Puget Sound Antique Tractor and Machinery Annual Gas and Steam Show: Aug. 1-4. See displays of cars, trucks, tractors, and engines. Learn how equipment was used in farming and logging. Activities for kids of all ages. Gates open at 7 a.m. until dusk. Berthusen Park, Lynden. Admission $8/adult, $3/ages 8-12, $5/senior. For more information, see www.psatma.com or e-mail PSATandMA@gmail.com.

 

Farm Tunes Summer Music Series: 6-9 p.m. Fridays in August and September. Food, spirits, and fun with local bands performing. No cover, family friendly. Bellewood Acres, Lynden. See bellewoodfarms.com.

 

Food Preservation: Pressure Canning: Wednesday, Aug. 1. Learn to can vegetables, meats, and other low acid foods, with instructor Jennifer Bryan-Goforth. 6:30-8 p.m. Downtown Co-op Connections Building, Bellingham. $25. See https://communityfood.coop/events/2018-08/.

 

Stanwood-Camano Community Fair: Aug. 3-5. The “Best Lil Fair in the West” is one of the largest community fairs in Washington State which showcases the Stanwood-Camano Community’s past, present and future. Enjoy exhibits, entertainment and carnival. Adults $10, seniors and children $7, under 5 free. 6431 Pioneer Hwy., Stanwood. Call (360) 629-4121. See www.stanwoodcamanofair.org.

 

Anacortes Arts Festival: Friday through Sunday, Aug. 3-5. Browse 250 booth artisans, a fine art exhibit, ethnic and regional foods, music on multiple stages, youth activities and demonstrating artists. 505 O Ave., Anacortes. For full schedule, see www.AnacortesArtsFestival.com.

 

Summer Harvest Day: Saturday, Aug. 4. Join us for a family friendly day on the farm! Taste freshly harvested fruits and vegetables, take a guided tour and learn about our dynamic local food system. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Everson. 360-966-5859, info@cloudmountainfarmcenter.org.

 

Skagit Valley Food Co-op’s 2018 Bike to Farm Tour: Saturday, Aug. 4. Presented by Skagit Valley Food Co-op. 9 a.m. to noon. Free. Starting point is Edgewater Park. 8-mile roundtrip tour includes three Mount Vernon farms — Skagit Flats Farm, Living Rain Farm, and Ralph’s Greenhouse. Or, continue onto La Conner to Hedlin Family Farms for a 20-mile roundtrip tour. All riders should be 8 years and older. Helmets are required. “Fat tire” bikes are recommended — you’ll be traveling on gravel and dirt roads. Please register at http://www.skagitfoodcoop.com/event/2018-bike-to-farm-tour/#more-38105.

 

Korean Natural Farming Workshop: Saturday, Aug. 4. Hosted by Suze Guðmundsson and Eric Weinert from 4-7 p.m. at the Alternative Library, 519 E Maple St, Bellingham. $35.

 

Sewing Bootcamp: Saturdays, Aug. 4 and  11. Learn to upcycle or alter your own clothes in this beginning sewing “bootcamp” series with Brigitte Parra. Get familiar with the care and use of your sewing machine and solving basic sewing problems, take accurate body measurements and learn to fit items to your own aesthetic and body type. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. $76. Register at http://www.ragfinery.com/upcoming-events.

 

Judging & Clerking 101: Monday, Aug. 6. Whatcom County Dahlia Society hosts this presentation at Laurel Grange, 6172 Guide Meridian (next to Bellewoods & across from Z’s Recycle), 7-9 p.m. Free event. Coffee and refreshments provided.  Contact wcdspublicity@gmail.com.

 

Food Preservation: Pickling and Fermentation: Wednesday, Aug. 8. Learn to make and preserve quick pickles, fermented foods like sauerkraut, and salsa, with instructor Jennifer Bryan-Goforth. 6:30-8 p.m. Downtown Co-op Connections Building, Bellingham. $25. See https://communityfood.coop/events/2018-08/.

