Entertainment

Entertainment, Puyallup

Puyallup Events & Activities (March 20th-26th 2017)

Posted on by Hannah

Welcome to the first official day of Spring!  We are going to see cherry blossoms bloom, and our famous daffodils pop up pretty soon! It’s a beautiful time of year in Washington, but especially in Puyallup. We hope that you had a terrific weekend and made the most of the sunshine. It looks like we are going to be seeing some rain clouds this week. Take a moment to read below and check out the different events happening in Puyallup this week. You are sure to find something for the family, a fun date night, or an evening with the girls. Puyallup is a great city to live in because of the range of activities. Get ready to fill your calendar with some fun events! The Washington State Fair, South Hill Mall, Sunrise Village, Downtown Library, and Watson’s Greenhouse are hosting a range of events you are sure to enjoy.

Washington State Fair Events

55TH ANNUAL PUYALLUP ROTARY CRAB FEED & OYSTER DINNER

Benefitting Youth Advocacy in the Puyallup School District. Includes ALL YOU CAN EAT Dungeness Crab, Clam Chowder, Oyster Stew, Potato Soup, Mac and Cheese from HG Bistro, Caeser Salad, Coleslaw, Potato Salad and Hot Dogs!  Also featuring Live Music, RAFFLE PRIZES, Silent Auction and lots more!

Hours: Doors open at 5 pm, food served at 6 pm
Location: Pavilion 1st Floor – Enter at Gold Gate
Admission: Seating is limited. Adults – $40; Seniors 70+ or Non-seafood – $30; Kids under 15 – $15
Website: http://www.puyalluprotary.org

EXOTIC BIRD MART & ANIMAL EXPO

Exotic Bird Mart welcomes bird lovers, vendors, breeders, clubs, veterinarians, rescues & avian specialists! Tons of shopping, networking opportunities and new friends by the flock.

Hours: 9am-3pm
Location: Expo Hall – Enter at Gold Gate
Admission: $10, Children 5-10 years $5, Cash only at the gate
Contact: 916-882-9486
Email: info@exoticbirdmart.com
Website: http://www.exoticbirdmart.com

CLAN GORDON PIPE BAND 54TH ANNUAL TARTAN BALL

Come downtown for Semi-formal dance, Scottish pipe band, and Highland dancers. Get ready for an evening of music and fun!

Hours: Starts at 7:30 pm
Location: Pavilion 2nd floor – Enter at Gold Gate
Admission: $25
Contact: Stacey Bradley
Phone: 206-459-5479
Email: aGordon4me@comcast.net
Website: http://www.cgpb.org

Pinot’s Pallette

Have a fun night out with the girls! Painting and wine in one relaxing evening. Spend the evening at Pinot’s Palette in the Sunrise Village located on South Hill. Pick your day and time here! Get together with a group of friends and enjoy an evening of painting, chatting, and wine. You will walk away with a new piece of art to either display or give to someone who would appreciate it. There are different painting designs to chose from, so after reviewing the different evenings and options, you should be able to settle on a painting that you would want to create.

South Hill Mall

Image result for south hill mall

Spring Fashion Show Model Search

Saturday, March 25th, 10:30am-2pm

Model Search for Spring Fashion Show on April 1st, 2017.

Have you ever wanted to be a model?! NOW IS YOUR CHANCE!
Join us in Macy’s Court on Saturday, March 25th for our 2017 Spring Fashion Show Model Search* and Workshop**!!!

Workshop: 10:30am-12pm, $20
Model Search Registration: 12pm-1pm, $10
Model Search: 1pm

*Model Search is required to participate in Fashion Show. All participants must provide a non-returnable photo at registration. There is a $5 charge to have photo taken at registration.

**Workshop is NOT required to participate in Model Search.

ALL SHAPES AND SIZES WELCOME!
CASH ONLY!

Meet the 2017 Daffodil Court

Sunday, March 26th 11am-3pm

Hear ye, hear ye! The 2017 Daffodil Court will be at the South Hill Mall between 11 am and 2 pm! Bring the little ones for crafts, a photo booth, and more!

Watson’s Greenhouse

herbrama_17

 Saturday March 25th-26th

This weekend is all about herbs! We will have fresh herbs in stock and ready to plant!

randy_ritchie

 Sunday March 26th 11am-12pm

If you’re into growing organic food, then this is an hour you won’t want to miss! Join Randy Ritchie, founder of Malibu Compost, to learn the tricks to maximizing the production and quality of your organic veggie garden.

Puyallup Washington Library

puyallup library

The Puyallup Washington Public Library is always hosting great events that community members can enjoy. Click here to see what is going on at the library this week.

Weather

Click here for this weeks weather forecast. Make sure to make the most of the sun breaks and hit the trails or parks!

That’s all for Puyallup this week! Follow us on Twitter or Follow us on Instagram @puyallupwashington. Check in next week for what’s happening on Puyallup.com!

Cars & Trucks, Downtown, Education, Entertainment, Farmers Market, Puyallup, Real Estate, Restaurants, Washington State Fair

Puyallup Events (Jan 23-29)

Posted on by Hannah

It’s a new week in Puyallup. Check out the different events happening in the community! 

Sportsmen’s Show

It’s where the great outdoors comes indoors! Western Washington’s only Sportsmen’s Show features over 150 hours of free “how to” seminars, the one-of-a-kind indoor “Steelhead River,” camp cooking demonstrations, the Kid’s Free Trout Pond, the “Head & Horns” competition and much more. This event is family-friendly and also good for those who want to be a bit more adventurous in nature. It’s the perfect time to begin planning outdoor adventures with professional guides, outfitters and other resources to assist in making fishing, hunting and wildlife-watching trips a reality. We live in an amazing area of the world where the great outdoors is very accessible. Areas of interest include hunting, fishing, camping, guides and outfitters, resorts & lodges from western US, Canada & internationally, boats, RVs, 4×4’s, wildlife art, pack equipment, hunting dogs, 3D archery, horse and mule packing, and casting pools. If you love the outdoors, this event is not to be missed! The event begins Wednesday and runs through Sunday evening!

Hours: Wed – Fri, 12pm – 8pm; Sat, 10am – 8pm; Sun, 10am – 4pm
Location: Sleep Train ShowPlex – Enter at Blue Gate
Website: http://www.thesportshows.com

Feed My Starving Children- Mobile Pack

FMSC is a global Christian hunger charity that donates nutritious, dehydrated MannaPack meals to missions running orphanages, schools, clinics, and feeding programs in nearly 70 countries. MobilePack program connects volunteers from across the United States to children across the world. We invite you to participate in these events by packing food or donating funds. This is a great way to give back and help those less fortunate.
Hours: January 27 at 12:00 pm to January 28 at 6:00 pm
Location: AgriPlex – Enter at Green Gate

Website: https://give.fmsc.org/puyallup/events/1701-246me-puyallup-wa-greg-cyndi-helle-mobilepack/e98262

Puyallup Public Library

Check out the calendar of Puyallup library events. This week the library is hosting:

24 -Tuesday
Play to Learn
25 – Wednesday
26- Thursday
27- Friday
Preschool Stories
28- Saturday
SAT v. ACT Combo Test

High School Winter Sports

With the cold winter months in full swing, indoor winter sports are a great way for students to stay active and busy. Check out the different schools and teams and go out and support a student you know in the community. You can find the different sports, teams, and times here on the SPSL (South Puget Sound League) website.

Pinot’s Palette 

Painting and wine in one relaxing evening. Spend an evening at Pinot’s Palette in the Sunrise Village located on South Hill. Pick your evening here!

South Hill Mall 

Brawl at the Mall

Friday, January 27th 7 pm

Come out and support Rogers High School Rams Wrestling Team as they compete against Kentridge High School. Bring your canned food to help the Puyallup Food Bank restock after the holidays.

 

Cascade Regional Blood Drive 

Saturday, January 28th, 10am-2pm

Donate Blood on the Cascade Regional Bus located near Applebee’s!

Weather update

Have you enjoyed the warmer weather or do you miss the cold temperature and clear sky? With the temperature rise, it’s time to get back outside again! Check out local parks and trails to stay active in the winter!

That’s all for Puyallup this week! Follow us on Twitter or Follow us on Instagram @puyallupwashington. Check in next week for what’s happening in Puyallup! Make it a terrific week.

 

Entertainment

Ways to Spend your New Years 2016 in Puyallup

Posted on by Thera

2016 has been quite the year. Now that we have finished the Christmas season, it is time to start making plans to help ring in the New Year. It is time to start planning our resolutions for the New Year and setting the stage for 2017. There are many ways to celebrate the end of 2016. Whether it be at home with your family or out on the town celebrating in style, New Years is a great time to let go of the old and let in the new. Here are a few tips to help you have a great time on New Years in Puyallup.

New Years celebrations do not always need to involve going out and partying. For people with children, getting someone to babysit on one of the busiest nights of the year is almost impossible. Instead, focus on family oriented activities that include both the children and the adults. This will bring the family closer together and start off the New Year with great memories for the kids. Start the day off with talking with your children about resolutions. It is never too early to start teaching your kids about making goals and learning how to accomplish them during the year. Talk with them about the purpose of making a resolution. The resolution can be easy as your children spending less time on their electronics and more time reading or maybe outside. Also, create resolutions for yourself and follow through on them. It will teach your children how to complete their goals.

Crafting with your kids is always a great way to spend the evening. Make a Count Down Activity Bag with your kids. Buy small paper bags from any craft store and print out clock faces. Glue the clock faces on the bags and mark clock hands on every hour. Have your kids pick an activity that they want to do that night and write it on a slip of paper. For example, an activity can include making ice cream sundaes or watching a movie. Put it in a bag and seal the bag. Open that bag when the clock strikes a specific hour and reveal the activity planned for that hour. This is a fun and engaging way to spend the night with your whole family. Also, a fun family activity is making your own DIY party hats with your children. Buy some colorful card stock, glue, string, some decorative glitter, some colorful pom-poms and any other craft items to help decorate the party hats. Draw a half circle with the construction paper and cut it out. Bring the two ends of the half circle together to form a cone. Staple the two ends together and that will be your hat. Poke two holes at the base and attach the strings. Glue a pom-pom to the top and let the children decorate the hats anyway they want. Once the glue has dried, let the kids put them on and party away!

