The other day, there was no school for the Yakima School District students, and my seven-year old daughter, Willow, requested that we have lunch "in a restaurant". We went over to the Olive Garden (222 E Yakima Ave), which is adjacent to the Millennium Plaza. I had a gift card to use, so I treated Willow with her favorite Italian treat, some good old-fashioned pepperoni pizza.

After our lunch, we walked back to where I had parked our car in the "Millennium Plaza Parking Lot", as I affectionately call it. Willow was chock full of questions about what each one of the displayed artistic elements in the plaza represented. Unfortunately, I had no idea what any of them were, but we soon learned much about Yakima Valley history because of it.

The talk of the town is that the city of Yakima has to decide whether or not to demolish the presiding downtown Millennium Plaza on Third St, should residents vote "Yes" for the new Yakima Plaza in the November general election. Many locals want to see the structure destroyed because they get frightened away by the homeless population that frequently hangs out at the Plaza. Some would like to see the Millennium moved to a new location. And many others don't really care one way or the other what happens to it.

When you get a chance, check out the open-air exhibit. You will learn a few things about the Yakima Valley that you probably did not know!

The Millennium Plaza hosts many events for locals throughout the year, such as the Downtown Yakima Farmers Market on Sundays, the Holiday Tree Lighting, Holiday Horse Carriage Rides, Fresh Hop Ale Festival, Yakima Uncorked Wine & Beer Festival, and so much more!

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