The La Conner Chamber of Commerce proudly presents: ‘A Taste of La Conner’. Friday September 10th; 4:00-8:00pm. Delight your taste buds with the delicious and exquisite cuisine offered by these eateries in La Conner. Enjoy 5 tastes for $25.00. Previous Taste's have sold out! So don't wait to buy your tickets at the Visitor Information Center. All tickets will be PRE-SOLD before 5 pm September 10th.

Participating in the Taste: La Conner Seafood & Prime Rib House, Washington Sips Wine Bar, La Conner Pub & Eatery, Hellams Vineyard WIne Bar & Wine Shop, La Conner Waterfront Café, Seeds Bistro & Bar and El Gitano Each location will offer a "Taste" featuring that chef's creativity & showcase their unique talents and delicious specialties. After your tastes – Stop by and enjoy a sweet treat from the La Conner Ice Cream Tower! Your ticket also gives you free admission into the Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner.

Tickets are pre-sold at the Visitor Information Center located at 606 Morris Street, just after the library on your left. Delight your pallets, Relax, Shop, and Stay. For more information please contact the La Conner Chamber : www.laconnerchamber.com, info@laconnerchamber.com or 360-466-4778.

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Choose your own route, the Berry-Dairy, Fir Island or Padilla Bay Shore Trail Tour/Route.

Tulip Country Bike Tours are now offering bike rentals for the whole family in La Conner at the Port of Skagit Marina, just a 5 minute walk north of downtown La Conner.

You can explore the valley on your own or follow one of our route maps to find great lunches, big ice cream cones and enjoy the countryside. If you have two hours or two days, there are plenty of great routes to enjoy. The Port offices will check the bikes in and out, but please call Tulip County Bike Tours directly for rental reservations or questions. In addition to our bikes we offer children's tag-alongs, trailers, child seats and strollers. Prices are listed on our website.

Tulip Country Bike Tours began offering guided bike tours in April of 2007 after owners Derek and Natalie Gustafson realized that seeing the Skagit Valley by bike was an experience they wanted to share with everyone.

The touring season begins in April during the Tulip Festival where knowledgeable guides know the best routes to locate the fields when they are at their peak bloom. During the Summer months (June - Oct.), the tours feature local farm products and opportunities to explore the shoreline, back-roads and quaint towns. The "Berry-Dairy" tour is a favorite, highlighting delicious berries and farm made cheeses. Tours vary in distance from 10-25 miles depending on the tour and preference of the group. All guided tours include a comfortable bike, helmet and lunch or snacks to keep you fueled up along the way. Reservations are required.

If you can pedal, Tulip Country Bike Tours has a beautiful route you will enjoy and are happy to customize a tour for your needs. You'll feel like a local cruising through the fields and farms of the flat Skagit River delta. It's a perfect way to unwind and be active at the same time. Please call 360-424-7461, email info@countrycycling.com or visit our website, www.countrycycling.com for more information and to make reservations.

La Conner is participating in the 2010 Skagit Watershed Letterbox Trail program, sponsored by the Skagit Conservation Education Alliance. The 2010 Skagit Watershed Letterbox Trail starts Saturday, June 19, 2010 and runs through the summer.

A total of 17 local conservation organizations have partnered to hide letterboxes all along the Skagit River Watershed, from the North Cascades National Park in the east to Washington Park in the west. One letterbox will be located in La Conner, hidden inside Pioneer Park North.

Each box contains fun educational materials about the watershed, along with a notebook and ink-stamp for trading stamps. Clues will be available at local public libraries and other locations on June 18 and will be published on-line at www.skagitwater.org. Go to www.skagitwater.org for more information about letterboxing. Then bring your journal and stamp and come join the trail!

Be sure to become a fan on the Letterbox Facebook page at http://bit.ly/aC4VWC, write your comments on the Wall and help get others excited about finding all of the letterboxes. Join the party at the end of the season and share your journal!

Pioneer Park, La Conner is part of the Cascadia Marine Trail. This water trail on Puget Sound is a National Recreation Trail and designated one of only 16 National Millennium Trails by the White House. Suitable for day or multi-day trips, the Cascadia Marine Trail has over 50 campsites to visit. People can boat to the campsites from many public and private launch sites or shoreline trailheads. To find out more info, visit http://www.wwta.org/trails/cmt/

Planning a boating trip this summer involving the San Juan Islands or Desolation Sound? If so, La Conner is THE place to start and end...or anything in between. Overnight moorage is available at the La Conner Marina, and is located in the heart of La Conner only steps away from first class shopping and dining! Many of our locally owned boutiques will ship your purchases if necessary. Boaters will find almost anything they need in La Conner from the Napa store to the Boater's Discount shop to the Liquor Store & Grocery stores. If you boat with toys such as kayaks and bicycles, La Conner has even more to offer. Kayaking is beautiful through the Swinomish Channel and out to Goat Island, Skagit Island, and Hope Island. Hop on your bike and check out the beautiful scenery through the farm fields with Mt. Baker, foothills, and islands as your companions.

Be sure to pick up your La Conner Coupon Book from either the La Conner Marina or Visitor Information Center at 606 Morris Street when you stop for the night. La Conner Welcomes You!

When Anacortes residents Stan & Christine Spencer decided to open a new salon and spa, they looked at several possible locations around Skagit, Island and Whatcom counties. Expectations were high, the new location must have a good feel, positive energy, a destination town with unlimited opportunities – they chose La Conner.

Stan and Christine have drawn on their diverse corporate backgrounds to “create something a bit special” in the small business world. As a Life Coach for women and former owner of two salons in Toronto, Ontario, Christine’s desire was to create a place of beauty from the inside-out for women in particular. She wanted it to be of the highest standards with experts from all fields, offering products that were not only of the highest quality, but healthy for the environment as well.

Salon Rouge & Spa opened in La Conner in July 2009, selecting space in the Tillinghast building located at 623 Morris Street as you enter town. The ribbon-cutting, open house and fanfare of this new salon & spa was quickly followed by a loyal and growing client base. In less than eight months, Salon Rouge & Spa expanded to accommodate the growing demand for more options.

Along with the usual spa services of hair, massage, facials, waxing, manicures and pedicures – Salon Rouge offers services such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, ayurvedic cooking classes, inch-loss body wraps, mineral salt body scrub, workshops and much more. The new double massage room is a space of tranquility that you will not want to leave!

In addition to the expanded services, Salon Rouge now features wonderful skin care products from Jane Iredale mineral make-up and GM Collin skin care. The salon also carries quality hair products from Davines, Kevin Murphy and HBL. Stan and Christine’s philosophy is to offer expert and caring staff, flexible appointments, award winning green and organic products, involvement in the community and support for women.

“Salon Rouge & Spa is a quiet refuge in a world filled with stressful demands on your body and time. Restore your balance as you experience the deep relaxation of our luxurious treatments.”

For more information about what Salon Rouge & Spa has to offer, stop by 623 Morris Street, La Conner , call 360-466-HAIR (4247) or visit www.SalonRougeLaconner.com

Since 1956 May has been National Bike Month. What a better place to start off your bike ride than from La Conner! There are a variety of lodgings to choose from and all are "bike friendly". Tips from a Local....One of my favorite bike tours is starting in La Conner and then heading North toward Padilla Bay and then on to Edison and Chukanut Drive. Another great twist is to head out of La Conner on Reservation Road to the Anacortes Trail and from there hop on a ferry to Lopez Island for great riding. For a beautiful morning short ride, head out of La Conner and loop around the Valley on flat roads with hardly any traffic. The scenery is world class and will blow you away. Enjoy the Ride!

