The Must List: Seattle Beer Week, Boating Season Returns and a Kentucky Derby Watch Party

Must Sip
Seattle Beer Week

(5/4) So overflowing with sudsy events is Seattle Beer Week, that organizers actually need 10 days to pack them all in. The first (of four) kickoff parties starts Thursday with a happy hour soiree at the Pioneer Square Flatstick Pub. 5–6 p.m. 240 2nd Ave. S; seattlebeerweek.com.

Must Eat Nordique
Nordic Culinary Conference

(5/5-7) The second annual food fest brings a handful of renowned Scandinavian chefs to Ballard to showcase Nordic cuisine, both contemporary and traditional. Claus Meyer, crusader of the new Nordic food trend, delivers the keynote address, while Sasu Laukkonen and Titti Kvarnstrom lend their Michelin cred to the series of talks, demos and, of course, tastings. $75-$350, Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 67th St. NW; nordicmuseum.org.

Must Float
Opening Day Parade

(5/6) The cannon sounds, the Montlake Bridge goes up, and Seattle Yacht Club’s Grand Opening Day Boat Parade launches a thousand ships. Well, hundreds, and definitely a thousand sips. Watch the parade, then stay for the Windermere Cup crew races. 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Lake Washington Ship Canal, Portage Bay; seattleyachtclub.org.

Must Play the Ponies
Kentucky Derby

(5/6) Bust out your ornate headwear and pastel button-ups for Re:Public’s seventh annual Kentucky Derby party, where guests are required to don derby garb. The trendy South Lake Union spot promises a funked-out brunch soundtracked by a brass band, plus “luxurious” bus rides to and from Emerald Downs for a viewing party. $65, 9:30 a.m., 429 Westlake Ave. N; republicseattle.com.

Must Remember Mama
Creative Floristry

(5/7) Learn to create a spring bouquet for Mother’s Day (May 14) with instruction from Thatch Floral’s Sara Jane Camacho and Meadowview Flowers’ Sara Brown (her mom) in a Seattle Atlas Obscura Society event. 1–3 p.m. $50. Slab Art Studio, SoDo, 3100 Airport Way S, Building 9; atlasobscura.com.