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When it comes to special events, fairs and festivals, Washington  has something for everyone. Whether it's honoring food, history, heritage, or one of the four seasons, Washington’s  celebrations are known for their authentic charm. The following is just a sample of the events taking place year round.

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

April 1-30, 2014  in Skagit Valley, Washington

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is one of the destination events for the Pacific Northwest, held from April 1-30.Each year, Skagit Valley celebrates the spring season of flowers from the daffodils in late March to the tulips in April and the the irises and lilies in May. More than 1 million visitors come to see over 300 acres of brightly colored tulips and to enjoy the festivities in places like La Conner and Mount Vernon. Attractions include the Tulip Festival Street Fair, Tulip Parade, Kiwanas Club Salmon BBQ, art shows and quilt Walk. Visit: www.tulipfestival.org/index.php

Seafair

August 2 - August 4, 2014   in Seattle, Washington

Seafair is for everyone. Most events are still free and as a recent local newspaper column stated, it’s a part of what makes up a “Quintessential Northwesterner”. Seattle’s traditional summer festival, Seafair is a month-long, region-wide barbecue that brings an entire community together in celebration. A community event for over 58 years, Seafair is the largest festival in the Northwest region hosting a miriad of events throughout the summer ranging from a Milk Carton Derby at Green Lake to the Seafair Triathlon at Lake Washington. Events include parades, Miss Seafair, the Navy and Coast Guard, amateur athletics, airplanes and of course, boat racing, culminating with the Unlimited Hydroplane races and Air Show.  Visit: www.seafair.com

Raspberry Festival

July  in Lynden, Washington

Lynden, often referred to as "A Little Bit of Holland", celebrates the largest harvest of raspberries in North America with the annual

Raspberry Festival complete with a benefit golf tournament, children's activities in downtown Lynden, raspberries and ice cream sundaes, jazz music and a basketball tournament. Other attractions include petting zoos & wagon rides,wine tasting, the "Berry Fair" Street Market & Sidewalk Sale, the “Razz & Shine” cruise-in car show. and an “all you can eat” raspberry pancake breakfast! Visit: www.lynden.org

Seattle Scottish Highland Games

July 26 & 27, 2014 in Enumclaw, Washington

COME TO KNOW THE MAJESTY THAT IS THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS North American Scottish Athletics Championship, US West Coast Drum Corps Championship, NW Regional Harp Finals, individual Piping and Drumming, Pipe Bands, Highland and National Dancing - you will see and experience it all, plus much, much more at the Enumclaw Expo Center on July 28 and July 29. Will you join us for a few hours or the entire weekend? Are you a veteran or a novice? No matter, you will find yourself experiencing a wee bit of Scotland right here in the Pacific Northwest!    Visit: Scottish Games

Washington State International Kite Festival

August 18-24, 2104 in Long Beach, Washington

The Washington State International Kite Festival (WSIKF) is a week-long kite celebration and competition held annually during the third week of August. Voted best kite festival in the world by Kite Trade Association International, the WSIKF is a weeklong kite celebration and competition that boasts skies ablaze with color, high flying action and choreographed movement. Washington’s Kite Festival draws famous kite fliers from all around the world, and tens of thousands awed spectators, many of which participate in the fun with their own kite flying adventures. Visit: www.kitefestival.com

National Lentil Festival

August  22-23, 2014 in Pullman, Washington

The National Lentil Festival draws people from all over the country to enjoy fun activities and a diverse assortment of lentil culinary delights.  The lentil is a small, lens-shaped legume and approximately one-third of the world's lentils are grown in the beautiful Palouse region. Since 1989, the National Lentil Festival has celebrated this wonderful little legume throughout Pullman. Join them for the 25th anniversary in its new location on Spring Street and enjoy more vendors, bigger entertainment, double the beer and wine gardens, and more!

Visit: www.lentilfest.com

Bumbershoot

August 30 - September 1, 2014 in Seattle, Washington

The 3-day urban event, Seattle’s premier music and art festival, takes place on Labor Day Weekend). The Festival stretches across the 74-acre Seattle Center, located beneath the city’s iconic Space Needle, and programs 20 indoor and unique outdoor venues. This progressive Festival features a diverse array of arts including live music, comedy, theatre, dance, film, urban crafts, and literary and

visual arts. Visit: www.bumbershoot.org

Ellensburg Rodeo

August 29 - September 1, 2014  in Ellensburg, Washington

The Ellensburg Rodeo is one of the “old rodeos” and has earned its place as one of America’s Top 10 professional rodeos. The Ellensburg Rodeo is the final stop of the Wrangler Million Dollar Gold Tour and hosts the World Finale of PRCA’s Extreme Bulls Tour. Started in 1923 with the same volunteer spirit that still “fuels the fire” of today’s volunteers, the rodeo has grown from a local competition among ranch hands to the Professional event of today with over 600 contestants and prize money in excess of $400,000!! Today's best riders, ropers, and wrestlers compete in what many consider to be the best rodeo arena in the nation.  Visit: www.ellensburgrodeo.com

Pig Out in the Park

August 27 - September 1, 2014  in Spokane, Washington

Spokane’s favorite food and entertainment event for more than 28 years, Pig Out in the Park offers 6 days of 75 Free concerts, more than  225,000 servings of food, desserts, beverages and treats from over 42 food booths and three adult beverage gardens. Staged in beautiful downtown Spokane in Riverfront Park, the festival begins on Wednesday at noon, and continues until the end of the day on Monday. Visit: www.spokanepigout.com

Puyallup Fair

September 5-21, 2014 in Puyallup, Washington

The Puyallup Fair (officially known as the Western Washington Fair) is one of the biggest fairs in the world, and the largest single attraction held annually in the state of Washington. Two annual events are hosted each year: the 17-day Puyallup Fair every September, and the four-day Spring Fair in Puyallup every April. The Puyallup Fair began in 1900, and draws over a million guests during its 17-day run each September. A star-studded concert lineup, animals, agriculture, exhibits, rides and food draw crowds both locally and internationally. Situated south of Seattle and east of Tacoma in the shadow of majestic Mount Rainier, the Fair & Events Center comprises 169+ acres, and hosts events, trade shows and conferences year ‘round. Visit: www.thefair.com