Contact the Visitor Information Center for the Skagit Valley Bike Map.

Be sure to check out the La Conner E-Newsletter for May Specials, Happenings & Events.

La Conner Chamber of Commerce is here to make your visit enjoyable. Please stop by our Visitor Information Center, 2nd block on your left as you enter town, or give us a call at 360.466.4778 ~ info@laconnerchamber.com. We can help you with room availability, dinner reservations, shopping guides, tours, and a friendly greeting. We welcome you to the village of La Conner. *photo courtesy of cascades national park

Put your bike on the rack and head for La Conner and the FLAT Skagit Valley. Great biking starts and ends in La Conner!

The 6th biennial Skagit River Poetry Festival is coming to La Conner May 20-22, 2010. . Sherman Alexie is the guest speaker on Thursday, May 20, 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Join writer, poet, social critic and comedian Sherman Alexie for an evening of raucous and biting entertainment. La Conner Middle School Auditorium, Tickets: $25

In the Hall of Light: The Work and Life of Robert Sund will be showing on May 21-22. This new 50 minute video presents the work of Skagit Valley luminary Robert Sund. Gallery Cygnus, across from Maple Hall. Friday, 4-5:30; Saturday, 8-9 am; and 1:30-3:00. Inaugural Washington State Poet Laureate Samuel Green, Mary Cornish, Lorna Crozier, Tony Curtis, Matthew Dickman, Maicael Dickman, Chris Dombrowski, Lorraine Ferra, Terrance Hayes, Lucas Howell, Ted Kooser, Kurtis Lamkin, Patrick Lane, David Mason, Tim McNulty, Valzhyna Mort, William O'Daly, Alicia Ostricker, Alberto Rids, Mrk Schafer, Susan Stewart and Robert Wrigley are all included in the lineup of speakers.

The Skagit River Poetry project began in 1998, the result of a conversation between leaders from seven rural school districts in Skagit County, Washington. These leaders hoped to create a project which would promote high literacy standards with poetry the natural vehicle.

From 1998 to the present, more than 10,000 local students have played with words while reading and writing poetry with professional poets in the classroom. Contributing poets have modeled instructional strategies to teachers and prepared a bank of poetry lessons published on this website. The companion event for this in-class work is the biennial Skagit River Poetry Festival. Beginning in 2000, a combination of regional and national poets have traveled to picturesque La Conner, Wash. for public readings, workshops, and panels offered over two days.

http://www.Skagitriverpoetry.org

The tulips are blooming and La Conner is ready to welcome you! Top 5 things to do in La Conner's Channel Town after or before you visit the tulip fields.

1: 2010 Sculpture Walking Tour - Fun for people of all ages. Shop along the way at La Conner's locally owned boutiques, galleries, & specialty shops. Download the walking tour map HERE

2: Experience Native American Art - Spin the spiritual wheel at Maple Hall, check out the canoes behind town hall, and the art at Gilkey Square.

3: Enjoy a glass of wine on the pier while listening to the artistic waterfall cascade into the salish sea and viewing wildlife on the channel - located behind the Lime Dock Building. Follow-up with with lunch or dinner at La Conner's award winning restuarants.

4: La Conner is a 3 museum Channel Town - Explore the Museum of Northwest Art, The Quilt & Textile Museum, and the Skagit Valley Historical Museum.

5: Before your drive home walk the trails of pioneer park and then stroll the Rainbow Bridge to take some keepsake photos.

photo credit: Chris Watkins

The majestic Gray whales which are 35 ton 35-50ft in length winter in Mexico and have their young in the warm waters of the Baja area.

In January – February they begin there yearly migration to Alaska, and Russian waters.

Every year approximately 20,000 males females and young head up the California, Oregon, Washington coastline.

Of the 20,000 Gray whales approximately 200 enter into the Straits of San De Fuca. Of the 200 there is a small group of 15-20 whales that return to our area every year. They are all named and ID. For example Patches #44 is one of the largest and most prolific. Every year these whales start returning to the same area, beginning mid to late March and stay till mid to late May.

You ask why they return. It’s for the food. These whales are stopping here for a very short period of time to fatten up for their trip north. In fact it’s the mud shrimp. La Conner and the Saratoga Passage area from Deception Pass to Coupeville to Langley to Camano Island have an abundance of mud shrimp.

The Gray whales dig big pits in the mud to root the shrimp out. They roll on their sides and slap their pectoral fins and cruise majestically along the surface. Ever so often they even breech out of the water. What a sight to behold!

Take the time and come see these fascinating mammals they are truly one of the wonders of the world.

Whale watching cruises out of La Conner aboard the 100ft. Mystic Sea Depart 10:30am Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from La Conner Channel Lodge Dock, 201 First Street, 98257 Boarding 10am Return 3-4pm Cruises begin April 2, and run through May 14th. Please call for reservations 800-308-9387 or you may book online www.mysticseacharters.com

View acres and acres of Daffodils without the crowds in March!

photo credit: Kitty Bluhm

Nothing sings Spring as beautifully as La Conner's Brilliant Daffodils! As our daffodil fields begin exploding with color, we invite you to experience the delightful magic of nature in the farmlands of La Conner & Skagit Valley.

Did you know that there are over 90 different crops grown in and around La Conner? AND, there are more tulip, iris and daffodil bulbs produced here than in any other county in the United States! Skagit County maintains one of the largest and most diverse agricultural communities west of the Cascade mountain range with Agriculture being the No. 1 industry. Local farmers produce about $261 million worth of crops, livestock, and dairy products.

Thousands of swans, snow geese and ducks are thankful for the habitat provided by our farmers. Also thankful are the thousands of visitors and locals who are in awe of the beauty of this valley.

Need some bright color in your nature palette this month? Welcome to La Conner ...... dance with the daffodils, dine with the ducks, and stay with the swans.

The Museum of Northwest Art will hold its annual fundraiser, MoNA Style, on Saturday, March 6, 2010, from 10am-4pm. Twenty-five artists from the region will show and sell their artist-designed clothing, jewelry, textiles, accessories and elements for the home at the museum to complement our Northwest lifestyle. Admission to the event is FREE. Proceeds, after commissions to the artists, support the Museum's education programs and exhibitions.

MoNA Style has added new features this year: informal modeling, a silent auction, and a raffle will be offered to tempt the shopper. Models showing artists' creations can be seen at four local restaurants during the lunch service. The theme of art shoes has inspired invited artists to create shoes in a variety of materials. The shoes will be available by silent auction and many can be seen in La Conner store windows a month before the event. Paintings and other fashion related work will be raffle prizes.

We are honored to showcase the following well-known regional artists who have created a variety of amusing, whimsical and surprising shoe creations for this years' MoNA Style: Kathryn Glowen, Allan Moe, Sue Roberts, Cathy Schoenberg and Maggie Wilder. The artists' works are shown nationally in prominent galleries. Zobra’s painting, Ode to Gaza B, a color rich work, is offered as the grand raffle prize.

Greet the coming spring with a treat for yourself or for your home, by browsing through the wonderful selections at MoNA Style where you may find the perfect one-of-a-kind garment, that special pair of earrings, or the ideal accessory. Make it a day—come with friends to shop at MoNA Style, have lunch, watch the models—enjoy!

MoNA STYLE 2009 HIGHLIGHTS

Doors Open: 10am (Free Admission) 25 Artisan Vendors on 2nd Floor of Museum

Participating Restaurants - Roving Models at Lunch: 11:30am-1:30pm

La Conner Brewing Company

La Conner Seafood & Prime Rib House

Kerstin's

Nell Thorn Restaurant & Pub

La Conner...Where Life is Art!

