Beginning Saturday, the Yakima Valley Museum will serve up "Key Ingredients: America By Food," a Smithsonian traveling exhibition that digs into the historical, regional and social traditions of everyday meals and celebrations that happen around the American table.

The exhibit features a variety of artifacts, photographs and illustrations looking at how culture, ethnicity, class, landscape and tradition have influenced the foods and flavors of the nation. "Key Ingredients" also examines the evolution of the American kitchen and highlights food-production pioneers such as Heinz, Campbell and Borden.

The exhibition runs through Aug. 30 at the museum. Call 509-248-0747 or visit www.yakimavalleymuseum.org.

And to spice things up, the museum is also offering up a couple of "Key Ingredients" side dishes:

* 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday -- "A Victorian Picnic" at the Gilbert House, 2109 W. Yakima Ave. Enjoy Victorian-style food and drink and a game of croquet. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $8 for children. Reservations are encouraged by calling the museum.

* 7 p.m. Aug. 5 -- Movie Night at the Museum. Free showing of "Babette's Feast."

* 7 p.m. Aug. 12 -- Movie Night at the Museum. Free showing of "Tortilla Soup."

-- Kim Nowacki