Spring and summer events near JBLM

Great activities are happening all season long

By Missy Bouchat on March 28, 2019

You don't have to travel far to experience some of Washington's best and most famous fairs, parades and festivals.

April

Kid's Fest
April 4, 1-4:30 p.m.

Kick off the Month of the Military Child with a "Barnyard Play" theme, including activities, exhibits, displays, crafts, games, farm animals, rock-wall climbing, free bowling, static displays and entertainment. Free. MWR Fest Tent (next to Bowl Arena Lanes on Lewis Main)

86th Daffodil Parade
April 6, Tacoma, 10:15 a.m.; Puyallup, 12:45 p.m.; Sumner, 2:30 p.m.; Orting, 5 p.m.

Enjoy this annual celebration of community, history and tradition as the parade travels over four cities. Watch as floats, bands, marching and mounting units pass by, decorated with thousands of fresh-cut daffodils. Visit thedaffodilfestival.org for more information on routes and events.

Washington State Spring Fair
April 11-14, Thursday, 2-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Celebrate the arrival of spring as you enjoy favorite rides, a BBQ contest, baby animals, a garden workshop and tons of free entertainment. $10 (ages 13+), $8 (ages 6-12), FREE (ages 5 and younger). Washington State Fairgrounds

Easter Dash
April 20, noon-4 p.m.

Everyone is invited to this free egg hunt at Cowan Stadium - just remember yourbaskets. Special-needs youth with parents can collect at noon, ages 3 and younger collect at 1 p.m., ages 4-7 collect at 2 p.m., and ages 8-11 collect at 3 p.m. Free. Cowan Stadium

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
April 1-30

Visiting Skagit Valley during this time of year, you will celebrate millions of tulips bursting into bloom. Many events take place throughout the month. Visit tulipfestival.org for more information. Free for most events. Mount Vernon

Spring Flea Market
April 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Clean out your closets and sell your gently used items for cash. Or find some bargains at the annual Spring Flea Market. The cost to sell at the flea market for two tables, spaces, or a combination is $26, email specialevents@JBLMmwr.com to register. Free admission. MWR Fest Tent

May

Down and Dirty 5K Mud Run and Obstacle Course
May 11, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Test your endurance (and willingness to get dirty) as you push your way through this extra dirty mud run and obstacle course. Early packet pick-up is May 10 from 5-7 p.m. at Sam Adams Cascade on Lewis Main.

Day of Race registration: 8:30-10:30 a.m. Behind Soldiers Field House, Lewis Main. Registration $30-$50. Visit jblm.armymwr.com for more details.

The Water Lantern Festival in Spanaway will be an experience you and your family won’t forget! (Credit: pexels.com)
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June

Water Lantern Festival
June 1, 5:30-10 p.m.

Experience thousands of family, friends, and strangers coming together to celebrate life. The Water Lantern Festival brings together individuals from all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life to join in one emotional and memorable night. Registration $25-$40. Visit waterlanternfestival.com for more details. Spanaway Lake Park

Tacoma Ocean Fest
June 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Celebrate the ocean, learn about its threats and get inspired to protect it. Enjoy interactive art, music, dance, aerial circus, film, poetry, virtual-reality, eco-booths, hands-on science, OceanX talks, paddle tryouts, food trucks and so much more. Free. Foss Waterway Seaport, Tacoma

Taste of Tacoma
June 21-23, Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Enjoy over 40 restaurants and vendors, craft and commercial goods, live bands and entertainment, cooking demos and chef cook-off battles, craft beer and wine tasting, outdoor beer gardens, a carnival and more. Free admission (charges for food, drink, and certain entertainment). Point Defiance Park, Tacoma

July

Freedom Fest
July 4, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Mark your calendar and celebrate Independence Day with Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The event includes live music, roving entertainers, food, fun, fireworks and more. Food and beverages are available for purchase. Free admission. Cowan and Memorial Stadiums

Freedom Fair
July 4

Hang out along Tacoma's Waterfront to celebrate our nation's birthday and enjoy live music, food, arts and crafts, a car show and high school pole vaulters. The feature events are the return of military jets to the afternoon airshow and, of course, the fireworks. Ruston Way

Sequim Lavender Festival Weekend
July 19-21, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Enjoy this annual celebration of lavender, in the region where over 110,000 plants are grown every year. Its versatility ranges from fragrance, cosmetic, culinary, medical, craft and decorative. Shop vendors, listen to live music, and try different foods all weekend long. Free admission. Carrie Blake Park, Sequim

Raspberry Festival
July 20-21

Celebrate the largest harvest of raspberries in North America with the annual Raspberry Festival, complete with a benefit golf tournament, children's activities, raspberries and ice cream sundaes, jazz music and a basketball tournament. Other attractions include petting zoos and 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. Free admission (certain events may charge entry). Lynden

August

Proctor Arts Fest
Aug. 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This community-based street fair showcases 160 arts and crafts vendors as well as a Juried Art Show of about 85 art pieces by 60 artists, and three stages of live music and entertainment. Free admission. North 26th & Proctor Streets, Tacoma

Washington State International Kite Festival
Aug. 19-25

Voted best kite festival in the world by Kite Trade Association International, the WSIKF is a weeklong kite celebration that has been popular since 1980, and features a competition that has skies filled with famous kite fliers from all around the world. Free. Long Beach

Bumbershoot
Aug. 30-Sept. 1

Experience Seattle's premier music and arts festival as it stretches over Seattle Center and features over 20 indoor and outdoor venues -- including live music, comedy, theater, dance, film, crafts, literary and visual arts. Visit bumbershoot.com for music lineup, tickets, and more information. Three Day passes start at $199. Seattle City Center