The 6th Annual Fresh Hop Ale Festival

One of the best ways to understand the growth in popularity of Northwest craft beer is to explore the homeland of hops—the Yakima Valley. Hops provide both aroma and flavor to beer: they’re crucial to the brewing process. How can you honor this important ingredient? Attend the 6^th annual Fresh Hop Ale Festival on Saturday October 4^th, which celebrates the fact that 77% of the total U.S. hop crop is grown right here!

The West Valley Fair is a thriving part of the Yakima Valley community, highlighting the area’s agricultural tradition, and providing a learning experience for area youth to display their 4-H and FFA projects in the fields of Home Economics, Still Life, and Agriculture.  Preparing and presenting an exhibit for the fair, whether it’s a market lamb or a blue ribbon photograph, teaches self-respect, responsibility, pride in achievement, and good sportsmanship.   

The West Valley Fair is held approximately 8 miles from Union Gap in Wiley City.  The fairgrounds are just off Ahtanum Road on S. Wiley Road. 

Nearly one week after the fire that damaged the Granny’s Fruit building in Gleed on July 5th, owners Darrell and Kelli Riddle are still in business and expect to be back in their building in a couple of weeks. 

Even though they're temporarily operationg out of a tent set up in the parking lot, you can still take home local cherries which are delivered fresh every day, blueberries, apricots, onions, corn, and more.  Garlic is also available as always, as well as some of the jarred and canned products.  Coming up in the next couple of weeks will be fresh peaches, and in August, pears and peaches. 

Fresh fruit is a delicious summer treat with outstanding nutritional benefits as well.  Fruits and vegetables are a good source of fiber, vitamins, phytonutrients, and antioxidants. Scientists are discovering more about how these substances help to promote health, slow down the aging process, and protect the body against disease.

Find the freshest produce in the Yakima Valley at local Farmer’s Markets and Fruitstands.  Or better yet, grow your own!