Events & Festivals (Statewide) Tips

Silverton Hills Strawberry Festival

Mounds of deliciously sweet strawberries from the Willamette Valley fields heaped over homemade shortcake and smothered with fresh whipped cream and vanilla ice cream. Life doesn't get much better than this! For those of you who are looking for directions to this strawberry paradise, here they are: Silverton is about 15 miles east of downtown Salem; 12 miles east of Interstate 5. Distance from Portland is about 42 miles. Traveling south from Portland, take Exit 360B - marked Chemawa - from I-5 and drive east to Silverton. (Event is held each June on Father's Day)

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Annual Verboort Sausage and Kraut Dinner

This year marks the 67th year for the Annual Verboort Sausage and Kraut Dinner. Festivities begin a week before the event, when 40 volunteers will make the 13 tons of sausage that will be eaten. Once made, the sausage hangs in the parish smokehouse until the dinner. The rest of the meal includes homemade sauerkraut and applesauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, rolls, pie, coffee and milk. Last year, more than 8,000 dinners were served.

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Tulip Festival - Woodburn

Beginning at the end of March, more than 100 acres of tulips and novelty daffodils burst into bloom every spring at the Wooden Shoe Bulb Co., located in Woodburn, just off Interstate 5 between Portland and Salem. At the bulb farm, you'll find nearly 190 varieties of tulips and 45 kinds of daffodils. During bloom time, hundreds of thousands of visitors come from all over the Northwest to view the spectacle, order bulbs for fall planting, and purchase cut flowers. (Be sure to request their free catalog!)

Woodburn, Oregon

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Northwest Quilters Quilt Show

Every year since 1974, Northwest Quilters has produced a Community Quilt Show. In addition to hundreds of quilts on display, the show has a featured quilter, lectures, demonstrations, and a merchant mall with many vendors. The theme for the 2002 show is "Galaxy of Stars" and for 2003, "Crazy for Quilts." The annual quilt show is usually held during Memorial Day Weekend at the Washington County Fairgrounds and is open to the public. There is a nominal admission fee.

For more information, please send an SASE to Northwest Quilters, P.O. Box 82158, Portland, OR 97282-0158

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Saturday Market

Portland's Saturday Market, is the nation's largest continuously operating open-air arts and crafts market, displaying hand-crafted wares on Saturday and Sunday, from the first weekend in March through Christmas Eve (December). Vendors who sell at the Market come from Oregon, Washington, and surrounding states.

Saturday Market

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Salem Art Fair and Festival

Oregon's largest, longest running art festival: over 200 artists, continuous free performances, hands on art activities, special kids' court, food booths with an international variety of fare. All under the oaks in Bush's Pasture Park.

Salem Art Fair and Festival

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Murder Mystery Dinner Train

Take a journey through luscious scenery to the foothills of Mount Hood, as the Mount Hood Railroad offers a special Murder Mystery Dinner Train. Passengers will be entertained with a sumptuous dinner and a murderously funny evening with a whodunit performed by professional actors, as the train travels across the beautiful Hood River Valley. For times, dates, and prices, be sure to check out the official site of the Mount Hood Railroad.

Murder Mystery Dinner Train

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Woodburn Berry Festival

Woodburn has added a new festival to their summer line-up for 2002 - The Woodburn Berry Festival, July 26-28! This event will feature fresh berries from the area and hot air balloon rides. City organizers are hoping this fruity happening will become an annual community festival. If you need more information, or if you'd like to volunteer, please call (503) 980-2478.

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Iris Festival - Keizer

Traditionally, the Keizer Iris Festival kicks off with the Open Art Show on May 1 and runs through May 31. Then, something magical happens toward the middle of the month. Residents and visitors are treated to three fun-filled days with a parade through the city, carnival, food booths, trade show, live music, and dancing, billed as "Keizer Washington Mutual Iris Days." Don't miss out - call for more information 503-393-9111!

