Lighted tractors, horsemen lead Washington's weird winter events

Do you need to add variety — maybe even some quirkiness — to your winter holidays? A road trip around Washington in the uncrowded months can put a different spin on the days of mistletoe and Jack Frost. Make plans now if you want to see:

• Lighted Farm Implement Parade, Dec. 4, Sunnyside, Yakima County. More than 50 light-strewn tractors, trucks and floats pay tribute to the Yakima Valley's agricultural heritage. See www.visityakimavalley.org.

• Lighted Horseman Parade, Nov. 27, Toppenish, Yakima County. An equestrian-only nighttime parade. Wagons OK, but only if pulled by a horse, through the mural town of Toppenish, which American Cowboy magazine named one of the 20 Best Places to Live in the West. See www.visityakimavalley.org.

• Wenatchee Festival of Trees, Nov. 19-21. A showcase of Christmas trees elaborately decorated by local volunteers and companies, sold at auction for a good cause. See www.wenatcheefestivaloftrees.com.

• Tri-Cities Lighted Boat Parade, Dec. 10-11, Kennewick. Watercraft of all kinds ply the Columbia River, with twinkling lights reflected on the waves. See www.visittri-cities.com.

• Lake Chelan Winterfest, Jan. 14-16, Chelan: Highlights include an outdoor gallery of ice sculptures created before your eyes, a wine walk, the Fire and Ice torchlight parade and a polar bear swim. See www.lakechelanwinterfest.com.