Warmer weather is just around the corner (or so we’ve been led to believe) and it’s the perfect time of year to get out and enjoy the community. And what finer way to do that than looking to the local events lineup.
Lewis County celebrates spring and summer with yummy food-themed festivals and events. Many of these are local favorites that have been going on for generations. Here’s a list of what not to miss, and especially which foods at these festivals and events not to miss! Bon appetit!
Winlock Egg Days — June 16-18, 2017
Yummy Food – home-made egg salad sandwiches
Winlock is home to the world’s largest egg, a 12-foot-long whopper weighing 1,200 pounds. Not a real egg, of course, but a monument to the town’s history as a major egg producer. Egg Days honors the town’s past with a two-day celebration including the Queen’s Coronation, parade, car show and a cake walk. Free egg salad sandwiches are given out to all festival visitors.
Chef’s Night Out — June 17, 2017
Yummy Food – gourmet appetizers and desserts
Chef’s Night Out at the Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel brings together Lewis County’s finest chefs for an evening of culinary creativity. Guests nibble decadent samples and then vote for their favorites in Lewis County’s Top Chef competition. The event raises funds for the United Way of Lewis County and the Boys and Girls Club of Chehalis.
Ruth Dinner Trains — June 17, July 9, August 12, September 16, 2017
Yummy Foods — four-course meal with wine
The Ruth Dinner Train is a two-hour vintage stream train ride offering dinner in a refurbished dining car dating to the 1920s. Meals are served on china with white linen tablecloths while the lush riverbanks of the Chehalis River unfold outside.
Chehalis-Centralia Murder Mystery Dinner Steam Train Ride — June 24, July 29, August 26, 2017
If mysteries are more your taste, the Centralia-Chehalis Steam Train company offers an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery train. Clues and entertainment are provided to diners during the two-hour trip.
SUMMERFEST (Centralia): — July 4, 2017
Yummy Foods: free pancake breakfast, hot dog lunch
Summerfest is Centralia’s Fourth of July celebration with activities at Fort Borst Park, downtown Centralia and at the Southwest Washington fairgrounds. The day begins with a free pancake breakfast, but the fun continues with an 8K run, games in the park, history presentations at the Borst Blockhouse and Borst Homestead. At midday, there’s a hot dog lunch. Later, you can attend the parade, Destruction Derby and evening fireworks.
Toledo Cheese Days: — July 6-9, 2017
Yummy Foods — cheese sandwiches, pizza-eating contest
Cheese Days began in 1920 as a celebration of the Cowiltz Valley Cheese Association. With the exception of a few years break during World War II, the festival has been held ever since. Today Cheese Days is a three-day event, which includes a parade, car and motorcycle show, frog jumping contest, golf tournament, bazaar, pizza eating contest and free cheese sandwiches for visitors.
Mossyrock Blueberry Festival — August 4-6, 2017
Yummy Food — blueberries and blueberry-themed foods
The three-day Mossyrock Blueberry Festival celebrates the delicious, nutritious blueberry with a blueberry pancake breakfast, blueberry dessert baking contest and a blueberry pie eating championship. The festival also includes a parade, car show, quilt show, outdoor concerts, bicycle ride, fun run and lots of fun activities for kids. But, really, we’re all here for the blueberries.
Southwest Washington Fair — August 15-20, 2017
Yummy Foods — kettle corn, elephant ears, Hawaiian burgers and many more
Photo courtesy: Discover Lewis County
The Southwest Washington Fair is a celebration of all things Lewis County and summer and food. The fair offers a wide variety of entertainment from comedy shows to concerts, rodeo to agricultural events, and even a demolition derby. There are typically about 35 food vendors at the fair. Besides time-honored favorites such as corn dogs, kettle corn, elephant ears and ice-cream, this year they’ll also have Hawaiian burgers, Thai food, Greek gyros and pulled pork sandwiches. For dessert, don’t forget to try freshly made donuts and fair scones (always a favorite).
Chehalis Garlic Fest — August 25-27, 2017
Yummy Foods — garlic-themed foods
At the Chehalis Garlic Fest, you’ll see more than 70 varieties of raw garlic. You’ll also be able to sample a wide variety of garlic-themed cuisine, including sweet potato with garlic butter, garlic kettle corn, garlic bacon truffles, garlic mocha and garlic frosted brownies. A beer garden, live music, crafts, kids’ activities and chef demonstrations round out the weekend.
