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ABOUT

Our area of eastern Washington and northern Idaho, the Palouse Region, grows a quarter of the lentils in the United States. Since its beginning in 1989, the National Lentil Festival has brought national attention to Pullman. The Palouse region of farmlands in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho has a reputation for producing the highest quality lentils in the United States. We think that is worth celebrating!

 

The National Lentil Festival focuses on the local community, local volunteers, and all that makes up the Palouse. Local honorees are recognized at the Unveiling of the Walk of Fame, a local artist designs the festival poster, and local microbrewers, wine and hard cider makers are showcased in the beer and wine garden.

 

The National Lentil Festival remains a great way for Pullman to come together as a community of families, students, artists, athletes, and business owners. We look forward to making this year's National Lentil Festival a great event for the community and our thousands of visitors that come each year just to celebrate the lentil!

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FESTIVAL LOCATION

Reaney Park

Pullman, WA 99163

Click here to see the map

A GROWING FESTIVAL & A COMMITMENT TO GIVE BACK

With your help, the National Lentil Festival has continued to grow and find ways to give back to the great community it calls home. In 2019, we partnered with the following entities:

- Community Action Center

- Pullman Civic Theatre

- Pullman High School Key Club

- Pullman Rotary Club

- Washington State University Center for Civic Engagement

- Whitman County Humane Society

- Pullman Parks & Rec Care to Share

 

In 2019, a combined $6,869.07 was donated to the above entities from proceeds raised from food/beverage sales and 5K Fun Run registrations.

 

We also had a record-setting year in chili served with over 6,000 bowls! Less than 90 pounds of chili were recovered, repackaged and sent to Community Action Center's food pantry.

2023 PUlse Family of The year: Jim Hermann

This year, we awarded the Pulse Family of the Year award to Jim Hermann from Genesee, ID.  Jim was born and raised in Genesee, Idaho. He graduated from the University of Idaho. For a few years after graduation, he worked Farm Credit before returned to farm in 1980. He currently farms with his two sons on a very diversified farm. They grow crops ranging from quinoa and sunflowers to alfalfa hay and crops of wheat. They also farm just about every type of pulse there is! Garbs are their favorite. Jim's farm has been designated an Idaho Century Farm by the Idaho Department of Agriculture and the Idaho State Historical Society. This huge milestone is marked by 100 or more years in production on the same land and by the same family. Jim has served on many grower boards and still serves on the Genesee School Board. He is married to Rita Hermann. They have 5 children.  Congratulations to the 2023 Pulse Family of the Year recipient, Jim Hermann.

Walk of Fame

The Walk of Fame was established in 2003 to honor individuals who have served the Pullman community in a significant way, promoted goodwill, improved the quality of life for Pullman residents or brought acclaim to the area through their contributions. This year’s inductees bring the number of commemorative granite plaques to 108.  Each plaque has the names of these individuals inscribed and have been installed in the sidewalks of downtown Pullman. Brochures listing all inductees are available at the Pullman Chamber office.  Donations are always accepted for the Walk of Fame program.

2023 Walk of Fame Induction. Photos courtesy of Dan Walker.

The 2023 Inductees include:

Lance Lincoln

Famous Sports Figure (in Recognition of a Positive Impact Beyond Pullman High School or Washington State University)

Lance has been a teacher for 27 years in the Pullman School District and coached baseball for more than 20 years with 10 league titles, 2 state championships and 7 times named Coach of the Year.

Munir Abdel-Massih Daud 

Distinguished Resident (in Recognition of an Economic and Cultural Contributor to Pullman

Munir started his career as a Project Engineer for the City of Pullman, and in 1975 he founded his own business: Munir Daud and Associates (MD+A), which provided engineering, architecture, and surveying services to the community for 48 years. Munir worked until the day he passed away, April 30, 2023. 

Ida Lou Anderson

Distinguished Members of the WSU Community (in Recognition of Positive National Recognition and Community Involvement)
Ida Louise Anderson laid the foundation for excellence in communication and launched the careers of countless Washington State College students in broadcasting including Edward R. Murrow. She was born in Morganton, Tennessee and moved to Washington state as a small child, settling with her family in Colfax. She was stricken with polio as a child and persevered through serious physical limitations to excel in drama and public speaking.

Lentil Fest Media Kit

To make a media inquiry, please use the form below.

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