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Sports & Recreation

The Yakima Valley Sports Commission

Athletes and event organizers throughout the Pacific Northwest appreciate the Yakima Valley for its outstanding sports venues, convenient location, supportive community and terrific weather. That combination makes Yakima the perfect place to stage your next event.

The Yakima Valley Sports Commission is a division of Yakima Valley Tourism. Our primary mission is economic development of the Yakima Valley through sports. The goal of our staff is to provide exceptional customer service to sports organizers who stage their events in the Yakima Valley.

The Yakima Valley Sports Commission has worked hard to make Yakima the hub of sporting events and tournaments for the state of Washington. For more information, call 509-575-3010 or go to www.yakimasports.org.

Yakima Valley Pippins

The Yakima Valley Pippins is a professionally operated collegiate wood-bat baseball team with games at Yakima County Stadium. Playing in the West Coast League with teams located throughout Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, the Pippins 2017 season will run from June through August. For more information visit www.pippinsbaseball.com.

 

Professional Sports

Renegade Raceway                                        509-877-4621 www.renegaderaceway.com

Golf Courses

Apple Tree Golf Course                                509-966-5877 www.appletreeresort.com

Fisher Park Golf Course                               509-575-6075

http://www.yakimawa.gov/services/parks/fisher-park-golf-course/

Suntides Golf Course                                     509-966-9065 www.suntidesgolf.com

Westwood West Golf Course                     509-966-0890

Mount Adams Country Club                       509-865-4440 www.mtadamsgolf.com

Yakima Elks Golf Course                              509-697-7177

Yakima Country Club                                    509-453-0363 www.yakimacountryclub.org

River Ridge Golf Course                               509-697-8323 

Recreation

The Yakima Valley abounds with opportunities for outdoor adventure and recreation.

The Yakima Greenway

The Yakima Greenway stretches from the Selah Gap to Union Gap and west along the Naches River. Over 20 miles of paved pathway connect parks, river access landings, nature trails, fishing lakes and protected natural areas. The Greenway paths are great places for walking, running, biking, rollerblading — all while enjoying the flora and fauna that makes the Yakima Valley unique. For more information, call 509-453-8280 or go to www.yakimagreenway.org.

Yakima River Canyon

The Yakima River Canyon is a world-class fly fishing destination and is Washington state’s only Blue Ribbon Trout Stream. There are many other fishing options available, ranging from alpine lakes to mountain streams, such as the Naches River on Highway 12 and the Tieton River on Highway 10, which are great spots for hooking rainbow trout.

Boating

Seventy-one lakes and 14 rivers, including the Columbia River, Bumping Lake, Rimrock Reservoir and the Yakima River, make the region a wonderful location for water recreation. Summer brings a great time for floating the Yakima River Canyon, and every fall the Tieton River offers whitewater river rafting adventures. The Naches River near Eschbach Natural Area, which is located only a few miles north of Yakima, has become a popular place for kayakers to explore the waterways.

Hiking

The Cowiche Canyon Conservancy and the Snow Mountain Ranch, just west of Yakima, offer several hiking trails and cross-country skiing opportunities. Farther west, the Naches Ranger District encompasses approximately 518,000 acres and extends from near the town of Naches to the crest of the Cascades in the William O. Douglas, Norse Peak, Goat Rocks Wilderness and White Pass areas. It is bordered by the Cle Elum Ranger District to the north along the Manastash Ridge divide, and by the Yakama Nation to the south, and Mount Rainer National Park to the west. This part of the Cascade Mountain Range offers an abundance of hiking trails. Yakima’s Cascadian Climbing Club offers excellent information for hiking in this area. Go to www.cascadians.org.

Skiing

Only 50 miles from the city of Yakima, White Pass Ski Area offers both downhill and Nordic cross-country skiing to the public. Opening around Thanksgiving, the ski resort, with a summit elevation of 6,000 feet, offers ski lessons and runs for the beginner, intermediate and advanced skier. For more information, call 509-672-3101 or go to www.skiwhitepass.com.

Lodging & Dining

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Arts

The Capitol Theatre

The Capitol Theatre, located in the heart of downtown Yakima, has become a hub for the performing arts in Central Washington. It opened in the 1920s as a popular vaudeville theatre. Today the organization presents The Best of Broadway Series, featuring top Broadway road shows. The Capitol Theatre also encourages future audiences with its Capitol Kids, an educational outreach program for school children. The theatre plays host to a variety of community performing arts organizations, including the Yakima Symphony, Town Hall, The Follies and many local groups. For more information, call 509-853-2787 or go to www.capitoltheatre.org.