The Museum of Northwest Art presents its annual wearable art show, a one-day sale featuring works by 40 Northwest artists. Meet the artists and shop for clothing, jewelry, accessories, and items for the home. This year's silent auction theme is Lingerie. For your admiration and amusement, invited artists have gone "undercover" to produce one-of-a-kind variations on intimate apparel--available for bidding until 5 pm.

MoNA Style Cafe...Come join us for an energizing cup of coffee or espresso or a relaxing glass of wine...bottled water and sweet treats will be available, too. After tasting the delicious coffee, you'll want to go home with a pound or two of specially roasted beans for the event in a commemorative MoNA Style bag. Enjoy our "cafe for a day" in the transformed glass gallery; relax with a drink of your choice as you survey the walls covered with information showing all the Museum of Northwest Art's programs. After your refreshing or relaxing drink, head back into the galleries to continue making discoveries in all the creative artists' booths. Have fun, especially knowing you're supporting MoNA's programs!

Make it a day: enjoy lunch with your friends at one of our Sponsor Restaurants, where on informal "runways" live models will show off the artists' creations.

MODELING 11:30am - 1:30pm (Reservations Advised)

La Conner Brewing Company 360.466.1415

Nell Thorn Restaurant & Pub 360.466.4261

La Conner Seafood & Prime Rib House 360.466.4014

Seeds Bistro & Bar 360.466.3280

Proceeds support participating artists and the Museum of Northwest Art. For further information, phone 360.466.4446, ext 109; or email marketing@museumofnwart.org.

Fun events for the whole family happens on Saturday, February 27, 2010! A Pancake Breakfast to benefit the La Conner High School Senior Class begins at 8:00 am in Maple Hall cost $5.00. The 5K-10K Smelt Run/Walk sponsored by the Skagit Symphony begins at the La Conner Middle School, registration 8:00 am, race starts 10 am.

Fishing for Smelt for all ages begins on the Public docks at 8 am and continues till 2 pm. Prizes are awarded in age categories from 1 - 99 years old for the longest, smallest, weirdest and many other categories of fish. Judging by the La Conner Sea Scouts. $2 per fishing ticket.

There will be a raffle with many fabulous prizes and a $500 cash prize. $2.00 per raffle ticket. Kids activities include fish printing and other events at Maple Hall. Tours of the Sea Scout boat, Rejoice. Hot dog lunch available in the Bank of America parking lot. FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

Make Waterfront La Conner your Kissing destination this Valentines Weekend! Our wide array of lodging choices are offering romantic getaway packages. Our Fine Northwest Dining choices are offering special romantic dinners.

Make Waterfront La Conner your Kissing destination this Valentines Weekend! Our wide array of lodging choices are offering romantic getaway packages. Our Fine Northwest Dining choices are offering special romantic dinners. Enjoy a relaxing spa treatment, take in the sculpture walk & shop the boutiques/galleries, view the current museum exhibits, walk the docks, sip some fine wine, take in the aroma of the salt water, listen to the snow geese, and melt into a slower pace. From The Best Places to Kiss in the Northwest....."Although this area is assuredly the Northwest destination during the tulip festival, every season blesses it with a romantic aura all its own".

La Conner has the traditional polar bear swim every December, but this is the first Skinny Dip!

This Saturday from 1-6 at Hellams Vineyard (Historic Lime Dock Building) Emily Schafer, Lighthouse Massage and Joan Barlow, Native Springs Natural Skincare, Sandy Vess, Reflexology, will team up to offer you spa treatments we like to call "skinny dips" during the Saturday wine tasting event at Hellams.

Emily will be doing chair massage at $1 per minute with the first 5 minutes FREE! Joan will be offering soothing hand and arm treatments with the calcium bentonite clay 20min/$15. Sandy doing reflexology on the feet for $1/min.

Taste a complete flight of wines and get pampered in La Conner!

Art Credit Marion Derrett

Seed's Bistro & Bar will be swinging New Year's Eve to the sounds of the Fidalgo Swing band from 6:00 - 10:00 pm.

Make La Conner your News Year's Eve destination. Our entire town is easily walkable with many restaurant and lodging choices. Twirl in the mix locally owned boutiques, galleries, and three museums, and you won't think twice about dancing your way to La Conner.

Old fashioned holiday traditions begin in La Conner. La Conner's historic buildings line the Swinomish Channel crowned by the orange Rainbow Bridge. Peacefullness and tranquility abounds in the town of no stoplights, no speed limits over 25, and where everyone knows your name.

Decorated and lighted boats will be joining the eagles, herons, and seals up and down the Swinomish Channel Saturday December 12th for the annual lighted boat parade starting at 6:30.

From eco-friendly gift making to live music, check out the entire list of La Conner Events & Happenings and begin your old fashioned holiday tradition making in La Conner.

Businesses in the town of La Conner will be celebrating the "Season of Giving" this holiday season. For three Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas, 10% of sales at participating merchants will be designated to a different charity.

The program will begin on November 29th, and the proceeds from sales on that day will be donated to the Skagit Hospice Foundation. The December 6th charity will be the Humane Society of Skagit County, and on December 13th, the Boys and Girls Club is the recipient.

We hope that our guests will help contribute to these worthwhile causes as they shop, dine and stay in La Conner during the Holiday season!

Participating businesses are: Bunnies by the Bay, Childhood Bliss, Courtyard Gallery, Katy's Inn, La Conner Seafood and Prime Rib House, Mary Davis Lighting, Nasty Jack's Antiques, Nell Thorn Restaurant, Sempre Italiano, Skagit River Boutique, Skagit River Traders, Step Outside, The Stall, Wild Iris Inn, and Wyman Park.

December 4 - 6th is "Ladies Getaway" weekend in La Conner. Ladies stay at La Conner Country Inn for $89.00 or on the water @ La Conner Channel Lodge for $119. Saturday December 5th, 3PM the fun starts at La Conner Country Inn! Grab your girlfriends & come make more. A night full of pampering, shopping, fine food, wine & fabulous women await you.

3:00 PM Treasure hunt starts. Don't be late! Prizes for everyone!

4:00 - 8:00 PM - Salon Rouge will be at the Inn providing $5.00 1/2 hour Foot Detox treatments, Pro-Derm Scan & photo's & Anti Aging Galvanic spa treatments! (regularly $40.00 each!) Don't miss out on these amazing services at such a sweet deal!

5:00 PM - Learn how to find your true beauty. Demonstrations on how to transform your skin by Nationally known beauty maven, cosmetic guru & insider to the insiders Erin Orden.

4:00 - 8:00 PM Find the perfect accent to your outfit with hand made creations by Shanden Templar - our very own jewelry designer; Cookie Lee jewelry, Gorgeous TSA hand bags and accessories & much more! Find a dramatic new look or expand your unique style with exquisite & tasteful fashion accessories from The Finest Accessories. From vibrant electric patent purses to elegant opera wallets and one of a kind hair accessories, be the woman that gets noticed this season. Astrid will be offering free consultations to help you select the right gift for yourself and the special people on your gift list.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Feel free to bring a bottle of wine to enjoy with your friends. We'll provide the glasses. Hellam's Vineyard is offering 10% discounts and providing prizes for all attending this fantastic event.

Shops are staying open late Saturday just for you! Please RSVP to Shanden@laconnerlodging.com Enjoy $5.00 Cosmos and Lemon Drops at Palmers Restaurant all weekend long! 10% off on other cocktails for all ladies!

