Pacific Northwest Marketing Brings Spring to Life: The Story Behind the White Salmon Wildflower Festival

Each May, the hills around White Salmon explode with color—an awe-inspiring display of wildflowers blanketing the Gorge in a show of nature’s artistry. But just a few years ago, that springtime beauty wasn’t being celebrated the way it deserved. That changed when Julie Burgmeier, founder of Pacific Northwest Marketing, brought her passion for ecotourism, local engagement, and community storytelling to White Salmon and founded the White Salmon Wildflower Festival.

Now entering its third year, the festival has grown into a beloved, month-long celebration of nature, art, and community, offering locals and visitors dozens of ways to connect with the landscape and each other.

Rooted in Ecotourism and Community

Julie’s background in launching tourism programs like Skagit Farm to Pint, Skagit Food Trail, and the La Conner Daffodil Festival gave her the vision and experience to bring something truly special to White Salmon. She saw a town filled with creative energy, surrounded by one of the most biodiverse wildflower regions in the Pacific Northwest—and realized there was no signature event to honor it.

So, she got to work. From designing the branding and outreach strategy to collaborating with local partners and curating the month’s lineup of events, Julie built the White Salmon Wildflower Festival from the ground up. At its core is her passion for ecotourism—”responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of local people, and involves interpretation and education.”

A Blooming Success

Held every May, the White Salmon Wildflower Festival offers something for everyone. It kicks off with Mayfaire, a Wildflower Half Marathon, and a guided hike at Dalles Mountain Ranch, immersing participants in the season’s beauty. Throughout the month, the festival features art shows, guided hikes, rafting adventures, wine walks, artisan markets, and even mural painting in downtown White Salmon.

New additions for 2025 include stewardship opportunities with Friends of the Columbia Gorge and guided hikes on the Klickitat Trail hosted by the Klickitat Trail Conservancy—emphasizing the festival’s mission of environmental education and conservation.

And it all wraps up in style with the Balsamroot Bash, a community celebration with live music, local art, and a shared appreciation for the natural world around us.

A Lasting Impact

The White Salmon Wildflower Festival is more than just a calendar of events—it’s a platform for connection, education, and celebration. It supports local businesses, promotes outdoor recreation, encourages environmental stewardship, and shines a light on the creative talents of the Gorge.

Thanks to Julie’s leadership and the partnerships she’s cultivated with the City of White Salmon, Mt. Adams Chamber of Commerce, and dozens of local artists, nonprofits, and businesses, the festival is quickly becoming a cornerstone of the community’s identity.

“Events like this create more than memories,” Julie says. “They create pride of place, economic vitality, and lasting connections between people and the natural world.”

So whether you’re an artist, adventurer, gardener, or weekend wanderer, the White Salmon Wildflower Festival invites you to come bloom with us.

Visit explorewhitesalmon.com or follow @explorewhitesalmon for updates, events, and ways to get involved.