Spring events to inspire the senses

Spring festivals in the Pacific Northwest are just what we need to shake off the months of dreary gray weather and awaken the senses. These events showcase destinations in every corner of the region, attracting visitors and bringing excitement to locals. You don’t want to miss out. 

First comes the food and drink. Seattle Restaurant Week (April 19 through May 2) celebrates the local dining scene and its vibrant diversity. Guests will find curated menus at four different price levels between $25 and $65, making the meals more accessible for a wider audience. From the lightly sweet conchas at Bakescapade to the spicy wanza mian at Noodle/Bar, there are plenty of ways to satisfy your appetite. Bellingham’s April Brews Day is your chance to guzzle more than 40 craft beers and ciders while also supporting the mission of the Max Higbee Center. Or, crack open briny bivalves at the Razor Clam Festival in Long Beach. 

Take some time to stop and sniff all the beautiful blooms reaching through the soil. Skagit Valley Tulip Festival dazzles with fields of pink, yellow, red, and white. You can take in all the hues from a hot-air balloon at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in Woodburn, Oregon. The Portland Rose Festival (May 22-June 28) features floral art installations on street corners and storefronts, as well as a free-to-enter garden competition. Find another colorful display along the Oregon Coast at the Florence Rhododendron Festival the third weekend in May. 

Grab the popcorn and settle in to see these cinematic showcases: Travel the world from your seat at the Seattle International Film Festival, or get a peek at majestic peaks when Bend hosts The Banff Mountain Film Festival on its tour. At the Chinese Culture & Arts Festival, get a glimpse of the country’s creative expression through dance, painting and weaving. People watching, or should we say, extraterrestrial observation, is at its finest at the annual UFO Festival in McMinnville, which celebrates a historic flying saucer sighting with a parade and other activities.

Ears open and ready to enjoy life? Cheers with merlot and the sounds of saxophone are in the air at the Lake Chelan Wine & Jazz Festival, which hosts 25-plus bands at venues and wineries around the valley. Authors from all over gather at the Oregon Book Awards to give readings from their work and interact with fans through Q&A panels and workshops.

Build lifelong memories (and maybe a regal castle) at Bricks Cascade, a massive LEGO expo at the Oregon Convention Center. Grab ahold of the handlebars during a test ride at The One Motorcycle Show. Learn a new dance or join hands-on craft demonstrations such as origami, wood carving or pottery at the Northwest Folklife Festival. Really want to get your hands dirty? The flounder pounder fishing derby at Port Angeles’ Maritime Festival is a day of family fun that also raises awareness about careers at sea.

Lead photo courtesy of Skagit Valley Tulip Festival