If anyone is fortunate enough to know what a lentil is, the most likely know one variety. "Lentils are those brown flat pea-things" is a common reply to the question "What is a lentil?" In reality, there are several varieties of lentils, each with different cooking characteristics, tastes, colors, and growth patterns but all very good for the soil and good for you!
In an effort to educate people about the many types of lentils, we have started a Lentil of the Month Club. Each month club members will receive a new variety of lentils or lentil products that are grown right here on the Palouse. In addition to a new type of lentils, you will receive an exclusive recipe to try and additional fun facts about lentils and the Palouse. See our website for how you can become our next member!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Well Under Way
The National Lentil Festival is 123 short days away. This quickly diminishing number fills me with both fear and excitement. It also means that here at the Lentil Festival office we are deep in preparation mode. Our Lentil Festival Committee has been hard at work planning new, exciting things to do for this year's festival. One of the biggest changes will be a new "I Hate Lentils" Category in the 16th annual National Lentil Festival Legendary Lentil Cook-off.
Every year people from across the country (37 states in 2008) submit their favorite lentil recipes for this cook-off. While we have received many delicious recipes including lentil-stuffed mushrooms, colorful lentil salads, and lentil spice cake and brownies, some people still refuse to try these award-winning recipes for the simple fact that they contain lentils. This new category will offer a special prize to the chef who creates the recipe that has the best aroma, texture, appearance, and taste but has cleverly hidden lentils. Good luck to all our chefs! All recipes are due June 3, more details on our website.
Every year people from across the country (37 states in 2008) submit their favorite lentil recipes for this cook-off. While we have received many delicious recipes including lentil-stuffed mushrooms, colorful lentil salads, and lentil spice cake and brownies, some people still refuse to try these award-winning recipes for the simple fact that they contain lentils. This new category will offer a special prize to the chef who creates the recipe that has the best aroma, texture, appearance, and taste but has cleverly hidden lentils. Good luck to all our chefs! All recipes are due June 3, more details on our website.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Sponsor Support UP Even During Hard Times
I have been reading reports from Festivals and Events all over the State of Washington and the Pacific Northwest about how terrible the economy is and how difficult it is to find sponsor money. SeaFair, a major summer festival in Seattle, is down 15% and similar reports are coming in from across the country.
This is just not the case in Pullman. Maybe it is because Pullman took the economy hit later than most and maybe it is because we are a smaller Festival that doesn't require as much funding but I genuinely believe that it is because Pullman cares about this Festival and will do whatever they can to make sure that their business helps contribute to the biggest party in town. No matter how you slice it, the National Lentil Festival has INCREASED cash sponsorship by 10%, not including added support from the City of Pullman, and In-Kind sponsorship has INCREASED 40%! A tremendous jump in any economy.
Thank you to all our generous sponsors of the 2009 Festival. We promise to have a good show for you.
National Corporate Sponsors: Avista Utilities, Beasley Realty, City of Pullman, Coca-Cola Company, Dissmore's IGA, Inland Cellular, Inland Northwest Broadcasting, James Toyota, Old Post Office Wine Cellar & Gallery, Palouse Ridge Golf Club, Time Warner Cable, USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council, Washington State University, and Whitman Senior Living.
Tase T. Lentil Club Sponsors: Bank of America, Border 104/KQQQ, Daily Grind Espresso, Northwest Public Radio, Pullman Disposal Service, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, and Sun Rental Center.
This is just not the case in Pullman. Maybe it is because Pullman took the economy hit later than most and maybe it is because we are a smaller Festival that doesn't require as much funding but I genuinely believe that it is because Pullman cares about this Festival and will do whatever they can to make sure that their business helps contribute to the biggest party in town. No matter how you slice it, the National Lentil Festival has INCREASED cash sponsorship by 10%, not including added support from the City of Pullman, and In-Kind sponsorship has INCREASED 40%! A tremendous jump in any economy.
Thank you to all our generous sponsors of the 2009 Festival. We promise to have a good show for you.
National Corporate Sponsors: Avista Utilities, Beasley Realty, City of Pullman, Coca-Cola Company, Dissmore's IGA, Inland Cellular, Inland Northwest Broadcasting, James Toyota, Old Post Office Wine Cellar & Gallery, Palouse Ridge Golf Club, Time Warner Cable, USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council, Washington State University, and Whitman Senior Living.
