Walla Walla’s wine scene is currently receiving international attention. But those of us who have called Washington home for awhile know that it’s about so much more. For almost four decades, the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival has been showcasing the area’s signature vegetable in the most delicious way. And while we have a few months to wait, we’re happy to see that the 2020 dates have been set.

It all started in the late 1800s, when a French soldier named Peter Pieri brought sweet onion seeds from the island of Corsica to Walla Walla County.
Walla Walla Sweet Onions / Facebook
Using selective cultivation over time, he and the local farmers developed the large, sweet, round onions we know and love today.
The Walla Walla Valley's rich vegetation and plentiful water was the perfect environment for cultivating the perfect onion.
Walla Walla Sweet Onions / Facebook
In 2007, the Washington State Governor signed a bill that declared the Walla Walla Sweet Onion our state's official vegetable.
The Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival is a local summer tradition that gets more popular every year.
Walla Walla Sweet Onions / Facebook
This year's festival date is July 18, so mark your calendar (and get your hotel room) now.
The festival is always held on Main Street between Third and Fourth streets, with fun festivities kicking off at 9 a.m.
Walla Walla Sweet Onions / Facebook
There will be plenty of delicious food there (onion-filled and otherwise), but the festival is about so much more.
Shop at a special Farmers Market for all the local produce and other cuisine Eastern Washington is known for, then learn how to cook it all by watching executive chefs demonstrating their favorite sweet onion recipes.
Walla Walla Sweet Onions / Facebook
There's also a fun run, children's activities, music, local vendors, and more.
The Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee, the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation, the Downtown Farmers Market come together with local businesses and volunteers to make this all happen, and it's always a blast.
Walla Walla Sweet Onions / Facebook
Walla Walla is such a beautiful city, and it was actually listed as one of the best places in the world to visit in 2018 by Travel + Leisure. This festival is a great excuse to explore it.
The Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival is free to attend, although the food, some activities, and the 5k Funion Runion aren't.
Walla Walla Sweet Onions / Facebook
And of course, you'll want to bring plenty of cash for the Onion Fund.

Learn more about this lively (and delicious) festival here.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Related Articles

Explore Washington

Featured Addresses
Walla Walla, WA 99362, USA