Skagit Valley Tulip Festival: Month-long festival celebrating tulips and the Skagit Valley. Visitors can stop by Tulip Town and RoozenGaarde to see fields in bloom. Admission is $7 per person, with children 5 and under free. Parking is free at both facilities. For tulip locations and special events throughout the month, see tulipfestival.org.

 

10th Annual Stanwood-Camano Arts Guild at the Schoolhouse: April 1-30. Tulip fields provide a dramatic backdrop for this month’s Art in the Schoolhouse. Spend an afternoon discovering new artists and their current work while talking with them about their process. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Christianson’s Nursery, 15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon. (360) 466-3821, www.christiansonsnursery.com.

 

Spring Rexville Grange Art Show: Through April 9, during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Paintings, pottery, glass, photography, jewelry, felted hats, fine crafts, weaving, and wood all featured by local artists. Previously known as the Pleasant Ridge Gallery at Rexville, this show is held during the Tulip Festival and during the holidays. Held in the basement of the Rexville Grange Hall, 19299 Rexville Grange Road, Mt Vernon. For more details, call (360) 466-0477 or see www.rexvillegrangeartshow.com.

 

Bellingham Farmers Market Opening Day: Saturday, April 1. Visit farmers, food producers, makers, and more this first day of the 2017 season. The opening cabbage toss starts at 9:45 a.m. The market is celebrating 25 seasons with 25% specials and will continue this tradition the first Saturday of each month through 2017. Non-profit fair on Railroad Avenue, free cake, and historic tours from the Good Time Girls.  10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Depot Market Square, Bellingham. See bellinghamfarmers.org.

 

Woodfest: Saturday and Sunday, April 1-2. Annual celebration of woodworking and student achievements, drawing a variety of vendors and display booths from chainsaw carvers, wood turners, traditional carvers, wood crafters, artisans, high school woodworking exhibits, and educational exhibits. Student competition, raffle prizes and more. This is a sanctioned event of the Tulip Festival. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sedro-Woolley High School Gym, 1235 Third Street, Sedro-Woolley. See www.sedro-woolley.chambermaster.com.

 

Whatcom County Dahlia Society Tuber Sale: Saturday, April 1. Explore and buy over 600 varieties of dahlias. Visit with local, knowledgable growers. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free entry. Bloedel Donovan Park, Bellingham. See whatcomcountydahliasociety.org.

 

Skagit Chili & Chowder Cook-off: Saturday, April 1. Hosted by Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce. You choose the winner. 1-4 p.m. at Farmstrong Brewing Co., 110 Stewart Road, Mount Vernon. $15 gets you six samples and a vote (a large portion of your favorite). Contact Jeremy Kindlund at jeremy@mountvernonchamber or (360) 428-8547 for more information.

 

Growing Your Favorite Herbs and their Stories: Saturday, April 1. Grow your favorite herbs and hear their stories with Cheri Nunamaker, owner of Dirty Knees Nursery in Bellingham. Free. Please register. 9 a.m. The Garden Spot Nursery, Bellingham. 360-676-5480, www.garden-spot.com.

 

Learn the Artful Tradition of Espalier: Saturday, April 1. Espalier is a unique training system for fruit trees that allows growers to maximize limited space while adding aesthetics to the garden. The class will cover construction considerations, training, and which plants will succeed. $10 per person or $8 each for 2 or more people, registration recommended.  10:30 a.m. to Noon. Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Everson.

 

Growing Stone Fruits: Cherries, Peaches, Apricots & Plums: Saturday, April 1. Growing cherries, plums, peaches and apricots can be both rewarding and challenging in our maritime climate. This workshop covers planting, growing techniques, and pruning of stone fruits.  $10 per person or $8 each for 2 or more people, registration recommended. 1:30-3 p.m. Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Everson. cloudmountainfarmcenter.org

 

Veggie Gardening 101: Seeds vs. Starts:  Saturday, April 1. The WSU Extension Master Gardeners can help you select the right cultivars for your garden. Discuss planning, planting, timing, and seeds vs starts. 1 p.m. Lynden Library, 216 4th Street, (360) 354-4883.