For adult fun on New Years, there better way to celebrate than heading out to the city of Puyallup. For a romantic night out, look no further than one of Puyallup’s most popular restaurants, Toscanos. The restaurant and the Hampton Inn and Suites have come together to create the perfect romantic evening out together. Couples can spend a romantic evening dining at Toscanos and then spend the evening dancing the night away at a party at the hotel. The total for the hotel and the dinner is only $159.00 for a night of excitement and romance. The party Includes Appetizer, Party Favors, Dancing & Midnight Sparkling Toast. Hotel accommodations include free parking, use of pool & hot tub, complimentary breakfast and late checkout.

Finish off the weekend by doing something daring. The city of Tacoma hosts the Polar Bear Plunge in Point Defiance. This fun and chilly event is for all people of all ages. The Cub Plunge is for youth under 10 and starts at 11:30am and the adult/family plunge is at noon. The cost is free and will take place regardless of weather. The plunge will take place at Point Defiance boat launch, 5912 N. Waterfront Drive in Point Defiance Park and lifeguards will be on duty for safety purposes. There will also be heating tents and hot drinks to help warm up participants after the plunge.

New Years is a wonderful time of year. It is the time to create goals and see them through. It is time to make plans for the year and to make resolutions for improving yourself. Time with family, friends and loved ones is important during this time. We hope that you have a safe and happy New Year. We would love to hear how you will be spending the New Year, so please tweet us and let us know!

Entertainment, Puyallup

This Week in Puyallup (Nov 28-Dec 4)

Posted on by Hannah

December in Puyallup

We hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of food, family, and fun! With Thanksgiving over, we are now full speed ahead into the Christmas season. This week we transition into December! Christmas songs are playing on the radio station, cars are driving with trees strapped to the top, houses are glowing with lights at night, and Christmas feels like it’s arrived. This is a great time when the Puyallup community comes together. There are many opportunities to give back, get involved, and celebrate the Christmas spirit.

christmas

Christmas Events at the Fair

The North Pole at the Fair

A great event for the whole family! Get your kids in the Christmas spirit and let them experience what the North Pole is like for Santa. The North Pole at the Fair is sure to get your kids excited to leave some cookies and milk for the man in the red suit.

Victorian Country Christmas

Step back in time into a Victorian village where holiday music fills the air!  Shop in over 500 stores and find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.  Enjoy a day out drinking wine, eating treats, and delicious food. Christmas starts at A Victorian Country Christmas. This is a Puyallup community favorite and not to be missed!

Extreme Christmas Tree Lighting

Join the Washington State Fair Events Center to kick off the holiday season at the annual Extreme Christmas Tree Lighting. Enjoy complimentary hot cider, cookies, and holiday music as Santa arrives to light up the 185-foot Extreme Christmas Tree with 4,494 twinkling lights before your very eyes. You might even get to visit with Santa’s reindeer.

give-back

Giving Back

This week through December 11th check out the giving tree at the Puyallup Activity Center. Take a tag off the tree and make someone’s Christmas extra special this year. The Giving Tree runs through December 11, 2016. Bring the gift (unwrapped) and tag back to the Recreation Center to have it wrapped and delivered.

Also keep an eye out for food collections at local grocery stores. They are always looking for donations around this time of year. Those who are less fortunate and don’t have the extra money to spend will be thankful for your donation. With so much abundance around this time of year, it is always important to keep a healthy perspective and help others where you can.The South Hill Mall has a whole section devoted to giving back on their website. Click here to see where and when these are.

Puyallup Public Libray

hamilton

Hamilton the Musical

The library is always hosting events. Have you heard of the musical Hamilton? This award winning musical is taking the country by storm.  Join fellow musical theater fans at the Library to answer trivia questions, play games, and enjoy the fantastic music. If you already know the musical, you can share your knowledge. If you don’t, this is a perfect opportunity to learn. This will be an event full of musical and historical knowledge. This event is for teens and adults. (Warning: tracks from the musical will be played which do include explicit content).

Play to Learn 

Play to learn is this week at the library on Tuesday. Click here for more details. This event happens weekly, so if you missed it this week, check it out next week.

2016 Lighted Santa Parade

santa-parade

Saturday, December 3rd, at 5:00 pm
Downtown Puyallup

Bring the family down to welcome Santa and usher in the Christmas season! Check out the fire engines, elves, and support the local students participating in the parade. Included in the festivities is the Holiday Market (12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) in the Pioneer Park Pavilion and the lighting of the Community Tree in the Park!

That’s all for Puyallup this week. We hope you have a terrific week and have the opportunity to get in the Christmas holiday spirit. If you want to share an event or experience with us, tweet us! We would love to hear from you. Check in with us next week to see what is happening in Puyallup.

Entertainment, Puyallup, Washington State Fair

America’s Largest Antique and Collectible Show

Posted on by Hannah

antique-show

America’s Largest Antique and Collectible Show is taking place at the Washington State Fair Event Center in Puyallup this weekend. Are there antiques or collectibles around your house that you think might be worth something? Do you own a family heirloom that has been passed down generation to generation that you would like to get appraised? You can get answers to these questions at this show. This event is taking place on Saturday, 9am-6pm and Sunday, 10am-5pm in the ShowPlex at the Washington State Fair Events Center. Enter at the Blue Gate. Admission is $6 for adults (good for both days), kids ages 12-17 $3, and kids under 12 are free. Items on display will be from the 1880s to the 1970s. Bring your family treasures and garage sale finds for a verbal market evaluation by experts. Five ISA appraisers will provide information and value for $7 per (available during both days of the show). The show will host 400 booths.

If you spend your time watching American Pickers on the History Channel, this is the event for you. Do you like to see the progression of society and how we get from point A to B in our culture? This weekend will give you a peek into how we progressed from the post industrial revolution era to where we are today. You might even hear yourself saying, “back when I was your age…’.

For an inexpensive weekend of fun and learning, this event is sure to fit the bill if you’re curious about life in the past.  Who knows, someday when your grandchildren are at an antique show, they might be teaching their kids about the iPhone. Take a trip down memory lane and enjoy the antiques and collectibles that reveal how life used to be.

View our calendar for new events coming up – just like this one!

We would love to see your highlights from this event. Find us at Twitter https://twitter.com/puyallupcom and tag us @puyallupcom or find us on Instagram @puyallupwashington and tag us!

Entertainment, Puyallup

The History of Halloween

Posted on by Thera

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Halloween is a much loved holiday in America. People around the country love getting dressed up in a costume and going out for a fun evening filled with treats and scares. There are so many fun aspects to this simultaneously entertaining and frighteningly holiday. A majority of people love to be scared silly on October 31st but most aren’t even aware of the history behind the holiday. As you are out and about, dressed up as your favorite character and celebrating this scary time of year, remember that this holiday has a very long history. Halloween is a celebration of the living and the dead and is filled with plenty of superstitions and a lot of historical traditions.

The ancient origins of Halloween date as far back as 2,000 years ago to the Celts. The Celts lived in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and Northern France. They celebrated their new year on November 1st instead of January 1st like we do today. November 1st was a very important day to the Celts. This day signified the end of summer and the harvest and marked the beginning of the long, dark and cold winter. This time of year was also associated with the death of humans due to the harsh weather conditions. The time between October 31st and November 1st opened up the boundary between the dead and living for the Celts. They celebrated Samhain on October 31st which they believed was the night that the dead returned to walk amongst the living. The Celts believed that these spirits wreaked havoc on their crops and also allowed for the Druids to make predictions about the future. The Celts lived in an unsure and harsh enviroment and these prophecies were very important to their overall sense of comfort and gave them some control in an unpredictable world.

The Druids would build huge bonfires that they considered sacred and the people would gather around the bonfire and burn crops and animal sacrifices to Celtic gods. The Celts would wear costumes made up of animal heads and skins. They would celebrate by telling each other’s fortunes and then they would re-light their hearth fires with the fire from the sacred bonfire. The lighting of the hearth from with the fire from the sacred bonfire was believed to help protect the people from the long harsh winters. This celebration was looked forward to all year long as a way to help the Celts face the upcoming challenges of the winter months.

By 43 A.D. The Celts were mostly conquered by the Romans and for four hundred years the Romans ruled over the Celts and they incorporated the festival of Samhain into their own two festivals of Feralia and Pomona. Feralia was celebrated in late October for a day and this festival commemorated the passing of the dead. Pomona was a festival that celebrated the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. Her symbol is that of an apple and it is believed that when the Romans incorporated the festival of Pomona with Samhain the tradition of bobbing for apples was born.Roman Goddess Pomona

By the 9th century Christianity spread quickly and deeply in the Celtic lands and the rites and traditions of the religion blended with the older Celtic rites and superstitions. In 1000 A.D. the church decided to make November 2nd All Soul’s Day which like Samhain was a day to honor the dead. It was rumored that the church was looking to supplant all the Celtic Festivals with church sanctioned and approved holidays. The two holidays were very similar in nature. All Saint’s Day also featured large bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes. The All Saints Day celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas from the Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints’ Day. The traditional night of Samhain in the Celtic religion began to be called All-hallows Eve by the people and eventually it turned into Halloween.

Halloween in America was slow to pick up. There was limited celebrating of Halloween in Colonial New England due to the very rigid Protestant belief system. Celebrating Halloween was more common in the southern colonies as opposed to the Northern Colonies. Soon, as the beliefs of the different European ethnic groups merged with the beliefs and traditions of the Native Americans and a very distinct Americanized version of Halloween began to take shape. This form of Halloween featured aspects that are akin to how we celebrate Halloween today. “Play parties” emerged and were popular with the public. These “play parties” featured the telling of ghost stories and each other’s fortunes, dancing, signing, and to celebrate the harvest.