 

Skagit County Fair: Wednesday through Saturday, Aug. 8-11. Food, live music, animals, fun, rides, tractor show, car show, square dance, and more. Meet local and community organizations at booths. Skagit County Fairgrounds, 479 W. Taylor Street, Mount Vernon. Tickets apply. Kids 5 and under free. Call (360) 336 – 9414 or visit www.skagitcounty.net/fair.

 

Essential Remedies: Subtle Aromatherapy with Michelle Mahler: Wednesday, Aug. 8. Learn about the subtle side of essential oils. How to use them for mental health and mood balance, using with autistic and the very young and the elderly, and other information. 6:30 p.m. Free. Optional $10 supply fee to make a roll-on or $5 for spray. Register under http://www.skagitfoodcoop.com/event/.

 

Fun & Awareness Fundraiser At The Farm: Saturday, Aug. 11. Skagit 1095, a child nutrition awareness group focused on 3 meals a day 365 days a year, presents this fundraiser. Food, music, games for kids and adults, planetarium, and more. The “Galloping Gourmet” Graham Kerr will make a presentation. The Flash of Silver Award will be presented as well. Raffle drawings. 4-7 p.m. Red Barn at Highland Farm, West 20962 Lafayette Road, Burlington. Parking in second driveway. Suggested donation is $10 per family. Contact Ann Novak at (360)202-1614 or highlandfarmwest@gmail.com. See Skagitchildnutrition.org for more details.

 

Subdued Stringband Jamboree: Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 9-11. Musical acts, family-friendly activities, food vendors and more. Deming Log Show Grounds, Bellingham. Day/weekend tickets available; camping on site. Children 14 and under free with paying adult. See www.stringbandjamboree.com.

 

Marysville Street Festival Handmade and Homegrown: Friday through Sunday, Aug. 10-12. Handmade and handgrown items for purchase. Over 100 vendors showcasing local produce, art, music and more. Entertainment for kids and adults. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. For more details, e-mail mvillehomegrown@gmail.com or see the Facebook page.

 

16th annual Brewfest on the Skagit: Saturday, Aug. 11. The Skagit’s longest running Craft Brew Festival will be 4-9 p.m. at Skagit Riverwalk Park in downtown Mount Vernon, featuring dozens of local craft brews, three of the regions most popular bands, leisure games, and local food trucks. All funds support the Lincoln Theatre. Brewfest on the Skagit is a 21 and over event. ID required. Tickets at www.lincolntheatre.org.

 

Stillaguamish Festival of the River and Pow Wow: Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 11-12. Entrance is free! Gates open at 10 a.m. Gates open 10am. Parking is $20. Early Bird parking from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is $10. Music, Pow Wow, Fun Run, childrens activities, and more. River Meadows County Park, 20416 Jordan Road, Arlington. See festivaloftheriver.com.

 

Summer Propagation: Fruit Tree Grafting by Chip Budding: Saturday, Aug. 11. Are you looking to expand your grafting skills? This two-hour course will introduce you to the basic principles of chip bud grafting. In addition to practicing the budding technique, you’ll learn about knife use, rootstock/scion selection, and aftercare of new grafts. Be prepared to be outside. Registration required, space is limited. $30 workshop fee. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Everson. 360-966-5859, info@cloudmountainfarmcenter.org.

 

Northwest Washington Fair: Monday through Saturday, Aug. 13-18. Music, entertainment, contests, rides, ag area and more. For complete schedule and admission, see nwwafair.com.

 

Growing Organic High Tunnel Crops for Market: Monday, Aug. 13. Look at the strategies and practices used in production of tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, and eggplant. Topics will include temporary tunnels, trellis construction, fertigation practices, disease management and harvest management. We will give information about how to apply for an NRCS grant for your own high tunnel. 5-7 p.m. Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Everson. See www.cloudmountainfarmcenter.org.

