One celebration you don’t want to miss this year is the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival. When a French soldier brought sweet onion seeds to Walla Walla in the late 1800s, he discovered that this valley’s abundance of water and rich vegetation was the perfect environment for cultivating this crop. Ever since then, sweet onions have been produced here as a specialty vegetable crop, loved by both locals and visitors alike. The annual Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival honors this significant crop through music, games, foods, and much more! Discover everything there is to do during this exciting weekend and start making your plans to attend today!
For additional recommendations on things to do and see during your visit to Walla Walla, be sure to access our exclusive Vacation Guide. Simplify your planning with our complimentary guide.
Things to Do at the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival
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Play Fun Games
Visitors of all ages will love the games of the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival! Participate in the Sweet Onion Sack Race, see how many onions you can eat in the Onion Eating Competition, or try your luck at Sweet Onion Bowling (during which you roll a sweet onion instead of a bowling ball to knock down the pins)! There will be face painting for the children as well.
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Enjoy Entertainment
There will be local bands playing at this festival to provide great music to enhance your experience. You can also watch some incredible dance team demos during the Sweet Onion Festival.
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Observe Chef Demonstrations
Some of the most talented chefs of the Wine Country Culinary Institute and the Walla Walla Community College demonstrate their skills at the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival. They will be preparing a myriad of Walla Walla sweet onion recipes as well as many other tasty creations.
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Browse Vendor Stands
Stroll through the countless vendor booths to bring home a souvenir of this event or indulge in an appetizing treat! They will be selling all kinds of items such as mouthwatering snacks, handcrafted gifts, frozen yogurt, and much more.
Relax at Cameo Heights Mansion
Complete your getaway to Walla Walla by treating yourself to the most luxurious lodging possible. Cameo Heights Mansion is a romantic bed and breakfast in Walla Walla that offers comfortable rooms and outstanding amenities. Here, you can choose to explore the surrounding area, attend the local events, or simply spend time on our beautiful property. We have extraordinary features, such as a pool, hot tub, game room, theatre room, vineyard, restaurant, and so much more. Check our availability to start planning the trip of a lifetime!