September Play List: Do the Puyallup, Eat Bugs, Sing the Beatles

Author Elisa Murray
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Published on: December 30, 2013

puyallupThere is so much cool stuff happening in September that August will seem like a sunny, distant memory. See our calendar for much more. What would you add?

1. Washington State Fair, Sept. 622. You know, the Puyallup! New attractions include an inversion roller coaster (you go right ahead, I'll watch), a Chinese lantern exhibit called Luminasia, a new circus arts show (included with admission), and a kids’ tractor track. Be sure to check for deals, including free Friday morning admission with canned good donation, and free kids admission during opening weekend with a BECU coupon (print from website). $9–$12.50; 5 and under free.

2. Vashon Sheepdog Classic, Sept. 13–15. A fun excuse to spend a September day on tranquil Vashon, watching amazing pooches at work directing sheep traffic. Stop by one of the island's awesome parks, too, such as Point Robinson. $5; ages 11 and under free. Mysty Isle Farms, Vashon Island.

3. The Great Wallingford Wurst Festival, Sept. 1314. Started as a fundraiser for St. Benedict Catholic School in Seattle, the Oktoberfest-style Wallingford Wurst Festival has grown to a neighborhood-defining event that draws 10,000 people every year. With its unusual mix of street fair and school fair, the Wurst Festival offers both biergarten and bake sale; carnival rides and raffle tickets. Free. Seattle. (Blurb by Gemma Alexander.)

bug4. Get buggy at the Burke, Sept. 18, 22: My most striking memory from third grade was when Mrs. Moultry brought in chocolate-covered ants for us to try. Create a lasting bug memory for your kiddos at the  Burke Museum's Edible Insect Buffet on Sept. 18. -- where you can listen to the Bug Chef David George Gordon and try cricket kabobs and grasshopper pizza ($5, preregister). On Sunday, Sept. 22., head to the annual bug blast for a chance to observe and learn about hundreds of specimens (included with admission).

5. Seattle Symphony Day of Music, Sept. 22: A fun, FREE, bash at Benaroya, featuring more than 35 performances, including hip-hop, the Symphony concerts, Vocalpoint Seattle and School of Rock, as well as Soundbridge classes. Food trucks will be on hand, too.

6. Downtown to Defiance – Sunday Parkways, Sept. 22. Jumpstart your, ahem, fall fitness program by bringing your walking shoes or your bike — plus your family — to travel Tacoma’s waterfront, stopping along the way for fun fitness activities. FREE. All ages. Ruston Way, Tacoma.

caspar7. Watch Caspar play the Beatles, Sept. 21–22. Seattle’s star kindie musician will celebrate the CD release of his kid-friendly Beatles album, Baby Beatles!, with four family concerts/parties over two days as part of Town Hall Seattle’s affordable family concert series. Neat side note: Each day’s second show is a picnic; families are encouraged to bring sack lunches. $5 for adults with children; free for kids 12 and younger Town Hall Seattle.

8. Learn to keep your kids cyber-safe, Sept. 25. If you ever intend to let your kids on a mobile phone, tablet or computer, don't miss this talk: Katie Greer, a national pioneer in children’s cyber-safety, will share the most effective strategies parents can use to manage access to social media and technology and teach kids the importance of privacy. 7–9 p.m. $20. For parents of kids ages 6–18. University Prep, Seattle.

9. Xanadu, Sept. 25–Oct. 20, Oct. 25–Nov. 17. A fun musical about the world’s first roller disco, with leg warmers, a Greek muse, and chart-topping ’80s songs like “Suddenly” and “Magic.” The New York Times called it “irresistible.” And it's the Village Theatre, who has a way with musicals. Issaquah, Everett. $25 and up. Ages 7 and fall-hikes-hurricane-hill-jeffsmallwood-400wolder.

10. Pippi Longstocking, Sept. 26-Nov. 3. One of the feistiest heroines in kid lit gets a Seattle Children's Theatre production -- what could be better? And it's a musical. Get tickets fast; they're selling. $20–$36. Ages 5 and up.

11. Free Entrance Day to National Parks, Sept. 28. Get a fall hike in at one of our three spectacular national parks for free in honor of National Public Lands Day. Try Hurricane Hill in Olympic National Park, or Naches Peak Loop at Mount Rainier National Park for fab fall color.

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