Fairs, festivals, live music, more happening in Seattle this weekend

From a classic country fair to various festivals celebrating cars, planes and trains to a popular wine tasting and beer festival with over 20 breweries and cidrees from all over the Pacific Northwest. Read on for what to see and do in the Emerald City this weekend.

The Midway will be shown on Saturday, August 23, 2014, the first weekend of the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe.

JOSHUA TRUJILLO / SEATTLEPI.COM

Trade shows: The Evergreen State Fair is back, baby!

The Snohomish County Fair has only been canceled three times since it began in 1911 – during the Spanish Flu in 1918, during World War II, and last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the fair, now known as The Evergreen State Fair, is back this weekend with a fitting theme: “Back in the Saddle Again”.

The fair, which runs until September 6th in Monroe, is one of those events that has barely changed over the years. There are still cake eating competitions, 4-H members showing off their animals, quilt makers showing off their best work, and of course lots of Fisher scones.

This year’s show features daily presentations of the International Lumberjack Show, dancers, roving entertainers and equestrian events, as well as monster truck shows, carnival rides and people selling these amazing pugs in the Commercial Building. New this year: The Mysteries of History. Find clues, earn badges, and submit them to win prizes during the fair.

The Evergreen State Fair is also home to some of the best fair food in the state, including favorites like the Purple Cow (blackberry shakes and floats), Two-and-a-Half Men BBQ (pulled pork, smoked mac & cheese, turkey legs), Anderson Tacos (tacos, burritos, nachos, Chihuahua dogs), Build Your Own Man-Dog (foot-length hot dogs), Kaleenka Piroshky (beef & cheddar, salmon and cream cheese, vegetarian), Pompeii Wood-Fired Pizza (gluten-free options available), Sweet Art LLC (cotton candy creations), The Cheese Pit (gourmet grilled cheese), Walla Walla Burger and much more.

SNOQUALMIE, WA – 2009: An old diesel locomotive is parked at the Snoqualmie Train Museum as seen in this 2009 Snoqualmie, Washington photo. (Photo by George Rose / Getty Images)

George Rose / Getty Images

Shows: trains, planes and cars

If you are a fan of everything that moves, this is your getaway.

Kenmore Air is celebrating 75 years of flying in the Pacific Northwest with a special festival this Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm “Hopper Blonde Ale” to mark the occasion.

On Saturday and Sunday, the town of Snoqualmie will celebrate 82 years of “Trains, Wood and Tradition” with its annual Snoqualmie Railroad Days. The family-friendly event features a large parade, demonstrations of steam locomotives, train rides, auto shows, and more.

In Everett, the annual Wheels on the Waterfront presents classic cars, trucks and motorcycles in the Boxcar Park on Saturday. Enjoy live music, food trucks, and great vehicles from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All proceeds from this annual charity will go to the Providence General Foundation’s Cancer Patient Aid Fund.

Lusio Festival of Lights

Courtesy of Lusio Lights Festival

Art: artists fight each other

If you think art exhibitions are just stuffy events, think again. A dozen artists will fight to the death at the Hales Ales Palladium this Friday. Okay, the last part is wrong. Instead, they turn blank canvases into worthy works of art in just 20 minutes. During the Art Battle Seattle (an event for ages 21 and up), artists compete against each other in three rounds of living painting, in which you (not just any art critic) decide who wins. While the doors are open at 6 p.m., the brushes don’t hit the canvases until 7 p.m.

On Saturday, the Northwest Film Forum’s Bazzooka Festival will be held in Jefferson Park. Filmmaker and musician Danny Denial created a space for BIPOC artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and business owners to connect with a festival of their own for this first event he hopes to be an annual event. The free event offers a unique mix of live music from 3pm to 8pm and film screenings from 8pm to 10pm

The Edmonds Arts Festival usually takes place at the Frances Anderson Center on Father’s Day weekend, August 27-29. This year, experience over 160 judged artist stands, including watercolors, oil paintings, sculptures, metalwork, jewelry, clothing, photography, glasswork, ceramics, leatherwork, mosaics and more. Epic Group Writers will also feature readings of their own work, and festival goers can enjoy live music, children’s activities, and food stalls.

The Lusio Lights Festival will light the sky at Mary Olson Farm in Kent on Friday and Saturday. This immersive festival for all ages features a variety of light art installations. The art and sounds are curated by local artists with the aim of relaxing and uplifting all participants. The free event is open from 7pm to 11pm. Park and collect a free shuttle from Auburn Golf Course (29630 Green River Road SE). Light-colored clothing is recommended.

Seltzerland

With kind permission of Jessica Bricker / Seltzerland

Good drinks: Lots of beer and wine this weekend

As if you really need another reason to drink, this weekend is filled with alcohol-related events.

On Saturday the Jefferson Park Golf Course plays the home game against Seltzerland. 100 hard seltzers (White Claw, Mike’s Hard Lemonade Seltzer, Vizzy, Playamar) will be available for purchase along with games, photo ops and food at this insane event, “dedicated to the bubbly brew that everyone can’t get enough of”. Seltzerland is active from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The 2021 Poverty Bay Brews & Blues Festival takes place on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Des Moines Beach Park. In addition to 17 craft brews, the festival will feature performances by the High Note Group, the Stacy Jones Band, Too Slim & the Taildraggers and CD Woodbury. Don’t miss the huge beer pong challenge. All proceeds from the event will go to charitable causes supported by Rotary.

Enjoy over 75 different Washington wines from Friday through Sunday at Kirkland Uncorked in Marina Park in Kirkland. This annual event, which benefits the Kirkland Homeward Pet Adoption Center, is divided into two parts: a 21+ tasting garden and a street fair for all ages. The Tasting Garden features wine tastings, live music, and a food truck feast, while the Street Fair hosts the Uncorked Market and CityDog dog modeling contest. Proof of full vaccination or COVID-19 negative test, completed 48 hours prior to arrival, is required to participate.

On Fridays and Saturdays, downtown Everett hosts the Upper Left Beerfest alongside the Everett Food Truck Festival. It’s the perfect combination: 20 breweries and cidrees from the northwest try their beers and ciders with over 20 different food trucks nearby. In between you will find live music by DJ Forrest Gump, MTR Project, Steel Beans, Outshined Trio and FIASCO. The event takes place on Friday from 4 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. and on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.