Sunday December 6th Palmers is hosting "Girls Night Out" with Great food, Games & Raffles. A Benefit for N.O.A.H. (Local no kill animal shelter) 4 - 7pm Phone Kim Bowen at 360-629-7055 for more info or to RSVP. $25.00 donation.

Not only do the Seniors at La Conner Retirement Inn support the La Conner Skateboard Park as reported by the Skagit Valley Herald and the Seattle Times, but so does the business community, the town council, and the residents. Recently the town council voted to approve a partnership with the school district to build the La Conner Skate Park.

The 2nd Annual Turkey Trot is supported by the business community who has donated money, prizes, and supplies for the annual turkey trot. Business owners, residents, and community leaders will be running this year. “Our goal for the 2nd Annual Turkey Trot is to have over 100 participants” said Head Turkey and PTA president Kelly Harper.

The 5K race is on Thanksgiving Morning, November 26th, 2009 starting at 8:30 am at the La Conner Middle School. Registration starts at 7:30 am and is available the day of the race or you can pre-register. The La Conner Turkey Trot is a non-competitive race as participants predict their time with the closet predictions being the winners. No watches allowed turkeys! Cost is $10 per racer or $30 per family and donations gladly accepted. Bring your entire family and join us for a pre-turkey race to support a great cause for kids.

Caution: Wild Turkeys may be on the race course.

In 1985 Art Hupy, director and curator of La Conner’s Skagit Valley Art Museum (which would evolve into the Museum of Northwest Art), had an inspired idea - an art festival in La Conner that would generate the same kind of artistic excitement he saw at an arts festival he had visited as a photographer in Aspen, Colorado. He described the plan to his friends - local artists, businesses, and art patrons in the Skagit Valley and Seattle. Among those friends were renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly and author, chef and philosopher Angelo Pellegrini. Chihuly agreed to design and create a hand-blown glass wine decanter for which Pelligrini would provide the home made wine which would be a centerpiece for the event.

So began "Arts Alive in 85," a festival that encouraged local artists to show off their work. The program included art exhibits at the Skagit Valley Art Museum and Barkley's Pub (today known as Nell Thorn).

Since then the event has been held every November and has grown throughout the years. Thousands of artists have participated over that time, with several hundred showing their work each year. Artists such as Charles Krafft, Philip McCracken, Robert Sund and Max Benjamin have all been participants of this growing Northwest art festival. Most recently the 2008 exhibit drew about 2000 people to its location at Maple Hall and artists demonstrated their technique at 17 galleries and boutiques in La Conner.

La Conner Art's Alive

Skagit River Poetry Project Wins Golden Apple Award LA CONNER, WA – The Skagit River Poetry Project has won a prestigious KCTS 9 Golden Apple Award for its long-running Poetry-in-the-Schools program. The award honors programs and individuals for promoting excellence in statewide education.

Organizers of the poetry program, working with local school districts, have brought top poets from around the globe into Skagit and Whatcom County classrooms for week-long residencies since 1998. The poets help teachers develop lesson plans, lead group discussions, and work intensely with students, from elementary to college level, sparking their imaginations.

Every two years, the Skagit River Poetry Project also organizes a three-day spring festival (www.skagitriverpoetry.org) that brings internationally acclaimed poets to La Conner for readings, workshops, and panel discussions. The 2010 festival, May 20-22, will include such headliners as National Book Award winner Sherman Alexie and Pulitzer Prize poet Ted Kooser. One day of the festival is devoted to high-school students trained by resident poets and educators.

The panel that selected the program for an award – a panel including representatives from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Washington Education Association, Washington State Parent Teacher Association, and the Association of Washington School Principals – cited Poetry-in-the-Schools for its lasting impact: “In connecting students with poets, the Skagit River Poetry Project helps build literacy, encourages a larger worldview, and provides tools for lifelong reflection and creative thought.”

The statewide Golden Apple Awards program is sponsored by KCTS 9 and funded by PEMCO Insurance and the School Employees Credit Union of Washington. Three programs and seven individuals were honored with 2009 awards.

Winners will be honored in ceremonies held Jan. 15 in Seattle, and featured in a prime-time broadcast on public television stations statewide in February 2010. (Airdates to be announced.)

For more information on the Poetry-in-the-Schools program, contact Skagit River Poetry Project director Molly McNulty at 360-422-6033, mmcnultymb@yahoo.com.

Find youself in La Conner for a beautiful fall weekend enjoying a massage, facial and pedicure that have all been scheduled just for you! Between spa sessions you can attend a cheese & wine pairing, a special fall afternoon tea, go on an incredible boat tour, and attend workshops and free talks. Also find yourself enjoying the fabulous shopping and divine cuisine La Conner has to offer!

Testimonial: "I came to your wonderful event at the Hotel Planter in January and am so excited to discover you are doing it again in October and have added more fun things to your list of offerings. We all loved having a weekend of pampering there in your, oh so charming town of La Conner. My girlfriends and I loved everything, the chair massage from Jo, the manicure and pedicures right in our own rooms from Jennifer and some of us received a Reiki session from Heather. Having never experienced that before, it was so nice to get to deeply relax in that session. I love that you have added several new things this time. We will definitely be signing up for the wine and cheese pairing that is being offered at Hellams vineyard as well as the afternoon tea you are offering at Ruby Sue's. We really appreciated the care and thoughtfulness you all at the hotel put into the event. My friends and I had such a great time, we will definitely be attending your October (Healthy Indulgence) Weekend and love to hear about these great weekends. Keep them coming and we will be there."

The Hotel Planter is hosting a "Healthy Indulgence Weekend" October 9, 10 & 11.

Call 360-466-4710 for more details.

In 1869 John S. Conner purchased the trading post (now occupied by the totem pole plaza west of Maple Hall) on the Swinomish Channel & named the area in honor of his wife, Louisa Ann Conner.

The first White settlers here were probably midwesterner Alex R. Underwood, Michael Sullivan of Nova Scotia and Sam Calhoun of New Brunswick who all arrived in the mid-1860s.

Sullivan and Calhoun were the first to start building dikes to reclaim the surrounding flats from high tides and annual flooding.

In 1873 two brothers, James and George Gaches, purchased Conner’s store and later, along with Conner and others, later became “agri-brokers” for the produce growing on the flats.

George Gaches built Gaches Mansion in 1891; since then it has been used as a hospital, an apartment building, and an art museum. It is currently home of the La Conner Quilt Museum.

The acres of fertile farmland around La Conner were first planted mostly with oats – grown primarily for the horses of Seattle and California.

The LaConner Civic Garden Club building was constructed c.1875 as a community building and has been used as a grange hall, federal & district court, county seat, schoolhouse, and church.

The Tillinghast Seed Company opened at the entrance to town in 1890 and has operated from there ever since.

In 1900 the population of La Conner was nearly 600 and had reached the natural limits of its growth; today the town serves as home to approximately 800.

The town became an artists’ colony after Morris Graves arrived in 1937. Followed by Guy Anderson, Clayton James and others, they became leaders of The Northwest School of art.

The Rainbow Bridge was built in 1957. It was painted with the orange rust coating, but residents liked the color so much it was never given the normal final gray coat.

In 1968 the Skagit County Historical Museum was built at the very top of the hill, at 501 So. 4th St. This site with its spectacular view was formerly “Autoview Hill,” a major tourist site for 50 years.

The major industries in La Conner today are agriculture, tourism and fishing.

-- Adapted from Chamber of Commerce information, revised by Tom Robinson, Skagit County Historical Museum

Once again our numerous local turkeys are getting national press. The La Conner Town Council voted 3-1 earlier this month to thin La Conner's wild turkeys (the official town bird) from 18 to a more manageable 7 birds.