 

Inkle Weaving: Saturday April 1. Learn the basics of using the Inkle loom and have ample time to complete a chosen project, with Instructor Aurora Lindquist. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost: $33. Ragfinery, 1421 N. Forest St., Bellingham. (360) 738-6977, Ragfinery.com.

 

Rome Grange Community Pancake Breakfast: Sunday, April 2. Featuring made from scratch pancakes, french toast, sausage, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee. Biscuits and gravy available, too. Meet and greet local politicians, as they serve you coffee and breakfast.  Adults $5, kids 6-10 $2, kids 5 and under free. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rome Grange, 2821 Mt. Baker Highway, Bellingham. For more information call (360) 739-9605.

 

Dig into Spring: Growing Roses in Skagit County: Monday, April 3. Virgene Link will talk about growing roses in Skagit County. Learn about tips and solutions, varieties that are better adapted to the Pacific Northwest, how to manage pests and diseases, and nutrition and pruning. 6 p.m. Free, all welcome. Mount Vernon City Library. For more information about the library’s “Dig into Spring” series with Skagit County Master Gardeners, contact Mike Bonacci at (360) 336-6209, or check out www.mountvernonwa.gov.

 

Waterproof Bike Seat Cover & Reflective Belt: Wednesday, April 5. Protect your bike seat from those April showers with a handmade, waterproof bike seat cover, with Instructor Eliza Andrews. Basic sewing experience required. Cost: $27. 6-8 p.m. Ragfinery, 1421 N. Forest St., Bellingham. (360) 738-6977, Ragfinery.com.

 

Dahlias! Wednesday, April 5 and Saturday, April 8. It’s easy to have these beautiful flowers blooming in your yard from July through November. Perfect for our NW climate, these long bloomers come in thousands of different flower forms and colors. Presented by the Blaine Community Orchards for Resources and Education (CORE).  Wednesday 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street, (360) 305-3637.

 

Blooming Scraps with Libby Chenault: Saturday, April 8. No matter what the weather is doing outside, we can make flowers bloom! I will show you my technique for hand sewing flowers from reclaimed wool sweaters. Play with a rainbow of luxurious scrap material while making a pin or hairclip. 2-4 p.m. Lynden Library, 216 4th Street, (360) 354-4883.

 

Whatcom County Youth Fair 2017: Friday and Saturday, April 7-8. This 2-day learning fair is open to all ages 6-18. Registration to participate has ended; spectators welcome. Categories include animals, country crafts, horticulture, dairy, photography and more. Northwest Washington Fairgrounds in Lynden. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information visit the Whatcom County Youth Fair Facebook page.

 

25th Annual Garage Sale, Antiques & More: Friday and Saturday, April 7-8. Over 150 vendors, handcrafted items, live music and more. $3 admission. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $3 on-site parking. Skagit County Fairgrounds, Mount Vernon. More information is available at www.skagitcounty.net/garagesale or call (360) 336-9414.

 

Anacortes Spring Wine Festival 2017: Saturday, April 8. Enjoy an afternoon with 30 wineries at Fidalgo Island for wine tasting, food pairings, and an in-house wine shop. Participants must be 21+. Port Warehouse Event Center, 100 Commercial Avenue, Anacortes. See http://anacortes.org/spring-wine-festival/.

 

Growing Roses in Whatcom County: Saturday, April 8. Learn from Rosarian and Sandy Point gardener, Pat Wasley. Pat has her own extensive rose garden and will share her techniques for growing roses that thrive in our maritime climate.  Planting, fertilizing, the right rose selection, and pruning will be covered. Free.  Call, come in, or sign up online to register. 9 a.m. The Garden Spot Nursery, Bellingham. 360-676-5480, www.garden-spot.com.

