With about a week until the Real Twin Peaks 2024 event being held in Snoqualmie Valley, Washington, I’m trying to plan ALL : -) the things I WANT to do during the weekend. Thankfully, I will be arriving in town a few days early. This year’s event presented by the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce and North Bend Downtown Foundation will be held from Feb. 23-25. There is so much already planned (just see this EVENT GUIDE), but here are several things that will make me GET HAPPY when I RETURN to a place both wonderful and strange.
WELCOME TO VIP PEAKS
The best way to experience The Real Twin Peaks event this year is getting a VIP ticket. It provides access to all sorts of activities and you will receive a VIP Swag Bag full of goodies. If you already have a VIP ticket, welcome to our secret society [swipes temple]!
Just a reminder that pick up for the VIP badges and swag bags will be held at the North Bend Theatre (125 Bendigo Boulevard North, North Bend) on Friday, Feb. 23 between 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 24 between 1:30-5:30 p.m. Don’t worry if you cannot stop at the theatre before you begin the weekend as your VIP QR code will also work at all of the events.
CHERRY PIE AND COFFEE IN HEAVEN
In my mind, this is what heaven looks like – Twede’s Cafe in North Bend, Washington, complete with the replica neon “RR” sign seen in Twin Peaks. It’s typically one of my first stops when returning to town.
I plan to give myself many presents every day in the form of cherry pie with a side of ice cream and hot, black coffee. If you will be at Twede’s Cafe, please say HELLO-O-O-O! We can order Cherry Cokes and not drink them.
WISTERIA LODGE’S NEW SINGLE
Wisteria Lodge, my favorite Pacific Northwest Dream Pop duo, will be performing two sets at Twede’s Cafe on February 23 for VIP Ticket holders. They will also be releasing a new single – Blue Rose – which was produced by Noe DeLeon at RedRoom Studios and written by Dustin Carpenter. You can pre-order BLUE ROSE via HERE.
It was a treat seeing them perform at Snoqualmie Valley Eagles during Real Twin Peaks 2023. Lady K even dressed like Laura Palmer. She sounded like an angel.
TWIN PEAKS JAZZ, MAN
Speaking of music, Boxley’s (228 W. North Bend Way, North Bend) will be hosting a Twin Peaks Quartet on Feb. 23 beginning at 8:00 p.m. This “Twin Peaks” jazz-season tribute will feature Andrew Glynn on saxophone, Eric Verlinde on piano, Michael Glynn on bass and Sutton Marley on drums. I hosted a radio program in the mid-1990s in northwest Ohio that played jazz and blues. I regularly played the Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me soundtrack and signed off every program playing Jimmy Scott’s “Sycamore Trees.” I’m curious to hear what this quartet will be playing.
TWIN PEAKS EXHIBIT AT THE SNOQUALMIE VALLEY MUSEUM
The Snoqualmie Valley Museum is presenting a new Twin Peaks exhibit and a new 1950s-themed exhibit during the Real Twin Peaks weekend. This museum and their incredibly hardworking staff are such an outstanding resource for Snoqualmie Valley history. The museum is located at 320 Bendigo Blvd S, North Bend and will be open from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. every day but Wednesday. The exhibit was made possible through City of Snoqualmie LTAC grant funding and fellow Bookhouse Boys and Gals who provided items from their person collections (such as my fellow Twin Peaks Blog authors Jason Mattson and Vinnie Guidera).
FREE PANEL DISCUSSIONS
One of the highlights from Real Twin Peaks 2023 were the free panel discussions. Passionate and dedicated Twin Peaks fans shared their stories, experiences and insights about a show we all love. This year, I’m honored to join several fans as we discuss all sorts of things, from props to film locations to personal experiences watching season 3 being filmed in the region. I would love for you to attend these panels as I promise they will be fascinating discussions. If you can’t make it, no worries. I intend to record as many of them as I can and will share on the Twin Peaks Blog YouTube channel.
