Sedro-Woolley: Museum, Loggerodeo, and Cascade Trail

Sedro-Woolley combines regional history and logging traditions with events and outdoor opportunities. You can use these different themes to plan your trip: the city’s past, the Loggerodeo program, or activities such as cycling and walking on the Cascade Trail.

City and Regional History

The Sedro-Woolley Museum is housed in the former Murdock Mall building. In the 1920s, it originally housed Emil Jech’s Ford garage. The building thus connects its former use with its current function as a museum. Sedro-Woolley’s historic downtown also offers visitors a glimpse into the city’s past.

Those who want to learn more about the region’s history will find a variety of points of interest at the museum. Museum field trips offer hands-on experiences in regional history. The Sedro-Woolley Museum’s research library is available by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays for research into the history of central Skagit County.

Public art exhibitions also draw on history: they commemorate the pioneer era and Sedro-Woolley’s rich logging tradition. Together with the museum and the historic downtown, they offer a look at different aspects of the past—from everyday life in earlier times to traditions associated with the city.

Loggerodeo: Competitions and Parade

At the Loggerodeo, logging traditions are also at the heart of the event program. The Logging Exposition includes pole-climbing, axe-throwing, and choker-setting competitions. There are also single- and double-buck competitions using a two-person crosscut saw. The events showcase different skills associated with logging.

The chainsaw carving competition features a Quick Carve each day. At the end of each day, the Quick Carve pieces created that day are auctioned. So, as well as the competition, the program includes a daily auction. If you’re interested in the carvings, you can distinguish this event from the Logging Exposition competitions.

Another highlight is the annual Grand Parade on July 4, which lasts about two hours. It averages more than 100 entries, including decorated floats, vintage John Deere tractors, horses, classic cars, fire trucks, logging trucks, marching bands, and the Nile Shriners. The mix of vehicles, animals, and groups makes the parade a distinctive part of the Loggerodeo program.

Rodeo and Outdoor Activities

The Sedro-Woolley Riding Club and Rodeo is dedicated to promoting the Western way of life through family-friendly events. The club operates its own outdoor rodeo arena. It is the main venue for Sedro-Woolley’s major annual rodeo events, including a PRCA-sanctioned rodeo. The events draw participants and spectators from across the region.

For outdoor exercise, the Cascade Trail offers another option. The 22.5-mile multi-use trail connects Sedro-Woolley with Concrete. It’s suitable for cycling, horseback riding, running, and walking; access is at 24700 SR 20 in Sedro-Woolley. Its length and the connection between the two towns make it a different proposition from a short walk: you can think of it as a longer route between two cities. The Northern State Recreation Area is on the eastern edge of Sedro-Woolley’s urban growth area in the foothills of the Cascade Range.

The Skagit Valley Festival of Family Farms also includes participating family farms in Sedro-Woolley. If you’d like to include the recurring festival in your trip plans, check the specific event dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Burlington, Anacortes, Mount Vernon, La Conner, Bow.

Return to the main travel overview: Skagit County.