The 4th Street Theatre

The 499-seat Black Box performance space is the jewel box in the Capitol Theatre. The 4th Street Theatre provides a casual venue for contemporary theatre productions. For more information, call 509-853-2787 or go to www.capitoltheatre.org.

 

The Warehouse Theatre Company

Yakima’s Warehouse Theatre Company has been bringing Broadway musicals, contemporary drama and comedy to Yakima for over 60 years. This nonprofit community theatre features local actors and has continued to offer live theatre to the greater Yakima Valley at an affordable price. For more information, call 509-966-0951 or go to www.warehousetheatrecompany.org.

The Yakima Town Hall Series

For more than 40 years, the Yakima Town Hall lecture series has brought internationally renowned speakers to the citizens of the Yakima Valley. These informative and engaging speakers perform at Yakima’s Capitol Theatre. For more information, call 509-966-0930 or go to www.yakimatownhall.com.

Yakima Symphony Orchestra

The Yakima Symphony Orchestra’s 2017-2018 season will feature A Musical Voyage around the World! Each of the six concerts will focus on a different country or region: The Austrian Empire, The American Dream, South of the Border, Celtic Celebration, When in Rome, and Back in the U.S.S.R. For more information, call 509-248-1414 or go to www.yakimasymphony.org.

Yakima Symphony Chorus

The Yakima Symphony Chorus was formed in the spring of 1971 by then Yakima Symphony Orchestra Music Director Brooke Creswell, as the official choral ensemble of the orchestra. The chorus has performed the standard orchestra/choral literature as well as works from the choral repertoire in their own right. The YSC has traveled to Switzerland, France, China, Vienna and Prague and has performed Mozart’s “Requiem” with the Manhattan Philharmonic Orchestra in Carnegie Hall in New York. Justin Raffa is the chorusmaster, and Anne Schilperoort is the accompanist. For more information, call 509-248-1414 or go to www.ysomusic.org

The Seasons

The Seasons performing arts venue in downtown Yakima offers a broad selection of jazz, classical, Latin and world music featuring world-class performers. The Seasons also partners with the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, the Yakima Symphony Chorus and local musical groups. Regional wines are available to enjoy during the concerts. For more information, call 509-453-1888 or go to www.theseasonsyakima.com.

The Downtown Association of Yakima Affiliated Events

The Downtown Association of Yakima (DAY) strives to revitalize downtown Yakima through promotion and marketing while maintaining and enhancing the historic nature of the downtown corridor. DAY-affiliated events strive to bring a mix of entertainment, festivity and culture to the district; such events include the Chalk Art Fest, Downtown Summer Nights music series, Craft Beverage Walk, the Roots & Vines, and Blues & Brews music festivals. DAY is also affiliated with the Larson Building Light project and oversees the downtown hanging flower basket program. For more information about DAY, visit downtownyakima.com.

Valley of the Sun Barbershop Chorus

The Valley of the Sun Barbershop Chorus has a 60-year history of men’s barbershop singing in the Yakima Valley. The chorus and its quartets perform for all types of occasions. Guests are always welcome to listen to some good harmony or sing with the group. For more information, call 509-406-6629.

The Yakima Valley Community Band

This community band began in 1919 and is best known for its summer series of Concerts in the Parks. The band provides live music for Yakima Valley communities and continues the tradition of American music education through free public concerts. It also provides a venue for adult musicians to perform. For more information, call 509-248-7087 or go to www.yakimacommunityband.org.

Larson Gallery

Since 1949, the Larson Gallery, located on the Yakima Valley Community College campus, presents, preserves and promotes the art and artists of our region through a variety of art exhibitions, lectures, workshops, publications, and educational activities. The annual Central Washington Artists’ Exhibition showcases Central Washington artists in all media. Biennial exhibitions focus on fiber arts and photography.For more information, call 509-574-4875 or go to www.larsongallery.org.

Mighty Tieton

An incubator for artisan businesses, this small group of entrepreneurial urban and rural designers, architects, artists and creative individuals operates in the Central Washington town of Tieton, 15 miles west of Yakima. Mighty Tieton's goal is to help revitalize the economy of the town and region by combining creative and professional skills, and connecting with local resources to build successful businesses involving art, design, hospitality and recreation. Several artisan businesses have started under the Mighty Tieton banner, including a fine press and bindery; a printmaking studio and press; a goat-cheese creamery; a cidery and fruit-gift business; a kite production facility; book warehousing; event spaces; rental cabins for short visits and longer residencies; and several artists’ studios. For more information, go to www.mightytieton.com.

