The spring and summer months bring plenty of festivals to

the Snoqualmie Valley. These festivals have a great small-town feel and

are enjoyed by people from all over the state.

The merrymaking starts with Fall City Days on June 17. The day

will start out with a pancake breakfast at the Masonic Hall at 7 a.m. A

5K/10K Fun Run and 5K walk are next at 9 a.m. Registration for the run is at

7:30 a.m. at Olive Taylor Quigley Park.

A kiddie parade will begin around 11 a.m. and will be

followed by the grand parade through downtown on State Route 202. The

annual firefighters’ water fight is immediately after the parade on the banks of

the Snoqualmie River. Parade awards will be presented at 12:45 p.m. at the

parade stage. Afternoon entertainment will start at 1 p.m. and will be held

on two stages. The Suffering Gaels and Jim Bassnight will both be

performing.

From noon to 5 p.m., there will be a dunk tank, with proceeds

going to the United Methodist Handbell Choir. There will also be arts,

crafts and go-Karts at Fall City Elementary, and helicopter rides.

New this year is the Ducky Derby, which will occur from 3 to

5 p.m. Rubber duckies can be bought for $5 and will be released down

the Snoqualmie River. The winning ducky owners will get a prize.

Next comes Carnation’s Fourth of July Celebration. The

Sno-Valley Seniors will hold a spaghetti feed the evening of July 3. After a dinner

like that, thankfully the annual “Run for the Pies” happens the next morning.

Also that morning, Tolt Congregational Church will hold a pancake

breakfast. Late morning is parade time, with a kiddie parade preceding the grand

parade.

Another opportunity for eating comes along after the parade

— strawberry shortcake at the Senior Center.

Other attractions include bands, food booths, arts and crafts

vendors and 4-H displays. In the afternoon, look for the Hot Rod and Harley

show and the Tolt River inner tube race. Fireworks sponsored by the City

of Carnation will start at dusk. For exact event times, call Doreen or

Steve Norton at (425) 333-4024.

Summer festivities switch to the Upper Snoqualmie Valley in

August. Snoqualmie Railroad Days will take place August 4, 5 and 6. Events

kick off on Friday at 5 p.m. with food vendors and games in Railroad Park

and the Snoqualmie Tribe Salmon Bake at the entrance to Sandy Cove

Park. There will be entertainment and bike decorating for kids in the Log

Pavilion at 6 p.m., and a teen dance starts at 8 p.m. in King Street.

Saturday morning starts off with a pancake breakfast at

the Snoqualmie Fire Department from 7 to 11 a.m. The Ridge to Trails

Fun Run/Walk begins at 9 a.m. at Optiva and is followed by an

end-of-race party at the beer garden with food and entertainment by Jr. Cadillac.

Snoqualmie United Methodist Church will hold a rummage sale

starting at 9 a.m. The children’s parade will start at 11 a.m. on Railroad

Avenue and will be followed by the grand parade. The annual Ping-Pong Drop

will also occur after the parade.

Several events start at noon, including live entertainment at the

Log Pavilion, the dunk tank charity fund raiser in Railroad Park, the fourth

annual Classic Car Show and another salmon bake with the Tribe.

Volunteer firefighters will have water ball fights at 1 p.m. in

Riverview Park. In the evening, live music can be found in the beer garden and a

Keg toss will start at 4 p.m. An adult street dance happens later in the evening

on King Street.

The next morning, registration for the annual Snoqualmie Tour de

Peaks bicycle ride starts at 7 a.m. at the Log Pavilion. There will also be pony

rides in Riverview Park, the dunk tank and more live entertainment on

Sunday. Events on Sunday last until 5 p.m.

All three days feature helicopter rides at Snoqualmie Middle

School, art, craft and food vendors, games and inflatable rides. And, of course,

the Snoqualmie Railroad will have train rides and self-propelled track

speeder rides.

Last, but definitely not least, the festival season ends with Alpine

Days in North Bend on August 11, 12 and 13. On the 11th, opening

ceremonies will begin at 6 p.m. at Gardiner Weeks Park. Entertainment and a street

dance will follow. Saturday starts off with a 5K race at 8:30 a.m. at the

Factory Stores and a pancake breakfast at Mount Si Senior Center at the

same time.

The Farmer’s Market starts at 10 a.m. in Gardiner Weeks Park

and the grand parade begins at 11 a.m. at the corner of North Bend Way

and Cedar Falls Way. This year’s theme is “Magic in the Mountains.”

Entertainment will be set up at the Gardiner Weeks Park main stage from noon

to 11 p.m. and at an acoustic stage at North Bend Depot. Check out

the Classic and Custom Car Show downtown from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy

a street dance at the main stage with Jumbalassy at 7 p.m. The night will

end with a spectacular fireworks show sponsored by the Wyrsch family

at Torguson Park, starting at 9:45 p.m.

Both Saturday and Sunday will provide arts and crafts in the

North Bend Depot, food booths in Gardiner Weeks Park, downtown kiddie

events and helicopter rides at North Bend Elementary. Festivities end at 3

p.m. on Sunday, so make sure to get plenty of summer fun before this last

festival runs out. But then again, there’s always next year.