MOXEE, Wash. – The final night of "Hop Fest" is underway in Moxee, celebrating the region's significant contribution to the nation's hop harvest. The Yakima Valley produces nearly 75% of the hops in the United States.
The event featured a beer garden, live music and karaoke. It also offered family-friendly activities such as slides, face painting and paintball.
Jordan Hemp, Vice President of the East Valley Community Enhancement Association, shared insights into the festival's history.
"So the festival started in the mid 40s. It was all to raise money for our community pool. And once they did that and they put it in, it did kind of go through a dry spell for many years. It was revived back in 1998, and we've grown it to be this large event that it is now. I would say it's a staple of be