You're Invited to "Come Watch the Paint Dry" on Toppenish's Newest Mural!

Who could resist and invitation like that?! The Toppenish Mural Society's Mural in a Day is a two day event, June 3th and 4th, 2011, featuring the painting of a western themed mural. Each year one artists work is chosen for the mural and a dozen other artists come help paint the mural in one day.

While in Toppenish, enjoy live music, steak feed 5pm Friday, Craft Vendors, Mural in a Day, horse drawn tours of over 70 Murals and more.

Past mural artists prints and paintings can be viewed at the Toppenish Visitor Center, just look for the tallest flag pole in Washington State. In the picture above, the mural is being painted on the Toppenish Visitor Center.

To pick up the 2011 Yakima Valley Visitor Guide new comprehensive map to all the murals in Toppenish, stop at the Yakima Valley Visitor Information Center off exit 33a I-82E.

While in Toppenish Take time to visit the Yakima Valley Rail & Steam Museum, in the restored Toppenish train depot. The American Hop Museum, the only one in America, is the place to learn about the Yakima Valley Hop production and history. The Yakima Valley produces over 75% of the hops sold in the world.

See Yakama Nation Native American heritage at the Yakama Nation Museum and Cultural Heritage Center.

If you are interesting in nature, view a stunning number of waterfowl at the Toppenish Wildlife Refuge.

So much to do and learn while the paint dries!




2011 Toppenish Mural Event at Pioneer Park located at 504 S. Elm Street

Schedule:
June 3rd - 4-8pm - Lions Club steak feed at 5pm; food and craft vendors 12-6pm
June 4th - 7am-5pm – Lions Club pancake breakfast at 7:30am; food and craft vendors 9am-4pm
Iron Angels Club Car Show 8am-4pm.

Photo With Share Your Washington Sign

You may have heard about the Share Your Washington campaign to attract visitors to the state, and have wondered, ‘where can I get my picture with that sign’? Come to the sunny side of the state in the Yakima Valley and we’ll set you up!

Stop in at the Yakima Visitors Information Center just off I-82 in Yakima (visit website for directions and hours of operation). The friendly staff there will help you pose with the sign in our beautiful Tuscan themed visitors center.

The Share Your Washington promotion encourages everyone to invite their loved ones to visit Washington, while also entering into a sweepstakes for the chance to win airfare on Alaska Airlines.

Entering is simple. Visit ShareYourWashington.com to send electronic postcards to friends outside the state, which automatically enters the sender into the sweepstakes. The Share Your Washington postcard will also include special deals and discounts for the visitor, such as chances to win a local getaway, shopping discounts or special rates at local hotels. One of the postcards is of wine vineyards in the Yakima Valley.

Take the fun a step further and post your Share Your Washington pictures to the official Facebook page and be sure to follow them on Twitter @shareyourwa.

Help create new jobs and build our local economies. Invite your friends and family to visit.

Zillah, WA - 100 Years in the Yakima Valley

The Yakima Valley consists of a number of towns, from the larger cities of Yakima and Prosser to the smaller towns of Union Gap, Toppenish, Zillah, Selah, Wapato, Sunnyside, Granger, Grandview and Benton City. Each of these cities and country towns is unique.

Zillah, WA would still be arid desert land and not the thriving agricultural community it is today without the Sunnyside Irrigation Project. This project, started by Walter Granger in the 1890's, allowed water to be taken from the Yakima River and distributed to the land using canals, which are still in use today. Walter Granger and Thomas Oakes of the Northern Pacific Railroad chose the town site, which was named after Oakes daughter, Zillah. The town site was selected in 1892 and the town was incorporated in 1911. Historical information will be on display in the Zillah Civic Center during Community Days. A site of historical interest to visit is the Zillah Teapot Gas Station built in 1922.

Today the city of Zillah is in the heart of Washington Wine Country the the Yakima Valley. Growing vast acres in vineyards in the Rattlesnake Hills AVA.The wineries are surrounded by vineyards and orchards and range from small boutique to larger estate wineries, each with owners tending the tasting bars. The views of Mt. Adams across the valley floor are spectacular. This is the place where one can relax with a true wine country experience.

Zillah Events: 

Traditional country, small town celebrations, reminiscent of a simpler era

Zillah, celebrates its Community Days during mid-May.  In an area known for its orchards, vineyards and the Rattlesnake Hills AVA wineries, you can expect a parade, talent show, fireworks display, sack races, face painting, egg toss, horseshoe toss, and more.

Zillah's Harvest Celebration,  Not Just a Farmers Market, occurs annually the Saturday after Labor Day in downtown Zillah. Forty to sixty vendors sell local produce, wood furniture, arts and crafts, food, and many unique items.   There is live entertainment all day long which varies from bands to dance groups.

The Yakima Valley blog articles feature members of the Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau. If you would like to receive information regarding membership, Click here, or to request a membership application, please contact Michele Hopkins at (509) 575-3010.