Events

Summer and fall are very busy times throughout Hells Canyon Scenic Byway country. You will find a wide variety of community festivals, rodeos, concerts and other great reasons to gather with friends for food, fun and entertainment. See some highlights below. Articles about upcoming byway country events are posted on the News page. Please check the event website or with the local chamber of commerce for the latest information.

In mid-July, Baker City celebrates its mining heritage during the Miner’s Jubilee, with a parade, vendors in the park, a huge food court, sidewalk sales, mining demonstrations and kids activities. There’s also bull and bronc riding, for extra excitement. The popular Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally brings motorcycles by the thousands to Baker City and Hells Canyon Scenic Byway country every July. Downtown Historic Baker City becomes a showcase for bikes, vendors, fans and curious onlookers as Main Street is closed throughout the event. Watch the Baker County Facebook page and the Travel Baker County website for photos and news of the event. The Mountain Bike Festival takes place in late July at Anthony Lakes, www.anthonylakes.com.

The Eastern Oregon Film Festival has put La Grande on the map for film fans, while the Elgin Stampede, and productions at the Elgin Opera House are Elgin’s pride and joy. Hog Wild Days and the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show and Rodeo in early June, kick off the summer season in Island City and Union. Community celebrations in every small town provide opportunities to get to know the residents and enjoy crafts, music and local food. Take the self-guided Grande Ronde Farm Trail to get more flavors of the county, or ride the Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway for fun and a challenging workout.

Pick any weekend through the season and there is an event in Wallowa County, from the Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race to Chief Joseph Days, Dragon Boat Races, Hells Canyon Mule Days and Oregon’s Alpenfest. The Wallowa County Barn Tour shows off the county’s exceptional scenery and beautiful historic barns.

Late summer is County Fair time. The classic county fairs offer animals, art, home skills, fair food, commercial vendors, a carnival and live entertainment. County Fairs are a great way to get to know the pulse of a rural community and have fun!

In Elgin, the Eagle Cap Excursion Train offers train rides on selected dates, May through October, while the Sumpter Valley Railroad gives rides on a narrow-gauge steam train.

Near Enterprise, the annual Sunrise Iron Tractor Show is a chance to view an amazing collection of more than 100 tractors and farm implements, many beautifully restored; 65798 Sunrise Road.

And that’s just a small sample of what is happening along the byway! The local chambers of commerce provide detailed calendars of events happening throughout the region. Visit Eastern Oregon Visitors Association and the county chambers of commerce websites shown on our Visitor Resources page for complete event listings.