Where did these La Conner wild turkeys come from anyway? Kris Schmaltz of La Conner has a good idea. Several months preceeding the 1994 appearance of wild turkeys in La Conner , Kris was given two six month old wild turkeys to release in their backyard filled with brush and food for the wild turkeys. Ansel Hyland, of Guemes Island, raised the turkeys. The wild turkey eggs were in 28 days of incubation before they hatched. Ansel fed the turkeys for 6 months before giving them to Kris. These two turkeys were of the North America eastern wild turkey variety.

Wild turkeys eat bugs, berries, grass shoots, and dandelions in the wild. If you would like to feed the wild turkeys to keep them around, they enjoy corn and apples.

Click Here to take the La Conner Wild Turkey survey

La Conner ... No Stoplights, No Speed Limits over 25, and a flock of Wild Turkeys. Keep it real in Channel Town.

View Turkey Video

The sound of the slapping of the halyards rings familiar to Dorothy and Zobra. These two dedicated artists left Guemes Island after 30yrs, selling their straw-bale house for a 43 ft Pilothouse cutter now called home. As the tides change so did their life. Now docked off a pier in the middle of La Conner they are steps away from another interest that brought them here, Mona – The Museum of Northwest Art.

MONA has been a passion of Dorothy’s for years, being involved when she lived on Guemes Island. She has supported the museum as a docent, an employee in the gift shop or as a volunteer especially for ‘Mona Style’- the vibrant ‘wearable’ art show. This show spoke to Dorothy because of her own labor –intensive wearable art inspired by the use of color and ways to utilize color together. Her creations range from quilts to knit-wear and if you’re lucky you will find her at the museum in one of her own handmade creations.

Zobra is just as passionately involved with Mona including designing this year’s ‘MONA Style’ shoe poster – this contribution of art stems from a life-long career in advertising as a graphic designer. Walking distance from his floating home and a stones throw from the museum, Zobra, along with other partners, has recently opened ‘Gallery 109’ at the end of First Street in La Conner. This co-op gallery gives you a taste of local creations including Zobra’s own paintings and will also exhibit ‘guest star artists’ throughout the year.

Color, water, and the towns easy access for simple living inspire these two pillars of the community to continue working with their hands to create art. Their involvement and support to many of the active artists in La Conner generate cultural and creative experiences for us all to appreciate.

La Conner....Where Life is Art

Benjamin Bob Bado (a.k.a. “B”) is the proud owner of "Olive" -- THE GREEN MACHINE -- La Conner's unique answer to a growing request for a "Green" Town Taxi Service. He'll pull up a seat, so you can rest your feet! "Olive," is a fully licensed and insured, 21-speed, authentic Chinese pedicab -- fully equipped with an electric-assist motor, hydraulic disc brakes, turn signals, deluxe canopy, and a wide variety of bells and horns for "Kids of ALL Ages" -- that offers FREE RIDES, delivery services, unique photo opts & Good Ol' Fashioned FUN to residents and visitors of La Conner alike!

"Olive," THE GREEN MACHINE, easily seats 3 adults (700lbs comfortably), plus a couple of "little ones" with the help of a lap or two... and is "pet friendly!" The Green Machine’s 24/7 service area currently extends from Queen of The Valley Inn, to Potlatch Resort & The Marina, to the base of Rainbow Bridge and all points in-between. Olive 2.0's new high-tech electric motor even makes going up to the top of the hill to see the "Wild Turkeys of La Conner" as effortless (and FUN) as saying: "Gobble-gobble!"

“B” grew up in Utica, NY and graduated w/honors from the Boston University College of Engineering. During college "B" worked as a bicycle messenger and part-time waiter and also won 2 Boston Music Awards while sharing the stage with a broad spectrum of artists (the likes of Barry Manilow, Jimmy Buffet, The Mighty-Mighty Bosstones, Jalan Crossland, Jenn Adams, Dan Blakeslee, and Dropkick Murphys). After the birth of his first child, "B" started learning the ropes of pedicabing and became the Team Leader for a charitable organization raising money for Dana-Farber Cancer Research... all the while, maintaining a bicycle-pizza-delivery gig on the side.

"B" arrived in La Conner in early Spring and instantly fell in love with the La Conner's simplicity, natural beauty, and genuine hospitality. After spending several weeks in town, "rubbing-brains" with several local business owners and town officials, "B" realized that there was a void where "Perpetual Dreamers & Professional Smilemakers" were concerned... (not to mention: Local Public Transportation)... and the rest, they say, is: "a Mystery!"

"B" is now happily serenading couples (with his travel guitar) on the boardwalk at sunset, weaving in-and-out of the sculptures at Gilkey Park, and causing a ripple effect of smiles as he passes by! On any given day you can find "B" (all decked out wearing a feather boa) gliding up and down the streets of La Conner, ringing his bells, honking his horns, blowing bubbles, and (whenever possible) practicing random acts of kindness. "B" donates 25% of all proceeds to Kiwanis, Boys & Girls Club, Arbor Day Foundation, and The Friendship House. Ring 360-333-0332 for a ride worth bragging to your friends about!

Welcome to the 26th Annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, April 1-30. We are pleased to share our small corner of the world with you. La Conner is a beautiful area between the mountains, the river, the farmlands and the salt water. La Conner is Tulip Central and home to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival Parade, the Tulip Pedal, Tulip Art Shows, and Tulip Flightseeing Excursions taking off on the Swinomish Channel. La Conner offers the only waterfront lodging, shopping, and dining in Skagit Valley. Plan on spending a couple of days to explore La Conner and the Skagit Valley...Washington's Backyard!

Did you know La Conner is home to the Tulip Valley Truffles? Stop by Cascade Candy to try out this brand new flavor Strawberry Cream, exclusively for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. After you taste the truffle, how about a taste of authentic La Conner & Skagit Valley heritage. Dance to the music of Hugo’s Accordion Band at the “Tulip Two-Step” dance to benefit the Skagit County Historical Museum! After waltzing or biking the Tulip Pedal, stop by La Conner Brewing Company, the official beer of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, and have lunch or dinner with your Tulip beer, La Conner Brewing.

Native Springs is offering Tulips & Tea Open House from 3-5 after the parade. $10 from each purchase will be donated to Soroptimist International of La Conner. Be sure to Tulip Two-Step into Mary Davis Lighting to view the limited edition custom made tulip lamp.

Check out more April Tulip Festival Specials, Happenings & Events!

Do you want to know which fields are blooming? Click here for the Bloom Map & Daily Updates.

*Layered Tulips by Kitty Bluhm

La Conner is one of 15 race locations chosen in the Puget Sound area for the Sound Rowers Open Water Rowing and Paddling Club. The race started at Pioneer Park which is on the Cascadian Marine Trail and boasts a boat ramp, a camping area, a covered pavillion with fireplace and an outdoor amphitheatre all within walking distance of the 10 blocks of galleries, boutique, museums, and restaurants.

About 65 boats including kayaks, outrigger canoes, rowboats, peddleboats and paddleboards participated in the 7-mile race. The race was low-key, but highly competitive. The rowers experienced the Swinomish Channel which includes the historic district of La Conner, rowing under the beautiful Rainbow bridge and out into the wild nature of Skagit Bay where the fresh water of the third largest river on the West Coast, the Skagit River, meets the salty waters of the North Puget Sound.

Sound Rowers Open Water Rowing and Paddling Club is a volunteer, non-profit organization whose sole function is to sponsor human-powered boat racing for weekend and world class athletes. Race participants include Olympians and septuagenarians, and are roughly equal in numbers of kayakers and rowers, with a few canoeists and occasional exotic craft making regular appearances.