 

Food Preservation: Freezing, Drying, and Root Cellaring: Wednesday, Aug. 15. Learn other preservation methods and micro climate food storage techniques, with instructor Jennifer Bryan-Goforth. 6:30-8 p.m. Downtown Co-op Connections Building, Bellingham. $25. See https://communityfood.coop/events/2018-08/.

 

Food Preservation Workshop: Thursday, Aug. 16. Learn about different food preservation techniques, and which ones work best for produce that is overabundant in our area. Discuss pickling, fermenting, and freezing and end with a delicious live demo. Free. 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Community Food Co-op Connections Building, 1220 N.Forest St., Bellingham. Hosted by Eat Local First and Sustainable Connections. See squatchfoodwaste.org.

 

Lynden Jr. Livestock Show & Sale: Friday, Aug. 17. 1 p.m. Henry Jansen Barn on the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds.

 

Introduction to Permaculture: Saturday, Aug. 18. Gain a better understanding of what Permaculture is and ways you can apply these lessons to your life, suggestions of plants to use in Permaculture systems, and resources for further education on this topic, with Andrew Tuttle. 10:30 a.m. $10 per person or $8 each for 2 or more people registering together. Registration recommended. Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Everson. 360-966-5859, info@cloudmountainfarmcenter.org.

 

Skagit Valley Food Coop Summer Garden Party: Saturday, Aug. 18. It’s the last summer garden party of the season. Free, family-friendly. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy fun in the sun and free samples. Skagit Valley Food Coop, Mount Vernon. For more details, see www.skagitfoodcoop.com.

 

Farm Food Feud: Saturday, Aug. 18. Mt Vernon Farmers Market. Three chefs from local restaurants battle it out usign fresh ingredients from the market. Judging is at noon. Mount Vernon Farmers Market, RIverwalk Park, 509 S Main St, Mount Vernon. See www.mountvernonfarmersmarket.org.

 

Dog Days of Summer: Saturday, Aug. 18. Description: Local artist Phoebe Wahl will guide participants through playfully and intuitively creating wire armatures to form the skeleton, and hand-sewing your sculpture’s exterior using fabric scraps and notions either brought from home or purchased at Ragfinery. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $66..Register at http://www.ragfinery.com/upcoming-events/.

 

Eco-Dyeing from Weeds and Waste with Irene Hinkle: Sunday, Aug. 19. Take home your own eco-dyed creation on paper (make great greeting cards!) using natural dyes you can make yourself and plants from your own garden or near-by woods. Bring interesting leaves, fronds, and flowers (both fresh and dried are o.k.) if you like and incorporate them into your eco-dyed paper. Chuckanut Center, 103 Chuckanut Drive N. Noon to 2 p.m. $25 suggested donation. Contact chuckanutcenter@gmail.com.

 

No-Sew Braided Rugs: Wednesday, Aug. 22. Learn how to craft a beautiful no sew braided rug from old sheets, with Kirsten Wert. This four strand technique eliminates the need for sewing braids together and results in a sturdy rug able to withstand the modern washer and dryer. 6-8 p.m. $25. Register at http://www.ragfinery.com/upcoming-events/.

 

Dahlia Show: Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 18-19. Catch the colorful display of more than 2,500 dahlias as single blooms, triple blooms, 5-blooms, in baskets and in artistic arrangements. Prizes are awarded to winning entries. Presented by the Snohomish County Dahlia Society. Free admission. Saturday hours 1-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Free admission. Floral Hall at Forest Park, 802 E. Mukilteo Blvd., Everett. See www.scdahlias.org.

 

Fiber Day at Bow Farmers Market: Thursday, Aug. 23. Demo and vend for free; or vend for $10. We invite any interested fiber folks to participate, particularly those who are interested in sharing their skills with kids. Contact: Patty @360 724 3333.

