Classic Cars Take Over the Grounds at Pacific University During the Annual Concours d’Elegance
Hundreds of beautifully restored cars representing the many eras of automobile history will be on display at one of Washington County’s premier car shows, Concours d’Elegance, when it returns to Forest Grove this Sunday, July 18, 2010.
Photo by Paul Loofburrow
The Concours d’Elegance features 40 different classes of restored antique, classic and special interest cars, from the refined elegance of timeless classic cars from the 1930s and fun convertibles from the 1950s, to the cool sophistication of sports cars from the ’60s and beyond. Not to be missed, however, is the collection of carefully restored ’70s- and ’80s-era “muscle” cars, and renowned “duds,” such as the Ford Edsel, AMC Pacer and AMC Gremlin.
This event is a must for anyone who loves cars, and is equally as enjoyable for those (like myself) who don’t know anything about the history or restoration of cars. Last year, I checked out the myriad cars at the Concours and had a blast. I fell deeply in love with a BMW Isetta, in which I could picture myself behind the wheel, driving around the streets of Rome.
Also, during our visit my daughter and I browsed the “Exotic Auto Emporium,” which featured dozens of classic cars for sale.For sale were 60s-era Ford Mustangs, Mercedes sedans from the 1980s (in the requisite muddy brown color that was ever so popular at the time), an AMC Delorean (best known as the time-traveling car in the film “Back to the Future”), and a 1950-something Ford pick-up truck my daughter and I lovingly called the “Sanford and Son” truck, as well as my dream car, the BMW Isetta.
Check out the more than 300 cars on display at this year’s Concours d’Elegance. Perhaps you, too, will find your own dream car.
Tickets may be purchased at the gate for $15 (adults) and $7 (for youth ages 6-16). This event is put on by the Forest Grove Rotary, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit local students in Washington County and projects in the community.
The ripe berries were harder to find, but we found 'em.
This year I decided to take full advantage of the cool, temperate weather and spend Independence Day outside. So, my daughter and I ventured to Smith Berry Barn for its annual July 4th Berry Festival. The “berry barn” is a short drive to rural Hillsboro, and in addition to traditional festival festivities—food, live music and farm animals galore—the event featured berry picking and wine tastings from Washington County’s newest winery.
New winemaker Provincial Vineyards was pouring its 2008 Pinot Noir and 2009 Pinot Gris. Providence has been growing wine grapes at its vineyard site located outside of Forest Grove, next to Apolloni Vineyards and Purple Cow Vineyards. After selling grapes to local vintners, the vineyard owners decided to bottle the grapes under their own label. Provincial doesn’t have a tasting room; however, their wines can be purchased at local wine shops, such as Urban Decanter in Forest Grove.
We ended up with about two pints of raspberries!
After filling up on hot dogs and strawberry lemonade, we set out for our raspberry picking adventure. This was our first time picking raspberries, and it was quite easy, as the berries were easily pulled off their leaves. We filled about a quarter of the tub, which equated to a little more than two pints. And for only $2.25 for our entire bounty, it was a delicious bargain.
Because of the unusually long spring temperatures, the berries are ripening later than normal, so prime berry picking time is just starting here in Washington County. Raspberries, marionberries, blueberries, loganberries, and a host of other berries I’ve never heard of before are ripe, or nearly ripe, at U-pick farms throughout the region. It’s a great family activity, even for teens, and it’s tasty, too!
For a list of u-pick farms, farm stands and farmers’ markets in Washington County, Oregon, click here.
So, how many of you were up early this morning to see a colorful array of hot air balloons gracing the skies over Washington County? If you missed it, you still have a few chances to see the 17 different hot air balloons as part of the Festival of Balloons in Tigard.
The balloons almost looked like Christmas ornaments delicately hung on the feathery white clouds as I drove to the kick-off breakfast hosted by The Tigard Area Chamber of Commerce. As I arrived, I saw a variety of activities that will be awaiting attendees of the festival, including The Funtastic Carnival, food vendors, the Rogue Brewery Beer Garden, the main stage where Friday night’s music lineup includes the likes of local YouTube phenom-turned-pop-star Savannah Outen, Portland area favorite, Nobody’s Bizness, and the ultimate dance and show band, Five Guys Named Moe.
While you are enjoying the musical performances in the evening, look to the skies for the NW Natural Night Glow, as the balloons rise into the air and are lit up for all to enjoy. For Saturday’s musical line-up check the Music Listing Page on the festival website. Additional activities include The Festival of Cars on Sunday, and a Soccer Tournament throughout the weekend where you can watch some terrific young athletes compete.
Buy your tickets online at a special discount, and note that the ticket price is good for entry to the festival all weekend. (Parking, the carnival rides and food & beverage are an additional expense.)
