Call them seeds, pulses, legumes or the name known throughout the Palouse: lentils! These versatile, nutritious agricultural gems are the star of a two-day festival back in person this year with cooking demos, kids’ crafts, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and live music both days, like country music star Tyler Rich, who takes the stage at 2:30 pm on Saturday. Of course there’s food, including this year’s lentil cookoff — the 2020 lentil recipes are available for download from the festival website for free! And if you need another reason to attend, know that proceeds benefit a slew of local organizations, which means you’re helping grow the community by just showing up.
National Lentil Festival • Fri, Aug. 19 from 5-11 pm and Sat, Aug. 20 from 11 am-5 pm • Free • All ages • Spring St. and Reaney Park, Pullman • lentilfest.com • 509-334-3565