Got food festival fever? Six food + drink festivals in driving distance from Tri-Cities

Karlee Van De Venter
·4 min read

Washington state hosts a plethora of food festivals across its 39 counties throughout the year, from blackberries to oysters to salmon to Cajun food, there truly is something for everyone. There are so many different climates and cultures in the Evergreen State, all with cuisines to offer.

Even in eastern Washington, there are several food festivals still to come in 2023 from August through October. You can try a little bit of everything at these six food festivals within three hours of Tri-Cities:

Pullman National Lentil Festival

Spring St. and Reaney Park, Pullman, August 19

Pullman isn’t just home to Washington State University. When Cougars leave campus for the summer, the city plays host to the National Lentil Festival. This year, the festival is scheduled for August 19 and includes entertainment, cooking demos, a grand parade, vendors, free chili and more. It’s also paired with sporting events, with registration open for a 5K fun run, tennis and pickleball games, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and a softball tournament.

There will be a beer garden, and an activity corner for kids. The lentil cook-off has been postponed for the 2023 festival.

The popular Prosser Beer & Whiskey Festival is at the Prosser Wine and Food Park.
The popular Prosser Beer & Whiskey Festival is at the Prosser Wine and Food Park.

Prosser Beer and Whiskey Festival

Wine and Food Park, 2880 Lee Road, Prosser, August 26

According to Tour Prosser, the Prosser Beer and Whiskey Festival is the region’s premier craft brewing and distillery event. This year, the festival will take place on August 26 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Wine and Food Park. The event features live music, food vendors, a cigar lounge, and of course, beer and whiskey.

General admission is $37 and includes festival entry, a logo glass and three tokens. VIP admission is $75 and includes early entry, a logo glass, eight tokens and entry to the VIP lounge, featuring specialty bites and cocktails from The Prosser House.

Wenatchee Wine and Food Festival logo
Wenatchee Wine and Food Festival logo

Wenatchee Wine and Food Festival

Town Toyota Center, 1300 Walla Walla Ave., Wenatchee, August 26

The Wenatchee Wine and Food Festival is a late August celebration of over 100 local wines and a variety of local food at the Town Toyota Center starting at 6 p.m. August 26. The event also offers live music, beer and other drinks, plus food from local restaurants and caterers.

All ticket holders will get a commemorative wine glass. General admission is $59 and covers all wine and food samples. VIP admission is $94, covers all wine and food samples and includes early entry, access to the VIP lounge and a VIP swag bag including one bottle of wine. Proceeds benefit the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center.

Granger Menudo Festival

Hisey Park, 505 Main St., Granger, September 2

Kickstart autumn with some soul-soothing menudo in Granger. The Granger Menudo Festival is scheduled for September 2 this year. The Chamber of Commerce provides fresh, homemade menudo alongside local vendors. The festival includes a co-ed volleyball tournament and a car show, plus live entertainment and kids activities throughout.

Stand offering huckleberry pies at the Huckleberry Festival in Bingen, Wash.
Stand offering huckleberry pies at the Huckleberry Festival in Bingen, Wash.

Bingen Huckleberry Festival

Daubenspeck Park - W. Humboldt St. and W. Franklin St., Bingen, September 8-10

The 2023 Huckleberry Festival, or HuckFest, is scheduled for September 8 through 10 in the small town of Bingen on the Columbia River. Enjoy live entertainment all weekend long, and a doubles cornhole tournament each day. Have huckleberry pancakes for breakfast at the Fire Hall before the HuckFest Parade. There will be youth activities and entertainment, including a watermelon eating contest, hula hoop contest and gunny sack races.

Local vendor stands will feature huckleberry products like fresh-baked pie, wild huckleberry jam and huckleberry champagne.

Attendees at the Fresh Hope Ale Festival
Attendees at the Fresh Hope Ale Festival

Yakima Fresh Hop Ale Festival

SOZO Sports Complex, 2200 S. 36th Ave., Yakima, October 7

Since the Yakima Valley is the source of around 75% of U.S. hops, it makes sense that Yakima would host a Fresh Hop Ale Festival. Thousands of craft beer lovers flock to this annual festival, scheduled for October 7 this year, to enjoy beer, food and live music. More than 45 breweries, wineries and cideries are expected to attend, offering fresh taps, merch and more. All drinks offered at the fest are brewed with fresh Yakima Valley hops, offered fresh from the season they were produced.

Homebrewers can register online for the home brew competition. Or sign up for the golf tournament, which is two days earlier at the Apple Tree Golf Course.

Tickets are available online. General admission tickets are $65 and come with a commemorative glass, two drink tokens and grass seating for live music. VIP tickets are $125 and come with early entry, casual seating, swag, complimentary food, four drink tokens, games and more. VIP tables were available for $1,500 and come with early entry, reserved seating, swag, complimentary food, six drink tokens, games and more. Discounted designated driver tickets are available for general admission and VIP, including free non-alcoholic beverages. Proceeds support Yakima Valley arts and science programs.