MORE TWIN PEAKS-INSPIRED MERCHANDISE PLEASE
There are plenty of places to shop in the Valley which carry Twin Peaks-inspired merchandise. From the Snoqualmie Trading Co. to Carousel to Salish Lodge, you are sure to find something. The Northwest Railway Museum is offering a owl-themed t-shirt this year.
Their Snoqualmie Depot, located at 38625 SE King St in Snoqualmie, served as one of Dale Cooper’s prospective properties in Twin Peaks that real estate agent Irene Littlehorse showed him in episode 2.012.
PAYING RESPECTS TO CARL RODD
No trip would be complete without visiting Carl Rodd’s bench from Twin Peaks – Part 6. It’s located in E.J. Roberts Park and the exact coordinates are 47° 29′ 49.218″ N 121° 46′ 24.81″ W. Damn, I wish I could have met Harry Dean!
BLOODY MARY AT SMOKEY JOE’S
I will channel my inner Sarah Palmer while enjoying a Bloody Mary at Smokey Joe’s Bar in Snoqualmie (38600 SE King Street). This location was seen in Twin Peaks – Part 14 where the Truck You guy had an encounter with a rather evil entity.
OLALLIE STATE PARK
Olallie State Park outside of North Bend (51350 S.E. Homestead Valley Road) will most likely be the first place I visit upon landing in Washington state. Weeks Fall Trail is home to numerous Twin Peaks film locations, but I need to see what happened to Steven and Gersten’s tree. Sadly, it fell in mid-January following a terrible winter storm. If you go, make sure you have a Discover Pass. I’ve been know to spend all day here, lost in the those woods.
YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT OUR SPECIALS?
Irene from Hap’s Diner will not be working during Real Twin Peaks 2024 as there are plenty of specials. I can’t wait to try The Peaker from Falling River Meats (108 W North Bend Way, North Bend). Just listen to this – it’s a full Macrina baguette, European butter and double cream Brie, cracked smoked pepper and a thin layer of Olympia Provisions Sweetheart Ham. I’m suddenly feeling like Jerry Horne.
I’ll follow eating four of them with the Twin Peaks Special from Friends & Co. Ice Cream in North Bend or Snoqualmie Ice Cream in Snoqualmie. It’s cherry Pie ice cream infused with real cherries and pie crust pieces baked by Chickadee Bakeshop, paired with a scoop of Cup of Joe espresso flavored ice cream. I’m going to dine like Little Nicky!
MORE HEAVENLY FOOD AT SALISH LODGE
You really have to try Honey From Heaven at the Salish Lodge & Spa. I love getting breakfast at the Lodge which includes biscuits and honey made on the property. The servers have a unique way of presenting the honey which is reminiscent of the waterfall just outside the dining room window. It’s delicious. Oh, coffee at The Salish … exceptional.
TWIN PEAKS TRIVIA CONTESTS
There will be three levels of Twin Peaks trivia held during the event. The champion for the expert trivia contest will receive this unique trophy made by the wonderfully talented Mary Hütter. Long-time Twin Peaks fans Josh Eisenstadt and Steve Lange will be hosting free trivia at these locations on February 23:
- 4:00 p.m. – Expert Level Trivia with Josh Eisenstadt at Snoqualmie Falls Brewery
- Address: 8032 Falls Avenue SE, Snoqualmie
- 6:30 p.m. – Mid-level trivia with Steve Lange at South Fork
- Address: 14303 436 Avenue SE, North Bend
- 7:00 p.m. – Entry Level Trivia with Josh Eisenstadt at Volition Brewing Co.
- Address: 112 W. North Bend Way, North Bend
MYSTERY GUEST FOR VIP TICKET HOLDERS AT NORTH BEND THEATRE
For VIP ticket holders only there will be a mystery guest Q&A session held on February 24 in the North Bend Theatre. VIPs should arrive between 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. for this incredibly special moment. The session will continue until about 1:00 p.m. The afternoon will feature Cinema Unwrapped – Twin Peaks Edition, an analysis of The Missing Pieces. from 1:30-5:30 p.m.
And to think – this is only a handful of things that are going on during the event. WOW, REAL TWIN PEAKS, WOW! It’s going to be one fantastic weekend. I hope to see you in the trees!
