FOUR FRESH IDEAS FOR NORTHWEST FUN THIS WEEKEND

Sheep shearing demonstration at Kelsey Creek Farm in Bellevue — photo courtesy of Kelsey Creek Farm

       Here in the Pacific Northwest, you have plenty of choices for fun ways to spend your weekend. Take your pick of these Good Life Northwest suggestions that will bring you closer to whales, sheep, quilts, and Norwegian culture.

QUILT SHOW, QUILT BARNS, AND A SCENIC DRIVE IN EASTERN WASHINGTON

Beginning on Friday, head to the beautiful country east of the Cascades, if you don't already live there. Stop in the historic town of Ellensburg, Washington, for the Central Washington Quilt Show, “Quilts Along the Trail,” featuring over 200 quilts and over 20 vendors, at the Kittitas County Fairgrounds.  You’ll find more quilts on display at the Kittitas County Museum in an exhibit called “Historical Quilts.” Click here for all the details and directions. 
While in the area, consider taking the Barn Quilts of Kittitas County tour. If you don’t know about the Barn Quilt movement across the nation, you can read about it here. This is Washington State’s first Barn Quilt Trail. The quilt show event takes place on Friday and Saturday, April 25-26 and  incorporates a mini Barn Quilt tour, but you can choose a longer route on this self-guided tour any time you wish. See a variety of old barns that each feature a large painted version of a quilt design with the name and meaning of the pattern having significance to the farm family that chose it. Download printable maps here.

The Leikarring dancers from Tacoma's Embla Lodge No. 2 Daughters of Norway

CELEBRATE NORWEGIAN HERITAGE (even if you aren’t Norwegian)

Another choice for Saturday, April 26, is to venture out to Pacific Lutheran University for the annual Norwegian Heritage Festival at the University Center, 122 South Park Ave., Tacoma, WA, on the main floor. Always held on the last Saturday in April, this delightful event lasts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features traditional Norwegian food, folk dancing, music, crafts, and vendor booths. FREE ADMISSION.

Families watch sheep shearing demonstration at Kelsey Creek Farm 

SEE SHEEP SHEARING, VINTAGE TRACTORS, FIBER CRAFTS AND MORE

Maybe you would prefer to spend Saturday visiting Bellevue’s Kelsey Creek Farm at 410 130th Pl SE in Bellevue. Watch sheep shearing, sheep herding, and fiber craft demonstrations, such as spinning. Enjoy tractor pulled hay rides, courtesy of the Northwest Vintage Iron antique tractor club. Ride a pony! See farm animals, try some local honey or traditional crafts, plus much, much more between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. FREE ADMISSION with nominal fees for certain attractions. Details here.

Gray whale spy hopping near Langley, taken by Jill Hein, Orca Network board member 

WATCH WHALES and SUPPORT ORCA NETWORK

On Sunday, April 27, take a whale watching cruise on the Mystic Sea to help raise funds for Orca Network. Board this beautiful vessel at the Langley marina to explore the Salish Sea in search of Orcas and Gray Whales,Join Orca Network Sunday April 27th for a Fundraising whale watch on board the Mystic Sea from 3 - 5 pm. The cost is $75 and includes wine and appetizers and, hopefully, plenty of whale sightings.

Register online at: http://shop.orcanetwork.org/product_p/contrispecial.htm  or www.orcanetwork.org - for more info, contact Orca Network at: 360-331-3543 or info@orcanetwork.org

Orca Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the whales of the Pacific Northwest, and the importance of providing them healthy and safe habitats. Projects include the Whale Sighting Network and Educational programs, the Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Stranding Network, the Free Lolita project, and the Langley Whale Center. Proceeds from this whale watch will support the important work they do for the whales of the Salish Sea.

       Do you have ideas for fun Northwest weekends? Please share them in a comment below! 

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