 

Solar and Emergency Power for Your Home, Farm, or Business with Fire Mountain Solar: Thursday, Aug. 23. Come learn about evaluating your home for solar incentives that bring down the cost, battery-backup for homes, USDA grants for solar for farms or businesses, and DIY kits. Solar+batteries provides clean, quiet power for off-grid remote settings or backup power when the grid goes down. 6:30 p.m. Free. Skagit Valley Food Coop, MOunt Vernon. Register at http://www.skagitfoodcoop.com, under Events.

 

Evergreen State Fair: Aug. 23-Sept. 3. Concerts, carnival, pig races, animal exhibits, contests, lumberjack shows, auto races, rodeo, aztec dancers, muscle cars and more. 14405 179th Ave SE, Monroe, (360) 805-6704. See www.evergreenfair.org.

 

Succulents: Easy Beauty, Carefree Containers with Garden Jay: Aug. 27. Succulent walls, planted picture frames, succulent mosaics and mandalas, whimsical thrift store containers, classic terra cotta or glazed pottery – the only limit is your imagination, and good drainage. This class will feature lots of show-and-tell, basic care instructions and a couple of demos to inspire you to go home and create your own living art. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Skagit Valley Food Co-op. Register at www.skagitfoodcoop.com, under Events.

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER

Farm Fund Hootenanny: Sunday, Sept. 2. Local food, live music from the Sky Colony Band, a tractor photo booth, square dancing, beer, and the annual Farmer Awards make this a fun and family-friendly event. All of the kickoff’s proceeds benefit the Community Food Co-op’s Farm Fund. Boundary Bay Brewery, Bellingham. 6-9:30 p.m. $5 to $20 donation at the door. All ages, everyone welcome.

 

Whatcom County Dahlia Society Annual Flower Show: Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 8-9. Hundreds of dahlias and many arrangements of all different types, sizes, and colors from all over Washington and Canada. Experienced growers available to answer your questions. Hours are Saturday noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. All ages. Bloedel Donovan Park, 2214 Electric Ave., Bellingham. For more information, call Paul at (360) 354-4346 or visit www.whatcomcountydahliasociety.org.

 

Whatcom Farm Tour Weekend: Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 8-9. More than 12 local farms will open their gates and welcome the community to see, taste, feel and learn hands on what goes into local food production. A variety of producers will be featured, including vegetables, beef, eggs and poultry, flowers, dairy, orchards, a farmhouse brewery, and yak. Learn about these unique farms and the passion and care that goes into them. Free admission. See https://sustainableconnections.org/2018-whatcom-county-farm-tour/ for more details.

 

Season’s End Brunch: Sunday, Sept. 9. Join Growing Alliances to celebrate the end of a second season growing food in downtown Bellingham, strengthening youth job skills and addressing local food insecurity. Enjoy a brunch grown by the Youth Garden Crew, a kids’  corner, music by local artists, and food, garden and family related auction items. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Boundary Bay Brewery, 1107 Railroad Ave Bellingham. Children welcome. Visit: http://growingalliances.org/events/ to find out more. Contact Kali Crow at info@growingalliances.org or (206) 595-6878.

 

Latino Farm Walk 2018: Creative Farm Financing: Monday, Sept. 9. A fully bilingual FARMWALK offered with support from Tilth Alliance, WSU Skagit County Extension, Viva Farms, and WSU Food Systems Program. The farm walk hosts, Lis and Joaquin Lopez, have been working and gaining experience on organic farms in Washington for over 12 years. They have now operated their own family farm, Mariposa Farm, since 2013 on 9 ½ acres in Everson. They’ll be sharing their farmland acquisition story and the advantages of growing a diverse variety of vegetables and berries to sell at markets. Noon to 4 p.m. For tickets, see mariposafarmwalk.brownpapertickets.com.

7th Cascadia Skillshare and Barter Faire: Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15-16. Two days of family friendly demonstrations and activities of practical and old-timey skills. Bartering area available to exchange all manner of homemade and grown goods. Beer garden, food and music sharing areas also on site. Camping available Saturday evening. For early bird tickets, to volunteer or to present a skill, visit www.cascadiaskillshare.org or email info@cascadiaskillshare.org.

