Festivals, Fairs and Events - Come Celebrate With Us

Hog Loppet Ski Trek
February 23, 2008

Hog Loppet is Swedish for "citizen's high country ski trek", and it's a good descriptor for this annual 21-mile cross-country ski trek from the top of Mission Ridge Ski area to Blewett Pass. Intermediate or better Nordic skiers will enjoy the camaraderie and the challenge along the generally level terrain with some ups and downs and a long descent into the Pass. For more information call 509-548-6217, or visit their web site.

Ridge 2 River Relay
April 12 & 19, 2008

The Ridge to River Relay is one of the nation's largest multi-sport events. Held on the second weekend in April, the six-leg relay race involves cross country skiing, downhill skiing or snowboarding, running, biking and kayaking or canoeing. Racers start at the top of Mission Ridge Ski Area, negotiate the Wenatchee river and finish on Wenatchee's waterfront. The Wenatchee World Jr. Ridge to River Relay, for kids, runs the next weekend, April 19. Visit the web site for more information.

Washington State Apple Blossom Festival
April 24- May 4, 2008

The Washington State Apple Blossom Festival is the oldest major Festival in the State. This two-week ‘ode to apple blossoms' includes a Youth Parade, the Grand Parade, the Classy Chassis Car Show & Parade, an arts & crafts fair, a food fair, a waterfront carnival, nightly music performances, an art show, a golf tournament, a fun run, a basketball tournament, a fiddle contest, the Mariachi Festival, Art for Kidz, a pancake breakfast, and much more. The Grand Parade is always the first Saturday in May and is the highlight of the festival, lasting for 2 1/2 hours. For more information and a complete list of events during the festival call 509-663-3616 or visit the web site.

The Classy Chassis Parade & Car Show
May 2- 3, 2008

Are you a motorhead? Then this is the event for you. Each year during the Apple Blossom Festival, car enthusiasts gather to display their cars with a parade and car show. Watch as classic, vintage and antique autos cruise down Grant Road in East Wenatchee. Then get up close and personal at the car show - where hundreds of beauties are shined and shown. While you're there, check out the food vendors. For information call 509-886-6108 or visit the web site.

Mariachi Northwest Festival
June 18-21, 2008

Celebrate Mexico's famously ebullient folk music with three days of celebrations including classes and lectures for musicians and dancers, a concert with local performers and performances by professional Mariachi musicians, dancers and stunt rope stylists from the United States and Mexico.

Andrew York Lineman Rodeo
June 21, 2008

See lineman from around the Northwest test their skills in competition at the Andrew York Lineman Rodeo. Other Activities At The Rodeo include:

Team and apprentice lineman categories, plus activities for the whole family on the beautifully landscaped grounds of Chelan County PUD's Rocky Reach Dam.

Wenatchee Valley Streed Rods Apple Run Car Show
June 27- 29, 2008

This is an annual event hosted by Wenatchee Valley Street Rod club that benefits the Central Washington Hospital Foundation. Money raised is used to sponsor education scholarships for local hospital employees. The show is held annually the last weekend of June at the beautiful Washington State Confluence Park along the Columbia and Wenatchee rivers. It is open to the public, 9:00-5:00 on Saturday and 9:00-2:00 on Sunday, to view 250-300 of the finest street rods from Washington, Oregon and Canada. Activities include show and shine, food vendors, and auto related custom booths.

The Chelan County Fair
September 4-7, 2008

This County Fair is one of the largest in north central Washington. For 52 years, valley residents and visitors have roamed the fairgrounds enjoying the thrill-rides at the carnival, watching the cowboys ride at the PWRA rodeo, listening to live music performances, and exploring the thousands of 4-H exhibits. And, of course, enjoying the myriad food options. The Fair even has a Sr. Citizen's Day and a Kid's Day with special entertainment. To find out more about the fair, visit the Chelan County web site in the Fair section.

Tour de Vine Bike and Wine Tour
September 6, 2008

This 30 or 60-mile scenic and leisurely bike tour meanders the back roads of the Wenatchee Valley, past rivers, wineries, orchards, fruit stands and an artisan bakery. Riders can stop and sample the finest Wenatchee has to offer in the fall. The end of the tour features a dinner, music, and wine tasting.
www.tourdevine.com
Call 509-663-0425 for more information.

Wenatchee Taste of the Harvest

September 20, 2008

2008 Wenatchee Taste of the Harvest is just around the corner. Mark your calendars now for this fun,
community celebration! Join us in celebrating the abundant local harvest and our rich agricultural heritage. It’s authentic Americana, incredible food, awardwinning wines and tons of activities & entertainment--all in the middle of our own “main street”--Wenatchee Avenue!

• Wine Tastng
• Incredible Food
• "Improv" Chef competition
• Fine Art Exhibition
• "Hurry Up and Wait" foot race
• Kids Activities
• Heritage Tractors, Farm Equipment and Antique Car Show
• Science Center
• Main Stage Live Entertainment
• Farmer's Market and Pie Baking Contest

Dam 2 Dam Thumbs Up! Bike Tour
September 27, 2008

Everyone is welcome, as riders of any ability accept this challenge for the ultimate cycling adventure with 25, 50, or 100 mile ride lengths. The course tours along the beautiful and rugged Columbia River from Rocky Reach to Wells Dam. In 2005, the Thumbs Up! Bike Tour benefits the Mike Utley Foundation. Ride with Mike, a former NFL player who was paralyzed during a game, as he and other hand cyclists challenge themselves to support a cure for spinal cord injuries. Call 800-294-4683 or visit the web site.

Wings and Wheels Festival
October 3-5, 2008

This family festival celebrates local heroes Clyde Pangborn and Hugh Herndon Jr. who, in their trusty airplane the' Miss Veedol', completed the first non-stop transpacific flight from Misawa Japan to East Wenatchee in 1931. Festivities include a classic car show, motorcycle parade and a show & shine, an airport fly-in, live entertainment with rock n" rolll band "Free Rain" from Seattle, "Nitro Dash for Cash" radio contraol car meet., kids activities,carnival, arts & crafts, pancake breakfast, poker walk, poker run and a food fair.Trophys go to the winners of the car show and the motorcycle show & shine with a drawing for fabulous Grand Prizes. Held annually the first weekend in October. For more information call 509-886-6108 or visit the web site.

Wenatchee Festival of Trees
November 13-16, 2008

Get into the Holiday spirit with a visit to Wenatchee's Festival of Trees. This wonderland of Christmas enchantment features full-sized trees, mini trees and wreaths decorated by local organizations, businesses and clubs. And to up the ante on your holiday excitement, there are holiday concerts with music and choral groups and a Gala Auction and Dinner featuring an exclusive 5-course meal. For children, there is a gingerbread village, Santa's workshop, a Teddy Bear Tea - and the big event - a visit with St. Nick himself. For more information call 509-663-ARTS or visit the web site.

Flake Festival
December 6, 2008

This tongue-in-cheek celebration of the winter white stuff brings locals and visitors alike to Wenatchee's historic downtown. Stroll along the sidewalk sipping a steaming cup of hot chocolate while watching the evening parade, as local citizens shrug off cabin fever with a quirky march through town. The parade culminates to ooh's and ahh's as the town's Christmas Tree is officially lit for the season.