Yakima Maker Space

Yakima Maker Space started in 2013 with the auspicious goal of galvanizing Yakima’s creative potential with a shop where you could make almost anything. Since then we have hosted dozens of events from brainstorming sessions to Maker Faires to Build-Your-Own Tool workshops. We host creative thinkers, artists, craftsmen, entrepreneurs and nerds of all kinds. If you can imagine it, you can make it here with us in the heart of downtown Yakima —16 S. First Street, Yakima. For more information, visit http://www.yakimamakerspace.org.

Oak Hollow Gallery

Oak Hollow Gallery, which is located at the Chalet Place in Yakima, features local and regional artists throughout the year. Not only does this gallery present a new art show every month, but November and December bring a special two-month showing of over 60 artists for their annual Holiday Show. For more information, call 509-965-9256 or go to http://oakhollowframes.blogspot.com.

Yakima Valley Opera Company

Yakima Valley Opera Company, a local nonprofit organization, performs with local talent and is supported by donations and local funding. With an ever-growing cast of talent and perseverance, they are in love with the freedom of expression that singing opera affords them. For more information,  stilleymusic@yahoo.com

Yakima Arts for Kids

Yakima Valley Favorites

Central Washington State Fair, State Fair Park and the Yakima Valley SunDome

Yakima’s Central Washington State Fair will run September 21–30, 2018. This is a celebration of everything that makes Central Washington great, including agriculture, livestock and business. It is jam-packed with family fun that includes entertainment, fair food and lots of rides! When the gates close at the end of the fair, the Yakima Valley SunDome and State Fair Park host numerous concerts and events all year long. For more information, call 509-248-7160 or go to www.fairfun.com or www.statefairpark.org.

Yakama Nation Museum and Cultural Center

Established in 1980, the Yakama Nation Cultural Center is a unique, multifaceted facility offering a variety of programs that share Yakama Nation's history and culture with all. It is also the home to the Yakama Nation Museum, Heritage Inn Restaurant, Winter Lodge, Heritage Theater, Yakama Nation Library and CC Gift Shop.

Yakama Nation Museum is a 12,000-square-foot exhibition hall that tells the history of the Yakama People. Come experience the challenge of Spilyay and see the exhibits and dioramas. For more information, call 509-865-2800 or go to www.yakamamuseum.com.

Central Washington Agricultural Museum

The Central Washington Agricultural Museum is located within Fullbright Park in Union Gap at the base of Ahtanum Ridge. Its parklike area is home to multitudes of horse-drawn and early mechanical farm machinery, farm equipment and homesteads. The agricultural museum is designed to display large farm equipment in informative exhibits, and in some cases actual operational representation. The museum is under continuous development, to which the public is welcome to view the progress. You’ll see machines that helped build this agricultural country into the bountiful croplands you see today. For more information, call 509-457-8735 or 509-248-0432, or go to www.centralwaagmuseum.org.

Yakima Greenway

Located along the Yakima River, the Yakima Greenway boasts over 20 miles of paved pathway, three parks, two fishing lakes and four river access landings along the protected natural areas. Greenway facilities are free and open to the public year round from dawn to dusk. Annual events include A Case of the Blues, Gap2Gap Relays, Rock the Gap, Family Field Day and the annual Polar Bear Plunge. For more information, call 509-453-8280 or go to www.yakimagreenway.org.

McAllister Museum of Aviation

The McAllister Museum of Aviation originally opened in 1926 as a flight school by brothers Charlie and Allister McAllister. It was one of the longest-running flight schools in the Northwest. Charlie’s first flying license was signed by Orville Wright. After Charlie’s death at age 95, the school was transformed into the museum it is today. The McAllister Museum of Aviation is located at the east end of the Yakima Air Terminal. For more information, call 509-457-4933 or go to www.mcallistermuseum.org.

Cowiche Canyon Conservancy

At Cowiche Canyon Conservancy (CCC) one can escape to tree-shrouded streams, sage-dotted slopes, dramatic cliffs and abundant wildlife. CCC is a land trust originally founded in 1985 to preserve Cowiche Canyon, a treasure trove of the natural world in south Central Washington. Located just west of Yakima, Cowiche Canyon Conservancy now owns 5,000 acres and manages close to 30 miles of trails through sage and grasslands, flowering meadows, oak woodlands and basalt cliffs. Cowiche Creek flows through the conservancy lands, replete with salmon, beaver, crayfish, great blue heron, and a myriad of other wildlife drawn to water in our arid lands. For more information, call 509-248-5063 or go to www.cowichecanyon.org.