 

Learn to Grow a Vegetable Garden: Saturday, April 8. Learn how to successfully grow a wide variety of produce throughout the year, including how to get started, planning your plantings, managing your soil and fertility inputs, and timing for succession harvests. $10 per person or $8 each for 2 or more people, registration recommended. 10:30-Noon. Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Everson. www.cloudmountainfarmcenter.org

 

Terrell Creek Community Work Party: Saturday, April 8. Join Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association Chums of Terrell Creek and Whatcom Conservation District for a community work party from 9 a.m. to noon. Jackson Road. Look for the NSEA signs and tents. See www.n-sea.org.

 

Starting Plants from Seed: Saturday, April 8. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn about selecting the right growing media and fertilizers, and how to stratify hard-to-germinate seeds and care for transplants. Registration required, $30 course fee. (Sign up for all 4 propagation classes for $70.) 1:30-3:30 p.m. Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Everson. www.cloudmountainfarmcenter.org.

 

Plant Walk and Creek Restoration Visit with Terri Wilde: Saturday, April 8. Meet at 1 p.m. at the Chuckanut Center, 107 N. Chuckanut Dr. , Bellingham. Walk to the Padden Creek restoration site, and learn about native, edible and medicinal plants.  All ages welcome. $5-20 suggested donation. For more details, email wildefoods@yahoo.com or see chuckanutcenter.org.

 

Spring Garden Craft Show: Saturday, April 8. Shop from over 75 hand crafted and commercial gift vendors in our large location at Totem Middle School. Kids can stop by our craft table and get creative! There’s something for everyone. To register, email mburgess@marysvillewa.gov or call (360) 363-8450. Free. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1605 7th St, Marysville. 360-363-8450.

 

Introduction to Weaving Session: Saturdays, April 8, 15 & 22. Learn to weave using a floor loom with Aurora Lindquist! Cost is $88. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ragfinery, 1421 N. Forest St., Bellingham. (360) 738-6977, Ragfinery.com.

 

NookChat: Community Storytelling:  Sunday, April 9. Organic berry farmer, Ben Craft, shares childhood memories of growing up on his parents’ 18-cow dairy farm located north of the Everson Presbyterian Church, his adventures as an Everson paperboy, and more with Jim Berg. Join Ben and Jim as we “Explore the Past; Enrich the Present” in this informal, interactive gathering sponsored by the Nooksack Valley Heritage Center committee. 3 p.m.  Everson Library, 104 Kirsch Drive, (360) 966-5100.

 

Weeding & Watering: Wednesday, April 12. In this Growing Groceries program, learn strategies for applying water in the most efficient way possible for healthier vegetable gardens. Methods include the simple (mulching, planting strategies), to the more complex (drip systems), both commercial and homemade, along with other water-saving techniques. In addition, we’ll cover a broad range of strategies for getting and keeping a weed-free garden. 7-9:30 p.m. WSU Snohomish County Extension’s Cougar Auditorium in McCollum Park, 600 128th St SE, Everett. Cost is $20 per person and pre-paid registration is required. Register online at GrowingGroceries.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Kate Ryan at (425) 357-6024, kate.ryan@wsu.edu.

 

Coiled Fabric Baskets: Wednesday, April 12. This class will teach you to make sturdy baskets from almost any kind of scrap fabric, with Instructor Aurora Lindquist. 6-8 p.m. Cost is $22. Ragfinery, 1421 N. Forest St., Bellingham. (360) 738-6977, Ragfinery.com.

 

2017 Skagit Conservation District Plant Sale: Saturday, April 15. Large selection of native plants. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. WACD Lynn Brown Materials Center, 16564 Bradley Road, Bow. Pre-order pick up Friday, April 14. For more details, see http://www.skagitcd.org/native_plant_sales.

 

Easter on the Farm at Bellewood Acres: Saturday and Sunday, April 15-16. Family friendly activities between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Egg hunt, petting zoo, pony rides, Easter bunny, country brunch, scavenger trail hunt, apple bin train ride, and face painting. See tickets information at bellewoodfarms.com/bellewood-acres-events.htm.

