'Spring Barrel Weekend' & Sukiyaki Dinner: 2 Things Not to Miss

Oh, you thought you were going to stay at home and do nothing all weekend (or get some stuff done around the house), did you? Think again, because I've got two, count 'em, 2, great reasons to leave the house: a delicious, authentic homemade Japanese dinner with Japanese entertainment, and a once-in-a-year-don't-miss-it wine tasting festival. The best part is that it's all here in the fashionable Yakima Valley, so you can go home at the end of the day without doing too much driving!

62ND SUKIYAKI DINNER IN WAPATO

I'm willing to be that you haven't seen taiko and ukulele performances up close and in person before, so now's your chance. See it live and in color at the Sukiyaki Dinner on Sunday.

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It will be Children's Day on top of the annual celebration, hosted by the Japanese community of the Yakima Buddhist Church. They will be serving authentic, homemade Japanese "comfort food" for sale, lovingly prepared by volunteers.

The event will also have activities for the kids and other entertainment. I've already got my family's tickets, and we can't wait to go. Don't already have a ticket? Get it online here or bring $30 cash to buy a ticket at Dunbar Jewelers, Yakima Valley Museum, or the Yakima Visitor's Center.

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SPRING BARREL WEEKEND 2025

If sipping on wine and making new friends is your thing, this weekend is like "the big game" of wine drinking. Even Paul Giamatti's wine snob character from Sideways would be stoked to attend this event!

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You get to travel to all kinds of unique and family-owned wineries for a fun tasting celebration of their wines fresh from the spring barrels.

PRO TIP and WORD TO THE WISE: Bring your own glass!

Make sure you have someone who doesn't mind being a designated driver and doing a lot of driving and waiting around because it will be a long day for them (but will likely fly by for you)!