Socializing and staying active as an older adult is incredibly important for maintaining physical and mental health and wellbeing. Studies have shown that isolation and loneliness exact a significant toll on seniors, leading to many negative health outcomes for those who aren’t active in their communities.
Fortunately, the state of Washington has many activities and events in the upcoming months that are perfect for those who are looking to get out and engage with others.
Here are some wonderful activities coming up that are great excuses to get out and enjoy the company of others.
Easter Cookie Decorating Class (Wenatchee)
Admission: $45
Date: April 19th
Learn all the tips and tricks so that you too can make beautifully decorated cookies at home! The class will be 2.5 hours of instruction and hands-on decorating. During the class, each participant will decorate 8 Easter themed sugar cookie cut-outs to take home in a window-pane box all while learning cookie decorating techniques.
Spring Fair (Puyallup)
Admission (for seniors): $19
Date: April 11th-14th
Located at the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup, the Washing State Spring fair features rides, music, pig racing, performing dogs, and many more wonderful activities. The Spring Fair has a country fair vibe and offers lots of interactive fun for people of all ages.
Best of the Northwest Art and Fine Craft Show (Seattle)
Admission: $10
Date: April 13th-14th
Northwest Art Alliance presents the 31st annual Spring Show! Held in Hangar 30 at Seattle’s Magnuson Park, this spring event will feature more than 100 of the area’s best artists and artisans
Cheese and Meat Festival (Seattle)
Admission $35
Date: April 20th
The Cheese and Meat Festival allows consumers to taste their way through international and local artisan foods in sample bites. The Festival takes place at the beautiful Block 41 venue located in downtown Seattle. All attendees will be given a small charcuterie board upon entry that will allow for samples to be placed on the board while vendors describe the item being showcased.
Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival (Seattle)
Admission: Free
Date: April 26th-28th
Explore and experience the cultural roots and contemporary influences of Japan through live performances, visual arts, hands-on activities, foods and games including Taiko drumming and artisan demonstrations.
The Festival was founded 40 years ago in appreciation of 1,000 cherry trees gifted to Seattle by Prime Minister Takeo Miki on behalf of the Japanese government in commemoration of the nation’s bicentennial. It is the first ethnic festival to be held at Seattle Center annually and the oldest in the Seattle Center Festival series.
Jacobsen Series: Puget Sound Piano Trio (Tacoma)
Admission: $10
Date: May 3rd
The Puget Sound Piano Trio is the ensemble-in-residence at the University of Puget Sound School of Music. This season inaugurates the Puget Sound Piano Trio Concert Series, an expanded offering of three performance events for the Trio’s home audience. These programs will explore a complete cycle of the Brahms piano trios, as well as chosen pairings of classical, romantic, and modern works on the first half of each concert. Join us for this exciting series!
Gorge Artists Open Studio (White Salmon)
Admission: Free
Date: May 3rd-5th
Explore art in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge during the 13th annual Gorge Artists Open Studios Tour. Forty-eight juried artists will open their studios to the public for this three-day tour, featuring the highest quality work available from the region in a variety of mediums and styles.
Revelry Crawfish Boil (Walla Walla)
Admission: $35-$50
Date: May 3rd
We are kicking off Spring Release weekend with our much-anticipated annual Revelry Crawfish Boil! Join us for rosé, crawfish, and king cake after hours Friday evening. This event is popular, and tickets tend to go quickly. Advanced purchase is required.
Design with the 90% (Seattle)
Admission: Free
Date: Now – May 11th
This exhibition demonstrates how individuals and organizations are using design innovation to address some of the world’s most critical problems and improve lives. The 26 projects on view highlight how design is improving access to life’s essentials – clean water, health care, education, and shelter – as well as increasing economic opportunities and strengthening communities.
North Spokane Farm Museum (Spokane)
Admission: Donation (any amount)
Dates: April 1st – October 15th
Located 15 miles north of Spokane, Washington off state highway 395, the North Spokane Farm Museum is in a 5,000 sq. ft. building. “The Red Shed” is considered a teach and touch museum which displays farm machinery and farm artifacts from 1850-1950. All equipment is painstakingly researched and restored to its near original splendor. Once a year at noon on the 4th Saturday of June, the equipment is demonstrated with a new specialty chosen each year. Other featured displays are a working 50’s kitchen, a 40’s bedroom, a 20’s kitchen, and the largest collection of Ironstone China in the Pacific Northwest with more than 36 sets from 1850 to 1976.