techniques for working with the sweet lily bulbs, and Spokane blues band Loose Cannon headlines the music bill. There's even lawn bowling with -- what else? -- sweet onions.





Noah Kellogg Days (July 24-25, Kellogg, Idaho) -- According to local lore, Noah Kellogg discovered a vein of galena ore while searching for his lost mule on a remote hillside. Actually, the legend credits the mule with spotting the ore, leading to claims that the town was founded by a jackass. Fact or fiction, it's a fine reason to celebrate Kellogg's long tradition of mining.





Raspberry Festival (Aug. 1, Cottonwood, Idaho) -- Visitors converge on the the Historical Museum of St. Gertrude and monastery to celebrate the glories of the humble red berry of summer. Jam, vinegar and the festival's famous raspberry shortcake are just the beginning; artists, quilters, musicians and clowns keep the atmosphere lively.





National Lentil Festival (Aug. 20-21, Pullman, Wash.) -- The world's largest bowl of chili tops the attractions at this annual event honoring one of the major crops of the Palouse. Join the community tasting at the National Lentil Cookoff and Lions Club Lentil Pancake Breakfast on Saturday. Music, arts and games keep everyone happy between lentil-filled snacks.





Affair on Main Street (Sept. 4-5, Main Street, Metaline Falls, Wash.) -- Sounds like a B-movie title, but this event celebrates life in Metaline Falls with dancers, street performers and plenty of arts and crafts. The UCC Church hosts a breakfast Saturday morning, and the North Pend Oreille Valley Lions Excursion Train rides from Metaline Falls to Ione will be in full swing.





Publication date: 06/10/04