The Sound Rowers are one of many who have seen the beauty, diversity and adventure in the La Conner waterways....Put the Kayak on the rack and book a room in La Conner to catch the experience!

Michael Wirth answers to the name “Neon,” and that’s what most people call him here in La Conner. Not because he’s colorful and has a somewhat electric aura -- although that’s true -- but because Michael can take a glowing tube of glass and made it a work of art, literally.

Michael is one of a handful of artists who make neon their medium and can take a material typically associated with beer signs and tattoo parlors and create sublime, abstract images that move and wink through the leaves of a tree, or from the depths of a murky canal, or in the dark corner of a room.

He brought his own kind of color to La Conner from a distant place – New Jersey – where he was affectionately known as the “neon guru.” He has worked in scientific glass blowing, commercial signs and lighting; but his passion is in the artistic realm. Michael likes to tell his stories in colored light which is, he points out, rooted in glass and neon gas, both natural substances generated from our own earth. He likes to develop glowing structures that enhance natural settings rather than compete with them and as a result he’s created pieces such as a 20-foot DNA helix that swings between two trees and which, he points out, attracts the interest of local insects. In another piece he allows plants to grow though and around a ceiling mounted indoor sculpture. And on the Florida coast, drum-fish, otherwise obscured by dark water at night, can be seen gliding over his underwater neon sculpture that glows on the floor of a canal.

Here in the northwest, he says, “The dramatic views and natural environment inspire me. Being in a place where water comes together in a river delta, with the motion that convergence creates, I find that very conducive to creativity.”

Michael says he likes the way neon can brighten the grays of a northwest winter day and is now working on sustainability, designing and building sculptures powered by the sun, to glow with the sun’s residual power in the dark of night.

Neon Mike is just one of many artists living & working in La Conner...Where Life IS Art.

La Conner was used as the cover photo for the first edition of "The Great Towns of America" (published in 1998), and is included in the fully revised, new edition. La Conner remains on the list of America's 100 top towns for a vacation or a lifetime.

What are you doing this weekend?

How about taking a birding field trip, ending the day with Fine Northwest Cuisine, and then cozying up in a waterfront suite or an artistic guest house. La Conner is your watercentric birding getaway.

Trumpeter and Tundra Swans migrate south from their summer homes in Alaska to the Skagit Valley. They peak in numbers around January with the majority returning home by the end of March.

While out birding you will encounter the Snow Goose which is also white, much smaller and has black wing tips. Snow Geese gather in gigantic flocks of thousands in fields, and fly by thousands to the water around sunset. Their honking is thrilling to hear.

Watch out for the Great Blue Herons who like to hang out next to the sloughs. Then look up to the tree tops to spy on Owls, Bald Eagles, and Hawks. You may also see the Rough-legged Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon and the Northern Harrier.

Happy Birding Around La Conner!

Photo Credit: Elaine Thompson

From between a small break in the clouds, sunrays strike at the local farm fields of La Conner and warm them in golden brilliance. Rows of lavender, red, yellow and pink tulips deepen in color under the moody shadows. Mount Baker’s snowcap peak juts majestically skyward glistening from the glimpse of sun. This ever-changing light of La Conner has inspired our heroine of this story, Susan Schanen, and motivated her profound respect for the environment. Susan and her husband, Casey, came from an extended line of restaurateurs; perhaps this is where the first seeds for their ideas were sown. As a long time resident of La Conner Susan used the illuminating skies as her muse to expand on her dream... a place that would embody her belief in nature with fresh organic locally picked produce and seafood. As a husband and wife team, Susan’s vision was realized and Nell Thorn Restaurant was created.

Susan believes deeply in ‘what she takes from the environment she must give back’ and incorporated this concept into a zero waste policy at Nell Thorn. With the help of the local Waste Management program Nell Thorn has been able to achieve a 95% waste free environment. Even the cooking oil is sold and converted into Eco-friendly bio diesel, with the proceeds going to the local Friendship house.

From the deck of Nell Thorn Susan connects with the fast changing light of La Conner. The skies continue to feed her inspiration to sustain and support not only a healthy and outstanding restaurant for her customers, but also an Eco-friendly environment.

Savor La Conner! Fine dining by the sea & valley with food fresh from the harvest.

Some of the merchants in La Conner are making sure the path is clear for your visit to a winter wonderland seaside village this week! Boutiques, Galleries, Hotels, and Restaurants are OPEN and looking beautiful in the sparkly snow. So put on your scarf, whistle a holiday tune, and stroll the village of La Conner.

Lighting up the channel this Saturday night will be one of the largest Lighted Boat Parades to date in La Conner! Saturday is also Local Appreciation Shopping Day! Come early to shop and dine...La Conner ~ Making Spirits Bright...

Over 200 La Connerites frolicked at Gilkey Square Saturday evening at the Community Tree Lighting. The highlight was Santa arriving by Fire Truck! The younger La Connerites were delighted to see Santa. When Santa's magic dust wasn't working properly to light the tree, the children were right there to help him out. The live music, wonderful cider and cookies, and the feeling of community made for an exceptional festive evening in La Conner.

La Conner ~ Making Spirits Bright!

The Community Tree Lighting “Making Spirits Bright” takes place this Saturday at Gilkey Square!

KBRC will have a live remote on site from 2-5 pm encouraging all listeners to come to La Conner for festivities at Gilkey Square and enjoy Local Appreciation discounts at participating stores!

Festivities at Gilkey Square begin at 4:45 pm and include:

* Einar Tapio on Accordion

*Mayor Ramon Hayes and Marci Plank welcome visitors

*Shelter Bay Chorus

*Amy Hindman & Michael Warmuth

*Santa arrives by fire truck

*Kids can sit on Santa’s lap

*Free Hot cider & cookies

*Live Wreaths for sale

*Sing-a-long carols

La Conner....Making Spirits Bright!

The First 3 Saturdays of December are Local Appreciation Shopping Days in La Conner! Participating store will be staying open later and offering special discounts.

The business community of La Conner would like to thank YOU for shopping local this Holiday Season.

Mary Davis Vintage Lighting has relocated to 402 Morris Street, the site of the old La Conner Firehouse. This new location offers expanded retail space, one of a kind product offerings and quality restoration services. Mary has merged with Tom Minifie of Brass Lamp Antiques from Snohomish WA in this endeavor. Do not miss this unique and specialized business, hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm.

La Conner ~ A One of A Kind Shopping Experience!

La Conner honors the town mascot with The Turkey Trot! During the month of November, La Conner merchants, restaurants and inns will participate in the first event all about girlfriends, shopping and well, turkeys!

There are 3 ways to win!

1: Look for the hidden turkey in participating shops and restaurants for a special gift or discount and be thrown in the hat for one of the La Conner Getaway Packages.

2: Take your group picture with the town turkeys and send it to the Chamber of Commerce. The best photo submitted will also win a La Conner Getaway Package.

3: Lastly, raffle tickets will be sold with all proceeds going to Seattle Children's Hospital and the winner receiving a La Conner Getaway Package.

Leave your turkeys at home and meet your friends in La Conner!

Stay tuned for more Turkey Trot Happenings......

Good News in La Conner! Hotel/Motel Tax Revenue is on the rise this year with more and more people taking holidays closer to home ~ La Conner Staycations!