 

Invasive Weed Field Practicum: Saturday, Sept. 15. Hosted by WSU Extension Puget Sound Forest Stewardship. At this field practicum, you will learn to identify and control some of the most common invasive weeds that cause economic and environmental damage in forests, such as holly, ivy, blackberries, knotweed, reed canary grass, butterfly bush, Scotch broom, and more. The practicum will cover both chemical and non-chemical control options. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets at forestry.wsu.edu.

 

Bread Lab! Book Launch: Saturday, Sept. 15. September is Food Literacy Month and we are celebrating with the launch of this great new book about bread. Kim Binczewski and Bethany Econopouly, plant researchers at The Bread Lab at Washington State University, Mount Vernon, make their picture-book debut with this mouth-watering story that captures the step-by-step process and delicious aromas, sensations, sights and sounds of bread-making. The playful art of Hayelin Choi, illustrator of Alice Waters and the Trip to Delicious, crackle and pop with fun, to inspire new bakers and young scientists alike. Published in Cooperation with The Bread Lab at Washington State University, Mount Vernon. Sponsored by the Bread Bakers Guild of America. Kim Binczewski is the Managing Director of the WSU Bread Lab in Burlington, where her work includes experimenting with grain products beyond bread such as noodles assisting in the breeding program’s field research and serving on taste panels for bread and other products. Kim will be joined by Renee Bourgault of Breadfarm and, together, they will lead kids in a sensory activity involving samples of wheat, barley, rye plants, and seeds. And yes, there will be samples of bread! This event is co-sponsored by The Bread Lab at WSU, Mount Vernon. 2 p.m. Village Books, Fairhaven.

 

Sh’Bang: Friday through Sunday, Sept. 7-9. This eclectic festival will feature over 50 live bands and 45 performances, including Off-road Soapbox Derby, over water aerials, and more outrageously extraordinary wonders. Lookout Arts Quarry, Bellingham. All ages. No dogs. For tickets and other details, see http://shbangfest.com/.

 

Skagit River Salmon Festival: Saturday, Sept. 8. Free, family-friendly fun. Bands and live music, food and brews, ‘Hunters of the Sky’ Raptor Shows, arts, crafts, and games for the whole family. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Returning this year to Edgewater Park in Mount Vernon. For more details see skagitriverfest.org.

 

SICBA Home Tour: Friday through Sunday, Sept. 14-16. The Skagit/Island Counties Builders Association (SICBA) will be hosting the annual SICBA Home Tour featuring homes by local builders. For more information, see sicba.org.

 

Bellingham Sea Feast: Friday and Saturday, Sept. 21-11. Friday in downtown Bellingham and Saturday at Zuanich Point Park and Squalicum Harbor. Meet Your Fishermen: Dock walks, boat visits, knot-tying and net-mending demos, and much more. Demos, Harbor Boat Ride & Tour of Ice House and Fish-Processing Plant. lots of food, and more. For more details, see www.bellinghamseafeast.com.

 

2nd annual Sedro Woolley Brewfest benefiting Helping Hands Food Bank: Saturday, Sept. 22. Join local and regional breweries to benefit the Helping Hands Food Bank of Sedro-Woolley. 2-8 p.m. at Heritage Hammer Square. Early Bird tickets are on sale for $25 online at our Facebook page. Participants must be 21+. See the 1st Annual Sedro-Woolley Brewfest Facebook page for details.

 

8th annual Skagit Valley Giant Pumpkin Festival at Christianson’s Nursery: Saturday, Sept. 29. Pumpkin weigh off registration from 9 a.m. to noon. ​Christianson’s Nursery is partnering with Pacific Northwest Giant Pumpkin Growers (PNWGPG) to host this festival, now in its 7th year. Giant Pumpkin and Fruit & Vegetable Weigh Off, amateur pumpkin carving contest, pony rides, face painting, “The Bat Lady” and so much more. See www.christiansonsnursery.com/whats-happening.

