May 1 - 31  Imagination Central - Exhibit at CREATE ARTS CENTER

Art by young people ages 4 – 17 will be featured. An all-media, open subject exhibit. Open Tuesday through Friday, 9:00am – 1:00pm. CREATE ARTS CENTER, 900 W 4th St.  509-447-9277, or go to www.createarts.com

May 1st   Museum Opens

The Pend Oreille Historical Society Museum in Newport will be open every day from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. between May 1st and Mid-October. Plan to take some time to visit our great museum. Located in Centennial Plaza at the foot of Washington Avenue.

May 9th   Summer Kick Start

A NEWPORT OLDTOWN CHAMBER EVENT - Come down to Centennial Plaza for our Kick off to Summer. Museum tours, food and entertainment. Also special sales by local businesses. For information, contact the Chamber Office at 509-447-5812.

May 9th   Camp Grounds Open

Albeni Cove, Riley Creek and The Mudhole all open May 9th. For information and/or reservations, contact the Army Corps of Engineers at 208-437-5517.

May 10th   Iris Garden Opens

Located at 205 N. Craig Ave., Newport, the Iris Garden features a great Iris display, wool spinning demonstrations as well as herbs and Iris bulbs for sale. Open weekends while the Iris are blooming. For information, contact Robert Karr at 509-671-1539.

May 14th   Crimes, Criminals & Frontier Justice in the Pacific Northwest at the Blanchard Community Center.

Come down and hear acclaimed authors Tony and Suzanne Bamonte, former Pend Oreille County Sheriff, talk about frontier crime and the sudden and final methods it was dealt with. Starts at 7:00 P.M.

May 15 - 16  Home & Garden Show

A NEWPORT OLDTOWN CHAMBER EVENT.  Held at Rotary Park in Oldtown, this show features local businesses with information on home improvement and gardening. For information contact the Chamber office at 509-447-5812

May 16 - July 3   Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit at the Cutter Theater

Head up to the Cutter Theater in Metaline Falls for a great traveling exhibit by the Smithsonian Institution. For more information, contact The Cutter Theater at 509-446-4108

May 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, & 30 -  PEND OREILLE PLAYERS PRESENTS The Sorcerer at the Pend Oreille Playhouse.  Advance Tickets - $8/single - $6/groups of 5 or more - $10/at the door

May 29 - 31   Blanchard Community Plant & Rummage Sale

This event is held at the Blanchard Community Center and features all types of local plants and some great rummage. Just head down Highway 41, turn right at the gas station, and look for the signs.

June 1 - 25   Rhubarb and Other Growing Things - Exhibit at CREATE ARTS CENTER

An all-media exhibit enhancing our Annual Rhubarb Festival. Subject matter may include plants, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, flowers, herbs, etc. Hours: 9:00am – 1:00pm, Tuesday – Friday. CREATE ARTS CENTER, 900 W. 4th St., 447-9277 or www.createarts.org

June 6 - 7   Free Fishing in Washington

No fishing license is required (but other rules do apply) for anyone fishing on these dates. A great way to take your kids fishing and you, too!

June 13 - 14   Annual Rhubarb Festival at CREATE ARTS CENTER 

Come to CREATE ARTS CENTER for two fun-filled days of Rhubarb, entertainment & great food.

June 20  Blanchard Community Auction

Head down to the Blanchard Community Center for their annual Community Auction.  Here you will find lots of goodies and old treasures. 9:00am – 4:00pm, at the Blanchard Community Center

June 25 - 27   Newport PWRA Rodeo

Rodeo Grounds in Newport. Thursday, June 25 is Family Night. No Rodeo action but vendor booths and a carnival. June 26 & 27 features Rodeo action starting at 7:00pm, with the vendor booths opening at 4:00pm. Rodeo Parade on Saturday, June 27, starting at 11:00am.

Download the Parade Entry Form here.

July 1   Summer Charm - Exhibit at CREATE ARTS CENTER

An all-media exhibit dedicated to the charm and beauty of summer. CREATE ARTS CENTER, 900 W. 4th St., 447-9277, www.createarts.org

July 11 - 12   Lavender Festival

Held at Newport City Park, this event features lots of lavender, quality handcrafts and garden products, great food, wine tasting, and professional musicians.  Hours are 9:00 am to 7:00 pm on Saturday, and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday.  The Festival features a new Saturday dinner hour, expanded wine garden hours, children’s fairy house and art activities, an Italian restaurant row, and an even more beautiful, relaxing  Tuscan ambience.  This year’s Festival artist is water colorist Fabian Napolsky Admission $5.  Children under age 12 free.

July 18 - 19   28th Annual Poker Paddle

Register for this year’s Poker Paddle and prepare for a fun-filled weekend on the beautiful Pend Oreille River. The two-day event begins at Usk on Saturday morning and finishes Sunday afternoon at the Ione City Park, after enjoying approximately 32 miles of panoramic river and mountain scenery.

The Poker Paddle is a great outdoor family event. Paddlers stop at 8 stops along the way, collecting their poker hands as they go. First, second, and third place prizes are awarded in eight categories. The grand prize winner will receive a 14-foot canoe.

Entry forms are available for download here or at the Chamber Office.  Contact the Poker Paddle Chairman at 509-447-4812 for more information

July 25 - 26   Down River Days in Ione

This event features ski-boat races, train rides, food vendors and entertainment.  A great time is had by all. For information, contact the Town of Ione at 509-442-3611

August 1 - 27   Heat - Exhibit at CREATE ARTS CENTER

Usually the hottest month of the year, we will celebrate August temperatures with hot color and representations of heat in any medium.  CREATE ARTS CENTER, 900 W. 4th St. 447-9277 – www.createarts.org

August 1 - September 13   Fish Frenzy at CREATE ARTS CENTER

Purchase your plywood fish and decorate it to win prizes. Fish are available at CREATE ARTS CENTER and the Newport Oldtown Chamber office. The completed fish will be displayed at  local businesses so people can vote on the favorite fish in several categories. For information, or to reserve a fish, call CREATE ARTS CENTER at 447-9277.

August 7- 8   Relay For Life

Help us defeat Cancer by attending the Relay For Life. The event starts at 6:00 P.M. on August 7th, and ends at about 10:00 A.M. August 8th. There will be games, entertainment and some really great food. For information, contact Terri Ivie at The Priest River Times – 208-448-2431

August 14 - 16   Pend Oreille County Fair & Rodeo

Wander up to the Fair Grounds in Cusick for an old-time county fair and rodeo.  Exhibits, food, demonstrations and some great rodeo action. For times, contact the Fair Association at 509-445-1367

August 22nd   Newport Oldtown Chamber of Commerce Annual Duck Race

Come to the Interstate Bridge at 1:00 P.M. and watch the rubber duckies start their swim to Kelly Island. Each duck is numbered, and the first three across the finish line wins prizes for their “owners”. Duck race tickets cost $5.00 each and are available at the Chamber Office and selected local businesses. For more information, contact the Chamber Office at 509-447-5812.

August 30th   Great Northwest Bike Tour

Saddle up for a choice of 25, 50, or 85 mile bike rides through some of the best scenery you can find anywhere. The ride starts at Newport City Park at 7:00 A.M. Come back to the park for good eats. Entry Forms Available at the Chamber Office