During the second half of the 19th century, America saw a huge influx in the amount of immigrants coming to the United States. There was a large population of Irish people immigrating to the states and they brought with them their Halloween rituals, superstitions and traditions. Since the Celtic people lived in Ireland many of the traditions that the Irish brought with them to the United States were based on the original traditions of Sanhaim. This included dressing up in costumes, asking their neighbors for food and money, and pulling pranks in the evening on Halloween. Soon Americans started doing the same thing, which eventually morphed into the current tradition of “trick-or-treating.”vintage halloween costumes

In the beginning, the tricks were more prominent than the treats. Halloween was a night filled with pranks and mayhem until there was a move to turn Halloween into a more family friendly affair. Halloween parties became a family event and they focused on food, games, and costumes. Parents were encouraged by the media and community leaders to remove anything frightening or grotesque out of Halloween celebrations and to create a more fun and light environment. Halloween then lost most of its superstitious and religious overtones by the beginning of the twentieth century as it began to morph into a more family oriented event. Cities began to organize community events and celebrations and once candy companies began releasing special Halloween candies, our modern version of “trick-or-treating” emerged.

Halloween Candy

Today Halloween is the country’s second largest commercial holiday because American’s spend about $6 million a year on Halloween. This fun night of costumes and candy is a favorite amongst Americans and people in Puyallup have a lot of fun options in the city when it comes to celebrating Halloween. Check out our blog for tips on the best haunted houses, pumpkin patches, and trick or treating events in Puyallup. Make sure to tweet us and let us know your favorite way to celebrate Halloween!

 

Entertainment, Puyallup

Halloween in Puyallup 2016

Posted on by Hannah

 

Puyallup Halloween 2016

Halloween in Puyallup is just around the corner! Have you carved your pumpkins yet? Picked out the perfect Halloween costume? Tested your courage at a haunted house? Don’t worry; you still have a bit of time to make this the most memorable Halloween ever! This holiday is a festive and community-oriented time of year. From trick-or-treating to scary movies, Halloween is a fun time for all ages! Check out what is happening below in the Puyallup community to put you in the Halloween spirit.

Boo-Allup in Puyallup 

Downtown businesses will be handing out candies and treats from 3–6 pm on October 31st. In addition to the Halloween festivities, the Rotary Stage in Pioneer Park will host some Halloween fun at the Cobweb Carnival.

Trick-Or-Treating

Is it Halloween without candy? Grab your pillowcase and fill it to the brim with delicious chocolate treats like m&ms, snickers, and all the other classics. Maybe you can swap candies to maximize your sweet-tooth satisfaction! Make sure to bring some flashlights on your evening out going door to door. End a fun night on a sugar high and then crash! If you and your family aren’t in a neighborhood where it’s easy going door-to-door for treats, you might want to visit Sunrise Village, Manorwood, or Novella neighborhoods.

Halloween Street of Treats in Downtown Sumner

Right down the road in Summer is the Halloween Street of Treats. Come trick-or-treating in downtown Sumner from 5-7pm on October 31st.  The Main Street will be partially closed so your little ones can have a fun and safe experience!

Scary Movies

If you are past the trick-or-treating stage, scary movies are always a classic option for Halloween. Check out this article to get some ideas about what movie you want to keep you on the edge of your seat. And what is a movie viewing without some great Halloween treats?

We hope this helps you with your Halloween planning, happy Halloween Puyallup!

Entertainment, Puyallup

Costume Ideas for the Whole Family in Puyallup

Posted on by Thera

It’s that wonderful time of year again! It’s time to start planning your Halloween costume. Time to get creative and come up with something unique and original to either scare, frighten or delight this Halloween. There is nothing better than themed costumes for the whole family. However, coming up with costumes for the entire family can be hard. Most families are busy and don’t have a lot of time or sometimes a lot of money to buy or create costumes. It can be difficult to create elaborate costumes for all the family members but never fear! Here is a list of the simplest group Halloween costumes that will be easy to put together and won’t cost an arm and a leg.

Lions and Tigers and Bear Oh My Costume Puyallup

The Wizard of Oz is a classic movie that is loved by generations of people. One of the cutest ideas for a family themed Halloween costume is the “Lion, Tigers, and Bears Oh my!” concept. This costume idea is for a family of four. It is an easy and a super recognizable costume idea and there is nothing sweeter than dressing your young ones up as a lion and a tiger. Walmart carries both a lion and a tiger costume for infants. The parents can dress as the bear and the “Oh My!”. The “Oh My!” part of the costume can be as easy as making a shirt with the phrase “Oh My!” printed on the front. The bear part can also be easy by just wearing a hat with bear ears on it. The best part about this costume idea is seeing the children dressed up as cute little animals.

Shark Attack Costume Puyallup

Another favorite costume idea that is a combo of cute and frightening is “Shark Attack”. This costume idea is perfect for a family of three or four and requires a child’s shark costume, some board shorts, a surf shirt, a lifeguard shirt, some fake blood and a large piece of cardboard. If you have two kids, you can dress them both up as sharks while one parent can be dressed as the shark attack “victim” and the other parent can be dressed as a lifeguard. The Shark Attack Victim costume consists of the board shorts, surf shirt, flip-flops and bandages soaked with fake blood. Wrap the bandages around your head and your arm. Add some fake blood to you face and hair to add an extra touch. The large piece of cardboard is used to create a fake surfboard. This adorable idea is easy and a fun way to celebrate Halloween.

Family Costume PuyallupInside Out by Pixar was an adorable family movie that tugged at the heartstrings of both the young and the old. This favorite movie amongst families has highly recognizable characters that make for easy Halloween costumes. For anyone that has seen the movie knows that each character represents an emotion and that emotion is signified by a specific color. The most popular characters in the movie are Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger and Fear. Each member of the family can pick their favorite character. For the character of Joy, you will need a blue short haired wig and a green dress. Sadness is easy as well. All you need is a long gray sweater turtleneck, a blue wig, some circular glasses and jeans. Disgust requires a green wig and a green A-line dress with green tights. The character of Anger requires red hair dye, a white shirt, brown suit pants, and a red patterned tie. Fear is a little more complicated. You will need some purple face paint, white face paint, a red bow tie, a blue oxford shirt, blue slacks, a houndstooth vest, and cardboard black curly cue to attach to the top of your head. Use the purple face paint to make your face purple and use the white face paint around your eyes. Make sure to make the white circles around the eyes larger in order to match the character. This fun idea for a family Halloween costume will be sure to amuse friends and family!

s'mores family costume puyallup One of the easiest, cheapest and tastiest family costume idea is the S’mores family. These cute costumes require very few items. To make the marshmallow part of the costume, you need two white throw pillows and some white strips of fabric. Sew the white strips of fabric on top of the pillows to create a clapboard. The Hersey’s bar part of the costume consists of a brown long shirt and some white fabric paint. Create your own Hershey’s stencil and use that to paint the word “Hersey” on a brown shirt. The graham cracker part of the costume is the easiest part of the whole getup. Cut out large squares of brown cardboard and use a black marker to mark dashes to create four squares. Use that same marker to mark small circles evenly in each section. One piece of the cardboard is for the front and another piece is for the back. You also create a clapboard with these two pieces by tapping some string between the two pieces. This simple yet effective costume idea is sure to impress others while out celebrating Halloween.

Rainbow Family Costume Puyallup Another creative yet simple family costume idea draws its inspiration from nature. A rainbow and cloud is a fun and colorful way to dress up for Halloween. There are many ways to create a rainbow but the easiest and quickest way to create a family rainbow is by dressing each member of the family in one solid color. For example, one member of the family wears red shoes, red sweats, and a red sweatshirt. The next member of the family dons the same outfit but orange this time. Each member of the family wears the exact same outfit but with all the colors of the rainbow. For the cloud portion of the costume, buy solid color beanies that correspond with the color of the rainbow and white cotton balls. Using a hot glue gun, glue the cotton balls in layers on the top of the beanie to create the cloud. This costume idea takes very little effort and is perfect for a cold fall evening.

Dressing up as a family is a fun way to celebrate Halloween. It makes for an Instagram worthy photo op and is a great way to bond as a family. Dressing up together doesn’t have to be costly or time consuming. The ideas listed above are easy for anyone to put together and do not cost a lot of money. We would love to hear what the families in Puyallup are doing this year for Halloween. Tweet us your ideas or pictures for your favorite group costume!trick-or-treat-halloween-Puyallup

 

Entertainment, Puyallup

Puyallup Events (Oct 17 2016)

Posted on by Hannah

events

Check out what is happening in Puyallup this week!

1. Storytime Did you miss storytime last Friday? Well, you’re in luck because you can go this Friday! Reading is a great activity, and you can never start reading with your kids too early. Come downtown to the local public library for storytime.  Preschool Stories are available for children 3 to 5 years old on Fridays from 10-11 AM. Toddler Treasures are available for children 1 to 3 years old on Fridays from 11:15-11:45 am

2. Just Between Friends Fall Sale Are you a bargain shopper? Do you enjoy saving money and getting good deals? Then come check out the Just Between Friends Fall Sale at the fair.  You will find clothing for infants-teens, toys, furniture, baby gear, shoes, books and more! Military, first-time parents and foster/adoptive parents can pre-register. Click here for contact information

3. Crossroads Doll and Teddy Bear Show Are you a fan or collector of dolls and teddy bears? The largest doll and teddy bear event in the Northwest is taking place at the Washington State Fair this weekend! You will find antiques, miniatures, doll making supplies, accessories and furniture. The main attraction: dolls and teddy bears from antique to modern and a selection of acclaimed artists.

4. Mickey Fay’s Northwest Extreme Flat Track Racking Indoor short track racing, motorcycles, and quads at the Washington State Fair this weekend! Enter through the Green Gate and make your way to the Paulhamus Arena. The event is taking place Sunday the 23rd from 5-10pm. Admission is $10 and kids ages 6 and under are free. The Mickey Fay’s race is sure to be an entertaining and thrilling evening for all ages.

