Puyallup
The Daffodil Festival pays tribute to this floral bounty. Daffodils first came to the Puyallup Valley in the 1920s as the area's hop industry was dying out. About 200 varieties are grown, the best known being the King Alfred daffodil. A big parade through downtown is the highlight and takes place in early April. For information about other festival events phone (253) 840-4194.
“Do the Puyallup” at the Washington State Fair, held in September. A celebration of life in the Evergreen State, the fair has it all: midway rides, thrill rides (including the looping Rainier Rush roller coaster), big-name concerts, a rodeo, a cattle drive, animal exhibits, interactive games, a beer garden and of course plenty of edibles, from scones to barbecue to a fleischkuechle (German meat turnover). It all happens at the Washington State Fair Events Center, 110 9th Ave. S.W.
The holidays are celebrated in traditional style at A Victorian Country Christmas Festival, held at the Washington State Fair Events Center in early December. A Victorian-themed village is filled with shops offering ornaments, holiday-themed decorations, toys, jewelry and art. Gourmet food items can be sampled at the Winter Wine Garden, and stage shows and concerts take place at two venues, the Holiday Jubilee Theater and the Victorian Christmas Opry Theater.
Visitor Centers
Puyallup/Sumner Chamber of Commerce 323 N. Meridian Puyallup, WA 98371. Phone:(253)845-6755
Shopping
The anchor stores at South Hill Mall, a quarter of a mile south of SR 512 at 3500 S. Meridian St., are JCPenney and Macy's. Downtown Puyallup has a dozen or so antique and secondhand shops, mostly along Meridian Street.