Apple Blossom Festival, or Redneck Mardi Gras

I'm from Eastern Washington state. We really like spring over there, a lot. All kinds of festivals, the Lilac Festival, Bloomsday, Apple Blossom. Lots of festivals about flowers. In particular, I enjoy the Apple Blossom Festival, partly because it's the closest and also partly because the road race before the parade was the first non-school road race I ever competed in. And finally, because the whole first mile is pretty much downhill. If that's not awesome, I don't know what is.
It does require you to race conservatively, otherwise you'll burn out right as soon as you get to the pedestrian bridge over the train tracks. Otherwise it is a sweet, flat, fast run. All on pavement, with the exception of the pedestrian bridge and the turn around for the 5k.
There's a lot associated with Apple Blossom in Wenatchee. It has a rich and delicious history of orchard production and was/maybe still is the Apple Capitol of the world. The area produces pears, apples and peaches of many varieties, as well as a buttload of produce. (At one time, a young me knew more than 30 varieties of apple and their characteristics, thanks to the now-organic Prey's Fruit Barn.) This festival is an excuse to shake off winter and celebrate...well, the blossoming of the apple trees. And your beginning of the season fitness.
Wenatchee is a reasonably fit city, as evidenced by the fast people running this race, as well as the general number of outdoorsy options for the area. If you don't like road racing, you can cycle, mountain bike, kayak, raft, rock climb or do whatever else you can think of. If you plan on staying the weekend, Osprey Rafting offers awesome river tours and Das Rad Haus in Leavenworth can get you set up with a road or mountain bike.
Lodging options are pretty extensive in an area that relies on tourism, but watch out on Apple Blossom weekend, since bands, princesses and any number of other paraders have come from all over the state to participate. Nearby Cashmere, Leavenworth and East Wenatchee are a drive away, but can offer a little less crowded options. If you want to get really fancy, Leavenworth and Cashmere offer some swanky bed and breakfasts, but there are also any number of Motel 6s and Hotels of varying comfort and quality.
The festivals begin Friday night with music, a food court and a celebration of the local and regional high school junior miss winners. The real fun starts Saturday morning, with the race and the parade.
Participants can register online or in person the day of. The race fee is $15 and includes 5k or 10k, with a 2.1k option for younger kids. Finishers get a t-shirt, cotton, usually, and a delicious Washington apple. (Gala, most often. Sweet, crisp with just enough juice and tang to make it a great after race treat. Forget those Red Delicious, they suck.) Day-of registration is a little crowded, and it can be difficult to locate Triangle Park and find parking around it, but it's worth it. Runners get treated to the pre-parade lineup, a Pancake breakfast ($10) if you're so inclined, and most importantly, more porta-potties than you can shake a stick at.
The race starts at the not-too-late, not-too-early hour of 9:30am, usually. Runners get sent off with a cheer from most of the parade preppers, directly down the parade route. It's directly downhill, and people line the streets in anticipation, since the parade directly follows the run. They aren't really there to cheer for you, but it's exciting to pretend they are.
The course follows the parade route downtown through the main drag and then turns towards the river, following the trail through Walla Walla Point Park. It finishes by the historic structure referred to as the Boat House. The 5k turns around about a half mile after passing the Boat House, while the 10k continues to a turn-around point just outside of Confluence State Park. The 10k cruises through some industrial areas, and opens onto some gorgeous views of the Columbia before doing and out and back.
Finishers collect their shirts and get cheered on by a small group, since there isn't a lot of parking, and the parade begins, most opt to meet up by the end of the parade route, a short walk from the end of the race. If you want to stay for awards, you'll miss part of the parade, but it's worth it. First place collects a cash prize and awards go three deep in High School, 20-29, 30-39 etc. Then, it's a quick walk up to what's probably undeniably the best part of this whole affair, the food court.
I personally stuck around for awards and then took off for some lunch at Casa de Grandma and some quality chill time vegetating in the park in Leavenworth with some Humboldt Fog, a Landjaeger and a beer. (The Cheesemonger's Shop in downtown Leavenworth. Pretty much everything you'd ever need for a picnic. A-mazing.)
The Apple Blossom run is flat and fast, and can start a weekend of awesome spring celebration (and a Saturday night you'll probably never forget) off right for just a few dollars and 20-60 minutes of your free time. 19, if you're fast. I totally recommend it if you like road trips or apples or fun.