5. Free Yard Waste Composting Class Are you trying to be more environmentally friendly? This week, learn how to recycle your yard debris materials into rich, organic compost. Pierce County is offering a free yard waste compost class from 6 to 8 pm on Wednesday, October 19th at WSU Extension Puyallup. Click here to register.

6. Northwest Winter Pigeon Classic ‘Devoted to the breeding and raising of pigeons for pleasure and the promotion of fellowship among the pigeon fraternity in general,’ the Puget Sound Pigeon Club is gathering at the Washington State Fair this weekend. This event takes place Saturday, October 22nd, in the AgriPlex, 8am – 6pm, admission is free  

Entertainment, Puyallup

Haunted Houses Around Puyallup

Posted on by Hannah
Haunted Houses nearby Puyallup

Fall is a spooky time of year, with misty mornings and darker days, the spirit of Halloween creeps in. If you are someone who enjoys a good scare and thrill, this time of the year has traditions to get your pulse racing and adrenaline pumping. Haunted Houses are one way to test how well you do in the face of fear and danger. Many haunted houses are just a short drive outside of Puyallup. Do you have what it take to make it through these eerie and unsettling haunted houses? Are you brave enough? Check out where you can test these theories below.

Hell’s Gateway Haunted House

This Haunted House is located in Tacoma. They offer a range of different experiences based on age and scare factor.  Admission starts at $15. Click here to learn about the different pricing and event options. Are you brave enough to participate in the terrifying experience of REAL FEAR for 18 years and up?

Haunted Woods- Maris Farms

The Haunted Woods is a 35-minute harrowing journey through the corn with emotional roller coaster thrills through the forest. The tour of terror begins its 11th season Oct. 1st and continues each Friday & Saturday night. General admission starts at $25.  For an outdoor Halloween adventure, these Haunted Woods will give you a run for your money. Click here for more information about pricing, rules, and schedules.

Halloween Hellmouth 

Located in Lakewood, the name of this Haunted House should give you an idea of what you’re getting yourself into, it’s not for the easily scared. Check out their videos to see if you can handle what awaits you at Halloween Hellmouth. Learning about the haunted history of Hellmouth might entice you to come to the haunted houses.

Fright Factory

This Haunted House is located in rural Buckley, far from anyone who could help you…. Admission is $12, and most of the event takes place indoors. For a preview of what to expect, check out the video below.  If you bring a canned food donation for the local food bank, you will receive a dollar off the general admission price. They also have food and beverage vendors on site along with parking. If you are ready for a scary and frightening Halloween experience, The Fright Factory should be one of your stops this weekend.

 

 

Before you go out, make sure you make some Halloween Treats! That way you’ll have some treats when you get back.

Entertainment, Puyallup, Washington State Fair

Celebrating Oktoberfest in the Northwest

Posted on by Thera

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As fall ushers in the colder weather and the leaves start to change from green to red, brown and gold, one of the best festivals happens during this wonderful time of year. Oktoberfest is held each year around the globe and two of the best places to celebrate this cultural event is right here in the Northwest! For those who can’t make it all the way to Munich to celebrate, Washington is home to our very own Bavarian Village, Leavenworth. The Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup also hosts an exciting Oktoberfest event of their own. These two events give visitors an authentic feel and taste of the true German Oktoberfest spirit. With delicious food and beer and lots of fun activities, attending Oktoberfest is a great way to celebrate our fantastic Washington fall weather!

Oktoberfest is a traditional, yearly event held in Munich, Germany and starts the third weekend of September and ends the first Sunday of October. The festival dates all the way back to 1810, when Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on the 12th of October. The citizens of the city of Munich were invited to attend the wedding festivities held on the fields in front of the city gates. The royal family held horses race to mark the end of the festival. The next year the horse races were held again and this gave rise to the yearly tradition of Oktoberfest. The following year in 1811, in order to boost Bavarian agriculture, the first agricultural show was added. The first few decades of the festival did not have the amount of attractions that a visitor can experience today. At first, there was a carousel, a few swings and a couple of small beer stands. Over the next few years, beer tents and halls sprung up with the backing of breweries. Today, Oktoberfest is the largest festival in the world. This year is the 183rd Oktoberfest and the city of Munich will see about 6 million visitors converge on the city to celebrate German food, drink and traditions.

For those of us that can’t make it all the way to Europe to celebrate this fun event, the state of Washington is fortunate to have our every own Bavarian city. Leavenworth is a delightful city surrounded by the picturesque Cascade Mountains and is the next best thing to being in the city of Munich. This festival runs the weekends of September 30th until October 1st, October 7th and the 8th, and the final weekend is October 14th and 15th. The city has four venues with live entertainment, delicious food and beer, and fun activities. Make to attend the traditional Keg Tappingcta-beer-times Ceremony at 1:00 pm every Saturday when Leavenworth’s Mayor will honor a Bavarian Tradition of “tapping the keg”. The festival in Leavenworth began in 1998 when Projekt Bayern, a non-profit organization created to promote the old world Bavarian theme through the city, came up with the idea to host an authentic Oktoberfest in the city. Every year has seen an increase in attractions and in visitors. Currently, over a million people come to visit the city for the festival. This fun celebration is $10 for admission on Fridays and $20 for Saturdays with children under 12 free. There is also free admission for active military members with valid ID.

If you can’t make it over to Leavenworth for the celebration, then head to Puyallup for the best Oktoberfest celebration in the South Sound. This authentic celebration at the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup is on October 7 through the 9th. Oktoberfest Northwest hosts the largest Munich style Festhalle Biergarten and features genuine German food, beer, and entertainment. The featured events at Oktoberfest Northwest include the 5k Stein Dash, the Hammerschlagen, and the Weiner Dog races. On Sunday, October 9th the Stein Dash is a fun run that pairs running with beer tasting. When you sign up for the 5k you get a commemorative stein, an event shirt, a bib number, and a token for a free drink. There are 3 pit weinerdog-dogcostume2 stops on the 3.1 mile run where participants can fill up their stein with a different beer at each stop. Another fun event at Oktoberfest Northwest is the Hammerschlagen Tournament of Champions. This event is a competition to see how fast an individual can drive a nail into a cross section of wood. One of the most unique events at Oktoberfest Northwest are the wiener dog races. The “Running of the Wieners” is for Daschunds of all shapes and sizes and benefits local rescues chosen by race organizers, NW Wiener Races. Oktoberfest Northwest is located at the Washington State Fair Events Center at 110 9th Ave SW in Puyallup. This family-friendly event has something for everyone and is the perfect way to celebrate Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest is a fun way to not only celebrate fall but to celebrate a time-honored German tradition. Oktoberfest has deep traditional roots and the Northwest offers many fun ways to celebrate but the best events in the state are right in our very own backyard. The Washington State Fair in Puyallup has a wonderful celebration filled with delicious food and beer and a lot of fun events. This event in the South Sound is perfect for the whole family. Our very own Bavarian Village, Leavenworth, has the most authentic Oktoberfest celebration in the nation. The beautiful backdrop of the Cascade Mountains and the traditional architecture of the buildings create the perfect ambiance for Oktoberfest. We would love to hear your thoughts about your favorite part of Oktoberfest. Tweet us and let us know!

Entertainment, Puyallup

Swimming Pools, Splash Park and Lessons in Puyallup

Posted on by Thera

With summer starting to wind down in Washington, it’s never too late to start taking the kids to swim at the local pool or Sprayground. Luckily, for the residents in the Puyallup area, there are plenty of pools and a sprayground to keep the kids entertained. Fortunately, the sunny days last until the end of September around here and even after the sun is gone and we start to transition into the colder days, taking indoor swimming lessons is always a good idea. Kids of all ages should be taking swim lessons to not only help teach them water safety but to also help them stay active when the weather starts to get worse.

A few years ago, due to overwhelming community support, Puyallup’s Pioneer Park got a new splash pad to replace the old wading pool. After all the support from the community and seeing how popular pioneer-spray-parkthe Tacoma spray parks had become, the Puyallup city council decided it was time to transfer funds to the Parks and Recreation capitol improvements project for the design and installation of the splash park. The Kiwanis Kids Spray Park is one of the South Sound’s newest spray parks and Puyallup’s first. This splash park is open from 10am until 8pm and is located at 324 S. Meridian in Puyallup by the downtown Library. The spray park has all kinds of fun features with water not only being sprayed up from the ground but also dumped from above by cool water installations.

The Mel Korum YMCA located at 302 43rd Ave. SE in Puyallup offers swim lessons and water safety programs for all ages. There are early youth, preschool, youth, teen and adult swim lessons. They also have private swim lessons for people who need more one on one coaching when it comes to swimming. Early youth swim lessons are for children from 6 months old up to 36 months and the instructor works with the parent and child on basic water skills that include paddling, sitting on the pool edge, floating, basic swimming skills, blowing bubbles, and being able to swim unassisted. Preschool swim lessons are for children ages 3 to 5 and these lessons build on basic swimming and water safety skills. The lessons progress to teaching children the different swimming strokes like the front crawl and backstroke. Youth lessons are for children ages 6 through 11 years old. These lessons focus on teaching endurance and perfecting all the basic arm strokes and eventually lead up to teaching competitive swim practices and junior lifeguarding skills. Teen swim lessons, for kids ages 12 to 14, are divided into two separate classes, Teen Swim 1 and Teen Swim 2. Teen Swim 1 is a beginner class that works with smaller groups on swim skills and team building. The skills include the elementary backstroke, backstroke, sidestroke and breaststroke. Teen Swim 2 is an intermediate level class that builds on all the skills learned in Swim Teen 1 but with the addition of learning the breaststroke and the butterfly. The Mel Korum YMCA also provides Adult Swim lessons for anyone ages 15 years and up. For those people interested in water safety, the YMCA provides a Lifeguard Certification program.

The Puyallup High School pool is also available to the public. There is a lifeguard on duty along with showers 1467726200195and locker rooms that are provided for day use. Activities at this pool include lap swimming, water exercise, swim school and physical therapy. The pool also has equipment like kick boards, pace clocks, pulling gear, backstroke flags, and lane lines available for use. The Puyallup High School Pool also offers Life Guard Training classes. The pool is heated and has 6 lanes total and is open year round. General admission is $3.75 and senior admission is $3.50. The pool is located on the corner of 6th ST SW and W Main Ave on the backside of the gym building.

