Countdown Begins for Whidbey Island Grown Week
The second annual Whidbey Island Grown Week runs September 28-October 7. Throughout the week, island farmers, specialty food purveyors, chefs and artisan producers will join forces to create a 10-day celebration of local products and experiences. The Northwest Agriculture Business Center has been actively involved and supportive of Whidbey Island Grown since its creation in 2009. A full calendar of events with ticket pricing and times, may be found at WhidbeyIsalndGrown.com. From farm tours to harvest parties and cooking demonstrations, a few highlights are:
All Week – Restaurants, grocers and markets are celebrating local producers by pairing with farms, wineries and distilleries. Some to check out are China City in Freeland and Oak Harbor, the Braeburn and Star Store both in Langley, and the Goose Grocer in Bayview.
Saturday, Sept. 29 – Second Annual Whidbey Island Cider Festival. Held at the Pacific Rim Institute it includes live music, educational tours of the farm, and brick oven pizza. Adult cider tasting features local Northwest cideries from Montana, Oregon and Washington. Attendees may bring apples from their own backyard to identify heirloom varieties. Most of the festival is free and family friendly.
Saturday, Sept. 29 – Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve Farm Tour. Nine farms will open for tours and interactive opportunities. Each participating farm will identify a best management practice and offer experiences such as cooking demonstrations. The Coupeville Farmers Market is distributing special Ebey’s Landing activity books to go with the tour.
Saturday, Sept. 29 – Anthes Ferments Rooftop Dance Party. Tastes from 3 Sisters Farm, Willowood Farm, Deep Harvest Farm and the Organic Farm School will pair with local wine from Comforts of Whidbey and ciders from Chatter Creek. Enjoy Penn Cove Mussels, The Kitchen Door Pie, Banshee and Oystercatcher breads, Sweet Mona’s Truffles and Caramels, and Tacoma’s Mad Hat Tea.
Sunday, Sept. 30 – Harvest Faire at Greenbank Farm. Whidbey Island’s farming heritage is the focus of this new festival which teams up Greenbank Farm merchants and the Port of Coupeville. Local produce, flowers and food will take center stage with music, wine tasting and even a pie eating.
Sunday, Sept. 30 – Foxtail Farm Tour and Orchard Kitchen Dinner. Late afternoon begins with a tour of Foxtail Farm with hors d’oeuvres and bubbly. Next travel to Orchard Kitchen to enjoy a special dinner featuring produce from Foxtail and wine pairings.
Thursday, Oct. 4 – Slow Food Sausage Making Demonstration. Hosted by Slow Food Whidbey Island, the demonstration is led by sausage expert George Petrich. The event consists of grinding pork from 3 Sisters Farm, measuring the seasonings, mixing up the sausage, stuffing it into casings and finally cooking it up to eat. Enjoy samples and receive recipes to take home.
Saturday and Sunday , Oct. 6-7 – Progressive tour of the Maxwelton Valley. Spoiled Dog Winery, Venture Out Nursery, the Organic Farm School and Whidbey Island Distillery have partnered to offer a passport tour and tasting, as well as hands-on experiences to illustrate each business’ connection to the land. Those who cycle the tour receive special recognition. Saturday evening Spoiled Dog Winery is also hosting a special dinner, with advance reservation required.
Sunday , Oct.7 – Grape Picking at Spoiled Dog Winery. Join in picking the estate-grown pinot noir grapes. Bring your own shears and come ready to have a good time. This event is family friendly.