This year, the National Lentil Festival is in the process of going green! Our new Lentil Festival water bottles are BPA-free stainless steel bottles that will be available for purchase at the Chamber or at the festival. For those that purchase a water bottle, a cool water refilling station will be available. This will help cut down on plastic water bottle usage.
To save paper, all applications for the event will be available online. Additionally, all communication between vendors and contestants will be done via email.
Avista's mascot, Wattson the Energy Dog, will treat the kids to some 'green' entertainment in the kid's area. He will be teaching kids about the importance of conserving power and alternative energy sources.
Outside the festival, we will be attempting to reduce carbon emissions by putting up more bike racks for those that would like to ride instead of drive. We will also have park and rides around town with buses running to and from the festival in attempts to cut down on traffic, pollution, and any parking problems.
Recycling bins will be placed around the festival near garbage cans and biodegradable bowls and spoons will be used for the cook off.
We are officially stepping into our big girl pants, trying to save our environment..one chili bowl at a time. We would appreciate your help and support in our green attempts.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The New Lentil Lady
Hello there! My name is Allyson Rohde and I am the new intern at the Pullman Chamber of Commerce. Things have gone extremely well for my first few weeks at the Chamber, and I am so excited to be working with such an amazing group of ladies!
At the moment, the chamber office is working on putting together another great 4th of July celebration. We have set donations jars around town to help raise money for fireworks, and we will soon be calling around for volunteers. It will be a fantastic 4th of July this year, I can feel it!
The Lentil Festival plans are also coming along. Our 2009 poster has been very popular so far. I can't wait to see everything come together for the big event. And, if you hadn't heard, the festival will be 3 days long this year! We have a golf tournament that will take place on Monday, August 23rd at the new Palouse Ridge golf course. There is also talk of a rugby tournament joining on! I will keep you updated on that.
On Wednesday, June 10, Pullman's very own Farmer's Market will grace the streets of Pullman once again. This will be our 4th farmer's market (I believe). Each week keeps getting better and better with more vendors, more people, and live music. The energy has been high, and we would love to keep it that way! Come check it out every Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. in the Old Post Office parking lot!
If you can STAND any more excitement, Mary Barstow is now Mary MacDonald! Congratulations to Mary and her new hubby!
At the moment, the chamber office is working on putting together another great 4th of July celebration. We have set donations jars around town to help raise money for fireworks, and we will soon be calling around for volunteers. It will be a fantastic 4th of July this year, I can feel it!
The Lentil Festival plans are also coming along. Our 2009 poster has been very popular so far. I can't wait to see everything come together for the big event. And, if you hadn't heard, the festival will be 3 days long this year! We have a golf tournament that will take place on Monday, August 23rd at the new Palouse Ridge golf course. There is also talk of a rugby tournament joining on! I will keep you updated on that.
On Wednesday, June 10, Pullman's very own Farmer's Market will grace the streets of Pullman once again. This will be our 4th farmer's market (I believe). Each week keeps getting better and better with more vendors, more people, and live music. The energy has been high, and we would love to keep it that way! Come check it out every Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. in the Old Post Office parking lot!
If you can STAND any more excitement, Mary Barstow is now Mary MacDonald! Congratulations to Mary and her new hubby!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Lentil Fest Poster Unveiling
Last night was our annual Lentil Festival poster unveiling. It was held at the Old Post Office Wine Gallery. A nice crowd showed up to taste local wines and get the first look at our 2009 poster, created by local artist, Matthew Leiker. A special thanks to Matthew and all of our sponsors.
Signed posters, tshirts, and other Lentil Festival 'gear' will be available at the Pullman Chamber office.
We are very excited about the new design for this year and hope that everyone else enjoys it as well!
Just a quick reminder: if you are interested in entering a cook off recipe for a chance to win our grand prize of $1000, go to our website at www.lentilfest.com and enter your recipe! The deadline is July 3. We hope to see you all at the Lentil Festival August 21-23!!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
100 Days and Counting...
Today is my one-year anniversary of working here at the Pullman Chamber of Commerce and it is officially 100 days until the National Lentil Festival. All of the sponsors are on board, the poster has been printed and is ready to be unveiled May 28, vendor applications are pouring in, and the merchandise has all been ordered. Our Little Lentil King and Queen have chosen the parades they will attend with the Lentil Express this year. If you would like to see the Lentil Express, we will be attending the following parades:
Rosalia Battle Days in Rosalia, WA: June 6
Slippery Gulcch Days in Tekoa, WA: June 20
Johnson Parade in Johnson, WA: July 4
Albion Parade in Albion, WA: July 4
Potlatch Community Days: July 18
National Lentil Festival Parade: August 22
Paul Bunyan Days in St. Maries, ID: September 5
Palouse Days Festival in Palouse, WA: September 19
University of Idaho Homecoming in Moscow, ID: October 31
I am feeling strangely ahead of schedule but I'm sure that feeling will pass. Fortunately we have a crack team here at the office and on our Lentil Festival Committee! We recently hired an Events Intern for the summer and are pleased to have Allyson join our team on Monday. This is a Festival that really does take a village to put together. We have representation from almost every industry in the community. This means more sources of new, creative ideas for the festival for you! If you are interested in volunteering for the Festival or helping out on the Committee in any way, please email director@lentilfest.com. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 14 at the Pullman Chamber Office.
Rosalia Battle Days in Rosalia, WA: June 6
Slippery Gulcch Days in Tekoa, WA: June 20
Johnson Parade in Johnson, WA: July 4
Albion Parade in Albion, WA: July 4
Potlatch Community Days: July 18
National Lentil Festival Parade: August 22
Paul Bunyan Days in St. Maries, ID: September 5
Palouse Days Festival in Palouse, WA: September 19
University of Idaho Homecoming in Moscow, ID: October 31
I am feeling strangely ahead of schedule but I'm sure that feeling will pass. Fortunately we have a crack team here at the office and on our Lentil Festival Committee! We recently hired an Events Intern for the summer and are pleased to have Allyson join our team on Monday. This is a Festival that really does take a village to put together. We have representation from almost every industry in the community. This means more sources of new, creative ideas for the festival for you! If you are interested in volunteering for the Festival or helping out on the Committee in any way, please email director@lentilfest.com. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 14 at the Pullman Chamber Office.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Lentil of the Month Club!
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!
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!
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.
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