Teaching your children how to swim is an important skill to learn. In Puyallup we are lucky to not only live close to the ocean but also close to a few different lakes. Water safety and swim lessons help prevent drowning and help people to understand the dangers in the water. These programs are designed to also make swimming and water safety fun and enjoyable. Swimming is excellent exercise and provides a fun way to cool off during the hot summer days. Make sure to check out both these pools and splash park in Pioneer Park for a fun family orientated activity.

Kiwanis Kids Spray Park

Entertainment, Puyallup

Music at the Fair

Posted on by Admin

Music Fans in Puyallup

Every year the Washington State Fair hosts a variety of musicians that entertain visitors who fill the grandstands. From country to rock, the fair hosts a great lineup of musicians. Artists like Smash Mouth, Tim McGraw, Jimmy Buffet, Kid Rock, and a few others have already made their stop at the fair. Take a listen to some of the videos below to get an idea of what artists are up next!

 

Below are upcoming shows:

 

THOMPSON SQUARE DANCIN’ IN THE DIRT PARTY

Friday, Sep 9 at 9:00pm

 

CHRIS JANSON DANCIN’ IN THE DIRT PARTY

Saturday, Sep 10 at 9:00pm

 

FOR KING & COUNTRY AND MATT MAHER

Monday, Sep 12 at 7:30pm

 

DNCE WITH SPECIAL GUEST LUNCHMONEY LEWIS

Wednesday, Sep 14 at 7:30pm

 

X AMBASSADORS / RACHEL PLATTEN

Thursday, Sep 15 at 7:30pm

 

CHARLIE WILSON WITH SPECIAL GUEST JOE

Friday, Sep 16 at 7:30pm

 

ALAN JACKSON

Saturday, Sep 17 at 7:30pm

 

FIESTAS PATRIAS FEATURING VOZ DE MANDO, PROYECTO X AND MARIACHI DIVAS

Sunday, Sep 18 at 5:00pm

 

CHRIS YOUNG WITH SPECIAL GUEST CASSADEE POPE

Monday, Sep 19 at 7:30pm

 

GAVIN DEGRAW & ANDY GRAMMER WITH SPECIAL GUEST WRABEL

Wednesday, Sep 21 at 7:00pm

 

DIERKS BENTLEY PLUS GUEST TUCKER BEATHARD

Thursday, Sep 22 at 7:30pm

 

JEFF FOXWORTHY & LARRY THE CABLE GUY

Friday, Sep 23 at 7:30pm

 

FLO RIDA WITH SPECIAL GUEST NATALIE LA ROSE

Saturday, Sep 24 at 7:30pm

Entertainment, Puyallup

Things Happening This Week in Puyallup

Posted on by Admin

Fun-things-to-do-in-Puyallup-this-weekend

I know I’m always looking for things to do in Puyallup and its surrounding areas.  We of course have the Fair but what else is happening?  Lets look at all the things happening this week in the area.

Washington State Fair
Sept 2-25 2016
Concerts this week:
– Creedence Clearwater Revisited (9/7/16 @ 7:30pm)
– Smash Mouth (9/8/16 @ 7:30pm)
– Washington State Rodeo (9/9-11/16)
– Thompson Square Dancin’ in the Dirt Party (9/9/16 @ 9:00pm)
– Chris Janson Dancin’ in the Dirt Party (9/10/16 @ 9:00pm)

Go for a swim or lesson

  • Puyallup High School has a public swim.
  • Visit the YMCA and use their pool.
  • Visit the Spray park in Pioneer Park.

Tacoma Wedding Expo
(9/10-11/16 @ 10:30am)
Tacoma Dome

Watch the Seahawks!
Sept 11, 2016 (Sunday @ 1:05pm)
Dolphins Vs. Hawks at CenturyLink

Play some Pool in Puyallup!
Free on Sunday (9/11/16) at Scotty’s Grub & Pub
Puyallup, Washington

All You Can Bowl in Puyallup (Daffodil Bowl)
Sept 6th, 7th, 8th, and 11th 2016.
10:00pm until closing time.
$10 Bucks

Mini Golfing in Puyallup
Mike N Terry’s Outdoor Fun Park
Mini Golfing, Go Karts, & Batting Cages
6326 114th Ave Ct E, Puyallup, Washington 98371

Live Music in Tacoma
– Iron Dragon @ 9:00pm 9/9/16
– The Spazmatics @ 9:00pm 9/10/16
(cover charges apply)

Entertainment, Puyallup

Heart By Heart Concert in Pioneer Park

Posted on by Admin

Puyallup Concerts Heart By Heart Band

Thursday is approaching fast and that means we have another great concert in the park. There is actually just one show left on the schedule. This week we have Heart By Heart (Starting @ 6:30pm 8/18/16). They will be playing all the classic Heart songs from the 70’s and 80’s. The band includes two of the original members (Steve Fossen & Michael Derosier) and both are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The other talented members include Somar Macek, Randy Hansen, and Lizzy Daymont.

Next Thursday at 6:30pm, we have Spike & The Impalers at Bradley Park to finish off the Concerts in the Park 2016 schedule.

Hope to see you all there!

Entertainment, Puyallup

Meeker Days 2016

Posted on by Admin

Meeker Days in Puyallup

One of the biggest events in Puyallup is happening this weekend. It’s time for Meeker Days! The festival that was named after its first Mayor – Ezra Meeker. Puyallup’s Meeker Days is a 77 year old celebration. Nearly 135,000 people visit the downtown area during this time for entertainment, food, concerts, and shopping. There are over 200 vendors and 2 huge food courts.

The festival runs the 17th-19th. On Friday the 17th the event starts at noon then for the remaining days it starts at 10am. There will be 4 stages for entertainment this year. On Saturday the Muckleshoot & NW Stage “Main Stage” will start at 10am and run all day. Between 3pm-8pm there will be a new band every hour.

One new thing added this year is the tequila and taco garden. That should be lots of fun! Get the summertime margaritas going while eating some delicious street tacos. There will also be several new food vendors to discover. The Rainier Antique Tractor Club which has been one of longest running participants will be there. They will have 15-20 tractors.

The festival will have lots of family and kids activities as well. From face painting, games, bounce houses, and fishing the kids will always have something to do in the Kid Zone. There will also be plenty of family performances from the Clay Martin Puppets to the Reptile Man.

Join in the Meeker Days fun this weekend.
The event is brought to you by the Main Street Association.


City of Puyallup Meeker Days Festival Photo

Food Vendor at Meeker Days in Puyallup Washington

Meeker Days Tractors Downtown Puyallup

Entertainment, Puyallup

Puyallup’s Community Campout 2016

Posted on by Admin

Bradley Lake Park Campout 2016

It will be a fun night sleeping under the stars and gazing into the night sky. The Community Campout 8 2016 event will be held at Bradley Lake Park on August 13th 2016 starting at 2:30pm. The activities will start at 3pm. Dinner is at 5pm. The City of Puyallup will provide a wide variety of activities for your entire family. If you went to last years, they had games, crafts, and s’mores melting over the campfire. The event will have food and live music so be prepared to do a little dancing. They will also have a big screen for movies included. They’ll have hot dogs and a breakfast available. If you want to come you’ll need to pre-register by August 7th 2016. This event is put together by Puyallup Parks and Recreation and ends Sunday the 14th at 10am (checkout-time). Please help us and keep our local parks clean during and after the event.

The Details:

  • Pre-registration is required
  • Register by August 7th
  • $20 per tent space
  • One tent per site
  • Concessions available for purchase

Live Music:
Afrodisiacs 6:30pm-8pm. (band website)

Cooking S’mores:
A station will be open prior to the movie and everyone will be invited to participate.
All Supplies and ingredients will be provided. 8PM

Movie:
Minions (PG). Moving will start playing at dusk. Concessions are available for purchase.

Security:
Security will be provided during the entire event by City Staff.

Location:
Bradley Lake Park
531 31st Ave Se
Puyallup, Washington 98374
Google Map

Puyallup Campout Flyer 2016

Bradley Lake Park Photo

Bradley Lake Park Photo Walking area with dogs and lake

Entertainment, Puyallup

Bradley Lake Park Food Truck Frenzy

Posted on by Admin

Food Truck Frenzy at Bradley Lake Park in Puyallup Washington

You’re all invited to the very first Food Truck Frenzy at Bradley Lake Park in Puyallup. Featuring a variety of food trucks and their food right on the lake. Not only will there be a frenzy of trucks with their delicious food, they will have entertainment from local artists. Bring your hungry bellies and prepare to have a great time. Don’t forget your blankets and chairs! The food trucks will be there from Noon to 6pm (Lunch-Dinner). This is a free event. Food prices vary.

Here are all the details:
Food Truck Frenzy @ Bradley Lake Park
Saturday, Jun. 25, 2016
531 31st Ave SE
Puyallup, Washington 98374
Google Map

Bradley Lake Park Map

Food Truck Frenzy

Entertainment, Puyallup, Restaurants

Cinco de Mayo

Posted on by Admin

Cinco de Mayo Puyallup

The celebration of Cinco de Mayo is in just a couple days and the City of Puyallup has a few activities you may enjoy. If you don’t know, Cinco de Mayo, is observed to celebrate the Mexican army’s victory (underdog) over the French Forces at the Battle of Puebla.

Lets go over the most popular places in Puyallup on Cinco de Mayo. The Puerto Vallarta listed first will probably be the busiest as the night progress due to the bar scene downtown.

Puerto Vallarta Restaurant
215 15th St SE
Puyallup, WA
(Menu)
(In the Puyallup Valley)

Mazatlan Restaurant
106 S Meridian
Puyallup, WA 98371
(In the Puyallup Valley)

Mazatlan Restaurant
13024 Meridian Ave E
Puyallup, WA 98373
(on S. Hill by Safeway)

If you’re open to leaving Puyallup for Cinco de Mayo, Tacoma has a few options for you to consider.

