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!
FESTIVAL LOCATION
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.
2020 Lentil Family of The year: Howard Jones
This year, we awarded the Lentil Family of the Year award to Howard Jones from Genesee, ID. He is a man with a passion for pulses. As a former chairman of the Idaho Pea & Lentil Commission he helped to advocate for his fellow farmers and their fields. He is passionate about feeding his community and very deserving of this year's award. Congratulations to the 2020 Lentil Family of the Year recipient, Howard Jones.
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 105. 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.
Click play to watch the 2019 Walk of Fame Induction. Video courtesy of Brandon C. Chapman.
The 2019 Inductees include:
Distinguished Member of the WSU Community: Sue Durrant
A champion of Title IX, Sue promoted gender equity in sport and received national recognition for her work.
Famous Sports Figure: Mike Utley
His distinguished college football career ended in the fall of 1988 and he was the most highly decorated gridiron star in Cougar history. He went on to play for three years with the Detroit Lions before a spinal cord injury shortened his career.
Distinguished Resident: Joe M. & V. Helen Campero
Joe moved to Pullman in 1943 and went to work for Standard Lumber Company, retiring in 1992 after 45 years. Helen was an RN at the local hospital. Both were very active in the Pullman community.
Distinguished Resident: Alexander C. McGregor
Chairman of The McGregor Company, an agronomy and farm service business headquartered in Colfax with branches and dedicated crews serving farm families in Pullman and more than three dozen rural communities across Whitman and adjacent counties of the Inland Northwest.
Lentil Fest Media Kit
To make a media inquiry, please use the form below.