La Conner Chamber of Commerce reports 21 New Businesses in their fiscal year including Anacortes Iron (yes...located in La Conner), Bearfoot Art Beads, Beckwith Consulting, Castaway Dave's Oldtime Photography, Childhood Bliss Home Sweet Home (new boutique), Crabby's, Exquisite Expressions, Family Floors, Interwave Center, La Conner Thai Restaurant, Lyfe Bank, Management Systems, The Blissful Nest (short-term vacation rental), Quantum Health & Yoga, Ravenskeep Antiques & Guest House, Skagit Valley Styles, The Artist's Remarque, The Smiling Owl, Expansion of Vintage La Conner Thrift Store, Waterfront Cafe, and Weight Watchers. Congratulations!

Shop, Stay & Play in La Conner!

You are invited to enjoy La Conner when the seasons collide: select gourds and pumpkins for fall, play on the beach and enjoy the last summer berries & produce and even scope out your Christmas tree. Celebrate the harvest and shows & our hometown hospitality with an “open barn” celebration featuring: Farm tours (12 to choose from!) including dairy, row crop, animal, organic, orchard, shellfish and Christmas tree Fresh produce, dairy, beef and shellfish markets and roadside stands Delectable treats and free samples Hands-on children’s activities: veggie car races, artificial cow milking, veggie art, oyster shuffleboard & more! Hay rides, pony rides & horse drawn wagons Scarecrow making & corn mazes U-pick and pre-picked pumpkin patches Farm animal viewing, petting and walking Meet the farmer sessions and educational exhibits Farm equipment displays…. and much more! Begin & end your tour in the Historic Waterfront Village of La Conner ~ The Heart of the Skagit Valley! Experience the diversity, beauty and bounty of “Washington’s backyard.” Saturday 10-5 pm and Sunday 12-4 pm.

The entire month of September is Quilt Festival time in La Conner! Come stroll the Historic Town of La Conner and view quilts by the "Fidalgo Island Quilters" in the shops & galleries. Then mark your calendars for September 26th-28th for a visit to the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum & Maple Hall featuring new exhibits by textile artist Reynola Pakusich & textile group "SiX" based in the United Kingdom. Sign up for textile workshops by Roxanne Carter, Judy Irish & Anita Mayer. Specialty vendors will be offering unique gifts & textile supplies.

The La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum if the only quilt museum in Washington & one of only thirteen in the United States. The La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum may be contacted for more information at 360-466-4288, info@laconnerquilts.com or www.laconnerquilts.com.

La Conner....A slower pace, friendly locals, home grown organic food served in many of our restaurants, oldest town in Skagit Valley, Rainbow Bridge and the business district both are listed as historical landmarks, sheltered boating wayfare, perfect for biking, and more! We Welcome You!

With record-high gas prices forcing people to stay closer to home instead of driving or flying long distances, La Conner is offering "Staycationers" the opportunity to save money and get treated like a local. "I’ve seen a trend of guests coming from near-by communities that are first time La Conner visitors" quotes Shelly Davis, Queen of the Valley Inn owner. La Conner's Lodging & Shopping Merchants are offering gas cards, discounts or upgrades with a 3 night stay.

Click Here for Staycation Specials! *photo credit: www.conniecoleman.com

La Connerites have always know that La Conner is one of the most bicycling friendly towns around, but now it's official! Citing our state’s bicycle policies, facilities and programs, the League of American Bicyclists has named Washington as the nation’s No. 1 “Bicycle Friendly State.” This award, the first ever to be given to an entire state, was announced during the National Pro Bike – Pro Walk Conference in Seattle on Sept. 5, 2008. The Bicycle Friendly State Program is a recognition program that ranks a state’s bike-friendliness and recognizes states that actively support bicycling as a way of addressing climate change, traffic congestion, obesity and high fuel prices. States are rated based on their encouragement of bicycling through legislation, policies and programs, education and encouragement, places to ride, and planning. Forgot to bring your bike? La Conner has bicycles for rent! Offered by Tulip Country Bike Tours, bike & stroller rentals are available at the La Conner Marina office located at 613 N. Second St, La Conner. Open 7 days/wk 8:00-5:00. Call 360-466-3118.

How many towns do you know of that have a "museum to people" ratio of 1 museum for every 300 folks? La Conner!

The Museum of Northwest Art presents a new exhibit by artist Ginny Ruffner. Opening July 4 – October 5, 2008 "Aesthetic Engineering: The Imagination Cycle" features new large-scaled sculpture and installation work that cross-fertilizes flora, fauna, and art. This exhibition is a mix of glass, steel, and bronze with explosive flowers, massive leaves, and twisted growing vines, including over 1,000 flowers, and eighteen freestanding sculptures made from bronze, steel, and glass.

The La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum presents: "Path to Edo: Quilts from Japan" July 16 - September 21, 2008 Miwako Kimura, curator and director of the Hanatsunagi-kai Quilt Club in Japan, brings the life and color of Japanese culture to the Northwest in this dazzling exhibit of works produced by a group of quilters from her native land. Edo, now the modern day Tokyo, is also the name of a period in Japan's rich history that would prove to influence Japanese culture for generations to follow. Guest curator Miwako Kimura highlights this enormous and ongoing cultural impact with "Path to Edo", a selection of over 60 quilts created by an array of Japanese quilters. This show, the sixth in a series of highly anticipated visits by Miwako and these Japanese quilters, highlights the marriage between traditional and modern culture in Japan.

The Skagit Valley Historical Museum is celebrating their 40th Anniversary this month! La Conner – “Lost Cities of Skagit: Rediscovering Places of Our Past,” the new featured exhibit at Skagit County Historical Museum, will run February 9 - November 2, 2008. Through rarely seen photographs, maps, stories and artifacts, the exhibit tells the intriguing tales of 17 “lost” Skagit communities including Avon, Bancroft, Bay View, Cypress, Cokedale, Dewey, Finn Settlement, Fir/Conway, Harmony, Hickson/Thornwood, Hoogdal, Marblemount, Milltown, Montborne, Samish/Atlanta, Sauk and Skagit City.

La Conner Photo by Connie Coleman

La Conner Chamber of Commerce is proud to present "Cadillacs Forever", including JrCadillac! There will be over 50 Cadillac cars on display from noon - 5 during the day, a beer garden and live music from 7-10 pm by Jr. Cadillac. Boutiques & Galleries open at 10:00! Book a room, make a dinner reservation, & check out the boutique studded streets of La Conner.

Spend an incredible afternoon and evening at La Conner's First Cadillacs Forever Festival starring JrCadillac! In the past 30 years, many hundreds of groups have come and gone in the Northwest. JrCadillac has endured. There have been personnel changes over the years, but Jr. Cadillac has thrived by playing a danceable mix of original and classic rock ’n’ roll for hundreds of thousands of people. It’s a remarkable achievement. Singer, guitarist and bandleader Ned Neltner, who is also a KPLU-FM (88.5) disc jockey, was asked to reflect on the long, strange trip. “We have seen so many things come and go,” Neltner said. “We’ve watched disco come, go and come again. We’ve seen the rise and current rule of disc jockeys. So what’s the secret? Why has Jr. Cadillac celebrated it's 30 years while so many groups and so many trends, such as big-hair bands and new wave, are history? Neltner’s answer came in three parts: the fact that the group stuck to music he and his band mates love (roots rock); that the members never got too entangled in each others’ personal lives; and, probably most importantly, hard work.

Sponsored by Valley Cadillac in Mount Vernon. Cost is $3 donation to view the Cadillac car show. $10.00 to enter the evening's event or $25.00 to enter your Cadillac car (2 tickets to concert included). To enter your Cadillac, contact Jerry Willins (360) 466-1121.

