October 5th, 2009 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan
Autumn is by far my favorite season: the crisp, cool air; rust-colored leaves falling from the trees; the bright orange and green hues of the pumpkin patches. Indeed, ’tis the season to get out and explore fall in Washington County, Oregon. On Saturday, my family and I hopped into the car and did just that.
First stop was the Beaverton Farmers’ Market, a cornucopia of fall vegetables, colorful gourds, scrumptious apples and pears, and hearty potatoes and onions, all awaiting shoppers who ventured out on the brisk Saturday morning. Free coffee and fruit samples provided us the energy – and warmth – needed to navigate the market.
With our newly acquired produce in hand, we ventured off to our next stop, the Smith Berry Barn in Hillsboro. Each year, I make the pilgrimage to the Smith Berry Barn to stock up on apples, and this year is no exception. I loaded up my basket with freshly picked Macintosh apples, perfect for making caramel apple treats.
On a whim, we decided to head over to Baggenstos Farms in Sherwood, to check out the corn maze. Growing up in the desert, corn mazes were something I had only seen on television, or in scary movies. In reality it was not scary at all. Granted, it was a bright and sunny mid-afternoon. (However, my ever-adventurous daughter suggested we return and try the maze at night.) About a half hour after we entered, we mastered the maze, which, visible from the sky, is carved to look like Abraham Lincoln.
Before we left, we decided to try our hand at pumpkin bowling. This was a blast. We each had three tries to knock down the pins while throwing a ripe, orange pumpkin down the makeshift lane. On my second round, I threw a spare!
After our day in rural Washington County, we were exhausted; but, it was worth it to spend a memorable and fun day with my family. (And, yes, we will be going back to the corn maze … at night.)
So, don’t miss out on this opportunity to make your own autumn memories this October. The Beaverton Farmers Market, as well as the pumpkin patches and corn mazes at farms throughout the county are open through October 31. And don’t miss this year’s Apple Fest at Smith Berry Barn, Oct. 18. For a list of other autumn-inspired events, check out our event calendar.
Tags: apples, Baggenstos Farms, beaverton, Beaverton farmers market, corn mazes, farmers market, farms, Hillsboro, pumpkin patch, pumpkin patches, pumpkins, Sherwood, Smith Berry Barn, washington county, washington county oregon
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September 16th, 2009 by Angie Marsh
This fall, as the leaves are turning, the grapes are gathered and farmers’ fields yield to the harvest, it’s time to discover Oregon Bounty. Come meet vintners, chefs, and farmers; travel down roads you’ve never driven; sample what these artisans make, grow and catch; and spend a night or two so you can discover more. There are myriad ways to get a taste of Oregon Bounty in Washington County:
VISIT A WINERY
Tour Washington County wineries— more than 20 in all—many of which are conveniently located along the Vineyard and Valley Scenic Tour Route. Follow the signs on this driving journey that winds through quaint towns in the county known for their ideal grape growing conditions and outstanding finished products: wines!
SEE WHAT CHEFS DO
Taste the autumn bounty that’s abundant in Pacific Northwest flavor palates. Visit our site for details about the restaurants in the county that specialize in regional cuisine.
STAY A NIGHT OR TWO
Best Western is the Oregon Bounty preferred lodging partner, with two Washington County locations: the Northwind Inn & Suites in Tigard and the University Inn & Suites in Forest Grove.
BE TOUCHED BY SPRITS
SakéOne, the world’s only American-owned saké brewery, produces Momokawa brand premium saké and Moonstone brand fruit-infused saké. These high quality Ginjo sakés are intended to be enjoyed cold on their own and with your favorite foods. Sakétini Saturday happens on the third Saturday of each month; the tasting room is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
TAP INTO YOUR FESTIVAL SPIRIT
October 10: Great Onion Festival, Sherwood. This classic community event pays homage to the onion farmers of Sherwood, with a barbecue and assorted activities. Visit sherwoodchamber.org.
October 10: Oregon Heritage Farms hosts its annual Apple Fest. Enjoy the harvest of apple season with this festival–complete with country music, face painting, pony rides and hay rides. Plus, all proceeds benefit local students.
