What’s the Word?

Monster Tractors?!!

August 20th, 2009 by Sunyi

Who knew tractors could be so cool? Banks, Oregon, just had their annual BBQ celebration this last weekend.  What? You didn’t make it? It was a tough choice, so many things to do and see this last weekend in Washington County, not to mention all of Greater Portland. But lucky for us, we had a local partner attend and here are some great photos and some words from Shilo Inns.  There’s always next year folks!

The 65th Annual Banks, Oregon tractor pull & combine demolition derby was as exciting as advertised and there was never a dull moment over the six plus hours of the days events. The show began at noon with the first class of pulls (riding mowers) and escalated all the way up to the finale’ of the combine demolition derby and truck tug-of-war.

-Dan Klimke, Shilo Inns

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Tags: Banks, Shilo Inns, Sunset Speedway Park
Posted in Events, Family Fun | No Comments »

Washington County Visitors Association (WCVA) Awards Grant Funds for Tourism Development Projects

June 3rd, 2009 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan

The Washington County Visitors Association (WCVA), awarded just under $200,000 in tourism grants to local organizations. The WCVA is a destination marketing organization charged with marketing the county as a tourism destination. Up to $200,000 are allocated to local organizations annually for tourism development.

Selected by the WCVA’s grant committee, which is comprised of members of its board of directors, the seven recipients will receive the funds beginning in July for projects designed to enhance Washington County’s tourism products.

Recipients of the WCVA’s 2009-10 tourism grants are: 

• Banks Community Foundation ($15,000): Funding support to produce a Banks, Ore., visitor guide highlighting the attributes of L.L.
  

  First store built in Banks, 1901.

  “Stub” Stewart State Park, which is an important attraction for out-of-town visitors

• Broadway Rose Theatre ($30,000): Funding support to hire part-time staff dedicated to promoting upcoming theater productions to out-of-town groups, and funding support for out-of-area advertising
• Horning’s Hideout ($18,826): Funding support to build two competition-quality disc golf courses, with the goal of hosting tournaments, which will potentially attract out-of-town visitors
• Hulaman Triathlon ($50,000): Funding support for the Hulaman Triathlon sporting event, with the goal of positioning the event at a higher competitive level to attract and increase the number of out-of-town athlete attendees
• North Willamette Vintners Association ($30,000): Funding support to develop programs and wine events in Washington County to attract out-of-town visitors
• L.L. “Stub” Stewart State Park ($8,350): Funding support to build a competition-quality disc golf course, with the goal of hosting tournaments, which will potentially attract out-of-town visitors
• Tualatin Riverkeepers  ($40,000): Funding support to purchase equipment and hire part-time staff to implement a guided river-rafting program in Washington County, which will enhance the county’s tourism assets for the group tour and independent travel markets

Hornings Hideout

The sole purpose of the funds allocated is for the development or promotion of emerging events, activities and other tourism-related attractions in Washington County. To be considered for funding, projects must have the potential to attract and draw tourists from at least 50 miles outside of Washington County and the Portland Metro area, thereby increasing visitor spending in the local economy.

All grant recipients are required to demonstrate how the awarded funds increased visitor spending in Washington County from visitors who traveled from out of the Portland Metro area, as well as report a return on investment on these grants.

Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients!

Tags: Banks, Hornings Hideout, Hulaman Triathlon, LL Stub Stewart State Park, North Willamette Vintners, theater, tourism, Tualatin Riverkeepers, washington county, washington county oregon
Posted in WCVA News | 2 Comments »