ARIZONA
Fiesta Days Rodeo
{mosgoogle left}April 2–5 — Cave Creek in the desert foothills north of Phoenix is the site of a three-day rodeo that includes bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing, calf roping, team roping and bulldogging competition. Also a parade, golf tournament, Miss Rodeo Arizona Horsemanship Competition and a dance. www.cavecreekrodeo.com; (480) 488-4043.
McDowell Mountain Music Festival
April 24–25 — Each year the festival brings 13 bands of various genres to WestWorld in Scottsdale for two days of music. Scheduled performers include the New Riders of the Purple Sage, Hot Tuna and Michael Franti and Spearhead. The event includes a marketplace, kid’s zone, and an RV park and camping area. www.mmmf.net.
Folk Arts Fair
June 6–7 — Sheep are sheared, horses are shod, baskets are made and butter is churned in a demonstration of skills that were once essential to the life of every American in this annual event at Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott. Old-time fiddlers and acoustic bands provide some of the entertainment at this fair, which will also include cloggers, folk singers and the arts of quilting, wood carving and weaving wool. www.sharlot.org; (928) 445-3122.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Telus Ski and Snowboard Festival
April 17–26 — An end of the season celebration of snow sports, art and music at Whistler includes free outdoor concerts daily, ski and snowboard competitions, art and fashion events and endless nightlife. Performers such as Justin Timberlake and Black Eyed Peas have appeared in years past at the free concerts, held from 2:30 to 5 p.m. daily on the Main Stage in Skier’s Plaza. www.wssf.com.
Okanagan Spring Wine Festival
April 30–May 9 — More than 100 events are scheduled in the Okanagan Valley, which stretches 124 miles from the Rocky Mountains south to the town of Osoyoos. The area is dotted with clusters of wineries and vineyards. Wineries offer tastings, tours and special dinners. Restaurant pair wines with fine cuisine. www.thewinefestivals.com.
CALIFORNIA
Stockton Asparagus Festival
April 24–26 —More than 45,000 pounds of asparagus was consumed at last year’s festival in various forms, including deep-fried asparagus, asparagus burritos and asparagus tri-tip sandwiches. The event returns to downtown Stockton with cooking demonstrations, 600 booths offering crafts, displays and exhibits, a beer and wine pavilion, and musical entertainment. www.asparagusfest.com.
Stagecoach Festival
April 25–26 — Kenny Chesney, Kid Rock, Brad Paisley, Charlie Daniels Band, Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker, Earl Scruggs and Kevin Costner and Modern West are among the headliners at this country music festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. RV camping, which attracted 4,000 RVs last year, has been expanded. Event includes a barbecue cook-off featuring 50 teams from across the U.S. www.stagecoachfestival.com.
Paso Robles Wine Festival
May 15–17 — More than 110 wineries in the Paso Robles area host special activities, including winemaker dinners, cooking classes and tours during the weekend. On Saturday at Paso Robles City Park, visitors can sample wines, attend wine seminars, see cooking demonstrations, and sample Hearst Ranch beef and California lamb. The event includes an Artisan Alley featuring locally grown products and local crafts. www.pasowine.com.
Sacramento Jazz Jubilee
May 22–25 — A concert featuring the Count Basie Orchestra opens this festival that features a lineup of about 60 bands from throughout the U.S. and Canada performing in more than 20 venues in Old Sacramento and other Sacramento locations. A colorful parade Friday morning, a swing dance competition and gospel music on Sunday are among the events. www.sacjazz.org; (916) 372-5277.
Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival
June 5–7 — Weather permitting, hot air balloons are launched at 6:30 a.m. and return to the ground at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Lake Skinner Recreation Area in Winchester. Hot air balloon rides are available with advance reservations. Wine tastings are scheduled each day. An entertainment stage, food court and arts and crafts booths are other attractions. www.tvbwf.com.
IDAHO
Dogwood Festival
April 1–30 — The campus of Lewis and Clark State College in Lewiston is the site of most of the events in this festival, including Art Under the Elms, a three-day celebration of fine arts, entertainment, food and family fun, April 24-26. Other events include a regatta, triathlon, wine tasting, basketball tournament, quilt show and car and truck show. www.lcsc.edu/dogwood .
Car d’Lane
June 12–13 — Classic cars cruise in downtown Coeur d’Alene from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and participate in a show and shine from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Contests for best pipes/best flames. Open to pre-1972 cars. www.cdadowntown.com ; (208) 415-0116.