Tase T. Lentil Club Sponsors: Bank of America, Border 104/KQQQ, Daily Grind Espresso, Northwest Public Radio, Pullman Disposal Service, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, and Sun Rental Center.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wanted: Intern!
The National Lentil Festival is looking for an intern for the summer starting June 1. This internship provides one student with an experience unlike any other. The person hired for this position will help coordinate every aspect of Pullman's 4th of July Celebration and the National Lentil Festival during their three months with the Pullman Chamber of Commerce. This will include recording radio PSAs, maintaining databases, writing articles for our website and local newspapers, coordinate and manage volunteers, and help oversee both events.
The position is paid, $9/hour, not to exceed $2,250 for the duration of the internship and will require 20 hours of work per week plus 35-40 event hours from June 1 to August 28. For a full description, please click here or see our website at www.pullmanchamber.com.
The position is paid, $9/hour, not to exceed $2,250 for the duration of the internship and will require 20 hours of work per week plus 35-40 event hours from June 1 to August 28. For a full description, please click here or see our website at www.pullmanchamber.com.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Extra Day to Play!
The National Lentil Festival is proud to announce that it is now a three day Festival!
Pullman, WA is proud to host this annual event the weekend before classes start at WSU. With the help of the brand new Palouse Ridge Golf Club we have been able to expand the festival to Sunday to include the first ever National Lentil Festival Golf Tournament. More details coming soon but put this on your calendar for August 21-23, 2009 in Pullman, WA!
Pullman, WA is proud to host this annual event the weekend before classes start at WSU. With the help of the brand new Palouse Ridge Golf Club we have been able to expand the festival to Sunday to include the first ever National Lentil Festival Golf Tournament. More details coming soon but put this on your calendar for August 21-23, 2009 in Pullman, WA!
National Lentil Festival
Welcome to the official National Lentil Festival blog!
The National Lentil Festival is held the weekend before classes start for Washington State University in the fall. This year it will be August 21-22. The event includes:
Friday Night Street Fair:
World's Largest Bowl of Chili: we give away 300 gallons of free lentil chili within about an hour
Children's Area: including inflatable games, free cotton candy and much more!
Beer & Wine Garden: with a wide selection of microbrews and regional wines, sponsored by the Old Post Office Wine Cellar, for those over 21
Free Concert Stage: sposored by Inland Cellular, with music from your favorite Northwest Artists
Saturday, August 22:
Grand Parade: sponsored by Time Warner Cable, starts at 11:00am and runs through downtown Pullman
5K: Open to runners and walkers, this short race is a great way to see the town
100K: Tour the Palouse Hills on this non-competitive ride through Whitman County
Little Lentil King & Queen Coronation: Children entering grades 2-5 can try out for this
Kid's Area: including a science tent, juggling school, arts and crafts, and stage acts
Lentil Cook-off Judging: sponsored by the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council, allows you to vote for your favorite of our winning 6 lentil submissions
Free Concert Stage: with more great music in the park!
And much more! Check out our website for complete details! www.lentilfest.com
The National Lentil Festival is held the weekend before classes start for Washington State University in the fall. This year it will be August 21-22. The event includes:
Friday Night Street Fair:
World's Largest Bowl of Chili: we give away 300 gallons of free lentil chili within about an hour
Children's Area: including inflatable games, free cotton candy and much more!
Beer & Wine Garden: with a wide selection of microbrews and regional wines, sponsored by the Old Post Office Wine Cellar, for those over 21
Free Concert Stage: sposored by Inland Cellular, with music from your favorite Northwest Artists
Saturday, August 22:
Grand Parade: sponsored by Time Warner Cable, starts at 11:00am and runs through downtown Pullman
5K: Open to runners and walkers, this short race is a great way to see the town
100K: Tour the Palouse Hills on this non-competitive ride through Whitman County
Little Lentil King & Queen Coronation: Children entering grades 2-5 can try out for this
Kid's Area: including a science tent, juggling school, arts and crafts, and stage acts
Lentil Cook-off Judging: sponsored by the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council, allows you to vote for your favorite of our winning 6 lentil submissions
Free Concert Stage: with more great music in the park!
And much more! Check out our website for complete details! www.lentilfest.com
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