What a great way to celebrate one of Washington County’s terrific communities this weekend, and it is not too late to drive in from out of town, stay the night and enjoy the festivities. Rooms are still available at the headquarter hotel, The Best Western Northwind Inn and Suites.
While visiting don’t forget to check out Tigard’s premier shopping destinations, Washington Square Mall and Bridgeport Village, where you can take advantage of Oregon’s fantastic tax free shopping. We hope to see you at the festival, where you might just get carried away.
There are local events in July and August that showcase horses — and their talented riders:
Dressage at DevonWood
July 23 – 25, 2010
Competing at Dressage at Devonwood in 2009
Dressage at DevonWood is the Pacific Northwest’s premier equestrian competition. Featuring riders from: Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Western Canada, the competition attracts nearly 300 horses and riders competing for qualifying scores for state, regional and national championships.
Saturday is the highlight of the competition where approximately 40 riders will compete in the musical freestyle and vie for $2,000 in cash prizes. In musical freestyle, riders choreograph compulsory movements in a spontaneous pattern set to music that complements the horses’ every movement.
In addition to outstanding Dressage competition, Dressage at DevonWood offers excellent shopping in its Vendor Village, with 30 merchants offering their wares, as well as wine tasting and gourmet food and drinks.
For a look at past Dressage at DevonWood competitions:
- Last year’s 10th Annual Dressage Event
- A video shot by Tory Kelly of Equine Video Productions featuring FEI Grand Prix Musical Freestyle (with Peggy Thomas’ Hanoverian Mare ridden by Debbie McDonald aboard Brentina from Hailey, Idaho):
Times: 8 am to 6 pm all three days; classes begin at noon Location:DevonWood Equestrian Centre – 25033 SW Pacific Highway, Sherwood Admission: No spectator fee; parking is $10 and includes a program
Oregon Horse Country Familiarization Tours
June 17*, July 22, and August 26
*Note: The June 17th Tour is CANCELLED due to rainy conditions.
Oregon Horse Country, a division of the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce, has been created to foster economic vitality through promotion and connections of equine businesses in Oregon’s northern Willamette Valley, centered around the Wilsonville area. Oregon Horse Country aims to “Promote the Passion” for horse owners, equine businesses, enthusiasts and all-around horse lovers.
Horseback riding near L.L. Stub Stewart State Park
These familiarization (FAM) site tours (now offered July 22 and August 26) are open to all; they just require registering in advance.
Past FAM tours have visited nine horse-related facilities in the area.
OHC provides leadership and guidance for the promotion and marketing of member equestrian businesses and activities, cultivating the idea of equine-tourism. OHC is a leading source of information and resources for anyone interested in equestrian activities, from owners of equine facilities to equine businesses and services, and for amateur to professional riders.
Reehers Horse Camp, L.L. Stub Stewart State Park Horse Camp
May 15 – October 31
For those looking for horse camping accommodations, Washington County offers two prime locations: Reehers Horse Camp in Timber (in the Tillamook Forest) and L.L. Stub Stewart State Park in Buxton.
August is jam-packed with more unique events in Washington County than you can shake a stick at! Now, if you still insist on attempting to shake a stick just to prove us wrong, please wear eye protection. Remember, safety first! Speaking of safety, don’t forget your sunscreen before heading out to these can’t-miss events:
It's garlic on parade at the annual Garlic Festival!
North Plains Garlic Festival, North Plains, August 6-8. This 13th Annual Festival celebrates the pungent, tasty goodness known as “Elephant Garlic” with a variety of festivities and entertainment. Remember, “Fun Stinks.“
Tualatin Crawfish Festival, Tualatin, August 13-14. The nation’s oldest crawfish festival celebrates 60 years of the Cambaridae Camburus with a variety of food, entertainment and activities. More info
LPGA Safeway Classic Golf Tournament at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club, August 16-22. The 39th annual tournament features 144 of the world’s top women golfers competing for a 1.5 million purse. Last year it drew a record crowd of 87,800 to Pumpkin Ridge(!). The Golf Channel will be there for TV coverage Friday – Sunday, so make sure they get your good side. More from organizers Tournament Golf Foundation
The Reserve in Aloha is the new home of this annual event!
Best of Oregon Food & Wine Festival at the Reserve Vineyards & Golf Club, August 14. You had us at “food.” The second annual festival showcases the best of Oregon’s culinary culture, world class wineries, and food artisans. This year’s program includes a golf tournament a few hours prior to the food and wine festival.