 

2018 Whidbey Island Cider Festival: Sept. 29. Free and family friendly. Taste ciders from different NW cideries, food from local vendors, live music by Cranberry Bog, learn about cider making, children’s activities and more. Pacific Rim Institute, 180 Parker Road, Coupeville. See facebook.com/whidbeyislandciderfestival.

 

Send event information to editor@grownorthwest.com.

Farmers Markets

WHATCOM

Blaine Gardeners Market: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at H Street Plaza, through October. (360) 332-6484.

Bellingham/Fairhaven Farmers Market: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Depot Market Square, through mid-December. Fairhaven runs 3-7 p.m. on the Village Green through September. See bellinghamfarmers.org.

Ferndale Farmers Market: Fridays 3-7 p.m. through Oct. 5 at Centennial Riverwalk Park. See ferndalepublicmarket.org.

Lynden Farmers Market: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 324 Front Street, through Sept. 29. See lyndenfarmersmarket.com.

The Twin Sisters Market: Saturdays June through October in two locations: Nugents Corner 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and North Fork Library (Kendall) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. See twinsistersmarket.com.

 

SKAGIT

Anacortes Farmers Market: Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Depot, 611 R Avenue, through October. See anacortesfarmersmarket.org.

Bow Farmers Market: Thursdays 1-6 p.m. at Samish Bay Cheese, 15115 Bow Hill Road in Bow, through Sept. 14. See bowlittlemarket.com.

Edison Farmers Market: Sundays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Edison Granary, through September. See the group’s Facebook page.

Mount Vernon Farmers Market:  Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through October at Waterfront Plaza. The Wednesday market runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hospital on Kinkaid St., through September. See www.mountvernonfarmersmarket.org.

Sedro-Woolley Farmers Market: Wednesdays 3-7 p.m. at Hammer Heritage Square, corner of Ferry and Metcalf streets, through September. See sedrowoolleyfarmersmarket.com.

Skagit Up River Farmers Market: Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 45218 Fir Street in Concrete, just off State Highway 20. See the Facebook page.

 

Snohomish

Arlington Farmers Market: Saturdays at Legion Park, 200 N Olympic Ave, July through early September. See www.afmwa.org.

Everett Farmers Market: Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 615 13th St. Boxcar Park, Everett, through Oct. 14.  Also, Wednesdays through Sept. 26 from 4-8 p.m. at the Everett Station Transit Center, 2333 32nd St.  See everettfarmersmarket.net.

Marysville Farmers Market: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1035 State Ave. Marysville, through September. See www.marysvillefarmersmarket.blogspot.com.

Port Susan Farmers Market: Fridays 2-6 p.m. in the parking lot next to the Amtrak Train Station in east Stanwood at 8727 271st St. NW, through Oct. 12. See  portsusan.org.

Snohomish Farmers Market: Thursdays 3 to 7 p.m. at Pearl Street and Cedar Avenue in Snohomish, through September. See snohomishfarmersmarket.com.

 

 

island

Bayview Farmers Market: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bayview Corner (Highway 525 and Bayview Road) in Langley. See www.bayviewfarmersmarket.com.

Coupeville Farmers Market: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Community Green, through October.  See their Facebook page.

South Whidbey Tilth Farmers Market: Sundays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2812 Thompson Road, through mid-October. See southwhidbeytilth.org/market.html.

Oak Harbor Farmers Market: Fourth Saturday of each month, 9 a.m. to noon at Church Street from Water Street to the alley. See their facebook page.

 

SAN JUAN

Lopez Island Farmers Market: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lopez Village, through mid-Sept. See lopezfarmersmarket.com.

Orcas Island Farmers Market: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Village Green in Eastsound, through September. In October and November, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oddfellows Hall. See orcasislandfarmersmarket.org.

San Juan Farmers Market: Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  at the Brickworks in Friday Harbor, through October. Twice monthly in November and December. See www.sjifarmersmarket.com.