 

16th Annual ADULT Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday, April 15. Skagit Valley Gardens presents its annual hunt, starting at noon. All adults 21 or older can participate. A prize for every egg. Children’s planting and coloring activities are available. Free for all. 8923 Peter Johnson Rd, Mount Vernon. (360) 424-6760, www.skagitvalleygardens.com.

 

Brain-Healthy Cooking: Saturday, April 15. Join Rosalee Ronquillo, Community Ambassador with Silverado Bellingham to learn about how your mind, body and foods work together. 1 p.m. Ferndale Library, 2125 Main Street, (360) 384-3647.

 

Maximize the Potential of Your Outdoor Space: Saturday, April 15. Dee Montpetit is the owner of Ma Petite Gardens (www.mapetitegardens.com), an associate for AW Pottery, and she organizes and leads international garden tours.  Her most creative passion is designing plant combinations and re-imagining garden spaces.  She joins us again this year for a small space design workshop. 9 a.m. Class is free.  Call, come in, or sign up online to register. The Garden Spot Nursery, Bellingham. 360-676-5480, www.garden-spot.com.

 

Benefit Dinner and Dance Party for the Cascadia Skillshare and Barter Faire: Saturday, April 15. Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St., Bellingham. Chili Dinner, $6, at 5 p.m. Dancing $5-$20 Sliding Scale. Latin Dance Lessons by Yasmare, and Music with Hot Damn Scandal and Latin Tinge! Beer and Wine. All ages welcome. www.cascadiaskillshare.org.

 

Garden Day: Saturday, April 15. Join us for a fun morning at the Cordata store and celebrate spring, gardening, and get some tips on enhancing your yard. Hands-on and educational activities include seed planting activity for kids with Renel Anderson, president of Biochar Supreme, tours of native, edible, drought-tolerant landscaping with Scott Milam of Beeline Designs, and Master Gardeners on-site to share advice and answer questions. Enjoy food samples from the Co-op including breakfast sausage, cinnamon rolls, and organic strawberries topped with whipped cream from Twin Brook Creamery. 10 a.m. to noon. Community Food Co-op Cordata store, 315 Westerly Road, Bellingham. 360-734-8158, www.communityfood.coop.

 

Landscaping for Native Pollinators: Saturday, April 15. Pollinators need homes and food. The WSU Extension Master Gardeners will show you how to create a little bit of pollinator heaven in your own backyard. 1 p.m. Lynden Library, 216 4th Street, (360) 354-4883.

 

Red Cross Emergency Preparedness: Saturday, April 15. Get prepared for earthquake, flood, or fire. Learn about emergency preparedness, local natural hazards, how to build inexpensive and effective disaster kits, and more at this disaster preparedness workshop provided by the American Red Cross. Complimentary take-home materials will include basic first aid kits and disaster preparedness calendars. All ages are encouraged to attend. The Red Cross will teach a youth preparedness program for ages 7-12 simultaneously with this Emergency Preparedness program for teens and adults.  Noon to 1 p.m. Sumas Library, 451 2nd St., (360) 988-2501.

 

Kids Giant Garage Sale: Saturday, April 15. Burlington Parks and Recreation is accepting registrations for kids under age 18 looking to earn some extra money by cleaning out their rooms of gently used toys, books, games, movies, clothes, sporting equipment, and more. Held at the Burlington Parks and Rec Center, a booth space is $15/98×8. Children under 12 must have an adult accompany then during the sale. Emails recreation@burlingtonwa.gov or call 360-755-9649.

 

Zero Waste Lifestyle: Saturday, April 15. Jenica Barrett of “Zero Waste Wisdom” will discuss the advantages of working toward a zero waste lifestyle. Focusing on the bathroom for this class, she will share household products she has made. Participants will make their own deodorant to take home.  11 a.m. Deming Library, 5044 Mt. Baker Highway, (360) 592-2422.