For tickets and information, go here
International Air Show at the Hillsboro Airport, August 20-22. Cue the “Top Gun” soundtrack! The 23rd Annual Air Show is proud to announce the return of the Marine Corp AV-8B Harrier II Demonstration Team, and America’s only civilian jet team, the U.S. Patriots. For tickets and information, gohere
Tractors lined-up. Photo courtesy of Shilo Inns.
Banks BBQ & Truck/Tractor Pull, Banks, August 20-22. The City of Banks cooks up its annual festival with down-home charm, featuring a grand parade, truck/tractor pull and demolition derby, drive-in car show, arts and crafts, games and its “famous” BBQ sandwiches.More info
For the June and July 2010 events in Washington County, click here
The Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge hosted its 14th annual Migratory Songbird Festival on May 15, 2010 in celebration of International Migratory Bird Day. The festival was a fun day of activities including bird and nature walks, live music, canoe paddles on the Tualatin River, bird house-building, a live bird show by the Portland Audubon Society, and last – but certainly not least – an appearance by Blue Goose, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service mascot.
Laura and I would like to extend a big THANKS to all of the young artists who stopped by the WCVA table to enter our coloring contest during the festival. We received 37 colorful masterpieces, each as unique and creative as the other, making it quite a challenge for our staff to judge! The prize for each of these winners was a lovely set of *washable markers (*parents, we’ve got your back).
Get ready for some outdoor fun! Here are some great ideas from our partners that represent one of the greatest assets in Washington County: nature (and everything in it).
This summer, the Tualatin Riverkeepers is offering a bounty of scheduled events for kids and adults of all ages, including parent-child hikes and paddle trips along the Tualatin River. For kids from ages 4-13, there are six summer sessions of nature day-camps, a series of daylong camps with different themes to encourage awareness of and love for the natural world. See details.
For more information, read the Riverkeepers’ informative quarterly newsletter, “The Green Herald”.
While visiting the Refuge, don’t forget to borrow a Nature Discovery Pack, a backpack full of activities, binoculars, field guides and nature journals. The packs are loaned to guests, free of charge, during visitor center hours.
Get the family excited for a trip to the Refuge, thanks to the U.S. Department of Interior and the U.S. Department of Fish & Wildlife’s recently launched website (recommended for children, ages 5+). This interactive site features learning sessions, quizzes, and a chance to earn a free tree to plant in your own backyard. (Supplies are limited.)
This year marks the 20th annual “Memorial Day Weekend in Wine Country” and Washington County has more than 20 wineries that will be welcoming visitors for tastings, entertainment and specials.
Visit Washington County’s wine country May 29, 30 and 31 and taste the revered Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris–and much more. This event offers tastings of new (aged) wine releases, as well as a chance to visit numerous wineries that are not regularly open to the public.
This weekend also marks the grand opening of the brand new tasting room at Árdíri Winery and Vineyards in Cornelius.
Most wineries are open these dates from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some charge tasting fees. Participating wineries include:
David Hill Vineyard & Winery photo by Matthew Mason
Want to map your route to the wineries? Start with the Vineyard and Valley Scenic Tour Route,
a 50-mile driving tour of Washington County’s agricultural – and viticultural – bounty.
Download the map and set out for a wine weekend adventure.
(Note: Because portions include narrow county roads, low bridge overpasses and winding roads, the route is not recommended for tour buses or bicyclists.)
Here are some great lodging packages to help you enjoy the holiday weekend.
Tee pad #8 honors those who had a hand in making the Meadow Ridge course a reality.
Perhaps a day on the disc golf green is your pace. If so, there’s a new course that has it all.
Horning’s Fishing and Picnic Hideout celebrated the grand opening of its newest 18-hole, championship disc golf course in late 2009, which is sure to be one of the most challenging courses in the region. The opening marks the third 18-hole disc golf course to open at Horning’s Hideout.
Built as a Pro Championship “Gold Tee” course (Gold Tee is the top rating, as certified by the Professional Disc Golf Association), Meadow Ridge is a challenging 7,035-foot course that winds through trees, hills and fields. Also open are Canyon, a “Blue Tee” course, and Highland, a short-throw, “Red Tee” course.
So warm up your arm and throwing discs and head out to North Plains for a day of disc golfing fun. While you’re there, be sure to also explore the serene picnic setting and the paddle boating, fishing and camping available at Horning’s Hideout.
Spend a weekend in Oregon wine country, and taste why Oregon has earned a reputation as North America’s most revered handcrafted Pinot Noir. Vintners and wineries of northern Willamette Valley in Washington County, Ore., open their doors for tastings, hors d’oeuvres and conversation during the annual Wine Country Thanksgiving.
The weekend marks the release of new vintages at many of Washington County’s wineries, giving oenophiles a chance to be among the first to taste new wine releases, as well as a chance to visit wineries that are not regularly open to the public.
