If you’re out at the Brick for Happy Hour this Friday and you hear some nearby quacking, it’s likely you have just waddled into a 10 years running local event called Duckfest. Originally started as a neighborhood BBQ back in the Summer of 2007, Duckfest has evolved into a local tradition that includes royalty, special handshakes, majestic attire, rubber duck races, and good times with friends new and old. To organize the first Duckfest, it was decided a royal court needed to be formed to manage the planning, and thus, the first King and Queen of Duckfest were crowned. The first year was a potluck style party where neighbors came together with food and home brewed beer to spend an evening under the stars chatting and playing guitars around a fire. Over time, new traditions developed, including the rubber duck races that commence in the Brick’s 23 foot long running water spittoon (Friday, August 19th this year). The races usually kick off with a toast given by the reigning King and Queen over a round of Duckfarts. Following the races, the Duckfesters and new found friends parade to other establishments, often with instruments and dressed in grand attire. The Friday festivities are open to anyone who wishes to participate in this Roslyn style fun. Just show up at the Brick and join in with the crowd. Later in the weekend, a locals only Duckfest event is held to celebrate the company of friends, enjoy live music, and crown the new King and Queen, who will carry the tradition forward into the following year. Duckfest is just another example of how fun it is to live in the unique and wonderfully quacktastic city of Roslyn.
This weekend, Roslyn is once again going to the dogs! The ARRF Animal Rescue Doggie Olympics will be held Saturday July 23rd at Runje Park. The annual ARRF Doggie Olympics supports a great cause and is fun for the entire family! Bring the kids and bring the dogs for a morning packed full of fun K9 competitions, including:
- Doggie Dash
- Dunking for Dogs
- Peanut Butter Lick
- Musical Hoops
- Most Unusual Trick
- Frisbee Throw
C
ome celebrate the arts during the 2016 Roslyn Art Festival on August 5th and 6th. In addition to the many different types of art on display, you can look forward to a Friday night street dance, a Saturday wine reception, and “try-it” stations that enable anyone to exercise their inner artist. Pennsylvania Avenue will be closed between 1st and 2nd street starting at 7:30pm Friday night for family friendly street dancing. The wine reception Saturday will take place from 7pm to 9:30pm at Basecamp Books and Bites and include hors d’oeuvres crafted by Rustic Root Catering Company (tickets for the reception can be purchased at roslynartfestival.org). The Roslyn Art Festival aims to promote art and artists and also celebrate the historical qualities of Roslyn, Washington. So come on out to show your support and celebrate the Arts, Roslyn style!
Basecamp Books and Bites has some great new additions. The downstairs bar is now open and so is the back patio. With a direct connection to the neighboring Roslyn Yard, this spot is quickly becoming a popular place to eat, drink, and enjoy the city of Roslyn. The bar offers a handful of beers on tap, as well as an assortment of bottles and cans. Wines and specialty cocktails round out the beverage menu, and Friday Night Flights is an opportunity to try something new. Can’t decide what to order? Let us recommend the Bloody Mary. Served with stuffed olive, pepperoncini, celery, lime and a strip of bacon, the Mary is a fantastic way to star your day.
Are you craving authentic Texas style BBQ in a great outdoor environment? If so, be sure to visit Roots BBQ, Roslyn’s new outdoor BBQ pit. Brisket and Ribs are available by the pound and smoked chicken and hot links are also at the ready. Side dishes include Collard Greens, Pit Beans, Copper Carrots, and Coleslaw. Of course, beer and wine is also available to help you beat the heat. Brisket and pulled pork sandwiches top off the menu and plenty of condiments and BBQ sauces are available at the tailgate condiment bar (which is constructed form an actual tailgate from an old fashioned pickup truck). Roots is located right behind the Roslyn Café and is open from 11:30am to 9pm Thursday through Sunday.