 

No-Sew Rag Rug Workshop:  Monday, April 17. Learn to make a no-sew rag rug with Kristen Wert. This four-strand technique eliminates the needs for sewing braids together and results in a sturdy rug able to withstand the modern washer and dryer. These rugs are a great way to keep worn, torn, ugly or stained fabrics out of the landfill. Please bring a pair of scissors and two old sheets of different colors. Registration is required; space is limited.  6 p.m. Lynden Library, 216 4th Street, (360) 354-4883.

 

Common Threads Farm presents “Dirt Fest 2016: Monday, April 17. Educational booth and activities. Live muic, fun and games, arts and crafts, yummy food. 3:30-6 p.m. in the Birchwood Elementary School garden. For more information, to volunteer, or to get a garden started at your child’s school, CONTACT: schoolgardens@commonthreadsfarm.org.

 

Know & Grow Workshop: Seeds: April 18. Growing seeds is one of the biggest agricultural industries in Skagit County. Do you know what kinds of seeds are grown here and shipped to many countries around world? Would you like to learn tips about the best methods of seed germination for the home gardeners? Barbara Cleave and Ty Clark of Sakada Seed company will share their knowledge about the world of seeds.  Free event. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. 1-2:30 p.m. WSU Mount Vernon NWREC,16650 State Route 536, Mount Vernon. (360) 428-4270, ext 227, http://extension.wsu.edu/skagit/mg/.

 

Container Gardening:  Wednesday, April 19. Are space and mobility issues preventing you from gardening? Discover an “out of the ground and into the box” introduction to container gardening. Learn how to choose the right containers and plants. Presented by the Blaine Community Orchards for Resources and Education (CORE). 4 p.m. Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street, (360) 305-3637.

 

32nd Annual Tulip Festival Street Fair: Friday through Sunday, April  21-23. Stroll among hundreds of new and returning arts and crafts vendors, including art, photography, jewelry, clothing, gourmet food stuffs, unique gifts, and delicious food court offerings. Live music all day every day, face painting, street entertainers and artisan demonstration. Located on South 1st Street, Downtown Mount Vernon. Hours are Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and  Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Visit www.mountvernondowntown.org, email dep.mvda@gmail.com, or call (425) 321-7433.

 

Kidz and Bugs: Saturday, April 22. Bring your kids to learn about how to attract helpful insects to your garden. Talk about pollinating insects (like bees) and the ways we can help create habitat by planting the right things in your gardens. Open donation. All ages welcome. Class will be held outdoors under cover, dress accordingly. Chuckanut Center, Bellingham. RSVP at bottom of page @  http://www.chuckanutcenter.org/ or voice mail  at (470) 236-8374 or email chuckanutcenter@gmail.com.

 

Earth Day Celebration: Saturday, April 22. Join us for a celebration of Earth Day. There will be a variety of interactive displays and activities that focus on our planet and our environment and what we can do to help keep them healthy. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ferndale Library, 2125 Main Street, (360) 384-3647.

 

Planting Day: Saturday, April 22. Bring containers from home or choose from our own selection and our expert staff will help you gather the right combination of plants. Complimentary labor and Gardner & Bloome soil will be provided as well as special discounts on all plants used in your containers. If you can carry your containers, we can pot them up for you! The Garden Spot Nursery, Bellingham. 360-676-5480, www.garden-spot.com.

 

3cs Farms Plant & Craft Sale: Friday and Saturday, April 22-23. Visit with over 20 vendors. Enjoy locally made crafts, bird houses, wood carvings, plant starts, flowers, trees, garden supplies, coffee, snacks, essential oils, and more! Kids can enjoy the fun “boat sand box.” 9 a.m. to 3p.m. Hosted by 3cs Farms, 6222 Mt Baker Hwy, Deming.  See the Facebook event page for more information.