Matador Resturant
721 Pacific Ave
Tacoma, WA 98402

The Matador always is throwing a party on Cinco de Mayo. This years “Bash” will have an outdoor beer garden, DJ midnight Mike will be playing music starting at 5pm. There is a $5 cover and it’s free before 7pm.

If you’re still alive on Saturday, join the Cinco de Mayo 5k Race below.

Cinco de Mayo 5k Race:
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Description: If you’re around Wright Park (501 South I St., Tacoma 98405) and want to take on a festive 5K, you don’t want to miss this fun. The race will be a chip-timed, cross country style course with three loops. The kids can also do a 1 mile run. The race check-in is 8AM and the race starts at 10AM.

If you’re the stay at home type you can still celebrate by cooking a new dish, wearing a sombrero, or just putting on a good movie.

Entertainment, Puyallup

Concerts in the Park 2016

Posted on by Admin

Puyallup Concert in the Park 2016

Each year the Puyallup Parks & Recreation brings us Concerts in the Park. The 2016 events will be held at Puyallup’s Pioneer Park (325 South Meridian) and Bradley Lake Park on South Hill (531 31st Ave S). This year they will have “Noon Tunes for Kids” which will run in the afternoon for an hour. It’s a mixture of music and activities for the kids. The “Noon Tunes for Kids” starts on July 5th 2016. The Family Series Concerts in the Park starts June 30th 2016 and runs every Thursday until August 25th 2016. The first event will be at Bradley Lake Park on June 30th at 6:30pm. The Beatniks will be rocking the park with their mix of classic rock. There are so many great events this year from Doctorfunk (funk & soul) July 21st, Bobby Sox & The Juke Box (50’s & 60’s) July 28th, Slim Wizzy (blues) Aug 4th, Heart By Heart (2 original Heart members) Aug 18th, and finally ending with Spike & The Impalers Aug 25 at Bradley Lake Park.

On August 13th 2016, there will be a community campout held at Bradley Lake Park from 6:30pm – 8pm. The Afrodisiacs will be playing and they are a really great disco band. They are quite popular in the nightlife scene around Tacoma and Seattle. It’s free (no cover).

If you haven’t experienced Concerts in the Park before, you certainly will want to check it out. The Puyallup Community really comes together and it’s a great way to meet all your neighbors. Bring a chair, blanket/s, and some snacks to enjoy as well. Prepare to dance as the sun goes down in one of Puyallup’s most historic parks – Pioneer Park.

Here is the official schedule (PDF) for the 2016 concerts in the park. It includes both Pioneer Park and Bradley Park events. In the event of rain, all concerts will be moved inside the Pioneer Park Pavilion. The Saturday event at Bradley Lake Park (Afrodisiacs) would be cancelled.

Entertainment, Puyallup, Washington State Fair

Puyallup Spring Fair 2016

Posted on by Admin

Spring Fair 2016 in Puyallup

The best part of spring in Puyallup is the sheer volume of fun activities to do in the area. Following in the fun filled footsteps of the Daffodil Parade, The Washington State Spring Fair is gearing up for an even bigger and better fair for 2016. Filled with fun activities for the whole family, the Fair, from April 14th until April 17th, is one of the biggest attractions in the state. For over the last ten decades, the fair has delighted and entertained people of all ages and this year will be no exception. The weather forecast says it is going to warm and sunny so there is no excuse to not get down to the fair to enjoy some delicious food, fun rides, amazing musical and entertainment acts, adorable animals, and much more.

Since the very first “Valley Fair” in 1900, the city of Puyallup and the Washington State Fair has focused on welcoming families and people from all ages and backgrounds in to enjoy the fair. The Fair’s core values include education, family, fun and making memories that last a lifetime. The Washington State Fair also provides hands on experience showcasing agriculture, the arts, and the marketplace. This year has seen the opening of SillyVille and an additional four more acres of fun designed for kids and adults alike. Another exciting addition is 12 new additional delicious food booths for the fairgoer to sample and delight in. One of the best reasons to visit the fair is food! The Spring Fair also is providing fun free entertainment from leaping DockDogs, the TimberWorks Lumberjack Show and the exciting Motorsport Mayhem shows. For those looking to update their landscaping, get spring cleaning tips, or their garden game, the Fair also hosts garden workshops for all those with a green thumb.

There are also plenty of ways to save money at the Fair. On Thursday, April 14th from 2pm until 10pm all kids 18 and under will receive free Spring Fair admission with a suggested non-perishable food donation for the Puyallup Food Bank. Kids 5 and under are always free at the fair. Also for all the brave men and women who are active, retired, reserve military or National Guard, their dependents, and disabled veterans with a valid military ID will be able to get into the Fair for free all day on Friday, April 15, 2016. Show ID at gate turnstile in order to get in for free. Also if you purchase online by April 13th you can save up to 25% per ticket. Also, group tickets with the minimum order of 25 tickets or more will give you an even deeper discount. The pre- fair discount price is $7.50 for adults and $6.50 for students ages 6-18. Regular price at the gate is $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for students. Also parking is free in the official fair parking lots.

This year the Spring Fair is even bigger and better. There is something for everyone and it is way to make lasting memories with your family. For additional information regarding the fair, please use the following link, http://www.thefair.com/spring-fair and we hope to see you all there! Have a fun experience or a photo you want to share with us? Join this conversation – Tweet Us!

Downtown, Entertainment, Puyallup

Daffodil Parade in Puyallup

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Daffodil Parade in Puyallup

Spring is in the air and the daffodils are beginning to emerge to indicate the beginning of a beautiful spring in the Pacific Northwest. For the city of Puyallup the daffodils also signify the beginning of a wonderful event that celebrates the growth and spirit of the city. For over the last 80 years, the residents in the city have delighted in the events hosted by the festival. The Daffodil Festival is one of the best ways to celebrate spring in the city of Puyallup.

The Daffodil Festival is a 501(c)(3) organization in Washington whose mission is to foster growth and help with the betterment of the communities within Pierce County area. The Festival began on April 6, 1926 when Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Orton were hosts to civic leaders from 125 towns in Western Washington.
Their mission statement says, “The Daffodil Festival is dedicated to provided Pierce County with community service, leadership training, educational opportunities…and four fantastic parades!” Their core values include commitment to education, active membership and volunteers, inspiration from community service and the development and training of future leaders.

The Daffodil Royalty Court is one of the key components to the festival. The court is made up of 24 senior ladies from participating Pierce County High Schools that throughout the year work with the community to help develop public speaking skills, valuable lessons and help to grow their self confidence. They have the chance to meet and interact with people from their own communities from all ages, economic levels and local and government leaders. Even during the summer the Daffodil Princesses work to continue the spirit of the festivals by carrying the title of Official Ambassadors of Pierce County at other out of town parades.

The official list of events starts with the Princess Promenade which serves as the first full court appearance for the court. The Princess Promenade is the celebration of the inauguration of each girl as an Official Daffodil Princess. Other main events during the festival include the Queen’s Luncheon, The Queen’s coronation and Daffodil 5K Challenge. The 5K Challenge takes runners through four cities in Pierce County and includes each of the parade routes. The four cities each have independent races that when run all together create the Challenge. The Daffodil Parade is the ultimate celebration for the entire festival.

The Daffodil Parade is the culmination of the whole festival. The parade is this Saturday, April 9th and will travel through the cities of Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, and Orting. The start of the parade is in Tacoma at 10:15am. The parade will then move on to Puyallup at 12:45pm, then Sumner at 2:30pm and finally Orting at 5:00pm. The parade will have over 180 entries including floats, bands, marching and mounted units. The floats are decorated with thousands of fresh cut bright and sunny daffodils that have been grown in the Puyallup Valley for over the last 80 years. The festival is fun for the whole family and is a great event that brings the local community together. Make sure when you are out at the festival to tweet us your photos or thoughts at on our Twitter. We can’t wait to see you all there!

Entertainment, Puyallup

Celebrating Easter

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Easter in Puyallup

Easter has come early this year even if the weather hasn’t yet. Easter is one of the best holidays to celebrate during the year. There is delicious food to enjoy, family to spend time with, Easter candy, Easter egg hunts, maybe some sunshine and much more. Easter is a celebration of spring, family and friends and Puyallup offers many ways to celebrate this holiday with your loved ones. Even though we are still hoping for some sun this weekend, there are plenty of activities in the city for both the young and the old.

One of the most family friendly events in the city is the Easter Bash on Saturday, March 29th from 11am until 2pm at the South Hill Mall. This fun activity at the mall is hosted in conjunction with the Puyallup Food Bank. There will be egg hunts, Easter activities and crafts, plus fun for the whole family! Registrations for the Egg Hunts begin at 10am in Center Court so make sure to sign up early. The egg hunt schedule for that day is as followings:

-Ages 3 to 4 year olds starts at 11am
-Ages 5-6 starts at 11:30am
-Ages 7-8 at 12pm
-Ages 9-10 is at 12:30pm

The Puyallup Food Bank will also be hosting a candy buffet with a raffle. For $15 to $20 participants will get a container that they can fill with as much candy as they want from the candy buffet as long the lid closes. There will also be a raffle held for some and all proceeds from the raffle and the candy bar go to the Puyallup Food Bank. For more information read this article from the News Tribune.

One of the best parts of Easter is taking photos with the Easter Bunny. Some of the photos are hilariously bad or just down right cute. The South Hill Mall will also be hosting photos with the Easter Bunny at the Target Court. Bring your whole family down to the court to get a picture taken all this week. The last day to take photos with the Easter Bunny is Saturday March 26th and photo packages start at $29.99. Make sure to get there early because the line can get really long! Here is a link to the mall website for hours and more information, http://www.southhillmall.com/events

Looking for something to do with your toddler aged children? For a fun pre-Easter weekend event for parents with toddlers, The Puyallup Public Library will be hosting the “Toddler Treasures Storytime” from 11:15am until 11:45am. The cost is free and the age recommendation is ages 1 to 3 years old. The Puyallup Public Library is located on South Meridian in Puyallup. Parents and their toddlers gather at the library to hear Miss Carol tell stories, sing signs and rhyme in order to help the young ones aid in their early learning development. It is a fun, learning oriented activity perfect for the young ones.

