Pullman holds annual Lentil Festival this weekend

PULLMAN - The National Lentil Festival presents another year of locally-grown lentil fun this weekend.

Festivities will start at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, with the Downtown Vibes event, hosted by the Downtown Pullman Association.

Downtown Vibes will take place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the parking lot located at 150 Southeast Kamiaken.

The event will feature live entertainment, including Classic Rewind, Ally Fraser, DJ Goldfinger and WSU Country Swing.

There will be a lentil hunt with a map to explore downtown Pullman and discover unique lentil-themed dishes, beverages and activities at various participating businesses.

A completed map can be returned to the Downtown Vibes event for a chance to claim a prize.

Starting at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17, Lentil Festival attendees can participate in the Tase T. Lentil 5k Fun Run, followed at 9 a.m. with the Sports Tournaments. At 11 a.m. the WSECU Grand Parade will take place.

The parade route will begin at Riverview and Benewah, along the City Playfields and skirt around the skate park to finish at Lentil Lane.

Right after the parade, the festival will open at noon in Reaney Park, 690 Northeast Reaney Way, featuring vendors and a non-profit marketplace.

Festivities will include live music on the Hometown Chevy Main Stage, a beer garden and food. There will be a Lil' Lentil Land featuring the Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories science tent and cooking demos with a Pulse Expert question and answer.

There will be a chance to meet several people at at the Harvest Hill Wind Project Gazebo Stage from 12:30 p.m. to 6:10 p.m., including this year's poster artist, Rachel Jones; Pulse Family of the Year Max and Phil; Lentiful CEO Ben Bacon; USA Pulses CEO, Tim Mcgreevey and more.

At 5 p.m. free lentil chili will be available, presented by Ziply Fiber and USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council.

Copastetic will perform on the Hometown Chevy Main Stage at 8:15 p.m., with festivities ending at 10 p.m.