 

Earth Day Woolley Food Forest Hedgerow Class and Work Party: Saturday, April 22. Come learn about the benefits of edible hedgerows at the Woolley Food Forest, a community demonstration garden in Sedro-Woolley, a partnership between the Woolley Food Forest Association and Helping Hands Food Bank. The food forest will provide food for the food bank, as well as a community venue for teaching permaculture skills, like growing your own food forest. The Skagit Conservation District is co-sponsoring this Earth Day event by providing edible, native plants to be used within the hedgerow. Bring a shovel and gloves to dig some holes and plant some trees. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Woolley Food Forest is at the corner of Wicker Road and Fruitdale just east of Sedro-Woolley. Email info@woolleyfoodforest.org.

 

Vermiculture/Composting: Saturday, April 22. Learn the basics of food waste recycling with compost bins, or become a worm wrangler and discover how easy it is to manage worms indoors and out. Presented by the Blaine Community Orchards for Resources and Education (CORE).  10 a.m.  Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street, (360) 305-3637.

 

EARTHWAYS FOR EARTH DAY – PRIMITIVE SKILLS PRACTICE: Saturday, April 22, from 10 – 1pm. Opening circle with primitive fire demonstration followed by basic woodcarving instruction by Earthways mentor Cody Beebe. Bring a carving knife if you have one, knives will be available for purchase. Please bring a lunch/snack and beverage. Open to all ages and skill levels, under 16 must be accompanied by adult. $20 suggested donation. Contact Cody at 599-1393 for directions or more information. Find us on Facebook at Earthways Nature Education or www.earthwaysnature.org.

 

Growing the Heat Lovers in the Chilly Northwest: Wednesday, April 26. In this Growing Groceries program, learn hot to grow the more challenging crops for our region, the heat lovers: tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and melons! Learn from three growers sharing their strategies learned over many years coaxing harvest from these tropical plants. 7-9:30 p.m. WSU Snohomish County Extension’s Cougar Auditorium in McCollum Park, 600 128th St SE, Everett. Cost is $20 per person and pre-paid registration is required. Register online at GrowingGroceries.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Kate Ryan at (425) 357-6024, kate.ryan@wsu.edu.

 

Advanced Stone Fruit Growing, Two Part Hands-On Course: Starts Saturday, April 22. Part 1, 10:30-12:30. Do you still hesitate before you make a pruning cut on your plum or cherry trees? This two-part class will take you beyond theory and enhance your skills. In this first class, you’ll be working in the orchards pruning established trees, with hands-on instruction. You’ll practice applying pruning theory to trees of different ages. Stone fruits require special handling when pruning, and are pruned just as the fruit sets. Registration required, space is limited. Part 2 is June 3. Registration required, space is limited. $40 for both Part 1 & Part 2. Sign up for our Two Advanced Courses, Apples & Pears and Stone Fruits, and all 4 classes are $70. Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Everson. http://cloudmountainfarmcenter.org.

 

Grow a Homestead-Style Food Garden: Saturday, April 22. Interested in planting a sustainable food garden for greater self-reliance? Join Susan Colleen Browne, Whatcom Country “modern homesteader” and author of the award-winning Little Farm in the Foothills for a fun and practical class focusing on backyard farming essentials. Cost is $45, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Whatcom Community College, (360) 383-3200. See www.whatcomcommunityed.com.

 

Animal as Natural Therapy’s Blessing of the Animals and Open House: Saturday, April 23. Fun for all ages. Farm tours, petting zoo, face painting, and demonstrations. Open House noon to 3 p.m. Blessing at 1 p.m. Limited on-site parking reserved for visitors with disabilities and families with car seats. Free shuttle and parking available at the Bank of the Pacific, 4214 Hannegan Road. Windy Acres Farm, 721 Van Wyck Road, Bellingham. (360) 671-3509, www.animalsasnaturaltherapy.org.

 

Mt. Baker FFA Plant Sale: Thursday through Saturday, April 27-29. A variety of plants available for sale including flowering annuals, perennials, veggie starts, strawberries, hanging baskets and tomato plants. Open 3-6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday. Mt. Baker Greenhouse, Deming.

