Bavarian Bulletin - March 24, 2026 Edition

The Bavarian Bulletin

Bavaria in the U.S.

This year has already presented itself with several challenges that make it more difficult or costly to travel. That's why we love seeing stories like the one below that reminds Americans that they can have a transportive experience without that high cost or need for a passport.

If Getting a Passport Is Tough Right Now, Try These U.S. Cities With International Vibes

Can’t get the right gender marker? Need to stay domestic? We’ve got you covered.

"As a kid growing up in the Pacific Northwest, all I ever wanted to do during the holiday season was go to Leavenworth, a small Bavarian-style village two hours outside of Seattle that had a magical air about it. Leavenworth was modeled after a "Bavarian-Swiss" alpine theme town and drew inspiration from the Danish-themed town, Solvang, California, also featured on this list. Although it’s a beautiful place to go year-round — in the summer you can go tubing in the river and drink a beer in the outdoor brewery — visiting during the winter months truly does transport you to a holiday wonderland straight out of the Alps. The buildings are covered in snow and icicles, Christmas music is played in every shop, and you can walk through the town with a hot chocolate (or toddy) in hand. Every shop is decorated with Christmas lights and the entire town truly seems charmed in a Frozen, Elsa & Anna kinda way." — Ana Osorno

Full Article

EXTENDED!
SBA Business Recovery Center in The Chamber Administrative Offices

Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce Admin Office

940 US Hwy 2, Ste. B

Mondays - Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

EXTENDED: The temporary SBA recovery center at the Chamber closes on Friday, April 3rd

Stop by the Business Recovery Center, open now, to speak with a representative.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

Read SBA’s full press release at County of Chelan, Washington.

FINAL WEEK - Christmas Light Removal

Any downtown Chamber Members needing help with light removal, our crew is available to help on March 24, 25 & 26. Please contact us to reserve a date and time.

MEDIA MATTERS

The Leavenworth Area Promotion (LAP) Committee has officially launched the spring marketing campaign for Leavenworth, representing one of our most robust seasonal efforts of the year. This campaign is designed not only to drive immediate visitation, but also to keep Leavenworth top of mind as travelers plan their future getaways.

This spring campaign showcases everything that makes Leavenworth shine this time of year, from vibrant festivals and outdoor recreation to shopping, dining, and unique attractions, all with a strategic focus on extending weekend stays and increasing midweek visitation.

L.A.P. is targeting our most valuable drive markets, including Puget Sound, Portland, Tri-Cities, Yakima, Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, and Boise, through a comprehensive mix of digital advertising, paid search, and traditional media placements such as travel guides and magazines. These efforts are further amplified through television appearances and commercial spots in both Seattle and Portland. Phoenix also remains a key market, consistently supporting longer stays and demonstrating strong travel intent, and will continue to be targeted through digital campaigns and airport placements.

This spring initiative is part of a larger, year-round strategy led by the Chamber, with four major seasonal campaigns: winter, spring, summer, and fall, ensuring Leavenworth remains visible, competitive, and inspiring to travelers in every season.

As always, our focus is on supporting our members by driving high-quality visitation that benefits the town.

FOOTFALLS

Week 10, 2026. 09 Mar 2026 - 15 Mar 2026

Nice to see a week finally out performing the prior year!

_{*Remember, these are footfalls counted by five cameras locations of Front Street. The numbers are NOT individual people counts, those numbers would be lower.}

City of Leavenworth's Employee Parking Program

A letter from the City of Leavenworth about their new pilot Employee Parking Program which is now open for registration

Dear Leavenworth Business Owners,

As part of the City’s ongoing commitment to supporting our downtown core, we are excited to announce that the pilot Employee Parking Program is officially open for registration. We understand that finding a reliable parking space can be challenging at times. This new program is an optional, affordable monthly permit granting employees access to several high-demand pay lots downtown—including Glacier, Freund, and Horseshoe Lake—on a first-come, first-served basis.

How this optional pilot program can support your employees:

· Predictable Cost: A flat $50 monthly fee with convenient automatic billing—that’s less than $2 a day in a month.

· Proximity: Access to select downtown lots all-day, seven days a week—whether they’re working or enjoying a day off downtown.

· Simple Process: Employees can register directly online with proof of employment and vehicle registration (such as a paystub or a letter from you).

Important Note: We are limiting the initial launch to 50 permits (one license plate per permit). For more information, please visit our website at cityofleavenworth.com/your-city-hall/parking-information/.

Thank you for all you do for the Leavenworth community!

Questions? Contact the Parking Department at (509) 888-0812 or email us at tapp@cityofleavenworth.com.