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Oregon Theatre Events

Complete listings of all theatre events in Oregon through December 2002, including musicals, revues, and opera and their opening and closing dates. Be sure to bookmark this site as new programs are added. A separate page shows only Portland theatre events.

Oregon Theatre Events

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Oregon Ag Fest

Celebrate agriculture in Oregon - one of the few industries that affects everyone's life. Each April, Ag Fest presents a two-day, hands-on event at the Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem. Activities include Ag Country and Farmland Play Area, a petting zoo, a how-to-garden Fair, a trade and craft show, and a llama show. The event traditionally begins its kick off with an Old-Fashioned Ranch Breakfast.

Oregon Ag Fest

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Holiday Cheer & Authors Party

For over 30 years the Oregon Historical Society's annual "party" has honored Northwest authors. Meet over 60 of them as they display, autograph and sell their latest books during this popular event. You can also learn about other upcoming events at the Oregon History Center by calling their 24-hour Information Line at 503-306-5198.

Holiday Cheer & Authors Party

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Woodburn Tulip Festival

At the Wooden Shoe Bulb Company, a family-owned, 100-acre bulb farm in Woodburn just off Interstate 5 between Portland and Salem, you'll find nearly 190 varieties of tulips and 45 kinds of daffodils. During bloom time, from March 20 through April 20, visitors are invited to come and see the fields, order bulbs for fall planting, and purchase cut flowers. (Be sure to request their free catalog!)
Wooden Shoe Bulb Company

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Oktoberfest

Portland Brewing Company presents the Annual Uncle Otto's Oktoberfest, "Where Lederhosen meets Led Zeppelin." Now in its ninth year, Portland's only brewery-based celebration plays host to thousands of partygoers from Oregon and Southwest Washington by offering Bavarian food and beer with "high-octane polka" musical guests.

Portland Brewing Company

(Due to the events on September 11, 2001, they held a fundraiser for The American Red Cross in place of the Oktoberfest celebration.)

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Salmon Festival

The Annual Salmon Festival celebrates the return of the fall chinook salmon to the Sandy River and inspires protection of native salmon and their habitat. The two-day event takes place at Metro's Oxbow Regional Park located in the scenic Sandy River Gorge eight miles east of Gresham. Native salmon have migrated for thousands of years from the Pacific Ocean to the Sandy River and may be viewed spawning at Oxbow Regional Park during the festival and throughout October.

Salmon Festival

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Mt. Angel Oktoberfest

"For the Best of Times"
Each September, the hills of Mt. Angel, Oregon, come alive with the sound of Bavarian music (and the aromatic delights of German bratwurst and sauerkraut!).

Mt. Angel Oktoberfest

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Grotto's Festival of Lights

Opening Nov. 30, the month-long holiday music festival features spectacular lights, hourly choral concerts, puppet shows, petting zoo, and more, all in a 62-acre forested sanctuary setting. One of Oregon's best-known annual events!

Grotto's Festival of Lights

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Open Air Antique Fair - Oregon City

The Annual Open Air Antique Fair in downtown Oregon City is a one-day event sponsored by the Oregon City Chamber of Commerce and features 150 antique and collectible dealers. The event draws dealers from Oregon, Washington, California and Arizona bringing vintage clothing, depression glass, toys, yard and garden collectibles, tools, records, books, furniture and much more. You are welcome to bring your own keepsakes or treasures to be appraised at the appraisal stage.

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Holiday Ale Festival

The Annual Holiday Ale Festival is an outdoor winter beer festival that celebrates 24 of the region's seasonal craft brews. Admission to the festival is free; a 14-ounce souvenir mug is required for tasting beer and costs $3. Patrons pay $3 for each 14-ounce draft beer or $1 for a taster. The festival will be held this year from Nov. 30 - Dec. 2.

