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Hood River County, Oregon Story Tip Sheet

July 2015

The Historic Columbia River Highway and State Trail, America’s first scenic highway, put the Columbia Gorge on the (road) map when it was dedicated in 1916. In the past 100 years, millions of tourists have driven, biked and hiked sections of the highway, taking in wildly gorgeous views along the way, including a launch point in Hood River.  Next year, Oregon will celebrate “The King of Roads” and its centennial, with numerous unique events aimed at helping visitors explore the highway and its surrounding communities throughout the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.  
 
This fall, travelers to Hood River can celebrate the area’s bounty with two main events—Hood River Hops Fest and Hood River Valley Harvest Festival—plus a cornucopia of other autumn celebrations. And no matter what El Niño has planned for the region this winter, Hood River is a cozy winter getaway. Please see below for a wide range of story possibilities.
 
Please let me know if you need any additional information or images. For the latest from Hood River, be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Another great resource: our online Traveler’s Guide.
 
Cheers,
Amy Hunter
amy@weinsteinpr.com
+1 503.927.5872

Story Ideas:

America’s “King of Roads” Celebrates its Centennial in 2016

The Historic Columbia River Highway was America’s first scenic highway, and 2016 marks 100 years since it was dedicated at Multnomah Falls in 1916. Running a total length of 73 miles through the Columbia River Gorge, it was modeled after the great scenic roads of Europe and designed to accommodate Model T cars, plus showcase the natural beauty of the Columbia Gorge.
 
Today, the Historic Columbia River Highway and State Trail looks and feels much like it did in 1920s, but it is no longer simply a highway for cars. The two-lane road is divided into different segments  – some of which are only accessible by foot and bicycle – and is one of the most amazing 73 miles visitors can experience in Oregon. It features spectacular Gorge views and waterfalls, artful bridges and rock walls, and iconic buildings such as Vista House and the restaurant at Multnomah Falls.
 
Cyclists, runners and hikers will love the five-mile, traffic-free section of the Historic Highway and State Trail that runs between Hood River and Mosier. The five-mile Twin Tunnels Trail section of the Historic Highway starts in Hood River, at the Mark O. Hatfield West Trailhead. It features amazing views of the Gorge, plus passage through a tunnel on the way to the small town of Mosier. There is an information center at the trailhead. Visitors can rent bikes at Discover Bicycles in downtown Hood River, just 1.8 miles from the Mark O. Hatfield trailhead.
 
Communities of the Gorge will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of “The King of Roads” (as it was nicknamed upon its completion in 1922) throughout 2016. For more information on the Historic Highway and State Trail, visit www.historichighway.org, follow the Historic Highway on Twitter and Instagram: @hcrhighway, and like the Historic Highway on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HCRH100
 

The ABC’s of Autumn in Hood River

A is for Apples. Visit Kiyokawa Family Orchards, a family-owned orchard founded in 1911, during Fiesta Days (October 17-18, 11 am – 4 pm), when you can pick your own apples to the sounds of a live Mariachi band, feast on authentic Mexican food and enjoy family-friendly activities. Tour the Hood River Fruit County Fruit Loop during the Heirloom Apple Celebration (October 24-25), which offers a wonderful opportunity to sample dozens of varieties of apples and pears. Go to Hood River County Fruit Loop for other u-pick orchards and fall events.
 
B is for Beer. Enjoy unique seasonal brews at Hood River Hops Fest, September 26, 12 pm – 8 pm. A Silver Medalist in Willamette Week’s 2015 Oregon Beer Awards, this annual event features more than 60 fresh-hop beers from more than 40 breweries. Beer lovers can purchase tickets for the Brewer’s Tent, which includes access to the Official Hops Fest Brewers Tent, commemorative glass mug, 15 3.5 oz. taste tokens and Painted Hills sliders.
 
The Hops Fest has just announced the roster of breweries participating in the 2015 festival. For a complete listing, go to hoodriver.org/hops-fest.
 