October 18: Heirloom Apple Festival, Hillsboro. Sample more than 20 varieties of heirloom and modern apples and pears fresh from the orchard. Enjoy freshly dipped caramel apples, hot apple cider and homemade apple pie made from an assortment of different apple varieties, all while enjoying live music. Kids’ activities will include a straw maze, face painting, petting goats and pumpkin gathering. Visit www.smithberrybarn.com.
October 31: West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta, Tualatin. Come cheer on 1,000 lb. pumpkin boats as people paddle across the lake at Tualatin Commons in races that are often wet and always entertaining. Visit ci.tualatin.or.us.
For a comprehensive culinary planning resource, visit TravelOregon.com/bounty, where you’ll find all that there is to see, do and taste. Oregon Bounty is produced by the Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, in partnership with Oregon’s many destination marketing organizations and industry guilds. Discover Oregon’s Bounty with special fly/stay/drive packages from Horizon Air.
Tags: agriculture, Events, Forest Grove, Giant Pumpkin Regatta, SakeOne, Sherwood, Tualatin, Vineyard & Valley Tour Route, washington county oregon, Wineries
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June 22nd, 2009 by Julia Adam
Are you and your kids fans of cute and cuddly baby animals? Come on, who isn’t? For a chance to “ooh” and “ahh” over some particularly adorable characters, visit Alpacas of Oregon now to see their seven new baby alpacas, or crias, in a variety of colors. There are even four more crias on the way, so if you’re lucky you could see a live birth! Visitors are welcome to stop by for a tour, a cuddle with the babies, and to check out the shop filled with beautiful alpaca wool products. So, now that the kids are out of school, what are you waiting for?!
Tags: alpacas, animals, babies, Family Fun, farms, kids, Sherwood, summer fun
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March 23rd, 2009 by Rhiannon
Some posts are so easy they virtually write themselves. This one starts with two words that on first glance don’t seem to go together: “Sesame” and “Donuts.” But put them together and you’ve got the finest purveyor of sweet treats this side of the Good Ship Lollipop.
I’m going to confess. A former coworker raved to me for the better part of a year about Sesame Donuts, but I just couldn’t get over the name. It was like “Salt Cookies” or “Ham Cake” or something, it just didn’t grab me. They even had a location in Portland not 10 minutes from house.
I’m here to save you from making the same mistake. Because this is donut perfection we’re talking about. If you like the occasional, or even the semi-regular, bear claw or jelly filled, Sesame Donuts will have you wondering what you were eating before.
Be warned, however, these gooey delectations can be habit forming. But if you’re brave of heart, and sweet of tooth, you can find them at the Sherwood City Hall & Library and the Tigard Public Library. And they’ve just opened another location at the Tualatin Public Library.
By Greg Coyle
Tags: donuts, Sherwood, Tualatin
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March 2nd, 2009 by Rhiannon
The first time I visited Sherwood it was really by accident. We were trying to find a friend’s place in Tualatin and I am notoriously bad with directions. But it was one of those fortuitous mishaps because we stumbled onto Sherwood’s Old Town, which was like an oasis in our lostness.
Since then, we’ve been back many times. Not far from Portland, Sherwood itself is the picture of small-town America. Money magazine apparently agrees, putting the town at number 18 on its 2007 “Top 100 Places to Live” list.
But save a bit of time to wander the historic Old Town. Located between 1st and Railroad Streets and Pine and Washington Streets, it’s chockablock with antique stores, boutiques, shops and galleries, all wrapped up in these great old-world buildings. Lately, they’ve undertaken some redevelopment of the old Cannery as well, which should be interesting.
Good times to visit? There’s a growing Saturday market and a monthly art walk in town. And all year there are special events that make it worth the quick jaunt from Portland. Just remember to bring a map…
By Greg Coyle
Tags: Events, farmers markets, farmers markets in washingotn county, Old Town, Saturday Market, Sherwood, Tualatin
Posted in Arts & Culture, Family Fun | No Comments »