Kelly Darrah Uncategorized

The Festival At Mt. Si Continues Small-Town Tradition

This free, all-ages event outside the city is sure to please the whole family.

The Grand Parade showcases small-town talent. Photo courtesy of Festival at Mt. Si.

This summer, Seattle has played host to myriad different family-friendly events. If you’re looking to leave the city for some wholesome, small-town entertainment this weekend, the city of North Bend invites you to enjoy a tradition that has spanned more than three decades.

North Bend, which sits just 30 minutes east of Seattle, will be hosting its annual Festival at Mt. Si. Presented by North Bend Education and Cultural Association (NBECA), this event seeks to “promote the spirit of North Bend’s small town community by providing educational and cultural programs that will preserve the past, celebrate the present, and embrace the future,” according to its website.

Each year, more than 30,000 people visit the festival from surrounding areas such as upper and lower Snoqualmie Valley, Snoqualmie Ridge, King and Kittitas Counties. This year’s schedule is jam-packed with opportunities sure to entertain all ages.

Families enjoy food and entertainment at the Festival at Mt. Si. Photo courtesy of Festival at Mt. Si.

Live music will be featured each day, so you’ll want to check out the line-up before you go. Some of the other vendors that will be offered each day include arts and crafts, a Kids Fun Zone, a beer garden and food booths. The Arts in Festival Hall will also showcase dancing and other attractions all three days.

Saturday’s main event will be the Grand Parade, which begins at 10:30 a.m. and runs along North Bend Way. Also held on Saturday is the Burstin’ with Blueberries Dessert Contest, sponsored by Bybee-Nims Farms, for which registration begins at 11:45 a.m. Registration for Saturday’s third event, the Cherry Pie Eating Contest sponsored by Twede’s Café, begins at 1 p.m.
Many different vendors are featured at the Festival at Mt. Si. Photo courtesy of Festival at Mt. Si.

After all this eating you might be looking to shed some of those calories by entering the Tour de Peaks Bicycle Ride on Sunday morning, so be ready to check in between 7 and 10 a.m. The What’s Cookin’ Chili Cook-off, sponsored by The North Bend Bar & Grill, will be held Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Contestants can win up to $300 — and, of course, bragging rights!

Celebrate the summer right with free, exciting entertainment in one of Seattle’s neighboring towns Aug. 12 – 14 at Si View Park in North Bend.

The Festival at Mount Si  |  420 SE Orchard Dr., North Bend  |  (425) 888-8535