Visiting Washington Cascades

Summer is ideal for an adventure through Washington’s Cascade region. There is no better route than the Cascade Loop, circling from the shores of Puget Sound, through the mountains, to sunny side communities in the eastern slopes and foothills of the Cascades. Catch the excitement of NASCAR at Everett’s Evergreen Speedway over Memorial Day Weekend, and venture along the loop all summer for events and festivals. Washington’s Bavarian Village of Leavenworth has a full calendar of music and performances including the Leavenworth International Accordion Festival. Athletes challenge themselves at events like TriMonroe and spectators thrill at events like the King of Wake Wakeboard Tour. It’s the season for summer fun in Washington’s cascades.

Kick off summer 2012 over Memorial Day weekend with NASCAR at Evergreen Speedway. Saturday May 26th, features NASCAR Super Figure 8 racing and Street Stocks, with the popular Memorial Day celebration Sunday the 27th. Evergreen Speedway’s Memorial Day is a great family event including the Demolition Derby, Boat Races and new for 2012 – Bed Races. Stick around and top off the evening watching the fireworks spectacular. Everett Hotels feature two Best Western locations convenient for travelers to the area.

Leavenworth, on Washington Highway 2 along the south of the Cascade Loop, overlaps events in June for a fun-filled weekend. June 14th through the 17th, Leavenworth hosts the International Accordion Celebration. Sponsored by the Northwest Accordion Society, the Bavarian themed town of Leavenworth is the ideal location for the festival. The schedule includes accordion competitions, world-class accordion performers, lessons and a Saturday accordion parade.

Also the third weekend in June, the Wenatchee River Bluegrass Festival fills Chelan County with music. The 2012 Wenatchee River Music Festival is June 15th through 17th, in Cashmere. Located mid-way between Wenatchee and Leavenworth, Best Western hotels in either city are convenient to Cashmere. The Tenth Annual Festival features headliners including Kenny & Amanda Smith Band, The Callenders, and Runaway Train.

Youth Elite and Junior Elite tri-athletes mark your training calendar for TriMonroe 2012. Monroe hosts USA Triathlon’s TriMonroe June 16th, welcoming athletes from 13 years old on up, to take the challenge. Events begin with a swim in Lake Tye, with the bicycle and running courses along the eastern shores. The TriMonroe is one of three national level events for Youth and Junior age groups.

Wakeboard enthusiasts check out the King of Wake - 2012 MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour: Stop #4, in Monroe June 29th and 30th. Events are at Lake Tye, south of Highway 2 on the west side of Monroe. See the world’s top men’s, women’s, and junior wakeboard athletes compete, from qualifying to final rounds. Check in Monroe’s Best Western Hotel, just two and a half miles from Lake Tye and enjoy the weekend in Monroe.

Film Buffs don’t miss a visit to the Wenatchee Valley Museum in August for the Pipes, Camera, Action! Film Festival. The festival is a celebration of silent film. Screenings are accompanied by Brad Miller on the Liberty Theater Pipe Organ, August 25th through the 29th. The 2012 Academy Award winner “The Artist” is the feature film for Sunday’s matinee.

Washington Cascades Hotel Map