May on the Olympic Peninsula - It's Festival Time!

Greetings, Friends!

Last week I got to meet some VIF's in and around Chimacum. Very Important Farmers, that is! It was part of a food writers' tour and boy, did we get fed a lot - information and food! We met lovely Jennie, a knitter who wanted to grow and process her own wool... she added chickens to co-habitate with the sheep... and now has 150 chickens and a nice little egg business. (And no time to knit!) We met Karen, the owner of Red Dog Farm, who is more comfy on a tractor than anywhere, and Kayla who loves to pickle things and started 'Mama's Harvest', a company that makes hand-made tamales, salsa and pickled veggies.

These and many other artisan farmers are the new generation of country, culinary and community. It warms my heart (and tummy) to meet and patronize these envisioned stakeholders.

On the Olympic Peninsula we tourism folks are putting an arm around our farmers to offer you a delicious and memorable visit! Start with the Culinary Adventure Route and take your taste buds on tour! And don't miss the Farmers' Markets, the best way to get straight to the heart of a community.

Diane Schostak, Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau

on behalf of Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission

May Culinary Corner! OPEN: Farmers Markets

Tis' the season to enjoy our thriving regional farmers markets in Chimacum, Port Townsend, Sequim and Port Angeles, featuring fresh produce, local food, artisan crafts, live music and more. Come enjoy a taste of the peninsula at these family-friendly farmers markets. Meet the growers, producers and crafters; mingle with the community; and eat well of local abundance.

The Jefferson County Farmers Markets take place three times weekly in Port Townsend and Chimacum. The Port Townsend market offers over 70 vendors each week, with 40 farms, 4 artisan cheese makers, 3 cideries, artisan bakers, espresso and coffee, herbal salves, soaps, arts and crafts, music, seating. Chimacum Farm Stand and Quilcene also have markets on weekends.

You'll find the Port Ludlow Farmers Market, Friday 9am - 2pm, May through September at Village Market at Oak Bay & Paradise Bay Roads.

Port Angeles Farmers Market, winner of the 2012 Washington State Farmers' Market Association "Farmers' Market of the Year" award for medium-sized markets, is located at the covered Gateway center in downtown at Front and Lincoln Streets. Held Saturdays year round from 10am to 2pm and Wednesdays June 20 through mid September 10am - 2pm.

The Sequim Open Aire Market is open 9am to 3pm with a wide variety of fiber arts, fine arts, pottery and food. Of course the focus is on farmers and growers - honey, organic produce, lavender, flowers and so much more.

Forks Open Air Market is held on Saturdays 10am - 3pm, mid-May to Mid-October at 1421 S. Forks Avenue. Call 360-327-3877 for details.

Take Your Taste Buds on an Adventure

Follow the OLYMPIC CULINARY ADVENTURE ROUTE!

Discover the unique farm-to-table experiences that make the Olympic Peninusla a great culinary destination! Visit the growers, taste new wine releases, sample locally-made cheeses, dine on fresh, local fare, and enjoy the region's many scenic attractions!

It's Festival Time!

Sequim Irrigation Festival

May 4-13

This community celebration salutes the irrigation waters that bring the Sequim-Dungeness Valley to life. During this week-long festival activities include the Grand Parade, Arts & Crafts Fair, the Kids Festival on the Field with its own parade, an old-time Logging Show and community picnic, carnival and more.

77th Annual Rhododendron Festival

May 13- 20

The joyful week in Port Townsend celebrates spring when these beautiful flowers bloom all over Jefferson County. Festivities include the Rhody Tour for cyclists, the Rhody Run for runner and the Grand Parade with floats, horses and royalty. The Grand Parade is on Saturday, May 19.

What else is there besides TWILIGHT?

So, if you are saying, "Part of the family hasn't read Twilight and isn't interested in Twilight and could care less about traveling to where the novels are set. What else is there to do if we go there?" Here's your answer!

This itinerary was made several years ago for a family of five traveling with children ages 6, 7 and 9 years old. We've found it stands the test of time, enhances the Twilight faithful's visit and satisfies the non-Twilight members of the party. So, rather than leave part of the family at home, here's your answer! And, here's the full itinerary.

Day 1: Hoh Rain Forest and Kalaloch Beaches

Day 2: Around Forks and La Push

Day 3: Explore the Northwest Coast

Day 4: Ozette Wilderness Hike

Day 5: Lake Crescent, Waterfalls and Hot Springs

May Things To Do on the Peninsula

May 4-13

117th Annual Sequim Irrigation Festival

Sequim * 360-683-6197

IrrigationFestival.com

May 14-19

77th Annual Rhododendron
Festival * Port Townsend
RhodyFestival.org

May 25-27

19th Annual Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts

Port Angeles * 10AM-10PM

Dan Maguire * 360-457-5411

JFFA.org

May 26

Sekiu Airport Fly-In
Sekiu * 360-963-2581
ClallamBay.com or Sekiu.com

Area Web Cams

Check out some of our favorites on the City of Forks Chamber of Commerce website. Click here to see if it's clear at Hurricane Ridge, sunny at Lake Crescent or a good day to storm watch at LaPush.

The Olympic Peninsula Tourism Commission is a partnership of the Chambers of Commerce and tourism marketing entities from the Hood Canal to Kalaloch including North Hood Canal representing Quilcene and Brinnon; Jefferson County representing Port Ludlow, Port Hadlock, & Port Townsend; Sequim Dungeness Valley; Port Angeles; Forks; Clallam Bay and Sekiu; West Jefferson County; and the Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau representing the unincorporated areas of Clallam County.