Cherry time arrives

By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer

It’s “cherry time” in the Hood River Valley. Farms and attractions all along the valley’s famous Fruit Loop welcome the summer’s first tree fruit.

The Hood River Cherry Celebration takes place for the 17th time, Saturday and Sunday. Fruit Loop farms, country stores, wineries, and other attractions offer a wide range of produce and activities.

Many varieties of fresh-picked cherries will be available, along with cherry treats including cherry wine, jam, cookies, pies and more. Taste fruit and products, and choose your favorites to take home.

Visit tasting rooms for award-winning wines, alpaca farms to meet the year’s babies, take an orchard tour, enjoy barbecue, desserts, cookies and more treats.

In addition to the orchard-fresh fruit available all along the Loop, some Fruit Loop farms are serving up special activities or attractions for the Cherry Celebration:

n Visit the Draper Girls Country Farm for “Crazy for U-Pick Cherry Days.” Pick your own cherries and choose from stocks of jams, jellies and honey. Fresh vegetables will be available, too.

n Cherry Karma’s “Cherry Jubilee” is at the “Purple Pit Stop,” with cherry recipes, cherry tips, cherry treats — and fresh cherries. There will also be local pottery, jewelry, crafts and collectables.

For a map and information about the Hood River Cherry Celebration, a complete listing of Fruit Loop farms and attractions, visit the Fruit Loop Web site at www.hoodriverfruitloop.com. 

The Fruit Loop information number is 541-386-7697.

n The U-pick cherry orchard will be open at Packer Orchards and Cookie Stop Bakery. Call first for picking tips and times: 541-354-1140. The new U-pick strawberry patch should be open, as well.

n Hood River Vineyards joins the celebration with a tasting of their estate-grown Black Cherry Port, and the release of their Rainier Cherry Port.

n Foothills Yarn & Fiber shop at Cascade Alpacas hosts the Chic Knits Trunk Show, July 2-21, featuring designs by Phuong My Ly, who owns the Knitport yarn shop in Southern California.

n Hood River Lavender Farms serves up a wide range of activities at its fifth annual Lavender Daze festival, including certified organic U-pick lavender, live music, more than 20 arts and crafts booths, craft classes, barbecue, Cathedral Ridge wine, lavender gelato, massages, face painting and a ladybug release party.

n The Lavender Festival in the Gorge is at Lavender Valley Lavender Farm. Enjoy four acres of beautiful lavender in full bloom, wand classes and lavender oil extraction demonstrations daily, lavender lemonade, and live music.

There will be artists and art displays, fresh-cut flowers and plants available, and a broad selection of naturally made lavender bath and body products.

(Lavender Winds, on Tucker Road next to Good News Gardening, will host a lavender festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)