Everyone knows Puyallup (pronounced "pew-al-up") as the home of Washington's largest state fair. What many don't realize is that this is a town with much more to offer than a once-a-year trip to eat those famous scones and cheer on the cowpokes as they wrestle the steers.
The fact that Puyallup is the name of the local Native American tribe, meaning "land of generous people," should give you some clue as to the hospitality you might expect. After spending time in this eclectic community, I can attest that it really does live up to its name. The people of Puyallup welcome visitors with open arms and will gladly show you around to share their best-kept secrets.
One of these is the "Arts Downtown" Outdoor Gallery; an alfresco sculpture gallery that includes more than 50 pieces of art displayed on the streets of the urban core, as well as in Pioneer Park, Puyallup's central green space. It is here that residents gather to picnic, shop at the Farmers' Market (weekends in May-October), attend local festivals and hunt for good reads at the spacious Puyallup Library, the cornerstone of the park. Sculptures dot the park walkways and pop out at you from streetcorners or building façades. They serve as wonderful conversation pieces and provide ideal sensory and interactive experiences. Some are permanent; others are replaced annually by new ones to provide up-and-coming Washington artists an opportunity to display their work.
Pieces range from whimsical to contemplative. "Fish Boy," by Paula Rey, is a sweet bronze of a smiling boy hugging a fish. It's impossible to look at this piece without smiling and seeing it as the artist intended it to be: "symbolic for embracing life." In front of the library is "Future Dreaming," another wonderful bronze that begs to be touched. Sculptor Kevin Pettele has created an endearing statue of a boy sitting, arms folded and eyes closed, in deep contemplation of life's possibilities. Children and adults are drawn to it, and they reach up to pat the boy's head or grab his hand.
Look also for the giant metal rooster "Ruffus" in the vicinity of the library. Sculptor Dan Klennert's work was inspired by his neighbor's tale of a pet of the same name. Story has it that Ruffus would hang out with his owner and actually talk to him in chicken-speak. Klennert set out to capture the creature's spirit in sculptural form, and the result is hugely amusing.
Located on the park's edge, "Shake Rat," by Leann Powers, is a large, steel figure of a man holding a chainsaw. Shake rat is slang for the guy who cuts up the logs into shakes, or smaller pieces, once trees are felled. Powers' piece evokes a once-booming industry in our state and symbolizes, according to the artist, "the interdependence we have with nature and each other."
I found some of my favorite pieces near the train station, including "Celestial Love Seat," a Lebanese cedar bench carved by Pat McVay; "Casa de Leche," a stoneware-tiled, cement-and-steel pig created by Bruce and Kelly Andersen that looks as if it were covered with confetti candy; and "Big Leg Mama," sculptor Leslie Ariel's mammoth abstract statue of a seated woman.
As i wandered through the downtown, I noted the many antique shops that held promise of special treasures from yesteryear inside. There are more than 400 antique dealers selling through 20 shops in Puyallup, all within walking distance, making it rival to Snohomish as a mecca for antique hounds. Many other enticing gift shops and distinctive boutiques add to the shoppers' allure of this place, from Above and Beyond Costume and Vintage Clothing, to The Enchanted Harp (one of the only stores in Western Washington specializing in harps and harp accessories) and Brick House Gallery, where I found some must-have rattan pottery vases. There are also charming eateries, cafés and wine bars - and, of course, Candy's, the quintessential fine confections shop with to-die-for chocolate truffles.
I couldn't pass Bubble Island, Puyallup's newest downtown business, without trying a Bubble Tea, especially after having heard so much hype about this drink being all the rage in Asia. You can have your tea with a mixture of milk or fruit, smoothie style, combined with "bubbles," or tapioca pearls. My strawberry-peach concoction was refreshing, but the tapioca pearls, which sank to the bottom, tasted somewhat rubbery, like non-flavored gummy worms. Interesting.
When you've shopped till you've dropped and then refueled at lunch, get your brush with history by taking a peek into the Liberty Theatre. This renovated 1924 venue used to feature original vaudeville and movies in its heyday. Now it's a hall for special events, weddings and occasional dinner theater.
For the ultimate history lesson, head on over for a tour of the Meeker Mansion, Puyallup's legendary landmark. Owned and operated by the Meeker Historical Society, the mansion was once home to Ezra and Eliza Meeker, pioneer settlers of the area. The couple came west on the Oregon Trail in 1852, and Ezra settled the Puyallup Valley 10 years later. He platted the town site in 1877, became Puyallup's first mayor and emerged as "hop king of the world," growing lucrative hop crops in the fertile valley.
Meeker eventually became an ambassador of the Pacific Northwest to the world and the primary promoter of the Oregon Trail, working tirelessly to help preserve and re-mark its course in order to save it from obliteration. He repeated the trail crossing five times during his lifetime, using various methods of transportation that included a team of oxen, an automobile and finally, in 1924, an airplane. His legacy is that of an adventurer, farm-er, businessman, writer, civic leader and philanthropist.
In 1890, Ezra had an impressive, 17-room Victorian mansion built to please his wife, who, after a visit to England, became smitten with the finer things in life and asked to move out of their log cabin. The new house included a formal ballroom, rooftop widow's-walk, six coal-burning fireplaces with hand-carved European mantels, hand-stenciled ceiling artwork, stained-glass windows and elegant woodwork.
The place took three years to construct, and the Meekers lived there for 20 years, until 1909, when Mrs. Meeker died. After the Meekers, the mansion was used as a hospital, a retirement home and finally a nursing-home facility. In 1970 it was donated to the historical society, which immediately began restoration - a job that continues to this day.
As I walked through the house, I noted how low all the benches, mirrors and door handles were; subsequently I learned that the Meekers were very short people who had their residence tailored to accommodate their "vertical challenges." Among the many treasures are the original Meeker dining room table, master bedroom set and one of the pianos in the drawing room, as well as several speaking tubes (forerunner to the intercom), a pump organ and numerous photos documenting Ezra's journeys over the Oregon Trail.
Puyallup is also known for its commercial bulb farms just east of the downtown corridor. The main grower is the Van Lierop Bulb Farm, which has acres of blooming daffodils in March, tulips in April and iris in May. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the farm's lovely display gardens to get an education in all the exotic varieties of bulbs available, then purchase their selections in the well-stocked gardening store on site.
On a visit to Van Lierop one sunny day in March, I was privy to one of the most spectacular sights of spring: fields of yellow daffodils framed by a backdrop of Mount Rainier in all its glory. What was extra special about this visual treat was that it wasn't surrounded by hoards of people in their vehicles all trying to capture a Kodak moment.
To celebrate the rites of passage for these glorious flowers, Puyallup holds its annual Daffodil Festival each April. This is known as one of the nation's top 10 floral events; the highlight being the Grand Floral Parade featuring more than 40 daffodil-laden floats, plus classic automobiles, marching bands and precision drill teams. Folks from near and far throng to the town to ooh and ah at the colorful spectacle and to enjoy good eats, music and a variety of activities for the whole family.
Puyallup charms visitors with its small-town warmth, historical heritage and artistic influences. Pleasant surprises await visitors willing to take a closer look at this diverse community.[[In-content Ad]]