The Puyallup Recreation Center will also be hosting it’s own “Spring Eggstravaganza” event and carnival at their location at 808 Valley Ave NW. This Spring-themed carnival will feature an egg hunt, games, crafts, snacks, Peter Rabbit and much more. There is a special Bunny Barn for children ages 3 and under to search for chocolate eggs and the egg hunt for ages 4-7 will be held at 10:30am. For children ages 8 to 12 the egg hunt will be held at 11am. The event is on Saturday March 26th from 10am until 12pm. There is a cost for activity tickets in order to play the games and 4 tickets cost $1.

For a little non- traditional Easter fun, the Jordan World Circus is coming to town this Easter weekend from March 25th until the 27th at the Washington State Fairgrounds. This North American traveling circus is produced by Jody and Patsy Jordan of Las Vegas who both have extended backgrounds as aerialists and circus performers. The Circus will be hosted at the Paulhamus Arena on the Fairgrounds. Enter through the Green Gate on the fairgrounds to gain access to the arena. The show times are Fri – 4pm & 7:30pm, Sat – 11am, 3pm, & 7pm, Sun – 2pm & 5pm. Tickets are $18.00 for adults, kids ages 3-12 are $14.00, Military is $14.00 and kids under 3 are free. For more information check out the fair website.

No matter how you and your family decide to observe Easter, make sure to go out and celebrate with your city and your neighbors. Puyallup focuses on offering events to help create a better sense of community in the area. There are many family fun events to bring your children to this weekend so let’s hope the weather cooperates so we can also celebrate the beginning of spring as well! We would love to hear about your Easter plans or see your family pictures with the Easter bunny, so make sure to tweet us at https://twitter.com/puyallupcom

Downtown, Entertainment, Puyallup

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day

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St Patricks Day in Puyallup
St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner and most people like to go out and celebrate the feast day of St. Patrick of Ireland. There are many ways to celebrate this day for both people of age and younger kids in the greater Puyallup area. Even though many people look forward to this day for different reasons either for ancestral or celebratory motives, few people know the background about the day itself. Every March 17th, the Irish and those who feel Irish at heart around the globe celebrate the day that began as a religious feast for the patron saint of Ireland. Patrick was a 5th century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland and although little known about the man himself, he became a driving force behind converting the pagan Irish to Christianity. He spent many years roaming Ireland converting thousands of Pagans or driving off those that wouldn’t convert. The allegory “driving out the snakes from Ireland” comes from Patrick driving out those that did not want to convert to Christianity. The tradition of celebrating on the 17th comes from the belief that Patrick died on the 17th of March. The wearing of green for the holiday is said to come from Patrick using the three-leaf clover to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish. So with the history in mind, where do people in Puyallup go to celebrate the holiday? Here are the following hotspots in the city for people of all ages to be able to celebrate the fun and historical holiday.

For those revelers who are of age, the best place to celebrate is at your local Irish Bar. Puyallup is home to the TK Irish Pub and Eatery. Located downtown on Meridian in Puyallup, TK’s Irish Pub not only has a full menu but they also have a late night menu. This year for St. Patrick’s Day, TK Irish Pub will be celebrating the holiday for three days straight. Starting on Thursday, March 17th and continuing on Friday and Saturday, TK’s Irish Pub will have live music, a beer garden, food and drink specials and swag giveaways. There is a $5.00 cover for everyone 21 and over and they do offer a VIP bracelet for $25.00 that includes free cover, your first beer, skip waiting in line, and 10% off your bill for the rest of the year. Head down to TK’s Irish Pub for those 3 days for a rocking St. Patrick’s Day party.

If you are looking to be a little more healthy or active on St. Patrick’s Day, head a little bit out of Puyallup to Tacoma for the St. Paddy’s Day Run. There will be a 5k, 10k, a half-marathon, and a kids 1k on Saturday, March 12th. Packet pick-up and gear check is from 7am until 8:30am and the half marathon starts at 8:10am, the 10k starts at 8:40am and the 5k starts at 9:00am. Walkers and runners are welcome in the 5k. The kids race started at 11:00am. The Forum will open at 7:30am with Bud Light specials for those who are 21 years and older. You can register for this race at http://www.databarevents.com/stpaddysdayruntacoma.

On March 24th, the Annual Celtic Faire will be held in downtown Puyallup on Main Street. The cost is free and the event is for all ages. The Faire will feature a pet parade, musical performances, the “Great Kilt” demonstration, and the Clan Uprising. The Clan Uprising will feature members of several Scottish clans stationed around the faire to tell stories and provide history about their heritage. The Puget Sound Welsh Society will also be present at the faire. The Celtic Dog Parade will take place at 12pm that will feature many of the Celtic dog breeds like the Irish Wolfhounds, the Scottish Terriers, and many more. Bring your pups to downtown Puyallup to enjoy the Pet Parade. The well-known Scottish entertainer Red McWilliams will provide musical entertainment at the faire. He will be preforming inside Charlie’s Restaurant throughout the day. For all those who are curious about the tradition of dress of Scottish Highlanders, “The Great Kilt” demonstration by Cathy McWilliams will educate the audience on the history of dress while audience members assist Cathy in the traditional way of dress.

Looking for something not related to St. Patrick’s Day? The weekend before St. Patrick’s Day, on March 12th and the 13th, the Washington State Fairground EXPO building is hosting the Crossroads Doll and Teddy Bear Show. The sales floor will be filled with dealers that are selling fine antiques, dolls, teddy bears, miniatures, supplies, furniture and accessories. Curious to know what those antique or vintage dolls and teddy bears are worth? Make sure to bring in your own dolls and teddy bears for appraisal. Marshall Martin from Antiques Roadshow will be on hand to appraise dolls and John Port, the world-renowned teddy bear expert, will be available to appraise teddy bears.

Whether you want go all out for St. Patrick’s Day or want something low key, the greater Puyallup area has a lot to offer. From pubs to a doll and teddy bear show, there are many reasons to head out to celebrate this fun and festive holiday. The city of Puyallup and the outlying cities offer a lot of fun of activities for all ages. Regardless of how you want to celebrate your St. Patrick’s Day, we would love to hear about it! Tweet us at https://twitter.com/puyallupcom and let us know how you like celebrate the holiday!

Entertainment, Puyallup, Washington State Fair

Washington Sportsmen Show in Puyallup

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Sportsmen Show Puyallup

This weekend marks the start of the Washington Sportsmen Show in Puyallup at the Washington State Fair Events Center at the fairgrounds. This five day event is returning to the Northwest to showcase new attractions and exciting new products for men, women and children who have a passion for the outdoors. This event is the ultimate event for everyone of all ages interested in the outdoors and outdoor related activities and sports.

This outdoor showcase offers attendees great deals and values on fishing and hunting gear, clothing, camping, equipment, sport fishing boats, RV’s and much more. The top professional guides, outfitters and resort owners will be at the show to help you and your family plan the perfect outdoor adventure in the upcoming year. Northwest pro staffers will also be there to share their expertise in the big attractions that include “Yakima Bait Indoor River,” the “Cowboy Fast Draw” presented by Les Schwab, the “Tour of Northwest Big Game Animals” and the “Head & Horn” competition. The family friendly features include the “Camp Cooking Demo Tent” presented by Smokehouse Products, Camp Chef and Franz; the popular “Kid’s Free Trout Pond” presented by Baxter Auto Parts; and the Lowrance Learning Center. These events are specifically designed to teach kids about the exciting world of the outdoors.
The Washington Sportsmen Show in Puyallup is also excited to present wilderness survival and outdoor safety expert Brett Stoffel who will be at the show to share his knowledge about survival basics, signaling and equipment needs during multiple seminar theater presentations. This event is sponsored by Western Washington Toyota Dealers. If you want to meet Stoffel to ask any questions, he can be found at the Toyota display.

For the first time major Northwest retailer Bi-Mart is participating in the show with a major on-site sale of centerfire rifle, handgun and shotgun ammo. Also while supplies last, small count bricks (325-ct.) of .22’s will be available (limit two boxes per customer per transaction; purchaser must be 21 for this item). The Bi-Mart retail area will be located near the Head & Horns display, and will also feature optics and other products for sale.

One of the most popular events at the show returns again for the third year in a row. The “Cowboy Fast Draw” gives attendees the chance to experience the Old West under the supervision of Cal “Quick Cal” Eilrich, the 17-time Cowboy Fast Draw Association World Champion. This fun event focuses on safety, fun and prizes as people of all levels of experience can test out and learn in the indoor target range. The event provides Classic Colt 45 style six-guns, vintage holsters and special wax bullets.

The show has more than 150 hours of learning opportunities in multiple venues in both the fishing and hunting theaters. For fisherman the outdoor Fly Casting Pool and the Fly Tying Theater will host the best of the best in the industry. This year’s guests include fly fishing authorities Arnie Gidlow, Denny Rickards and Don Simonson, Tom Nelson (Catching Shrimp & Crab), Terry Rudnick (Washington Halibut Fishing in 2016), Mark Gavin (salmon fishing), and representatives from the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. These talented individuals will be on hand to provide the latest advice and recommendations for fishing. Hunters will also be able to have the chance to learn the latest expert advice and tips in seminars by leading hunting and fishing authority Scott Haugen (multiple presentations), Glen Berry (Elk calls), Tim Brown (choosing guides and outfitters for domestic and international hunting), Dan Kloer (bear and elk calling), Nathan Brence (family hunting), R.J. Marquart (dog training) and Sam Kolb (planning for a hunt). There is something there for all levels of hunters and fisherman.

Due the massive amount of events, speakers, and topics featured at the show, please visit http://www.thesportshows.com/shows/washington/ for additional information about events and speakers at the show. Make sure to visit that link to plan your time appropriately while visiting the show.

