Walla Walla, Washington truly has something for everyone. Special events are held throughout the year to celebrate the beauty and bounty of the area. From wines to beers to distilleries, beverages abound to please all taste buds. Here are some fun things to do in Walla Walla to try this fall.
Crush-for-a-Day-at-the-Ranch
Saturdays during September and October visitors to the Corkrum & Derby Ranch at the Spring Valley Vineyard can transform themselves into vintners for the day. Participants will tour the vineyard to learn about the decision-making process of the vineyard’s winemakers. You’ll come to understand how they select grapes and learn about some of the techniques used to grow the grapes used in their wines.
The next step in the process that you’ll experience is how to sort the fruits for the crushing process. Then, you’ll use a Brix tool to measure the sugar content of the grapes. As winemaker for the day, you will also punch down the grapes and taste the wine during the fermentation process.
A picnic lunch and wine tasting are a well-earned treat at the end of the winemaking experience.
First Fridays
Another way to explore more of Walla Walla in 2023 is to join the folks at ArtWalla. This group, along with many local businesses, sponsors First Fridays from April to October each year. Each first Friday of the month, between one and five local artists are showcased at ArtWalla’s showroom on Colville. The names of the artists are on the group’s website in advance of the shows.
In addition to visiting the diverse and stunning exhibits, be sure to stop by the participating businesses where you can either shop, eat, or drink!
Old Homestead Alpacas Annual Open Barn
For a nominal admission, you can tour the historic homestead and home to a herd of twenty-four alpacas the first weekend in October. This is the only day of the year that the barn is open to the public. Not only are you going to meet the alpaca, but you also have the opportunity to feed them by hand!
While you tour the ten-acre farm, you will experience the history of the farm and its buildings. In the studio, you can learn about how the farm makes their plant-based natural dyes. See how the alpaca’s raw fleece is spun into yarn and fiber that is then used to create gorgeous knitwear.
Another related product to the alpacas is the array of beautiful flowers and bouquets. The alpacas’ manure is a great fertilizer that assists in how well the flowers on the farm grow. Before you leave the event, you can buy an end of summer bouquet of flowers to add beauty to your dwelling. Stop at the farm store and purchase already knitted items or skeins of yarn for your own designs and creations.
WWCS Sausage Fest 2023
High school football, sausages, live music, bingo, food, and drinks. Games for all ages will entertain you and your family at the annual Sausage Fest. Try your luck at darts, wipe out, or knockerballs. Get your face painted, then enjoy some locally brewed cider or beer. Wine from a local vineyard is also available to enjoy with your Italian, German, or spicy sausages.