Yakima Valley Museum

Regional history comes alive in the Yakima Valley Museum, which is located in Yakima’s beautiful Franklin Park. This 65,000-square-foot facility offers historical exhibits on the Yakima Valley — its natural history, Native American culture, pioneer life, early city life, and the roots and development of the Yakima Valley’s fruit industry. The museum has a large collection of horse-drawn vehicles, from stagecoach to hearse; a historical exhibit and reconstruction of the Washington, D.C., office of Yakima resident and environmentalist Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas; and a changing schedule of special exhibitions. The H. M. Gilbert Homeplace, located at 2109 W. Yakima Avenue, is also operated by the museum. Built in 1898, this late-Victorian farmhouse is now filled with period furnishings. The home hosts a Victorian Christmas Soiree in December and a Victorian Picnic in the summer. The H. M. Gilbert Homeplace is open by appointment only. For more information, call 509-248-0747 or go to www.yakimavalleymuseum.org.

Yakima Arboretum

The Yakima Arboretum and Jewett Interpretive Center are located off I-82 at exit 34. Master gardening classes are held at the interpretive center, and a wide range of gardening books and tools are offered at the gift shop. The 46 acres of ground feature a Japanese garden and a wide variety of trees, shrubs and grass collections. For more information, call 509-248-7337 or go to www.ahtrees.org.

American Hop Museum

Located in Toppenish, the American Hop Museum showcases the history of the hop industry from its early days and rapid expansion into California and the Pacific Northwest. Located in the heart of the nation’s largest hop-producing region, the museum features fascinating exhibits and displays. For more information, call 509-865-4677 or go to www.americanhopmuseum.org.

Fresh Hop Ale Festival

Voted one of the top ten beer festivals in the nation, Fresh Hop Ale Festival is a celebration of the hop and craft beer industry. The Yakima Valley produces 75 percent of the US hop crop, and this festival showcases the unique beers that are produced with our valley's hops. For a beer to be considered a “fresh hop ale,” it must be produced with Yakima Valley hops that were picked no more than 24 hours prior to brewing. This is a one-of-a-kind beer festival that is only possible in the heart of hop country! For more information, go to www.freshhopalefestival.com. For a list of craft breweries, go to http://visityakima.com/yakima-valley-craft-brew-spots.asp,

 Red Wine & Chocolate Event

The Red Wine and Chocolate event weekend provides a distinctive and elegant offering of fine chocolate and fine wine. Visit the more than 50 wineries in Yakima Valley Wine Country during Presidents’ Day weekend as each winery pairs sumptuous chocolate desserts with their very own remarkable red wines. For details visit https://www.visityakima.com/wine-event-red-wine-and-chocolate.asp.  For a list of Yakima Valley wineries, see yakimavalleywinecountry.com.

Northern Pacific Railway Museum

Built in 1911, the Northern Pacific Railway Museum in Toppenish offers a classic railroad depot and the West’s largest collection of Northern Pacific Railway memorabilia. Every year the museum holds a train show in August, a Halloween Haunted Train in October, and a Santa Express and a Toy Train Christmas from late November to mid-December. For more information, call 509-865-1911 or go to www.nprymuseum.org.

Yakima Valley Trolleys

The Yakima Valley Trolleys operate on the tracks of the former Yakima Valley Transportation Company, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The railroad was constructed between 1907 and 1913. Its greatest length was just over 44 miles. Today, approximately five miles of track remain connecting the cities of Yakima and Selah. Electric trains have operated on the YVT track every year since 1907. For more information, call 509-249-5962 or go to www.yakimavalleytrolleys.org.

 

Yakima Valley Community Parades

Memorial Day Parade — Yakima Avenue on Memorial Day

Sunfair Parade — Yakima Avenue on the first Saturday of the Central Washington State Fair in September

Veteran’s Day Parade — Yakima Avenue on November 11

Holiday Lighted Parade — Yakima Avenue on the first Sunday of December

Sunnyside Annual Lighted Farm Implement Parade — early December

Union Gap Old Town Christmas Parade — December

Home and Garden Events

 

 

Central Washington Bridal Show

Central Washington Home and Garden Show

The Yakima Area Arboretum

Festival of Flowers

CWHBA Tour of Homes

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Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce
10 North 9th Street • Yakima WA 98901
Phone (509) 248-2021