Hop Country Music Festival featuring Neal McCoy at SOZO Sports Complex – September 15 & 16
Hop Country Music Festival returns, this year featuring multi-Platinum sensation Neal Mccoy joined by stars Chris Janson and Easton Corbin. Chinook Fest has partnered with SOZO Sports of Central Washington to bring the thrilling festival back to the playing fields. Hop Country Music Festival is a new event for Central Washington with all proceeds going toward putting more youth on the field. For one weekend in September, country music stars will be joining us at the complex for a festival filled with music, food, and fun! Tickets on sale now, and find the 2023 lineup here.
Tour Wine Country in Style
The Yakima Valley has more than 18,000 acres of producing vineyards and is home to more than 90 wineries and six American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in just 70 miles. From e-bikes to horse-drawn wagon excursions or a trip on the Little Hopper, visitors can discover Yakima Valley wine country from a new viewpoint. While riding and learning, you’ll be sure to encounter some spectacular scenery, sip excellent wines, hear fascinating facts from knowledgeable guides and capture stunning photographs.
Kickstand Tours
Kickstand Tours offers multiple single-day e-bike tour options in the Yakima Wine Valley. Daily tours visit three wineries and last for approximately 5-6 hours. The e-bikes provide a casual, almost effortless riding experience, while the guides take you through beautiful countryside to visit some favorite wineries. The tour cost includes your bicycle rental and guide for the day, as well as support vehicles for those who wish to purchase wine along the way.
The Little Hopper
The tremendously popular beer bus is back, this year with a new addition! Little Hopper Grapevine joins the team and offers visitors and locals the most fun, hop-on hop-off tour through the Yakima Valley to taste the best wine and beer the region has to offer. Tours come with bottled waters, light snacks and a wildly entertaining team to create a one-of-a-kind tasting experience.
Outdoor Adventures in Every Direction
With more than 300 miles of trails, 34 lakes and ponds and 6 rivers, there’s never an end to the adventures one can find under 300 days of sunny skies:
Stand-up paddleboarding on pristine mountain lakes and winding rivers
Biking, hiking and running trails for every ability, in the unique shrub-steppe landscape and subalpine foothills and mountains
Majestic basalt cliffs to climb
Spotting raptors, bighorn sheep and other wildlife that call the Yakima River Canyon home, or floating on the Yakima River
Girls with Grit and MADE clinics, classes and private instruction
Road tripping through Yakima along the Chinook Scenic Byway or White Pass for breathtaking views of the Valley and beyond
Red’s Fly Shop and Canyon River Ranch
Tucked into the picturesque Yakima River Canyon and surrounded by dramatic basalt cliffs, Red’s Fly Shop is the destination for fishing on Washington’s only Blue Ribbon trout stream. Take time for lunch or dinner at Canyon River Grill before heading to Yakima proper for a fun evening at local wineries and craft breweries. Check out these offerings:
Father’s Day Scavenger Hunt Fishing Tournament
Fly-fishing courses for all abilities and guided tours
Canyon River Ranch Luxury Eco Tours which include a 2-3-hour guided scenic float through the Yakima River Canyon. In addition to identifying wildlife, guests will learn about the formation of this spectacular recreation area. You will meet your guide at Red’s Fly Shop to begin your adventure.
Fun on the Farm
Berries, cherries and more! Yakima is home to more than 3,000 farms, including more than 130 organic ones (more than anywhere in the region). From now through October, visitors find more than 40 crops at farmers markets, stands and u-pick locations. Enjoy the sunny weather and stroll through booths filled with fresh produce, artisan goods and other one-of-a-kind finds in one of the many farmers markets from downtown Yakima to Prosser. Berries and cherries kick off the harvest season, so make sure to stop by Blueberry Hill Berries, Imperial’s Garden or one of the many other farms in the Yakima Valley. From the first strawberries to peaches, apricots, pluots, apriums, peppers, corn, heirloom tomatoes and specialty crops, something is always in harvest. Don’t forget to stock up on handcrafted baked goods at local markets (McIlrath, Johnson’s, Ahtanum Berry Patch).
Lavender Harvest Days at Selah Ridge Lavender Farm – July 14-16
See what the buzz is about in the beautiful fields at Selah Ridge Lavender Farm. Cut your own lavender bouquet, shop lavender goodies from artisan vendor booths and take the kids on the bee scavenger hunt!
Local Connections – Outskirts Brewing Co.
Yakima Valley’s newest brewery and restaurant, Outskirts Brewing Co., officially opened on May 15 and welcomed guests to Selah for a uniquely local experience featuring craft brews, cocktails and entertainment for the whole family. Built in what is lovingly known by locals as “the old, red barn,” Outskirts is a nod to Selah’s agricultural heritage and the hop industry. With a sweeping outdoor space, full-service restaurant and bar, 10-barrel brewing system and taproom, Outskirts is the place to be to enjoy the sunny weather.
