Last weekend (Oct 17-19) was the annual Okanogan Family Faire, which was celebrating its 35th year.  Still referred to locally by many as the Barter Faire, the event attacts thousands to the Okanogan Highlands to celebrate “peace, harvest, music, art and life.”  Music was everywhere at last weekend’s Faire, including on top of an old school bus where the drum beats couldn’t be missed.

Started in 1973, the first faire was held in Manson near Lake Chelan.  Designed to help the community and artisians and vendors trade their surplus produce and goods for things they needed.  After that first event, the faire moved farther North eventually entered into a lease with an option to buy the site on the Cayuse Mountain Road in 1993.

For more information about the Okanogan Family Faire including how to become involved visit their site www.okanoganfamilyfaire.net.

In all the years that I have owned and sold property, most buyers always ask for a property that is secluded, has a view of something worth looking at, and is accessible year-round by car. Trees are fine as long as they don’t block the view and of course, you would like as many Man made and God given amenities as possible.  Not often do I have land that meets all of these terms and more.

I presently have a property that may interest you.  Aeneas Valley where the property is located is surrounded by the Okanogan National Forest on three sides for you to enjoy for a lifetime. You will be below the snowline with 300 days of sunshine and 4 seasons to enjoy. You can view this property on my web site @ http://recreationalland.com/property/3630201012.html

I’ve been developing pages for our website providing information about places to stay, fishing and alpine lakes; places to shop; recreation and sight seeing; and wineries.  During my research I stumbled across information about wineries in North Central Washington.  Among the sites with the most complete information is The Columbia Cascade Winery Association.  Founded in 2002, there are currently twenty-seven wineries in the association.

The winemakers of this area believe the influence of the Cascade Mountains, the broad rivers and lakes make the region unique among Washington State’s winegrowing regions.  The outstanding wines from these distinct regions have received gold, silver and bronze awards in national and international competitions.  This region continues to grow with more acreage planted in wine grapes each season.  To receive a free copy of Columbia Cascade Winery Association’s Premier Wineries Brochures click here to go to their website.  Inside the brochure you will find information about the wineries, such as address, phone numbers, email and web address.  Plus the brochure has maps, and lists places to stay, shop and dine.  With wineries in Leavenworth, Chelan, Manson, Omak, Oroville and Wenatchee to name just a few of the locations you can spend an enjoyable weekend exploring the valleys and mountains in the Okanogan.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the last weekend in November.  Columbia Cascade Winery Association will be hosting the “Autumn Barrel Tasting“.  This event will allow you to sample wines directly from the Barrel, meet wine makers and have a great time exploring the area.  For more information contact Columbia Cascade Wines.