Holiday Ale Festival

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Hood River Valley Harvest Fest

Join more than 22,000 visitors at the three-day 19th Annual Harvest Fest in Hood River Valley, as they celebrate the produce of autumn. You'll be tempted by fresh fruit and veggies such as pears, pumpkins, Red Delicious Apples, roasted peppers, squash, sweet potatoes, yams, and offerings of Willamette Valley wines. This area is the West Coast's version of Vermont, with red-hued maple trees, vibrantly colored fruit orchards and golden tamarack trees. Also enjoy live entertainment, a parade and contests. For more information, please call 541-386-2057

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Portland International Film Festival

The 25th Portland International Film Festival will be held February 9 - 25, 2002. This major film event in Oregon is "a rich snapshot of world cinema." The annual festival features nearly 100 films from over 30 countries in just over two weeks.

NW Film Center

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Portland Highland Scottish Games

The Portland Highland Scottish Games will celebrate their 50th year in 2002. Join Portlanders as they promote the richness and depth of their Scottish culture and heritage. See the dancers, cheer the athletes, enjoy the music, visit the clan tents, taste the food, and visit the vendors' booths with their collections of mementos from far away. At the end of the day, go to the Ceilidh, a Scottish party for the whole family.

Portland Highland Scottish Games

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Pioneer Harvest

Step back 150 years to a time without the fast food convenience of McDonald's and the mass production of goods from Wal-Mart! The Annual Pioneer Harvest Festival at the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center offers you a living snapshot of the pioneer spirit and know-how. You'll be able to watch, and participate, in traditional harvest activities like making corn husk dolls, beaded clothing, scarecrows, quilts, petroglyphs and candle dipping. Demonstrators, dressed in period outfits, will show how fur was fashioned into clothing, and which stands of trees were best for burning and for furniture making.

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Portland Open Studios

This new citywide art event, now in its third year, allows the public to visit the workspaces of artists around Greater Portland, Oregon. For two weeks, it is an opportunity to see how artists live and work; their homes, studios, presses, kilns, looms, and workshops. See into their lives, and understand a little more about how and why they do their work. To attend, you must obtain a catalog ($12); each serves as admission to Open Studios for two and provides a map so you can trace your route. Plus, this year's catalog doubles as a calendar.

Portland Open Studios

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Waterfront Blues Festival

Eighty bands on three stages in Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Includes blues films, jam sessions, and history. One of the summer's favorites, this event benefits the Oregon Food Bank.

Waterfront Blues Festival

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GoGirlsMusicFest 2001

GoGirlsMusicFest is a series of annual showcase events across the United States promoting indie women in music while supporting various charities. Now in its second year, the GoGirlsMusicFest 2001 will feature shows in 20 cities around the country (Portland, OR - October), all benefiting the Nicole Brown Charitable Foundation. "cuz chicks rock!"

GoGirlsMusicFest

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Cascade Half Marathon - Turner

Billed as "Oregon's Only Half Marathon in January," the 4th Annual Cascade Half Marathon takes place in Turner, Oregon on Sunday, January 12. The event is a USATF certified course and is open to runners and walkers.

Annual Cascade Half Marathon Archives

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Alzheimer's Memory Walk

October 2001 marks the Tenth Annual Memory Walk to raise funds to fight Alzheimer's disease, a condition which affects over 126,000 people in Oregon, Washington and Idaho alone. Join the Memory Walk either as an individual or a team leader. Call 503-413-6471 or visit the link below for more information.

Memory Walk

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Rose Festival

Each year, the city of Portland, comes alive for 25 days with the Annual Rose Festival, full of airshows, art shows, the crowning of the Rose Festival Queen, and the traditional Grand Floral Parade. Next year's parade will be Saturday, June 8, 2002 - for more details, visit the Official Site.

Portland Rose Festival

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Oregon Folklife Festival

The Oregon Folklife Heritage Foundation builds and promotes community and visitation for their unique Downtown Community through entertainment, enrichment, education and opportunity in folk music, crafts and culture for enthusiasts, artists & practitioners in the Corvallis/Linn-Benton community, the Willamette Valley, and beyond.

Oregon Folklife

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