NEVADA
Laughlin River Run
April 22–26 — More than 60,000 motorcyclists are expected to gather in Laughlin for a Harley Davidson lifestyle trade show, exhibits, stunt shows, custom bike shows, concerts, a poker run and the LaughlinRiver Run on historic Route 66. www.laughlinriverrun.com ; (949) 502-3434.
Jim Butler Days
May 22-25 — Tonopah’s founding and heritage are celebrated with a street dance, parade, art show, and the Nevada State Mining Championships. www.tonopahchamberofcommerce.com ; (775) 482-3859.
OREGON
Tulip Fest
{mosgoogle left}March 25–April 26 — More than 40 acres of tulips and daffodils will bloom during the 24th annual festival at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $10 per carload weekends; $5 weekdays. www.woodenshoe.com ; (800) 711-2006.
Northwest Cherry Festival
April 22–25 — “Maraschino Magic” is the theme of the 30th annual festival in The Dalles. Queen coronation on Wednesday, lip sync contest on Friday; parade and open air market Saturday. Parade at 11 a.m.; fair from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with live music from noon to 5 p.m. www.thedalleschamber.com ; (541) 296-2231.
Crab and Seafood Festival
April 24–26 — Northwest bands provide music, 50 wineries offer their wares and artisans fill 100 booths with handmade arts and crafts at the Astoria Warrenton Crab and Seafood Festival at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds, near Astoria. The festival is open from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. www.oldoregon.com ; (800) 875-6807.
Portland Rose Festival
May 28–June 14 — Parades, concerts, rose show, other events. PGE/SOLV Starlight Parade at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 30, in downtown Portland; Key Bank Grand Floral Parade from Memorial Coliseum to downtown Portland at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 6; 121st annual spring rose show at the Lloyd Center Ice Rink Thursday and Friday, June 4 and 5. www.rosefestival.org .
UTAH
Great Salt Lake Bird Festival
May 14–18 — This festival, based at the Davis County Event Center in Farmington, includes guided field trips to the best birding hotspots in northern Utah and around Great Salt Lake. Workshops and exhibits are presented at the event center. Author and naturalist Scott Weidensaul speaks at a dinner Saturday. www.greatsaltlakebirdfest.com ; (801) 451-3286.
Moab Arts Festival
May 23–24 — Jewelry, pottery, woodcrafts, sculptures, clothing, photographs and fine art available from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Swanny City Park in Moab. Admission is free. Event includes food and entertainment. www.moabartsfestival.org ; (435) 259-2742.
WASHINGTON
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
April 1–30 — Hundreds of acres of blooming tulips will be on view. Tulip Town and RoosenGarde are the tulip growers, both offering display gardens and other activities. You can drive around to view the fields, travel by bicycle or even take a helicopter tour. Attractions include wine tours, quilt show, art show, salmon bake and an antique, craft and flea market. The weather governs when the blooms will occur, and updates can be found at the tulip festival website, where you can also download or request a 36-page brochure listing all the events. www.tulipfestival.org; (360) 428-5959.
Lilac Festival
April 18–May 10 — There are four acres of lilacs and many other flowers, shrubs and exotic trees at the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens in Woodland, about 30 minutes north of Portland. Gardens are open to the public daily year-round but the historic farmhouse is open for tours only during the festival. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. www.lilacgardens.com ; (360) 225-8996.
Washington State Apple Blossom Festival
April 23–May 3 —Events in Wenatchee include Les Schwab Classy Chassis Parade on May 1 and Car Show on May 2, Stemilt Growers Grand Parade on May 2, Apple Pie Bake-Off and Costco Apple Pie Eating Contest on May 3. Funtastic Shows Carnival runs April 24 to May 3 at Riverfront Park. Other events include an arts and crafts fair, square dance, youth parade, rides on a miniature train, the Apple Blossom Hydroplane Regatta and the Motorcycle Extravaganza. www. appleblossom.org .
Discovery Walk Festival
April 24–26 — International Walk Fest and the City of Vancouver sponsor non-competitive walks of various lengths. Walks start and finish at the Hilton Hotel in Vancouver. Mayor’s Friendship Walk and Children’s Culture Parade on Friday, Lewis and Clark Walk on Saturday, and Lt. Broughton Walk, Bike and Swim on Sunday. Vancouver Farmers Market open Saturday and Sunday. www.discoverywalk.org ; (877) 269-2009.
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