The La Conner Summer Street Festival, in downtown La Conner in the heart of the Skagit Valley. This fifth annual two-day event will take place June 28th & 29th and will be a Welcome to summertime and a community celebration of regional art. The hours of the Summer Street Festival are Saturday, June 28th 10 am - 6 pm and Sunday, June 29th 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is free. Artists from throughout the Pacific Northwest will showcase their handmade, unique wares along the street that leads to La Conner’s historic waterfront district. Merchants will join in with sidewalk sales & events. This family-oriented event will feature activities for children throughout the weekend. Musical entertainment and food specials for lunch, snacks and dinner offered by local restaurants. Whether it is art, designer fashion, footwear, fabulous food and wine, flowers or that special gift you have been looking for … you can find it in the Village of La Conner. Locally owned boutiques, galleries, & Inns. Stroll the Village! A great day trip from Vancouver to La Conner or Seattle to La Conner....Of course, we also welcome you to stay for the weekend! La Conner Summer Street Festival Website

4/26:The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival has been extended through May 4! There are still acres of blooming tulips and even a few spots where tulips have yet to fully bloom. Flowers at the two display gardens, RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town, are in full force and will remain so through the end of the festival. Festival-related activites, including bike trips, boat tours and wine tasting, will continue as well. "Anybody who comes up will have a great time seeing tulips, and there's still plenty going on" says Festival Executive Director Cindy Verge.

4/18: As far as the gardens at RoozenGaarde are concerned... it looks like we are going to have tulips in bloom well into May. Right now the garden is showing lots of beautiful colors but we still have some late varieties that have yet to show any bloom. This should extend the season to the first weekend in May hopefully. ~ Everyone wants to know how the cold weather is affecting the flowers? At this point since most of the flowers are already showing a lot of color, the winter weather is only extending the bloom period. Its like putting them in an outdoor cooler.

4/15: The tulips are blooming! Check your tulip festival map ~ Fields 6,7,11,16,17,27,and 28 are starting to dazzle. If you don't have a map handy, these fields are located on La Conner-Whitney Rd, Mc Lean Rd, Calhoun Rd, and AvonAllen Rd. Take in the Tulips, Shop the La Conner Boutiques & Galleries, and Enjoy Fine Cuisine all in La Conner!

4/10: I drove all over the valley looking for blooming tulips this morning. Since they were on the front page of the Skagit Valley Herald yesterday, I figured I better see where they are for myself and I found them! The fields actually blooming (multiple fields of different colors) are at Tulip Town. The cost to park and enter Tulip Town is $5 for adults, 16 yrs and younger are free. Check back here for up-to-date Tulip Bloom Information! ~Marci Plank, La Conner Chamber Executive Director

4/1Keep your eye on the Bloom Map for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival daily bloom updates. The daff's are looking lovely, the tulips are starting to bloom, and the art shows are rolling! Be sure to check out the April Specials, Happenings & Events

La Conner Chamber of Commerce is here to make your Tulip Festival visit enjoyable. Please stop by our Visitor Information Center, 2nd block on your left as you enter town, or give us a call at 360.466.4778 ~ info@laconnerchamber.com. We can help you with room availability, dinner reservations, shopping guides, tours, and a friendly greeting. We welcome you to the village of La Conner.

Would you like to be the first to know of upcoming Specials, Happenings, and Events in and around La Conner? La Conner's E-Newsletter is delivered to your in box monthly. Freshen Up Your Resources and Join Today! Just click on La Conner's E-Newsletter in the upper right-hand side of this page and subscribe.

Jennings Yarn & Needlecrafts wins the final week window display contest with The Little Village. The Village of La Conner is the place to shop for the Holidays! Where else can you shop at all locally owned boutiques and galleries? Think Global, Shop Local.

Bears N' Friends wins the third week La Conner Window Display Contest. La Conner's Vintage Holiday was enjoyed by all who visited! Peforming Arts, Lighted Boat Parade, Animated Window Displays, and beautiful lights everywhere! Come Visit La Conner during the Winter Holidays.

Childhood Bliss takes the prize this week for best animated window display. Vintage animated boy & girl decorate the tree. This circa 1950's window display brings on 20th century nostalgia as does the It's a Small World ride at Disneyland. The holiday is fast approaching! Find that special gift at one of La Conner's many locally owned boutiques and galleries. After your shopping, you will have many choices of outstanding Northwest Cuisine!

La Conner was packed Saturday Night for the annual Holiday Lighted Boat Parade on the Channel. The Swinomish Yacht Club put on a show from the pink octupus to the huge rudolph nose to a brave dancer covered with Holiday Lights! Come Stroll the Waterfront Village of La Conner. Shop at Locally Owned Boutiques & Galleries, Dine at Chef Owned Restaurants, Explore Nationally Renowned Museums, and Rest~Renew~Refresh at one of our fine Lodging Choices! (Photo by Kirsten Morse)

Each week one La Conner Business will win the "Best Window Display of the Week" Award. We have a pair of local window shoppers working undercover to choose the best display each week. You may be able to spot these undercover volunteers if you happen to see the most adorable couple walking daily hand in hand. Nasty Jack's World Famous Antiques took the first week award with a Vintage Frosty the Snowman being decorated by children in motion, circa 1940. Come Stroll the Historic Waterfront Village of La Conner while taking in the Animated Holiday Display Windows and Lights!

King 5 Evening Magazine visited La Conner last week via seaplane to cover the 23rd Annual Arts Alive Festival AND The Wild Iris Inn! The Wild Iris Inn of La Conner took first place as Western Washington's Best Bed & Breakfast. The Wild Iris Inn can be described as a small, intimate boutique hotel, country inn, romantic retreat, but certainly never ordinary. Located in downtown LaConner, Washington, the inn is a short four block walk to the Swinomish Channel and the unique boutiques & galleries on First Street & Morris Street. La Conner has a wide array of Lodging Options from Artistic Guest Houses to Waterfront Inns. Book a Room Today! La Conner...Small Town - Big Scene!

Excitement is growing in La Conner. Who will win eight whopping giveaways this fall? For instance, there’s a Feel Good Package, including fine dining, entertainment and spa visits or choices of getaway packages for girlfriends, families and romantics. There’s even a Wedding Package valued at $3,145. Monthly announcement of winners start in October. It’s easy to join the fun. Just click on La Conner Giveaway E-Mailing List and read prize details. Add your e-mail address. Then starting in January, you’ll receive a free newsletter updating you on events and happenings in your favorite getaway – the historical waterfront village with the landmark Rainbow Bridge.

Mark Conley of Seaside Gallery is one of the hosts welcoming visitors to La Conner’s Third Saturday Art Walk – between 4 and 8 p.m. Conley features new artists monthly. As you meander downtown, drop in at premier galleries, meet artists and view fresh displays of artwork. In this arts colony, just about everyone’s got art! You’ll find art exhibited in places as diverse as the La Conner Fruit & Produce Market and the La Conner Brewing Company. Just keep walking, there’s plenty to see along First Street. And when it’s time for a break, relax while sipping local wines, tasting delicious fare at an array of bistros or shopping for unusual merchandise in the boutiques.

Listen for the town crier proclaiming “Paint La Conner” as artists capture scenes of the Rainbow Bridge or views of the historical waterfront. Non-stop activity at Maple Hall includes 40 artists showing their work, demonstrations, shows, sales, auctions, and face painting for the kids. As you stroll downtown, stop at the Museum of Northwest Art and enjoy eclectic glasswork, international quilt displays at the La Conner Quilt museum or agricultural photos at the Skagit County Historical Museum. Premier galleries and boutiques offer browsing pleasure for art connoisseurs and for anyone appreciating beautiful objects.