Tri-City Area and Real Estate Blog

Kennewick Police officers will be looking for motorcycle riders in August — but for a good time and to benefit the Special Olympics here in the Tri-Cities. Kennewick offiicers and officers from all over the state have set August 28th for the “Northwest Ride of Dreams”, which will feature 5 starting locations across the state with Rotary Park in Ellensburg the final meeting destination. Vendors, events, activities and entertainment will be available for riders when they gather in the park.

This ride is patterned after other events in other states but will be a first in Washington. Law enforcement officers across the state and nationally sponsor different events to raise funds for Special Olympics. The funds raised assist families of Special Olympians to attend events where their loved one’s participate. It is the goal of the organizers to attract 10,000 cyclists and cars in Ellensburg. A $30 ticket price could potentially raise $300,000 for Special Olympics, which would be a wonderful donation to make. 

Registration for the event can be completed at www.nwrideofdreams.org .  Additionally, if you don’t have a bike but have a classic car you’re also invited. There will be a show and shine at Rotary Park as well that day.   The Tri-Cities location for riders departing to Ellensburg will be at Full Throttle Motorcycle Accessories at 135 Vista Way in Kennewick. Registrations for the ride will also be taken there from 7am to 9am. This should be a wonderful ride for everyone and in the process, a wonderful opportunity to give to other folks who will appreciate your generosity!

Tears will flow and hugs will ensue for the young woman winning the title of Miss Tri-Cities on July 17th. This year will be the 50th year of the local pageant that is sponsored by the Tri-City Water Follies Association. The winner this year will receive $30,000 in scholarships and she will have the opportunity to participate in both the Miss Washington and Miss America pageants. The Art Fuller Auditorium at Kennewick High School will be host to the event again this year and tickets can be purchased at JD’s Time Center after July 4th or by calling (509) 547-0495.

We’ve certainly had our fair share of rain this spring, in fact, more than our share in the opinion of most Tri-Citians. This spring has brought us weather we aren’t used to, mainly the wet stuff, and with that rain come the headaches that hay farmers and orchardists would rather avoid.  In the wee hours of the morning of late, this writer has heard the low chop-chop-chop of helicopters flying above the orchards in an attempt to dry the rain from their crop of cherries. If the water sits too long, the sun comes out and the temperature warms up – the dreaded split occurs and there goes the profit. The hay growers in Franklin County lost more than 70% of the 1st cutting lost to rot and asparagus farmers have been affected as well. Unfortunately, Mid-Columbia farmers have experienced these weather-related losses and thus the visit from the state’s top agricultural chief to determine the need for federal disaster funds. Growers have asked Dan Newhouse, Washington Department of Agriculture Secretary, to visits farms from Franklin to Walla Walla Counties to assess the damage with hopes of receiving federal compensation for the losses.

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Aye! Are ye looking for yer ancestors that came from the Highlands? Balmoral? Or perhaps the Isles? The 10th annual Scottish Fest in Prosser could be the place for ye! Over these past 10 years, the Prosser event has become the premiere highland games in Central Washington State and again this year it will be held ar the Port of Benton Wine and Food Park in Prosser on June 19th.

Those attending will be delighted with the traditional Heavy Athletic Games and Highland Dance competitions and of course, the lilt of the pipes playing in the distance will be beckoning those in attendance, to listen to the massed pipe bands. Other Celtic music will be performed along with sheepdog trials, children’s activities, the Parade of Tartans and much more.  For those of you who are not familiar with the draw of the highland games, take this opportunity to experience the step back in time and become acquanited with a wee bit of the Scot in all of us!  Slante’

 Oh how we LOVE this time of year here in the beautiful Tri-Cities! The Farmer’s Markets are open and the opportunity for all of us to enjoy the scrumptious fruits, veggies and other homemade goodies is just too exciting to pass up! 

The farmers markets are a wonderful to shop because the produce is local and it’s been freshly picked, which is in contrast to most we find in the grocery stores that have been picked up to a week previously in California, Mexico or even Asia. The nutricious produce is also a boon to local farmers and vendors and supporting them is what makes our Mid-Columbia region’s economy strong. Many times you can actually meet those farmers from our community and strike up a conversation to learn more about their farms.

Here is the schedule for the three Farmer’s Markets in the Tri-Cities:

Pasco Farmers’ Market:  Opened May 1 and runs through October 30th, open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 am until 12 noon. It is located at the corner of South 4th Avenue and West Columbia in downtown Pasco. For information call (509) 545-0738 or visit their websites at: www.pascofarmersmarket.org.  Pasco has the longest established farmers’ market in the area and has been in operation for over 30 years. There is “Music at the Market” with live music and entertainment on Saturday mornings.

Southridge Farmers’ Market in Kennewick: Open June 3rd until October 21st, open Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. It has moved from downtown Kennewick to Southridge Village this year, at the corner of Highway 395 and Hildebrand Way. For more information call (509) 585-2301. Most of the usual vendors and some new ones are looking forward to their “new digs’ at Southridge!

Market at the Parkway in Richland: Open June 4th through October 22nd, open on Fridays from 9 am until 1:00 pm. Located On the Parkway, between Jadwin and George Washington Way. For more information call (509) 967-2587 to speak with Tara or John.  More than 60 vendors are expected. The street is closed which creates a more pedestrian friendly location for shoppers, music is provided from 10:00 am until noon, and some Parkway businesses bring their wares out onto the sidewalk to add to this fun shopping experience.

Please join the farmers, vendors and other shoppers to experience all the fun and freshness that abounds at the Tri-City local Farmers’ Markets and help keep our economy strong!