Arbor Day Festival is April 13

The 14th annual Arbor Festival is 10 a.m-3 p.m April 13. With “tax day” just around the corner, this would be a great time to allow yourself to breathe, relax and enjoy nature.

The free event is designed for the entire family. This year’s theme is “Nature’s ‘Tree’rific Art,” to emphasize the celebration of the many wonders and varieties of natural science and conservation. Hands-on learning activities, crafts and displays will be on-hand, and up to 40 stations will be set up and run by various organizations in the area. As many as 600 families will be able to take home a tree to plant on Arbor Day, which is April 26 this year.

The Arbor Festival takes place at Yakima Area Arboretum, 1401 Arboretum Drive, Yakima. Call 509-248-7337 or visit ahtrees.org for more info.

Moses Lake water park a great day trip option

Summer usually means road trips, and you don’t have to go far if you’re looking for a real water park adventure.
Moses Lake is home to Surf ‘n Slide Water Park, which attracts visitors from all over the area. There are plenty of attractions for the brave swimmers, but there’s no need to be shy; the water park offers fun options for all ages and abilities.
There are plenty of ways to make a splash at the park. Some highlights include two 200-foot water slides, a 300-foot “river,” an artificial surfing simulator, volleyball courts, pools and diving boards, and a tube slide.
This year’s early season opens May 26 until June 7, when operating hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends, and 4-8 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Regular season commences June 8 until Aug. 28, when the hours expand to 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
Late season spans Aug. 29-Sept. 3, when hours go back to 11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends, and 4-8 p.m. Monday-Friday.
It’s advised to call ahead of your trip to make sure hours haven’t changed.
Cost: $9 adult, $8 student (ages 13-17), $7 seniors and children (ages 5-12), free for children under 4. Call or check website for season and family passes.

If you go:
Surf ‘n Slide Water Park
401 W. 4th Ave.
Moses Lake
509-764-3842
surfnslide.com

Free water playgrounds

Keep your cool in the summer at Yakima’s two interactive water playgrounds.

The playgrounds, featuring spray toys and sprinklers, are free — but we like to bring a couple of bucks in case an ice cream vendor passes by.

The playgrounds are at Miller Park at N. Fourth and “E” streets; and Martin Luther King Park, corner of Eighth Street and E. Beech.

Oh, and don’t worry if the water’s not running when you get there — just press the button on the red post.