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By KIRBY NEUMANN-REA News editor Summer is here, and it’s more than just lemonade and lawn-mowing. Fun events and activities will be available aplenty in June and July in Hood River County. Here is a varied selection of early-summer events that are coming up soon, and a heads-up on the annual Families in the Park series held Thursdays in August: Summer Books Ever wonder how a saw sings? How a washtub bass bellows? How spoons can make magical music? Join Rick Meyers at 2 p.m. June 18 at the Hood River County Library for a fun-filled presentation of folk music, songs and historical narration. Learn how folk music was created by our ancestors and we can enjoy it in our lives today. The event is the first performance as part of the library Summer Reading Program, also available at the Parkdale and Cascade Locks branches. Sign ups started June 9 for the free program. For details, see box on page A3. Ultimate Frisbee The Gorge Ultimate Frisbee Club has opened registration for its Adult Co-Ed Summer League. Participants can register to play in the 10-week season at gorgeultimate.com until registration closes June 15. The league prides itself on being open to all ability levels; welcoming beginner and experienced players alike. Games are played Wednesday evenings in Hood River and draw about 80 players coming from towns up and down the Gorge. Games are competitive, but friendly, with dogs and kids lounging along the sidelines. The season begins June 17 and ends Aug. 19 and 22. Wine Weekend June 20-21 — The second annual Fruit Loop Wine Celebration takes place all along the Fruit Loop. Tour vineyards and wineries, take advantage of special pricing and enjoy treats and fun activities at farms and wineries, including Cathedral Ridge Winery, named Oregon Winery of the Year by Wine Press Northwest in 2007. Fruit Loop businesses are open from at least 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (wineries open at 11 a.m.). For complete information about the Fruit Loop Wine Celebration, for a map and listing of Fruit Loop farms, attractions and individual operating hours, visit the Fruit Loop Web site at www.hoodriverfruitloop.com. Lavender and Dads June 20-21 — Since it’s Father’s Day weekend, Hood River Lavender Farms complements the wine tasting tour with Hood its “Love Your Dad” observance. Their most fragrant English lavender will be available in the you-pick garden, there will be wine chocolates and truffles, samples of lavender shortbread, iced tea, and more. The farm is located on. 3801 Straight Hill Road, just south of Odell. Sternwheeler Days Cascade Locks’ community festival comes June 27-28 Mark your calendars for the return of Sternwheeler Days in Cascade Locks. The annual community celebration will take place June 27-28 at Marine Park. The family-oriented list of events include arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, food and the chance to travel back in time and experience the famed mountain men camped out on Thunder Island. There will be games, bingo, a dunk tank and more old-fashioned fun. Sternwheeler Days benefits the Columbia Gorge Lions Club. For more information, call 541-374-2111. Waterfront play area June 28 he City of Hood River and Waterfront Community Park Association host the grand opening of the children’s play area at the Hood River Waterfront Park, sponsored by a Youth Legacy Grant. Former Governor Barbara Roberts will do the ribbon cutting in the ceremony at 2 p.m. Dog Walk Also on June 28, enjoy a day at the park in the “Adopt A Dog Walk” starting at noon at the Overlook Memorial Fountain located at Second and State streets. The distance from Overlook to Waterfront Park is about seven-tenths of a mile. At the Waterfront Park, there will be family events and dog-related activities, live music by a local kids rock band and a hot dog barbecue. Hood River Mayor Arthur Babitz will speak and Hood River Middle School students will give a rock-climbing demonstration. There will also be a presentation of the new zero net energy bathrooms at the park, by Tod LeFevre and Scott Sorenson. Movies in the Park Starts June 27 and continues each Saturday through Aug. 25. The first movie of the series will be “National Treasure.” There will be no movie July 4 or July 25. On July 11, see the Tom Hanks hit “Big.” The movies are free; bring blankets or lawn chairs, and dress in layers. Concessions will be sold. Showings are weather-dependent. July Fourth Parades are scheduled in Hood River and Cascade Locks. The annual Joe Kollas Run goes from Odell to Hood River on the morning of July 4. There will be fireworks at dusk in Hood River and Cascade Locks. Look for details in forthcoming editions of the Hood River News. County Fair July 22 is Family Day at the Hood River County Fair, which runs through July 25. Family Day admission is a whole carload for $12. Godfrey the Magician works his wonders that night, and throughout the fair, and the Talent Contest starts at 5:30 p.m. followed by the 4-H Style Show. Talent Show entry deadline is July 13; there are divisions for children, youth and adult (18 and over), and first-, second- and third-place cash prizes in each division. For details call the fair office at 354-2865 or see the premium book, available at local businesses. The deadline for entering the Open Class competitions at the fair is July 21 for art, baked goods, clothing food preservation, fruits and vegetables, textiles, youth baked goods, hobbies and handkerchiefs; July 21 for small animals; and July 22 for floral arrangements. See the fair premium book for full details. Families in the Park The grand Hood River tradition resumes Aug. 6 with Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts. On Aug. 13, Curtis Salgado will headline. Aug. 20 brings Elvis and Marvin Gaye impersonators, and the Patrick Lamb Band performs Aug. 27. All concerts start at 7 p.m. in Jackson Park but the fun starts at 6 p.m. with warm-up acts, food and community groups with booths and activities, changing week to week. |
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