The Oregon lifestyle is an enviable one with great festivals and outdoor activities in spectacular settings.
Here are some ways to fully enjoy all Oregon has to offer outdoors:
Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
Staged from late March to early May for the more than 25 years, the Wooden Shoe Tulip Fest in Woodburn, about a 45 minute drive from Portland, features more than 40 acres of Tulips and Daffodils. The festival includes activities like a crafters market place, a children’s play area, wooden shoe making, wine tasting. And let’s not forget the great food like Dutch sausage and hamburgers! There is also a farm equipment display, gift shop, country store, and a photography class to take great pictures of the flowers on display.
John Scharff Migratory Bird Festival
A fabulous weekend in Burns in early April for birders, this festival gives birders the opportunity to see thousands of migratory birds as they congregate in the Oregon high desert. All sorts of birds can be viewed, including waterfowl, shorebirds, cranes, wading birds, and songbirds. Among the activities are a Saturday Night Banquet with a keynote speaker, art show and sale of wildlife paintings, photographs, sculpture, jewelry and more by local and regional artists in the Burns High school gymnasium.
Eugene Emeralds Baseball Game
Playing their games in the 4,000-seat PK Park, the Eugene Emeralds are a Class A team in the Northwest League. The stadium features a restaurant row highlighted by Hole in the Wall BBQ and Benedetti’s Meat Market & Deli. Among the special activities at the ballpark are fireworks on Friday nights, picnic areas along the foul lines, and a giant video board.
Hood River Valley Blossom Festival
An annual event for more than 55 years, this festival is staged in mid-April in Hood River. Celebrating the arrival of spring the festival features events such as a craft show, quilt show, a grange blossom dinner, and a fire department all-you-can-eat breakfast. The highlight of the festival is viewing the stunning pink and white fruit tree blossoms on a tour route that is 47 miles long. Many of the farms on the route offer their own blossom-time activities. The region is the largest pear growing area in Oregon and is also home to many cherry orchards.
Run For The Cheetah
Staged for 7 years in Portland, this popular fun run/walk in early May encompasses 5K and 8K courses that start and conclude at the Oregon Zoo and weave through the picturesque Washington Park. There’s also a Kid’s Dash, a ½ mile run through the Zoo grounds.