Licks, Pullman WA

The weather is still insanely hot here. It's not all bad, we had great weather for the Palouse Empire Fair last week and good weather in the forecast for the Latah County Fair this year (sorry no Palouse Empire Fair post due to computer malfunction).
The great thing about the hot weather is ice cream. Can't always make it to Ferdinand's on the WSU campus but that's okay because Licks on Main Street carrying Ferdinand's ice cream.

Connected to the Daily Grind Coffeehouse, Licks is an old-fashioned sort of ice cream shop. They serve only the best ice cream and chocolates in a variety of ways. Get your ice cream on a cone, dish or sundae. Worried about it melting - get it in a cup as a smootie or milkshake.

Licks is located at 230 E Main st, downtown Pullman. They are open seven days a week from 11:30 to 10 pm (if no one is in the shop, walk over to Daily Grind for service).
Follow them on facebook to be kept up to date on specials.

Hero's and Sports, Pullman Washington

Over the next month, it is my plan to share some of the best places for students to visit. So many places get overlooked because they are not as flashy or as accessible. That doesn't mean you shouldn't make the effort, in most cases you will be well rewarded.
Hero's and Sports is a little (and I mean little) sandwich shop on Kamiaken. It sits at the end of the Pufferbelly Depot (not really a part of the depot) next to the river.

It's more of a carry-out sort of place with limited seating at the restaurant. During warm days, you can sit outside but those days will soon be limited.

It may seem strange to get excited about a sandwich shop but Hero's and Sports does the best sandwiches around. You can get them hot or cold, with soup or salad. They also serve wraps and paninis (which are just other types of sandwiches). They do deliver for a small fee. I can't tell you why you need to try them but once you do you'll understand. They are open 11-8pm Monday through Saturday and on Sunday from 11 to 5pm. They have their take away menus outside when they are closed so you can grab one for future reference.

Lentil Festival, Pullman Wa Part Two

If you're in the area, come to Pullman tonight and get your free lentil chili. Tomorrow promises to be an even better day (but no chili). We're planning to attend the Lentil Pancake Breakfast in the Cougar Plaza starting at 8 am. The cost is $7 for those over 12 and $5 for those under (with those real young ones getting in free but I can't remember the age cut off). This is the first year we've gone to the breakfast so I can't tell you how it's going to be. Sounds like they have a great menu.
After breakfast, the parade on main street starts at 11 am. This is really some of the real fun of the festival. The entries are silly and amazing.





The parade is long and there is some waiting for slow participants but there's plenty to keep you entertained.
Follow the parade to Reaney park for the rest of the days festivities.
There's booths set up to sell you lentil inspired wares (not all booths have lentils but a number of them will). Set the kids free at the kids activities and sit back and watch the entertainment from the stage. If you're looking for more activity try the 3 on 3 basketball tournament, the skate competition or the softball tournament at the playfields. At 2 there's the lentil cook-off tasting. Get a free sample of the top entries and help choose this year's winner. There's a microbrew tent for those who want to cool off with a beer. Lots of things for everyone to do.





Check out their website for more information.

I want to close with my favorite picture from last year's fun. This little girl had just finished the parade and walked with the Health Department and their Healthy Veggies.

Lentil Festival - Pullman Washington

The Palouse region is one of the few areas in the US that grows dry peas and lentils. We are also the home of the US Dry Pea and Lentil Council. Every year people gather in Pullman to celebrate this little legume with a fun weekend festival.
Today I will share friday activities and on Friday, I'll share Saturday's fun with you. There's a golf tournament on Sunday but since I don't play golf I don't have any fun pictures.
Most of the activities are free to the public so come and enjoy.
Friday - come downtown for the world's largest bowl of lentil chili. The chili is free (except you could be in line for a little bit) but many groups sell cornbread along the street. There are tons of activities as various organizations share their information. There will be additional food for sale. There have been bouncy castles and the like and some years they have been free. I can't say they'll be free this year and the lentil festival site is not sharing that information.

The Mayor helps serve the chili. Here, he's taken a moment to talk with the media about the event. If you haven't meet Glenn Johnson - he's a really nice guy and does a lot of great service to the community.

Bouncy Castle

View from the Red Cross booth - check them out. I'll be there at 8:30 Friday to share information.