The vacation season is fully upon us in northeast Oregon and The Wallowas, and the range of events and activities available to byway travelers is amazing. Here are some highlights for the coming week, but be sure to check the event calendars for the full list and details: Visit Baker, Union County Chamber, Wallowa County Chamber.
Maxville Gathering Has Logging Heritage Theme
WALLOWA, OR. – The Maxville Gathering celebrates the logging tradition of Wallowa County Saturday, June 28, at the Nez Perce Homeland Project grounds outside of Wallowa. The celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes a delightful mix of entertainment, historical information about logging in the area and the Nez Perce, booths selling homespun products and old-fashioned activities. Food options include smoked pork and chicken and grilled Columbia River salmon. The public is encouraged to bring fruit, salads ad desserts to share. There will be mule tours and a fly-over.
Maxville was a logging camp and villiage in the 1920s and ’30s, located 15 miles north of Wallowa, where white and black loggers (many brought in from the South) worked together. The villiage was complete with schools and baseball fields. The annual Maxville Gathering is an opportunity for the community to commemorate the county’s logging culture and history and its incorporation of a black community in the early 20th century. For more information on the unique community and the project to preserve its history, visit www.maxvilleheritage.org.
SolWest Fair
LA GRANDE, OR__Having outgrown its former location in Grant County, the SolWest Fair has moved to La Grande and will be held at the Union County Fairgrounds, June 27-29. The event’s keynote speaker is Cylvia Hayes, Oregon’s First Lady and CEO of 3EStrategies, a clean economy consulting firm. 50 workshops are available, with themes that include Solar, Homesteading, Hydropower, Wind Energy, Passive Solar Buildings, Cart Goats and HAM Radio. Live music is performed by Red Hot & Bue Jazz, Bitteroot, Bag of Hammers, and Homemade Jam. Enjoy local food, kids programs and regional beer. The event is presented by Oregon Rural Action. For more information, go to www.solwest.org, or contact organizers at 541.975.2411 or solwest@oregonrural.com.
Outdoor Club for Kids at Trail Center
BAKER CITY, OR. – The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is launching the 2014 season of “Thursday Outdoor Club for Kids” starting June 26. A special presentation each Thursday afternoon through August 7th introduces youngsters to different topics and skills about the great outdoors.
All sessions are from 1:30 to 3:00 pm and include an outdoor activity, light snacks and lemonade. Sessions are aimed at ages 8-12. Cost is $2 per person to cover costs of materials. Parents and guardians are welcomed to attend with youngsters.
Resource specialists and guest presenters will provide expert guidance for the following topics: June 26, “Pioneer Days”; July 3, “Gold!”; July 10, “The Pollinator”; July 17, “Leave No Trace”; July 24, “Here Comes the Sun”; July 31, “Rock-o-Rama”; August 7, “Survival & Orienteering.”
Call 541.523.1843 or 541.523.1852 for more information or to pre-register. Enrollment is limited.
The Trail Center is located five miles east of Baker City, Oregon, on Highway 86. Take Exit 302 from I-84. The Center is currently open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission for adults is $8; for seniors it’s $4.50; children 15 and under are admitted for free. Federal passes are accepted. Call 541.523.1843 for updates on programs and events. For more information about the Trail Center visit oregontrail.blm.gov.
Elgin Stampeders Rob The Train
ELGIN, OR__Passengers on the Eagle Cap Excursion Train this Saturday, June 28, should hide their valuables and keep their camera ready. The notorious Elgin Stampeders Gang plans to rob the train on horseback while it winds its way along the beautiful Grande Ronde River. Go to www.eaglecaptrainrides.com for more information or see the blog on this website.
