FESTIVALS L
ooking for a less strenuous way to get outdoors in the summer sunshine? Western Washington communities host a plethora of festival and fairs you can choose from all summer long. Here are some of the biggest and best:
TOLEDO CHEESE DAYS JULY 11-14
visiontoledo.org
Traditional parade, coronation of the Big Cheese, and street festival at this year’s annual Cheese Days celebration. Over the course of the three-day celebration, visitors can also participate in a frog-jumping contest, attend a wine-andcheese-tasting event, eat lunch at the Lions Club picnic, and try their luck at gambling during “Reno Night.”
SUMMERFEST, LAKEWOOD
JULY 13-14, FORT STEILACOOM PARK, 8714 87TH AVE. SW cityoflakewood.us
FREEDOM FAIR, TACOMA
Family festival includes “KIDZ Zone,” movie at dusk, vendors in the public market, live entertainment from two different stages, a three-on-three basketball tournament and a free 5K fun run.
JULY 4, RUSTON WAY freedomfair.com
Celebrate Freedom Fair, featuring all the usual Fourth of July activities: air shows, great food, vendors, exhibits, rides and events. It’s the South Sound’s largest annual event, ending with the Northwest’s biggest fireworks show over Puget Sound.
INDEPENDENCE DAY AT FORT VANCOUVER JULY 4, FORT VANCOUVER NATIONAL SITE 58 • OLYMPIAN SOURCEBOOK • 2013-2014
4th.fortvan.org
Enjoy an old-fashioned, family-friendly Fourth of July with entertainment on four stages including a heritage stage and children’s stage, kids’ and teen games, guided walking tours, black powder demonstrations, food and beverage vendors, and a fireworks show.
SANDSATIONS, LONG BEACH
JULY 10-14, BOLSTAD AVE. BEACH APPROACH AND VETERANS FIELD
CAPITAL LAKEFAIR, OLYMPIA JULY 17-21, HERITAGE PARK lakefair.org
Arts and craft booths, a sidewalk sale, battle of the bands, car show, grand parade and fireworks.
LAVENDAR FESTIVAL, SEQUIM
sandsations.com
JULY 19-21, DOWNTOWN SEQUIM AND AREA FARMS
In-city sand sculpture displays and competition on the beach with multiple amateur and professional competitors. Sand Flea Pet Parade Saturday at 1 p.m. on the beach.
Self-guided farm tours, street fair, dinner cruises to Protection Island to see puffins and totem tours.
lavenderfestival.com