Puyallup Washington
For those who enjoy county fairs and similar outings, Puyallup in Washington State, may be your perfect vacation destination. Located approximately five miles east of Tacoma, Puyallup is noted for its acres of daffodils which are commercially grown and distributed world-wide.
Puyallup’s charm is notably enhanced by the zealously maintained historic buildings in the downtown shopping district which date back to the town’s origins, and include the well preserved landmark mansion of Ezra Meeker, one of Puyallup’s original founders. Meeker left his mid-west origins in the mid 1850’s with his wife and young son and in his pioneering covered wagon headed west to Puget Sound country, finally settling in Puyallup in 1862, where he developed a successful agriculturally based business. Maintained by the Ezra Meeker Historical Society, the Mansion is open to visitors Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 4pm. Admission: Adults, $4.00 – Seniors and Students, $3.00 – Children, $2.00. half-price admission to all on Thursdays.
The downtown district is additionally a haven for antique lovers, who can browse among dozens of shops, many located side-by-side, in the antique district along Meridian Street. May through October are the months in which visitors and locals alike can wander among the many stalls of the Puyallup Farmer’s Market, where home-grown produce, crafts and baked goods are offered for sale.
As for fairs, the annually held Puyallup State Fair, the largest held in the State of Washington and one of the largest nationwide, is held for three weeks in September, and a smaller spring fair is held on one weekend each April and is part of the celebratory events that include the famed Daffodil Parade. Celebrating its 74th year in 2007, the celebration is held in four parts to include neighboring Tacoma, Sumner and Orting. The parade wends its way through all four cities in one day. The 2007 parade’s theme was “Daffodils and all that jazz.”
Among the countless see and do activities featured at the Puyallup State Fair in September are:
- The famous Budweiser Clydesdales. At least six feet tall and capable of pulling more than 2,000 pounds at five miles per hour, these are indeed unique and impressive animals.
- The Mutton Bustin’ Contest: Staged similarly to rodeo bull riding contests, except far less dangerous, the “ bull” in this case being a sheep, and the contestants no older than six and weighing less than 60 pounds. The rider must stay on board his wooly steed for six seconds in order to win a trophy.
- Puppet shows, rides, games, various exhibits and contests, fun foods and more contribute to a memorable and highly enjoyable experience for adults and children alike.
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