June 16 Buzz: Outdoors News Shorts
Summer kickoff party at Crystal
In celebration of its new summer season, Crystal Mountain is hosting a kickoff party June 25-26. The weekend in the meadow will feature live music and free family-friendly activities guaranteed to offer a good time to all. The grills will fire up for some mountain-inspired BBQ, featured alongside live entertainment, trivia, and interactive games to boot.
Celebrate, too, Crystal’s full menu of summertime activities, ranging from horseback riding to disc golf to scenic tours. Summit dining at the top of the Mt. Rainier Gondola will be available all weekend. Find details at http://www.crystalmountainresort.com/Events/1257/Crystal-Mountain-Summer-Kickoff-Party
Northwest Paddling Festival June 25-26
The inaugural Northwest Paddling Festival comes to West Seattle’s Jack Block Park, June 25-26. Featuring the 4-mile out and back Alki Paddling Challenge race at noon on Saturday, festival-goers will enjoy a weekend of on-water demos and instruction featuring sea kayaks and SUP’s. Top-knotch speakers, music, food vendors and everything paddling rounds out the weekend. The festival runs from 9 a.m.to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday. www.northwestpaddlingfestival.com
Mountains to Sound Greenway festivities underway
The Mountains to Sound Greenway –1.5 million acres of mountains, trails, farmlands, vibrant cities and general green space along the I-90 corridor – is celebrating its 20th anniversary this summer!
From July 2-10, the Greenway will host a wealth of community events along the Greenway, including a nine-day bike and hike trek from Ellensburg to the Seattle waterfront, day hikes on July 6 and 10, bike rides, concerts, and more. Join the celebration at http://mtsgreenway.org/our-work/communities/20th-anniversary-trek.
Mt. Rainier’s Sunrise opens with new display
The Sunrise Visitor Center at Mt. Rainier will reopen Friday, July 1, with a brand new exhibit. It tells the history of Sunrise – the volcanic forces that created the mountain, glaciers that shaped the landscapes, plant and animal life native to the park, and tribes that are tied to the area.
Photos, words, artifacts, models and video bring history to life. Gentle trail walks will also be offered daily to visitors wanting to learn about natural and cultural history at Sunrise. The Junior Ranger program invites children of all ages to join park staff for fun activities on weekends through September.
Don’t forget: Entrance fees will be waived at Mount Rainier National Park Tuesday, June 21 for the first day of summer! http://visitrainier.com
