A variety of winter events are taking place in the Wenatchee Valley from November 2011 to March 2012. Following are some highlights with visitor appeal:
From Nov. 11-12, Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker tells the beloved Christmas story of the girl who falls in love with a nutcracker prince, but with Russian flair. Held at the Performing Arts Center of Wenatchee, 40 impeccably trained Russian dancers leap, spin and lunge to Pytor Tchaikovsky's famous score.
www.pacwen.org
On Nov. 12, the special events continue with a Holiday Wine Walk and Open House. Clients can enjoy a crisp autumn afternoon sipping wine and dining on a barbeque picnic in the vineyard of Chateau Faire le Pont.
www.wenatcheewines.com
Nov. 19-21 brings the Wenatchee Festival of Trees, featuring holiday trees elaborately decorated by local volunteers and companies. Following the showcase each tree is sold at an auction with proceeds benefitting the Performing Arts Center of Wenatchee. The event also offers entertainment, photos with Santa Claus and a gala dinner and auction.
www.wenatcheefestivaloftrees.com
From Nov. 25-27, the area's Fall Barrel Tasting and Open House invites clients to preview new wines with tastings of varietals and specialty food items. Nominal fees may be charged at some wineries.
www.wenatcheewines.com
On Dec. 20, the Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis makes an appearance at Wenatchee’s Town Toyota Center. Mannheim Steamroller has two traveling troupes to meet the continued and increasing demand for what has become a holiday tradition.
www.towntoyotacenter1.com
On Saturdays beginning Dec. 31, clients can go on guided twilight snowshoe treks at Mission Ridge. The one-hour trip is a moderate excursion through the starlit snow-covered mountain terrain. Snowshoe rentals are $15 per day and the guided trek is $10 per person.
www.missionridge.com
Jan. 21, 2012 is the date for the ninth annual Wenatchee Winter Wine Gala at the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Local chefs offer sweet and savory gourmet morsels to pair with the wines as guests meander through the museum sampling the flavors of the region.
www.wvmcc.org
Feb. 25 hails the 24th annual Högloppet, a non-competitive 30k ski trek starting at the top of the Mission Ridge Ski Area and continuing over the mountain to Blewett Pass.
www.skileavenworth.com
March 24 brings more snowy action during the Dummy Downhill at Mission Ridge Ski and Snowboard Resort. Participants in this quirky event use their creativity to present their non-human dummy on either skis or a snowboard. Awards given include most creative, most likely to survive and the judge’s choice award.
www.missionridge.com
The Details
The Wenatchee Valleywww.wenatcheevalley.org
