ARIZONA
Ostrich Festival
March 11–13 — Ostrich races, a sea lion show, a carnival and musical entertainment with the Spinners and Eddie Money will be among the attractions at this festival at Tumbleweed Park in Chandler. The event will include a kids’ zone and a petting zoo. For information, visit ostrichfestival.com.
Scottsdale Culinary Festival
April 5–10 — Celebrity chef dinners, a champagne brunch and a picnic are among the events in this festival that offers six days of food, wine and music. Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten will prepare a five-course tasting menu drawn from his restaurants around the world, from Thailand to New York City. Festival events will be held at various venues in Scottsdale. For information, visit scottsdaleculinaryfestival.org.
Yuma Birding and Nature Festival
April 13–16 — Bruce Taubert, a photographer for Arizona Highways magazine, will conduct a workshop on nature photography during this festival that offers a variety of field trips and lectures. The tours range south to Mexico, west to the Salton Sea, north to the Imperial and Kofa national wildlife refuges and east to archaeological sites. The festival is headquartered at the Hilton Garden Inn and Pivot Point Conference Center in Yuma. For information, visit yumabirding.com.
Folk Arts Fair
June 4–5 — Spinning, weaving, candle-making and other skills from ages ago will be demonstrated at a fair on the grounds of the Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott. Sheep will be sheared and horses will be shod at the fair, which will also include demonstrations of chair caning, basket making and antique printing. Entertainment will include old-time fiddlers and acoustic bands. For information, visit www.sharlot.org.
CALIFORNIA
Palm Springs WestFest & Rodeo
March 24–27 — A Gene Autry film festival, musical entertainment, a barbecue competition, a rodeo, a display of hand-crafted saddles, and a western design expo showcasing western art, boots, hats and clothing will all be part of this event in Palm Springs. WestFest will occupy 25 acres in the vicinity of the Palm Springs Convention Center. The three-day rodeo will include a timed event called Cowboy Mounted Shooting in which participants will shoot at targets from horseback while galloping along a course. For information, visit palmspringswestfest.com.
Coachella Valley Music & Art Festival
April 15–17 — Kanye West, Arcade Fire and the Kings of Leon will be among the performers at this festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. More than 70 other acts are on the bill, including Erykah Badu, Duran Duran and Jimmy Eat World. An addition to the festival this year will be the participation of The Creators Project in a series of art installations. For information, visit Coachella.com.
Stagecoach Country Music Festival
April 30–May 1 — Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flats and Carrie Underwood will headline this festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. The lineup also includes Loretta Lynn, Leon Russell, Darius Rucker, the Gatlin Brothers, Mel Tillis and Wanda Jackson. RV camping is available. For information, visit stagecoachfestival.com.
Calaveras Jumping Frog Jubilee
May 19–22 — “Pirates of the Carrots and Beans” is the theme of this year’s fair inspired by Mark Twain’s 1865 story, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.” A carnival, animal and crafts exhibits, a livestock auction, bull riding and frog jumping contests are scheduled at Frogtown, the county fairgrounds south of Angels Camp. Camping is available at the fairgrounds at an RV park with 68 campsites. For information, visit frogtown.org.
Sacramento Jazz Festival & Jubilee
May 27–30 — Ever since 1974 people have been coming to Sacramento on Memorial Day weekend to enjoy traditional jazz. Bands play at venues in Old Sacramento, the Convention Center and midtown hotels. The event starts with a parade Friday morning. Special events include children’s concerts, a gospel concert Sunday morning, a swing dance competition, and Pianorama, featuring top jazz pianists. For information, visit sacjazz.com.
IDAHO
Dogwood Festival
April 1–30 — An art show, regatta, dog show, car show, quilt exhibit and golf tournament are among the activities during this month-long celebration of art, culture and community in the Lewis-Clark Valley. The campus of Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston is the site of most of the events, including Art Under the Elms, April 22–24. Lewiston’s 150th birthday will be celebrated April 23. For information, visit www.lcsc.edu/dogwood.
Moscow Renaissance Fair
April 30–May 1 — Food, crafts and entertainment will be presented in East City Park in Moscow during this 38th annual event. Admission is free. For information, visit moscowrenfair.org.
Car D’Lane
June 17–18 — Cars and trucks built in 1972 or earlier will be on display at this annual event in downtown Coeur D’Alene. The cruise will be from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and the car show from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. There will also be a swap meet at Third Street and Coeur d’Alene Avenue Friday and Saturday. For information, visit cdadowntown.com.
NEVADA
Laughlin River Run
April 27–May 1 — More than 60,000 motorcycle riders will converge on Laughlin for this 29th annual event, which includes stunt shows, a trade show and entertainment. The event includes a river run in Arizona from Kingman to Oatman and a bike show April 30 at the Colorado Belle in Laughlin. For information, visit laughlinriverrun.com.
Las Vegas Jazz and Rhythm & Blues Festival
April 30–May 1 — The Clark County Government Amphitheater is the setting for 10 hours of jazz and rhythm and blues during the Las Vegas City of Lights Rhythm & Blues Festival, now in its 19th year. Entertainers will include El DeBarge, Skip Martin of Kool and the Gang and Tom Schuman of Spyro Gyra. For information, visit yourjazz.com.
Reno River Festival
May 6–8 — Competitors on kayaks and stand up paddleboards will race on the Truckee River in this annual festival that brings athletes to downtown Reno. The event will include a fun run, food and beer gardens and musical entertainment. For information, visit renoriverfestival.com.
