April

Palouse Plowing Bee

Third Weekend in April. Call 509.648.3462 or 509.397.3049 for more information.

Wine Tasting Event at Hill-Ray Plaza

Last Friday in April. Sponsored by the Colfax Chamber of Commerce, will highlight local and regional vintages, and hors de oeuvres. Tickets required. 509.397.3712

May - August

Open Air Market

Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings May through end of August. Wander downtown Colfax during the Open Air Market Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings in search of that special something. 

June

Perkins House Ice Cream Social

Last Sunday in June from1- 4 p.m. Step back in time at the Perkins House Ice Cream Social. The Perkins House, built by James A. Perkins in 1886, the founder of Colfax, will be open for free tours displaying the rich ornate wood details and period wall paper during this event. The Victorian beauty has been restored and detailed with period antiques. The Perkins cabin, built in 1870, directly behind the house is the oldest standing structure in Whitman County. Live music and volunteers don period costumes while serving ice cream and pie. 509.397.3712.

July

Concrete River Days

Second Weekend in July. Sidewalk sales, the annual library book sale, a rubber duck dash on the Palouse River, and other fun family events will usher in summer during this busy three day event. Part of the event is the Annual two-day Relay for Life to raise money for cancer research that will culminate with a downtown parade. That weekend will also include citywide yard sales and a downtown flea market.  509.397.3712

September

Palouse Empire Threshing Bee

Weekend after Labor Day. 15 acres of land are harvested using methods seen in the earlier part of the 20th century and earlier. Horse drawn equipment parades through the fields giving a true to life vision of what life on the farm used to be like. For information 509.397.3162 or 509.397.6263.

Palouse Empire Fair

www.PalouseEmpireFair.org.      

October

Autumn Harvest Hullabaloo

Mid-October. Browse buildings a brim with antiques and arts in downtown Colfax at Autumn Harvest Hullabaloo. Numerous buildings will be overflowing with vendors carrying antiques and works of art sure to please the most discriminating buyer. Enjoy live music, children’s activities and food or search for the perfect pumpkin at the pumpkin patch next to the famous Codger Pole.

This event serves as a welcome back to students and families during the annual Washington State University Homecoming weekend as well as a draw to visitors from across the region. 509.397.3345, home.earthlink.net/~ColfaxHulla.

December

Lighted Christmas Parade - First Thursday in December, 6 p.m. on Mill Street. This is a night parade with lights, floats, marching units and Santa Claus. Afternoon Library Festivities preceeding the parade.  Call the Chamber at 509.397.3712 for more information.

Codger Pole

Called the “Most unusual attraction in Colfax” by Off the Beaten Path, a guide to unique places by Myrna Oakley, this 65-foot chain saw carving commemorates a grudge match played between the Colfax football team and its St. John rival, where Colfax snatched the victory lost a quarter century earlier. The likenesses of the team members are carved on the pole, occupying a prominent spot just off Main Street.

Historic Downtown District

Many buildings in the downtown Colfax district date back to the late 1800’s and early 1900 time period. Several building owners have recently torn down the tin additions put on in the 1950’s and 60’s to reveal the ornate brickwork below. The community is in the midst of organizing a nonprofit group to aid in the restoration of the historical significant structures. Check out the Italianate styles of what was once the Rose Theater, 115 S. Main or the Fraternity Block, 211 N. Main, a massive brick structure built in 1889.

Perkins House

This 1886 Victorian beauty along with its predecessor, an 1870 log cabin, are owned and maintained by the Whitman County Historical Society. The cabin is the oldest standing structure in Whitman County. Both the cabin and the stately home were built by James A. Perkins.  An early pioneer, sawmill operator and politician, Perkins is credited as a founding father of the town. The home is open for tours Thursday through Saturday afternoons and by appointment. Call 509.397.3330 for information.

Steptoe Butte State Park

150-acre, 3,612-foot-tall natural monument. Thimble-shaped, the quartzite butte looms in bald grandeur over the prevailing flat lands. The park is open year round for day use only. Located 12 miles north of Colfax, Wash., near the state's eastern border in Whitman County.

Boyer Park and Marina on the Snake River

This 140 acres site located on the scenic Snake River offers many kinds of recreational enjoyment. Boat, fish, swim, or camp at one of 48 RV sites with water, electric, sewer hookups, garbage collection and dump station. Hot showers, restrooms, laundry facilities and picnic tables are all available. Additional tent sites and day use picnic area give visitors an opportunity to spend a lazy day on the beach. Motel rooms, a restaurant and convenience store offer amenities on site. Visit nearby Lower Granite Lock and Dam, 2 miles from the Park to see the fish viewing and counting station. 20 miles west of Colfax, 1753 Granite Rd., 509.397.3208, BoyerPark@Colfax.com, www.BPark.biz.

Colfax Municipal Swim Pool

Kamiak Butte County Park

Rises 3,360 feet high and offers the visitor shaded picnic areas, hiking trail, campgrounds and a breathtaking view of the Palouse. More than 100 kinds of vegetation can be found including Ponderosa Pine, Douglas Fir and Western Larch. 10 miles east, www.WhitmanCounty.org/Parks

Klemgard County Park

Offers sandy olleyball courts, horseshoe pits, a multipurpose field for softball and soccer, plus a number of hiking trails. Large group facilities. 10 miles southwest, www.WhitmanCounty.org/Parks.

McDonald Park Sports Complex

Offers multiple baseball/softball/soccer fields for use by residents and visiting teams. A walking/jogging trail surrounds the fields with views of the Palouse River. Contact the City of Colfax for information at 509.397.3861.

Palouse Falls State Park

A photographers dream. Cascading 198 feet into a solid rock canyon the falls offer a rainbow of reflected colors on a sunny day. The park features hiking trails, picnic tables, restrooms and overnight camping. 65 miles west.

Skateboard Park

Steptoe Butte State Park

Stands 3,612 feet high and offers unmatched views of the Palouse countryside. Day use picnic area, tables and restrooms available. 15 miles north.

Tennis Courts