Mocel Mezcal Wins Double Gold at San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Just one year after launch, Mocel Mezcal brings home double gold for both its Cupreata and Ensamble Mezcals, the competition’s highest rank. Started by sisters and Yakima Valley natives Rosalina and Elizabeth Mendoza, Mocel Mezcal works to showcase the unique flavors of Michoacán, Mexico, where the Mendoza family comes from. After a time-honored and time-intensive distillation process, the mezcal is bottled in handmade ceramic bottles featuring artwork inspired by textile patterns native to Michoacán. Mocel Mezcal is sold in various restaurants around Yakima including PURRR, Crafted and EZ Tiger, and bottles are available for purchase at www.mocelmezcal.com.
EVENTS & FESTIVALS
Live-Music Lineups at Wineries and Breweries – Now through September
Find live music every weekend in the Yakima Valley from Sunday Serenades at Wilridge Vineyard, Winery & Distillery to Van Arnam Vineyards’ summer concert series and more.
Music in the Vines – Every Thursday from June 15 – August 17
Music in the Vines is the perfect place to relax and enjoy live music and delicious food, and this year’s lineup includes performances by Kate Dinsmore and The RT’s, among others. With its beautiful vineyard views and tasty food, you’ll be glad you came. Season passes are available for purchase for $140, as well as individual tickets for $40.
Downtown Summer Nights – Every Thursday starting on June 15 through August 17
From 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. every Thursday, enjoy live music from different bands, peruse local art and merchandise from Yakima vendors and eat delicious food!
88th Toppenish Rodeo – June 30 & July 1
Come watch cowboys thrill the crowds with daring rodeo events at the Toppenish Rodeo! Named “Small Rodeo of the Year” by the PRCA, the Toppenish Rodeo is on the Columbia River Circuit, and an annual tradition for visitors throughout the region. Stick around after to enjoy music in the beer garden.
Art Walk and Wine Gala – July 15
Art, wine, music and food equals a perfect summer evening in Prosser! Sip award-winning wine and stroll along the promenade while admiring the creative works of Pacific Northwest artisans exhibiting a variety of mediums, from glass and pottery to recycled gems.
Vintiques Yakima – August 3–6
This unique event features over 600 street rods, hot rods, rat rods and muscle cars, as well as loads of prizes, giveaways and family fun!
10x10x10xTieton Exhibit – August 5 – October 7
This international small works exhibition invites artists to submit works 10 inches by 10 inches by 10 inches or smaller with no media restrictions. The exhibition has a broad range of pieces on display, from sculpture to painting, book arts, photography and everything in between! A reception will be held in August, and visitors can enjoy the exhibit through October.
Prosser Beer & Whiskey Festival – August 26
Enjoy an evening full of great beer, smooth whiskey, live music, food, specialty vendors, cigars and more!
SUMMER RUNS & RIDES
From now through October, the Yakima Valley is hosting hardcore races and fun runs. Ride through the stunning Yakima River Canyon, run rocky hilltop trails or enjoy craft beer and wine runs.
Downtown Yakima Mile – July 1
This is one-mile race down a beautiful 14-block, gradual-downhill stretch of Yakima Avenue, finishing in the shadows of the historic Larson Building. But it is much more than a race: it’s about bringing the community together for fun and fitness in support of the Yakima YWCA and its mission to end domestic violence in the Yakima Valley. Open to runners of all ages and abilities, and don’t forget to bring your furry friend to participate!
Dye Hard 5K Nighttime Color Run – July 8
The Dye Hard 5K is an untimed nighttime running event that provides participants with an opportunity to have fun with friends and family while getting covered in fluorescent colored powder in the dark, under the glow of black lights. And don’t forget about the post-event party with music, dancing and even more powder, provided by Legends Casino Hotel!
Grey Rock Trail Runs: 50K, 25K and 12K – July 8
Go for scenic summer trail runs in the Cascade Mountains of south-central Washington. This out-and-back, single-track trail is tough and rugged, with over 3,500 feet of elevation gain for the 25K. The shorter 12K follows part of the same route, starting at Tree Phones Campground in Ahtanum State Forest. Along the way, there are views of Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams, open ridges and forested stretches, and both rocky and smooth forest trails.
Hot Shots 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament – July 29-30
Central Washington’s Biggest 3-0n-3 Basketball Tourney! Enjoy great competition and test your skills against players from the Yakima Valley and throughout the Northwest. Here’s your chance to take advantage of the great summer weather that you will find in Yakima.
The Harvest 100 – Metric or Mile Century – Late September
Come explore the Yakima Valley at peak harvest! Whether you are riding the metric or imperial distance, these routes will take you through hop yards, orchards, vineyards and more. The ride starts and ends at Varietal Beer Co. in Sunnyside, but you’ll be exploring both valleys that make up this incredible growing region. The profits go to support the Yakima chapter of Free Bikes 4 Kidz, and help make a meaningful impact on the lives the valley’s youth!
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