 

Stitching the Fabric of Difference: Our American Quilt: Thursday, April 27. What are the stories that build trust and connection between us? Join your neighbors in the greater Foothills area to uncover those stories and begin a Community American Quilt Project. Through this 2nd conversation together, facilitated again by Jillian Froebe and Elizabeth Kerwin, we will continue to set the tone for our quilt project (and enjoy some pizza). We’ll lift up the stories that build trust and connection with each other and this land we call home. The American Quilt Project is sponsored by a Project Neighborly grant from the Whatcom Community Foundation and the Friends of the Deming Library. , 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.  Deming Library, 5044 Mt. Baker Highway, (360) 592-2422.

 

Spring Book and Bake Sale: Friday & Saturday, April 28 & 29, 10 AM to 5 PM. Saturday May 6, 10 AM to 5 PM.  Sale is also open May 1-5 for self serve during library open hours.  Browse a wide selection of great reads at the Friends of the Deming Library spring book sale. Hundreds of titles to choose from. Stock your bookshelves and support the Friends of the Deming Library. Deming Library, 5044 Mt. Baker Highway, (360) 592-2422.

 

Anacortes Vintage Market Spring Show: Friday and Saturday, April 28-29. VIP Friday night 6-9 p.m. General admission Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For ticket info, see http://buytickets.at/anacortesvintagemarket. This is also a canned food drive for the Anacortes Food bank. Bring at least two cans of food for a $5 entry at the door. Port Transit Event Center, Anacortes. Find out more about the vintage market at www.AnacortesVintageMarket.com.

 

Scrapbooking & More Swap Meet: Saturday, April 29. Burlington Parks and Recreation is accepting registrations for vendors, hobbyists, scrap bookers, crafters and artists looking to sell their extra inventory of scrapbooking paper, pens, stamps, equipment, stickers, and other various supplies. Held at the Burlington Parks and Rec Center, a  booth space is $25/8×8 that includes table-you keep what you earn at your booth. 9 a.m. to noon. Email recreation@burlingtonwa.gov or call 360-755-9649.

 

DUPI Garden Club Plant and Bake Sale: Saturday, April 29. DUPI (Digger Uppers, Putter Inners) Garden Club will have its annual plant and bake sale 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the parking lot of United Church in Ferndale, 2034 Washington Street, next door to the fire hall. All welcome.

 

Snohomish on the Rocks Distillery Tour: Saturday, April 29. Celebrating the distillery industry of the Northwest. Visit the booths of 20-plus local and regional distillers and sample their products. Proceeds go to Grow Washington, a non-profit and business development/retail incubator with three locations that offers education and mentoring to startup business. For tickets and information, see www.snohomishontherocks.com. Held at 9010 Marsh Road, Snohomish.

 

Apple Blossom Run for the Bees 5K: Saturday, April 29. Northwest Washington’s only farm fun run. The event benefits Honey Bee Research. Bellewood Acres, Lynden. For more details and to register online, see bellewoodfarms.com and click on Events.

 

Art in the Garden: Saturday, April 29. This is an all day, one of a kind affair Featuring Container Garden Artist, Nancy Elvebak. She will be showing her gallery of planted containers made of stone, re-purposed material, as well as Italian pottery.  Containers selected for this event will be designed with plants for shade, for hot sun, and for patio privacy.  Nancy’s designs range from high-style to whimsy, fun containers showing her sense of humor.  Come enjoy her themed containers that would make any indoor or outdoor room decor complete. The Garden Spot Nursery, Bellingham. 360-676-5480, www.garden-spot.com.

 

April Brews Day: Saturday, April 29. Various local and regional breweries participating in this benefit for the Max Higbee Center, a local non-profit providing recreational activities to teens and adults with disabilities. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (360)733-1828 or see maxhigbee.org. 21+ only. Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Ave., Bellingham.

 

Edible Weeds and Wild Plants with Chris Soler: Saturday, April 29. Chris Soler is a farmer, alternative energy specialist, retired land surveyor and wild plant eater.  He will lead a a walk-about tour of his yard and woods to teach what is edible. 10 a.m. 18067 Colony Rd., Bow, WA 98232.  Email hydrosoler@gmail.com for class sign-up.

