Pullman, Washington sure knows how to throw a party. Every August, just before Washington State University students return to campus, Pullman comes alive with the National Lentil Festival. Since 1989, the event has honored the region's agricultural heritage while giving locals and visitors alike a reason to gather for parades, music, food, sports and family fun. But ask anyone who's been there, and they'll tell you the centerpiece is always the same: the world's largest bowl of lentil chili.
Served up in Reaney Park, the Chili Bowl is a one-of-a-kind tradition that draws lines of festivalgoers year after year. Getting it there, though, takes a little creativity, and that's where Ziply Fiber comes in.
In 2023, the festival found itself with a brand-new trailer for the chili bowl. It was big, maybe too big, and there was no easy way to move the massive pot from the parade route into the park. That's when Aaron Davis, Ziply Fiber's Local Manager, offered a solution. "I had just received approval for a bucket truck," Aaron recalls. "So, I said, why don't we just hook it up to that? Not only did we tow the chili bowl in the parade, but we got it into the park so everyone could enjoy their free chili lunch."
That small act of problem-solving turned into something much bigger. Since then, Ziply Fiber has proudly taken on the role of "Chili Bowl chauffeurs," making sure the festival's signature dish gets where it needs to go.
The effort starts before sunrise, when Ziply Fiber technicians meet to decorate the trailer and prep for the parade. "Our team is there from 6 a.m. until everything is wrapped up at the end of the night," Aaron says. "We help decorate, tow, clean and make sure things run smoothly. It's become a tradition we all look forward to."
For Aaron, it's about visibility and impact. "The Lentil Festival is probably one of the first events that roughly 4,400 WSU freshmen take part in when they move into town. For Ziply Fiber to be right there in the middle of it, with the Chili Bowl, is massive. It gives us a chance to connect with people as people, not just as the folks who install their fiber internet."
The chili itself doesn't go to waste either. After thousands are served in the park for free, any leftovers are donated to local food shelters, adding another layer of community value to the day.
At its heart, the Lentil Festival is about neighbors coming together to celebrate what makes the Palouse unique. For Ziply Fiber, being part of that story isn't about technology or speed. It's about showing up, pitching in and sometimes towing a giant pot of chili down Main Street. And really, that's the kind of tradition worth keeping.
