The winter season in Seattle can be a long one. The days are dark and gray, which makes leaving the house seem like the most arduous task. But with the first sign of spring, Seattleites are eager to break the bonds of cabin fever. As a result, there are numerous springtime events and festivals for all ages and interests.
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Why travel all the way to Amsterdam when some of the most beautiful tulips grow right here in the Pacific Northwest? For 28 years, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors to view the rainbow of blooms. The festivities last for the entire month of April and include events like the Tulip Run, a chili and chowder cookoff, and various art walks.
Although there are hundreds of acres of tulip and daffodil fields, the best viewing spot is at Tulip Town. Families can enjoy hayrides through the colorful fields, tulip bulbs can be purchased in the main building along with local artwork and souvenirs.
Hours: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Admission: $5 for adults, $4 for military with ID, kids 16 and under are FREE
When: April 1-30, 2011
Where: Skagit Valley, WA (about a 90 minute drive from downtown Seattle)
Website
Northwest Folklife Festival
The Folklife festival is a showcase of the rich art and culture of the Pacific Northwest. Each year, the festival is centered around a theme, or “cultural focus”. This will be the 40th year for the festival and the focus is Northwest Stories. Artists, musicians, writers and poets will collaborate to share their stories of the Northwest.
Folklife is dedicated to environmental sustainability and takes measures each year to be as “green” as possible, such as composting food waste, recycling paper, and even converting cooking oil into bio-diesel.
Hours: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Admission: FREE with suggested donation of $10 per person, per day. ($20 per family/group)
When: Memorial Day Weekend May 27-30, 2011
Where: Seattle Center
Website
Whirligig
Whirligig provides a world of excitement for kids and adults alike. The Center House transforms into a magical amusement park filled with rides and bouncy fun. There will be slides, inflatable bouncy houses, face painters, and balloon artists.
On April 20th, a special event will take place. Caspar Babypants will perform in The Center House at 2:00pm.
Hours: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (Helpful hint – come midweek to avoid the weekend crowds)
Admission: All-Day Main Floor Pass $7.50, All-Day Toddler Zone Pass $4.50, Single Ticket $1.50 and FREE Thursdays
When: April 8-24, 2011
Where: The Center House at Seattle Center
Website
