NWsource | Madeline McKenzie

Evergreen State Fair: loads of food, games and rides

Madeline McKenzie — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700

If you're 100 years old or more, the Evergreen State Fair needs you! To celebrate its 100th anniversary this year, the fair wants to set the Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of centenarians Monday. It won't cost you a thing — everyone age 90 and older gets into the fair free every day (this Monday is free for everyone age 62 and older).

Here come the hydros and the Blue Angels

Madeline McKenzie — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Hydroplane races have been a Seattle summer highlight since 1950, when a group of local business leaders called the Seattle Salts dreamed up the idea and consulted the Farmers' Almanac to choose the weekend least likely to rain in Seattle. The past 58 years have seen a lot of changes, but the appeal of watching colorful rooster-tailed boats racing on Lake Washington on the first weekend of August still draws tens of thousands to its scenic shores every year.

Seattle Fremont Parade and Fair celebrate the start of "official" summer

Madeline McKenzie — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Summer finally — officially — arrives this weekend, and, after our chilly spring, it's time to party at this weekend's Fremont Fair and Solstice Parade.

Northwest Folklife Festival offers world beats, eats and other treats

Madeline McKenzie — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Take a trip through world cultures without leaving town: Head for the Northwest Folklife Festival this three-day weekend at Seattle Center. Ethnic music and dance performances from many cultures draw a diverse crowd of all ages and nationalities to the popular festival with a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.

Sit and watch at indoor venues or outside on the lawn, or join in on everything from a Beatles singalong to a square dance, drum circle, cowboy polka party or Cajun dance.

Taking an online path to early day Seattle parks

Madeline McKenzie — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800

Meet your local park when it was only a dream on a designer's page: Take a look in the historical archives of Seattle parks, a treasure trove for history buffs that is now available online.

Strolling through history

Madeline McKenzie — Thu, 05 May 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Fort Flagler State Park celebrates its military history and the completed restoration of a historical 120mm anti-aircraft gun this weekend.

Landmark lighthouse still shines

Madeline McKenzie — Thu, 28 Apr 2005 00:00:00 -0700

Take a step back in time for an afternoon or a week at Browns Point Lighthouse, a National Historic Register 1903 lighthouse and Keeper's Cottage across Commencement Bay from downtown Tacoma. On Saturday from 1-5 p.m., Points Northeast Historical Society docents lead a tour of lighthouse buildings as part of Pierce County Heritage Month, and if you really love the place, it's available for rental for one-week tours of keeper duty.

Glide through a wetland filled with wildlife

Madeline McKenzie — Thu, 08 May 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Add a restorative commune with nature to your weekend on a paddling adventure through Bellevue's Mercer Slough, the largest wetland on Lake Washington. No paddling experience? No problem.

Basic training, equipment and Bellevue Park Ranger guides will have you gliding a canoe through the lake like a real Northwest adventurer. Chances are you'll spot some otters, herons, turtles and other wetland wildlife as you glide through their habitat on a three-hour journey from Enatai Beach Park to Mercer Slough Nature Park.

Juanita Bay offers a quick escape from the city

Madeline McKenzie — Thu, 01 May 2003 00:00:00 -0700

Looking for a spring getaway close to home? Juanita Bay Park wildlife habitat takes you through meadow, marsh, woods and wetland in a 144-acre oasis only minutes away from urban areas of the Eastside.

The park provides habitat for songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, amphibians, turtles, beavers, small mammals and diverse vegetation including blooming wildflowers.

Cruising Seattle's waterways

Madeline McKenzie — Thu, 31 Oct 2002 00:00:00 -0800

Been on a cruise lately? There's no need to wait for your next vacation or out-of-town visitors to sit back and watch the scenery while gliding over the water. It only takes an hour or two, in the fresh air on top deck or below deck out of the weather, to get away from it all on a cruise of Elliott Bay, Lake Union or Lake Washington.