If you’re coming to visit Roslyn, be sure to plan enough time to stop into the new #9 Miner’s Grill for lunch or dinner. Formerly the Cruise-In Diner, this newly revamped establishment brings the feel of a traditional roadhouse, complete with complimentary peanuts and a license to discard your shells on the floor as you please. We stopped in for lunch and had a fantastic cheeseburger with all the fixin’s and a trip through the salad bar. Steak and chicken sandwiches, elk burgers, a fish sandwich, fish and chips, and even a BLT are examples of other items that grace the lunch menu. Of course, the highlight of the dinner menu is the steaks! New York, flank, and flat iron steaks are proudly sourced from Cle Elum’s own Owen’s Meats. No roadhouse grill would be complete without a selection of cocktails, wines and beers. There are no draught beer options currently, but the beer selection includes a wide range of traditional lagers and a solid assortment of Ales in 22 ounce bottles (including options from local brewers like Icicle, Roslyn, and Iron Horse). So, when you’re heading into town, be sure to bring your appetite because the #9 Miner’s Grill is ready to serve.
Make Roslyn your basecamp to outdoor recreation with Basecamp Books and Bites. As the name implies, Basecamp is a community gathering place, it’s a spot to grab a bite or read a book, and 
it’s a terrific starting point for any Roslyn area outdoor adventure. Located in the center of town (in the building known for the historic miner mural), the comfortable setting allows for indoor and outdoor seating while you enjoy an espresso drink, a snack, or even a light meal. If you’re not sure what the rest of your day has in store, there are plenty of trail guides and hiking books available to help you pull your plans together. And don’t worry, there are lots of snacks and trail mixes available to provide you nourishment when you hit the trails. Basecamp is open seven days a week, so come on out to Roslyn and start an adventure!
The Eagle’s Club took the trophy this year at the Second Annual Roslyn Bar Wars Water Balloon Battle. The trophy that sat proudly for a year in the window at Marko’s Place is now sitting inside the Aerie 696. Though the Eagles took the prize this year, the real winners are ARRF and the Roslyn Library, who will be splitting the $1000 raised at this year’s event. The event was well attended at both venues and the streets were crowded with innocent observers and under-aged insurgents.
This year’s battle was scored on 3 criteria: most spirit and enthusiasm (won by Eagle’s), hardest fought battle (won by Marko’s), and most money raised (won by Eagle’s). In addition to over 2000 balloons, participants on both sides battled with hoses, buckets, super soakers and squirt guns. The Eagles had a massive slingshot to launch balloons deep into Marko’s territory, but Marko’s didn’t go down easy. In one instance, the Marko’s team even pushed into Eagles territory and stole some of their ammo. Thanks to all who participated! More photos are available here!
There’s no end to the fun you can have in Roslyn this weekend during the Second Annual Roslyn Art Festival! In addition to a variety of different types of art, you can look forward to local chocolates, champagne and wine tasting, unique appetizers, and even a wine grab. During the days (Aug 22 and 23), the merchants in the NWI building will be offering opportunities to make unique arts and crafts along with an Art Festival craft mercado and merchandise shop. At Basecamp, Bites and Books, there will be a beautiful display of artwork as part of the festival’s first juried art show. Second street (near the bike shop) will be full of fun bicycle decorating and all over downtown will be “try’-it” stations, where you become the artist. Live music will be filling the streets and most of the shops in Roslyn will be joining in and welcoming all! So come on out and celebrate the Arts, Roslyn style!
On Saturday, August 22nd, Marko’s and the Roslyn Eagles will be hosting the 2nd Annual patio vs patio Roslyn Water Balloon War. This event is sure to be an awesome way to beat the heat and have fun doing it. Doors open at noon at the Eagles (members only) and at 2pm at Marko’s. So come on down, choose your allegiance, and prepare for the water fight at 4pm. Like last year, Marko’s will be playing to raise funds for the Roslyn Library and the Eagles Club will be playing for ARRF. A donation to your side’s cause is requested to participate in the battle. Water balloons will be provided, and you are also welcome to bring your own balloons and super soakers. The Eagles will be manning the grill, offering $6.50 burgers and fries from 2pm until supplies are depleted. Food costs are being covered by the Eagles, so every dollar spent toward food will be donated! There will be fun-in-the-sun raffle prizes as well.
This water balloon war is for a couple of great causes, so come on out and show your support (please note, this is an age 21 and over event)! Visit here for more information and a recap of last year’s event!
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