NEW MEXICO
Gathering of Nations
April 28–30 — Billed as North America’s biggest powwow, this event includes an Indian Traders Market with wares from 800 Native American artists, craftsmen and traders, and Stage 49, featuring Native American musicians performing all genres of music. The gathering is held at The Pit at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. For information, visit gatheringofnations.com.
Native Treasures: Indian Art Festival
May 28–29 — The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture invites artists who produce museum-quality Indian art to bring their works to this show for exhibition and sale at the Santa Fe Convention Center. The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Artists donate a portion of their proceeds to the museum’s programs. For information, visit nativetreasuressantafe.org.
OREGON
Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival
April 29–May 1 — The area’s 200th birthday will be toasted at the Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds in Astoria. Wines from Washington and Oregon, a crab dinner, a beer garden, musical entertainment and arts and crafts exhibits will be among the attractions. The festival will run from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For information, visit oldoregon.com.
Oregon Ag Fest
April 30–May 1 — You can learn where food and fiber originate and how livestock is raised at this annual event at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem. Ag Fest is designed to educate the public about the importance of agriculture, and it offers opportunities to experience farm life. The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For information, visit oragfest.com.
Portland Rose Festival
May 27–June 12 — Portland’s annual city celebration includes parades, a rose show, a golf tournament and CityFair, featuring a carnival, circus acts and other entertainment at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The Starlight Parade will begin at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, in downtown Portland and the Grand Floral Parade will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 11, along a route from Memorial Coliseum to downtown Portland. The Spring Rose Show will present more than 4,000 blooms at the Lloyd Center Ice Rink June 9 and 10. CityFair will open May 27 and run through June 12. For information, visit rosefestival.org.
UTAH
St. George Art Festival
April 22–23 — More than 100 artists are expected to participate in this festival at the Town Square in the St. George Historic District. In addition to artworks, the festival includes music, food and pageantry. For information, visit sgcity.org/artfestival.
Moab Arts Festival
May 28–29 — Jewelry, pottery, wood, sculpture, photographs and fine art will all be represented at this festival from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Swanny City Park in Moab. There will also be entertainment and a food court. For information, visit moabartsfestival.org.
Great Salt Lake Bird Festival
May 12–16 — Bill Thompson III, editor of Bird Watcher’s Digest, will be the keynote speaker at this festival headquartered at the Davis County Legacy Events Center in Farmington. The festival will include numerous workshops and field trips. For information, visit greatsaltlakebirdfest.com.
WASHINGTON
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
April 1–30 — Hundreds of thousands of people travel to the Skagit Valley north of Seattle every year to view tulips growing in the fields and to see the display gardens at RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town. At Tulip Town, you will find trolley rides, face painting, and an indoor show with a 110-foot mural with scenes of the Skagit Valley. RoozenGarde is a division of the Washington Bulb Company, which plants 1,000 acres in the Skagit Valley in tulips, daffodils and irises. You can find a map with updated bloom information at tulips.com. In addition to the blooming flowers, the festival includes numerous other events, including quilt shows, a wine festival, a home tour, a salmon barbecue and a parade. There will be a street fair in downtown Mount Vernon April 15-17, and Paccar, which builds Kentworth, Peterbilt and DAF trucks, will hold an open house April 16 on the 242-acre site where it tests and develops new models. For information on all Tulip Festival events, visit tulipfestival.org.
Hulda Klager Gardens Lilac Days
April 16–May 8 —The 1880s Victorian farmhouse of lilac hybridizer Hulda Klager will be open for tours during this annual event at the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens in Woodland. Lilac plants will be available for purchase from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission is $2, with children under 12 admitted free. For information, visit lilacgardens.com.
Apple Blossom Festival
April 28–May 8 — Parades, an arts and crafts fair, a pie-eating contest, an apple pie and dessert bake-off and a golf tournament are among the events at this annual festival in Wenatchee. For information, visit appleblossom.org.
Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival
April 29–May 1 — Hundreds of thousands of shorebirds from as far south as Argentina stop by the Grays Harbor estuary each spring on their Arctic-bound migration. The birds begin arriving at Grays Harbor about April 21 and the migration continues for three weeks. This festival offers an opportunity to view the birds and attend lectures and other events sponsored by Grays Harbor Audubon Society, Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge and the City of Hoquiam. For information, visit shorebirdfestival.com.
Northwest Folklife Festival
May 27–30 — The rich cultural heritage of the Pacific Northwest will be celebrated with music, dance, workshops, crafts and food at this 40th annual event at the Seattle Center. The festival will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday. Admission is free, but the suggested donation is $10 for individuals and $20 for families. For information, visit nwfolklifefestival.org.
Sacajawea Bluegrass Festival & Dutch Oven Rendezvous
June 10–12 — Three days of bluegrass music and Dutch oven cooking demonstrations are included in this event at Sacajawea State Park, located at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia rivers near the Tri-Cities of Richland, Kennewick and Pasco. Bands will include the Chapmans, Prairie Flyer and Northern Departure. Camping space will be available for RVs and tents on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no hookups. Ticket information is available at sacajaweabluegrass.org.
Sand and Sawdust Festival
June 24–26 — Sand castles will be built on the beach and chainsaw carvers will create art in the Ocean Shores Convention Center during this event presented by Ocean Shores Action Committee for Tourism, a local volunteer organization. Sand sculpting teams will compete for $5,000 in cash prizes on Saturday. Free sand sculpting lessons will be given on the beach Friday afternoon. The chainsaw carving competition will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays. Art will be auctioned off at the end of each day. For information, visit oceanshoresact.com.
Nikki is a writer and editor for Do It Yourself RV, RV LIFE, and Camper Report. She is based on the Oregon Coast and has traveled all over the Pacific Northwest.
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