Oh, Sweet Pea

To kick off the school year for all, this past weekend was Pullman's biggest event of the year - the National Lentil Festival!

  Although we missed the Friday evening festivities featuring a 350+ gallon bowl of lentil chili, (mmm!) we did make it for most of Saturday's events that included a parade followed by food, crafts and entertainment at a nearby park.  Better to show you than to tell you about it:

Yes - they actually use this to make & serve the lentil chili.

All aboard the lentil express!

or, the wheatland express! (This bus is not gluten free.)

Butch Cougar!

Look - it's Coach Leach!

 The Wazzu Crew was sort of the grand finale to the parade, so then we followed the crowd over to Reaney Park for food and fun. We made mosaics from lentils, sampled lentil chips ( Plentils!) and learned plenty about the legume family.

 Plus, the WSU Raptor Club was there! (Turns out, anyone over 18 can join the club, you don't have to be a WSU Vet student. Considering membership...) 

This is Widget, the barn owl. It's rare to get so close to a barn owl but his handler said, "He's a very confused owl." You can read Widget's story here.

Widget, the confused barn owl.

 The kids area featured some odd entertainment, including a 'stand-up' comedian whose whole set was making potty jokes (OK, it was a 5-12yr old crowd) and this eccentrically-dressed, somewhat crotchety, though  impressive  juggler:

We even got a photo with one of the festival mascots, Mr. Dan D. Pea!

spokespea for the USA Dry Pea & Lentil council

 Maggie reports:
"The Lentil Fest was very fun and entertaining.
I loved the craft tent.
Hang Loose, Dan D. Pea!"