Show hours are 12:00 noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday (Jan. 27-29), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. (Jan. 30) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 31). The show offers FREE parking in the fairgrounds’ parking lots during its five-day run for your convenience. Admission is $12 for adults; juniors (6-16), $5; and children five and under are admitted free. $18 two-day passes are also available. For information and online ticket purchases and discounts, please visit www.thesportshows.com.

Entertainment, Puyallup, Washington State Fair

Puyallup Antique & Collectible Show

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Puyallup Antique Show

For some people, there is nothing more exhilarating than treasure hunting through an antique store or collectible show and finding that perfect antique or vintage piece. There is such a rush as you search and pick through items from the past and finding that perfect addition to your home or maybe to resell and make some money is one of the best feelings for people who collect. People who collect antiques have a passion for it and spend hours researching and looking for that special treasure. Sometimes finding the right venue to search for antiques and collectibles can be difficult. For all of the collectors in the state of Washington, there is no better place to find some amazing antiques and collectibles than The Puyallup Antique & Collectible Show at the Sleep Country ShowPlex on January 23rd and the 24th.

The Puyallup Antique & Collectible Show offers a wide variety of vendors who offer quality antiques in the Northwest. The 20th semi-annual show features 400 booths at the Washington State Fair grounds in Puyallup. Whether you are a treasure hunter, a decorator, or a collector this show offers that best variety of antique and collectibles for all kinds of treasure hunters. The vendors at the show offer a wide variety of items that range from antique toys, furniture, vintage clothing, glassware, art, and much more.

The Puyallup Antique & Collectible Show is also one of the best shows to attend if you are an avid toy collector. Make sure to come by the show to look for wind-up mechanical toys, Star Wars collectibles, books, TV and movie memorabilia, and even antique toys from foreign countries. The fun part about collecting toys is that it brings such a sense of nostalgia to the collectors. Vintage and antique toy collecting is a fun activity and this show has one of the largest collection of collectible toys from the 1880’s to the 1960’s in the Northwest. For those people looking for some quality antique and vintage toys, make sure to come to the show bright and early because they are likely to sell very quickly!

For those people who are more of the classic collectors, the show offers gorgeous sterling silver pieces, Tiffany glass, paintings, restored vintage radios, and Native American artifacts. The classic collectors will love the wide variety of high value, classic antiques that will be perfect additions to a home or to resell. You will be hard pressed not to find a wonderful piece in the over 400 booths and hundred of vendors that come and make this show the largest antique show in the Northwest.

The Puyallup Antique & Collectible Show will also have expert appraisers on hand at the show in order to help people appraise their treasures. The market evaluations will be offered by ISA appraisers. These appraisers will at the show to help identify and evaluate show patrons individual pieces if they are brought into the show. It will be $5.00 per item to get the item appraised and you can bring in pictures of larger items instead of trying to get the item down to the show.

On Saturday the doors will open at 9am and close at 6pm and on Sunday from 10am until 5pm. The best access to the show is through the Blue Gate.

For more information and in order to buy tickets, please visit the following link, http://www.thefair.com/fun/details/americas-largest-antique-collectible-show

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Entertainment, Puyallup

The Best Places To Travel In 2016

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Best Places To Travel

Now that the holidays have come to a close, and the weather in Puyallup is as dreary as ever, the need for a vacation begins to become more of a want than a need. Although our days are getting longer, the weather still makes it hard to get excited about being out in Washington. We live in a very beautiful state but sometimes it is just nice to get away. So with all the places to travel in the world, where are the It places to go in 2016? There are many factors that go into deciding which new places should be considered the top places to travel for that year. Some of the factors considered are affordability, new emerging hot spots that are under the radar, a variety of one-of-a-kind attractions and iconic sights, or what places are travel specialists asking to go to this year? The hottest places to travel this year aren’t all of the international variety, there are places that make the It list that are closer to home. The following list complied is determined based on those following factors and are the hottest places to visit in the upcoming year. Make sure to contact your local travel agent in the Puyallup area to plan your next get-away to one of these fun and exciting locations.

When traveling overseas, a majority of people focus on traveling to Europe. Europe is filled with history and delicious food but why not go farther back in history to the cradle of civilization. Jerusalem is one of the top places to visit in the upcoming year. The Holy City has deep ties to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and has always been a must visit for people with faith due to the abundance of religious sites in the old city. However, in this upcoming year, Jerusalem is going to be the next place to visit due to the mixture of the modern life and the ancient life in the city. You can find delicious food from street vendors throughout the city.

Jerusalem - Credit: WorldSpaceWeek.org
Jerusalem – Credit: WorldSpaceWeek.org

Some of the best places to travel are often overlooked because they are located in the United States and are not considered exotic enough. Puerto Rico is a beautiful island in the Caribbean that is very affordable to visit and offers tons of beautiful beaches, history, a vibrant nightlife, and the only tropical forest in the U.S. National Forest System. Flights there are affordable and there are also affordable beachfront hotels to stay at during your trip.

Puerto Rico Isla Verde Beach Credit: DiscoverPuertoRicoUSA.com
Puerto Rico Isla Verde Beach Credit: DiscoverPuertoRicoUSA.com

When most people look to go to Europe, they often overlook Eastern Europe. The capital of Zagreb in Croatia, is often skipped due to it being overshadowed by other Adriatic Coast destinations. The last year saw lots of openings from museums, shops and restaurants. Zagreb is slowly becoming a culinary contender in the very competitive European culinary scene. The city is also planning on building a brand new passenger terminal at the Zagreb airport. This gorgeous city boosts beautiful architecture and so many picturesque moments.

Croatia Credit: ZagrebTours.com
Croatia Credit: ZagrebTours.com

Most people associate Detroit, Michigan with the economic crisis. The city was hit very hard during those years and fell into a state of disarray. However, due to monumental efforts on the city’s part, Detroit is being revitalized as a tourist destination. Gorgeous hotels are being built and renovated, the West Riverfront Park and the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center are huge attractions, and almost 100 new restaurants have been opened to help build the culinary scene. Major retailers are also taking interest in the fashion scene there and opening up doors in the city.

Detroit Michigan Credit: FindYourSpot.com
Detroit Michigan Credit: FindYourSpot.com

Asia has always been considered to be one of the most exotic locations to visit. This can intimidate some travelers but for those looking for a far flung locale that is exotic yet under the radar, Taipei, Taiwan is the perfect getaway. Taipei has been quietly becoming one of the most compelling Asian cities due to its easy to use public transportation system, their delicious food scene that includes street food vendors and fine-dining restaurants, and their exploding art scene. The city has been named the World Design Capital for 2016, and the construction on the Taipei Performing Arts Centre by OMA (Office for Metropolitan Architecture), a complex with three theaters, should be completed this year and will help bring the city to the next level in the art scene.

Taipei Tower Credit: Taipei Financial Center Corp.
Taipei Tower Credit: Taipei Financial Center Corp.

For people looking for a remote tropical escape they need to look no further than Bocos del Toro, on the Isthmus of Panama. Home to beautiful tropical rain forests, coral reefs filled with gorgeous sea life, and quiet stunning beaches. This archipelago is made up of nine islands and hundreds of cays and islets. Bocas del Toro is an hour fight from Panama City and is more of an adventure destination and not a luxury one but it is a charming destination nonetheless. This out of the way destination provides a quite escape off the beaten path.

Beach Bocas Del Toro Panama Credit: BocasDelToro.Travel
Beach Bocas Del Toro Panama Credit: BocasDelToro.Travel

Toronto has long been in the shadow of Montreal and Vancouver when it comes to cities to visit in Canada. One of the major factors in the upswing in visitors is because of the Toronto’s new and improved waterfront and the lively nightlife of the Junction Neighborhood. Toronto has been ambitiously working on their urban revitalization by adding bikes and pedestrian paths and new streetcars. The Toronto Film Festival also has a huge draw of tourists every September. The new express train is a breeze to take from the airport to the city.

Toronto Credit: Navut.com
Toronto Credit: Navut.com

Galle, Sri Lanke was once a major stop along the Spice Route and is only hour long drive from Colombo. The picturesque drive to the city along with the gorgeous beachside setting make it well worth the visit. Galle is home to a 17th century fort that is a UNESCO heritage site and a Moorish bazaar that has merchants selling gorgeous gems and jewelry. It feels like a step back in time. There are plenty of hotels and restaurants that are both beachside and in the city. During the month of January the city also hosts its famous Galle Literary Festival that fills the city with poetry and live performances.

Galle Sri Lanka Credit: BackpackToSrilanka.com
Galle Sri Lanka Credit: BackpackToSrilanka.com

Frankfurt, Germany has always had the reputation as being a more modern city filled with bankers and contemporary buildings. Much of country is filled with beautiful historical sites like Neuschwanstein Castle in Munich or the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. For travelers looking to spend some time in Modern Germany, Frankfurt is the city to visit. With new restaurants popping up all over the city, Frankfurt has started to gain the reputation as a contemporary culinary city. The hotels are sleek and modern and provide a glimpse into where modern Europe is headed when it comes to design and style.

Frankfurt Germany Credit: Tourist-Destinations.net
Frankfurt Germany Credit: Tourist-Destinations.net

Last but not least, Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most affordable and exciting cities to visit in the world. It is a bustling, active city that has an amazing juxtaposition between the old and the new. The city is filled with old temples and sleek and chic shopping malls. The city still boasts the French architecture from its years as Saigon and a visit to the War Remnants Museum walks the visitor through war through the eyes of the Vietnamese people. The city has so many different kinds of offerings that range from culture to history to a culinary adventure that make it a must visit for 2016.

VIETNAM Ho Chi Minh City Credit: Thingstodo.Viator.com
VIETNAM Ho Chi Minh City Credit: Thingstodo.Viator.com

The theme for travel in 2016 is to explore off the beaten path. There are so many exciting places in the world that are hidden gems and 2016 is the chance to get out and explore those places. This list represents the best of those under the radar cities that one should visit in the upcoming year. If you have been to a place that you feel should have made our list, send us a tweet at Puyallup.com. Make sure to contact your local Puyallup travel agent to help you find the best deal on an exciting trip today!