Participating wineries include:
A Blooming Hill Vineyard & Winery 5195 SW Hergert Rd., Cornelius; (503) 992-1196 www.abloominghillvineyard.com
Fri-Sun, 12-5pm
$5 tasting fee (applied toward purchase of one bottle)
New release: Pinot Noir
Douglas Fir Noble Christmas trees available for purchase
Fee includes: Chocolate cake tastings
Anam Cara Cellars
22222 SW Nicholas View Drive Sherwood; (503)537-9150 www.anamcaracellars.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$10 tasting fee
Fee includes: Selection of Oregon cheeses
Purchase two bottles of wine, get the third bottle for $1 (must be same varietal/vintage)
Apolloni Vineyards 14135 NW Timmerman Rd., Forest Grove, (503) 359-3606 www.apolloni.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$5 tasting fee (refundable with wine purchase)
New releases: 2007 Sangiovese and 2007 Merlot (available in tasting room only)
Árdíri Winery and Cellars 35040 SW Unger Rd., Cornelius; (503) 628-6060 www.ardiriwine.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$10 tasting fee
New releases: 2007 Pinot Noir
Special tastings: 2008 Pinot Noir, barrel tastings
Fee includes: Logo glass, light food and chocolates made with Árdíri’s Pinot Noir
Beran Vineyards 30088 SW Egger Road, Hillsboro; (503) 628-1298 www.beranvineyards.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$5 tasting fee (proceeds to benefit Community Action programs)
Holiday discount, 20% off per case
Cooper Mountain Vineyards 9480 SW Grabhorn Rd., Beaverton; (503) 649-0027 www.coopermountainwine.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$10-20 tasting fee
Fee includes: Logo glass, live music, cheese and wine pairings
Organic and Biodynamic Vineyard Treks at 11am, 2pm and 4pm
25% off purchases of cases
David Hill Vineyard & Winery
46350 NW David Hill Rd., Forest Grove; (503) 992-8545 www.davidhillwinery.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$5 tasting fee
Fee includes: Logo glass and light food
Oak Knoll Winery
29700 SW Burkhalter Rd., Hillsboro; (503) 648-8198 www.oakknollwinery.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$5 tasting fee
Fee includes: Live music and light food
Special case discounts (20-50% off), pick an ornament from the holiday tree and open it to reveal percentage-off discount on purchase of a case
Patton Valley Vineyard
9449 SW Old Highway 47, Gaston; (503) 985-3445 www.pattonvalley.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$15 tasting fee
New releases: 2007 Lorna-Marie Reserve Pinot Noir, 2007 Syrah
Fee includes: Glass, food
Ponzi Vineyards
14665 SW Winery Ln., Beaverton; (503) 628-1227 www.ponziwines.com
Fri-Sun, 10am-5pm
$15 tasting fee
“The Ponzi Vineyards Cookbook” book signing with author/founder Nancy Ponzi (Sunday only)
New release: 2008 Tavola Pinot Noir
Fee includes: Riedel Pinot Noir Glass
Purple Cow Vineyards
52720 NW Wilson School Rd., Forest Grove; (503) 330-0991; www.purplecowvineyards.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm
$5 tasting fee
New releases: 2006 Tempranillo Reserve, 2007 Gabriela
Quailhurst Vineyard Estate 15031 SW Pleasant Hill Rd., Sherwood; (509) 427-5132 www.QuailhurstWines.com
Saturday, November 28, 9am-5pm
$20 tasting fee
Fee includes: Logo glass, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, entertainment
Specials on selected wines
Shafer Vineyard Cellars
6200 NW Gales Creek Rd., Forest Grove; (503) 357-6604 www.shafervineyardcellars.com
Fri-Mon, 11am-5pm
$5 tasting fee
Fee includes: Hors d’oeuvres, hot apple cider and coffee 36th Anniversary Special: Purchase one case, get the second case free (excludes Pinot Noir)
SakéOne
820 Elm St., Forest Grove; (503) 357-7056 www.sakeone.com
Fri-Sun, 11am-5pm (Tours: 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm)
$10 tasting fee
“Rice Exposed Tour“: tastings of fresh Oregon koji rice and kasu, rice cake pressed from fermented saké which is commonly used as a pickling agent in Japanese cuisine
Fee includes: Tour, saké pairings, chocolate-dipped fortune cookies
Saké and sakétini holiday gift sets 20% off
Most wineries are open Nov. 27-29, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (unless otherwise noted). Each winery may charge a tasting fee, and fees may vary. Event information, fees and participating wineries are subject to change. For additional information about the Thanksgiving holiday weekend tastings, visit the North Willamette Vintners Association’s website.
