March

Shamrock Shindig

Held the Friday before St. Patrick's Day. Auction of romantic getaways and gift packages, Irish entertainment, “green” beer & wine Social, hors d’oeuvres. 800.882.6299, www.HistoricDayton.com

May

Dayton Churchs' Street Sale

Held the first Saturday in May. Dayton’s churches take over a section of 3rd Street for an annual giant yard sale that has something for everyone.  Proceeds benefit churches and community projects. 800.882.6299

Dayton Days

Held Memorial Day Weekend. Parade, Fun Run, Rodeo & Horseracing.  800.882.6299, www.HistoricDayton.com

June

All Wheels Weekend

Father’s Day Weekend. Classic Car Show, Friday Night Cruise, Live Stage Show, Demo Derby, Lawnmower Races.  800.882.6299,

www.AllWheelsWeekend.com

July

Evening at the Depot

Third weekend in July. A Friday night art, antiques, and collectibles benefit auction at the oldest depot in the state.  Wine and Beer Social included. 509.382.2026, www.DaytonHistoricDepot.org

September

Columbia County Fair

Weekend after Labor Day. Exhibits, Barbecue, Demo Derby, Motocross & Children’s Games. 800.882.6299

October

Festival of the Arts

Second weekend in October. Gallery Walk, Artist Demonstrations, Food, Crafts & Live Music. 509.539.8773, www.HistoricDayton.com

Dayton on Tour

Second weekend in October. View the inside of some of Dayton’s 117 buildings on the National Historic Register.  509.382.2026, www.DaytonHistoricDepot.org

November

Christmas Kickoff

Weekend after Thanksgiving. Fireworks, Santa, Hay Rides, Wine Tasting, Christmas Market at the Depot.  800.882.6299, www.HistoricDayton.com.

The Boldman House Museum
The Boldman House (still under renovation) was bequeathed to the Dayton Historical Depot Society in July of 2000 by Gladys Boldman. Since the formation of a Boldman House Standing Committee, the former residence is experiencing major renovations as well as yielding numerous historically-significant artifacts that are being cataloged, with many of them being incorporated into displays at the House Museum.  Currently the museum is only open for special events, but will be re-open on a regular basis after renovations are complete and repairs are made to damage from a recent water pipe breakage. Estimated date for reopening is early 2006.  509.382.2026, www.DaytonHistoricDepot.org

Columbia County Courthouse
Completed in 1887 in beautiful Italianate architecture at a cost of $38,069.00, the courthouse experienced a major renovation to restore the exterior ornamental detail between 1991 and 1993. Tour the oldest working courthouse in the state, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The self-guided tour is free.

Dayton Historic Depot
Dayton's Historic Depot, originally built in 1881 and designed in the Stick/Eastlake style, it is now the oldest surviving passenger train station in the state. The Depot has been beautifully restored and is now a museum. Revolving exhibits are featured in the upstairs gallery. Located at 222 E. Commercial Street. $3.00 is the suggested donation for a very informative guided tour. Winter Hours (November thru April.): Tuesday thru Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Summer Hours (May through October): Tuesday thru Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays 1 to 4 p.m., and by appointment. Closed Mondays and Holidays. 509.382.2026, www.DaytonHistoricDepot.org

The Green Giant
Located on the north side of Highway 12, just west of Dayton you will find one of our most unique attractions. The Green Giant is the logo for Green Giant Foods, which is represented in Dayton by the Seneca Foods asparagus cannery, one of our major employers in Dayton and Columbia County. While Columbia County is well known for some of the most vertically farmed land in the country, this is far too steep for a crop - but perfect for our tribute. Originally constructed in 1991, the Green Giant is over 300 feet tall and made of colored 8"x12" patio blocks.

The Liberty Theater
Dayton's recently renovated circa 1920 theatre located at 344 East Main Street is home to movies, art shows and stage productions. www.LibertyTheater.org

Narrated Journeys
Enjoy a one hour historically narrated excursion through time in the comfort of a Columbia County Transportation Bus. Comfortable seats, tall windows for good visibility, air conditioning and wheel chair accessibility make these tours hard to resist.  Available on community event weekends or by special arrangement for groups of 8 or more by calling 509.382.1647.

Palus Artifact Museum
The Palus Artifact Museum located at 305 E Main Street offers a collection of locally found artifacts from the Palouse Indian tribe. This Native American tribe spent their winters near Palouse Falls and their summers hunting game and collecting roots and berries in Dayton and the nearby Blue Mountains. Also on display is a beautiful collection of native plants. The museum’s hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. or by appointment. 509.382.4820, ethorn@velocitus.net

Walking Tours/Architecture
Rich in area history, Dayton was first settled in the 1850's and soon became a thriving community. Between 1880 and 1910, prosperous businessmen and farmers built impressive residential, commercial, and public buildings in the Queen Anne, Italianate, Gothic and Craftsman style. Today, 117 of those buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and form three National Historic Districts. Self guided walking tour maps are available for each district at the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, the Depot, or local merchants.

Lewis and Clark - Patit Creek Campsite
Dayton's newest attraction is an amazing Lewis and Clark exhibit that is open year round and free to the public.  Over 80 steel silhouette sculptures depict a typical Corp of Discovery Encampment as they passed through Dayton in 1806, and the exhibit is surpassing everyone's expectations in its impact.  A roadside monument and the exhibit are located just two and half miles east of town on the Patit Road.  www.HistoricDayton.com/Lewis.htm

Nature Walks
Many residents and visitors enjoy walking along the Touchet River dike from Main Street, either south to the City Park or northwest toward the golf course, a rougher portion of the path. Walks at dawn or dusk often offer a glimpse of the many deer and other wildlife that live along the river.  The dike path is now paved on the south section from Main Street to the soccer fields (about half the total distance), offering strollers and those wanting a smooth surface a new walking opportunity.

Skiing and Snowboarding
Just 27 miles away from Dayton is Ski Bluewood, one of the finest snow parks in the state. www.HistoricDayton.com/Recreation.htm, www.Bluewood.com.