 

Nooksack Valley FFA Plant Sale: Thursday and Friday, May 4-5. This fundraiser supports FFA activities for the entire year and provides great leadership opportunities for our NVHS students. Hanging baskets, bedding plants, and some tomatoes this year. 3-6 p.m. High School greenhouse. Contact Rhonda Juergens at rhonda.juergens@nv.k12.wa.us or 988-2641 ext. 3312.

 

 

 

 

MAY

Empty Bowls: Friday, May 5. Presented by Whatcom Artist of Clay and Kiln (WACK). Empty Bowls is a hunger awareness project to benefit the Bellingham Food Bank and Maple Alley Inn. Empty Bowls will be held in the Boundary Bay Beer Garden (Railroad Ave., Bellingham) from 5:30-8:30 p.m. For $15, you get a portion of soup, and a locally handmade bowl to keep as a reminder of your contribution to help feed the local hungry. Several local ceramic artists will have platters up for bid in our silent auction throughout April at Old World Deli in Bellingham. Auction closes on May 5 at the Empty Bowls event at Boundary Bay Brewery. See www.whatcomartistsofclayandkiln.org.

 

Anacortes Farmers Market Opening Day: Saturday, May 6. Celebrate spring: buy fresh, local food, visit with your neighbors, and enjoy the Market. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Depot, 7th St. and R, Anacortes.  See www.anacortesfarmersmarket.org.

 

Procession of the Species: Saturday, May 6. All welcome to participate in costume. Line up begins at 3:30 p.m. behind the Bellingham Library. The parade starts at 4 p.m. Three rules apply: No written or spoken words, no live animals, and no motorized vehicles. Gather at Maritime Heritage Park  for closing activities. For more Procession events, see http://bpots.org.

 

Snohomish County Master Gardener Foundation Plant Sale: Saturday, May 6. More than 8,000  tomato, herb and vegetable starts, perennials, native plants, trees, shrubs, ground covers, living garden art. Master gardeners will be available to answer questions. Vendors include specialty nursery, gift and garden art. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. WSU Snohomish County Extension, McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett. (425) 357-6010, www.snomgf.org.

 

WSU Whatcom County Extension Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale: Saturday, May 13. Over 20 varieties of locally grown tomatoes, specialty perennials, herbs, hand grafted fruit trees and natives for sale. Master Gardeners available to answer questions at the Plant Clinic and Information Booth. Mini workshops, food sales, vendors and displays. Proceeds support the WSU Whatcom Master Gardener program. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hovander Homestead Park, Ferndale.

 

Everett Garden Club Sale: Saturday, May 13. Assortment of indoor and outdoor plants, garden art and plant related items. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until sold out), corner of 52nd and Evergreen Way (Party Display & Costume parking lot) in Everett. See everettgardenclub.weebly.com.

 

WSU Skagit County Master Gardener Plant Fair: Saturday, May 13. Join the Master Gardeners from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a day of plant sales and lots of gardening related fun! This year’s special events include a display of antique tractors and gas engines, the small animals from Skagit County 4-H, PLUS many vendors and thousands of plants. Skagit County Fairgrounds (South Entrance), 479 W Taylor Street, Mount Vernon. For further information visit:  http://ext100.wsu.edu/skagit/mg/plant-fair/.

 

Island County Master Gardener Foundation Plant Sale: Saturday, May 13. Perennials, native plants, shrubs, veggies, plant clinic and personal shoppers. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Greenbank Farm, 765 Wonn Road, Greenbank, Whidbey Island. See http://ext100.wsu.edu/island/gardening/master-gardeners/.

 

76th annual International Plowing Match: Saturday, May 20. Come on out and watch competitors step back in time and plow the land with a team of draft horses just as our ancestors did when they homesteaded the land. Sign the original guest book started in 1949. Free entry. All welcome to watch local and regional participants with their teams of horses. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Berthusen Park, Lynden. For more information, follow their Facebook page.