New to the Hood River downtown beer scene is the Logsdon Barrel House & Taproom, which opened in August. The much anticipated tasting room for Logsdon Farmhouse Ales offers traditional certified-organic farmhouse ales, Belgian-style saisons and classic styles of beers from Flanders, utilizing local malts, hops and farm fresh fruit of the Northwest. 101 4th Street, Hood River; (541) 436-0040; open Tues-Thurs, 2-8 pm; Fri-Sat, noon-9 pm; Sun, noon-6 pm; closed Mondays.
 
C is for Colors. Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge provide some of the most spectacular fall scenery the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Feast your eyes (and your Instagram feed) by driving the 35-mile Hood River County Fruit Loop, which is set among 14,000 of acres of bountiful orchards. Prefer to take a more active fall excursion? Head to the Tamanawas Falls trailhead (22 miles south of Hood River on OR Hwy 35). During this 3.6-mile round-trip hike, get close to this jaw-dropping waterfall while soaking up spectacular fall colors, thanks to cottonwood, vine maple and western larch that light up the forest in red and gold.
 
C is also for Crafts, which are featured at the Hood River Valley Harvest Festival. This old-fashioned, three-day festival (October 16-18) offers a cornucopia of local arts and crafts, including glass, wood sculpture, ceramics, photography, jewelry and fiber art. Also featured is the region’s abundant seasonal produce & food, plus wine, cider and beer tastings.
 
For more fall travel ideas, go to hoodriver.org/travelers-guide/itineraries-and-must-dos/fall-in-love-with-hood-river-top-autumn-hikes-drives-activities. Abundant lodging options, from B&B’s to riverside hotels, are at hoodriver.org/travelers-guide/where-to-stay

The El Niño Guide to Hood River Winters

Snow-seeking skiers and snow boarders can count on Mt. Hood Meadows this winter, which will have open slopes no matter what El Niño throws its way, thanks to their snow making and advanced snow harvesting capabilities. (They even have a 100-day guarantee for season pass holders.)
 
Thanks to Hood River’s setting in the temperate Gorge, visitors and can expand their outdoor winter activities to include:
  • Hiking. Take a misty hike to one of many magnificent waterfalls. Hikes range from the short, 1.5-mile Wahkeena Falls loop to the adventurous, 12-mile out-and-back Tunnel Falls trek on Eagle Creek. For more Gorge hike options, visit Friends of the Gorge.
  • Golfing. Both Hood River Golf Course and Indian Creek offer top-notch public courses with views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams, and are open year-round.
  • River relaxing. Take a leisurely stroll along Hood River’s Waterfront Trail. Families can stop and let the kids plan on innovative features at Waterfront Park. Coffee, tea, beer, wine and food are just steps away along Portway Avenue.  
  • Shopping. Hood River’s downtown offers a treasure-trove of unique, independent boutiques on picture-perfect Oak Street. Outdoors-minded visitors will love perusing the numerous bike, fishing and wind sports shops.
To plan the perfect winter escape, go to HoodRiver.org.

Events Calendar

September 5-7, 2015 (Labor Day Weekend)

Columbia Gorge Crush Kickoff Weekend. Celebrate the bounty of the harvest at more than 30 Columbia Gorge wineries. Experience how wine is made and feel the excitement of crush! Meet local winemakers and learn about winemaking techniques. Each winery offers its own celebratory events with crush activities, special wine releases, discounts, and live music. For more details, visit gorgewine.com.

September 12 – 13

Hood River Fly-In. See hundreds of restored airplanes up close and talk to the pilots who fly them. Take an airplane or biplane ride, enjoy fantastic food and participate in family-friendly activities. Free parking. 9am- 5pm.

September 26

Hood River Hops Fest.  Featuring one of the largest fresh-hop beer selections in the nation, the annual Hood Hops Fest showcases more than 60 fresh-hop beers from over three-dozen breweries for beer lovers to sample, along with local wine and cuisine. The event showcases Hood River County’s own microbreweries, as well as some of the best Northwest breweries.

September 27, 2015

Gorge Grown Harvest Dinner.  A classic farm dinner at Kiyokawa Family Orchards in the Hood River Valley features a four-course meal from Chef Ben Stenn of Celilo Restaurant and Bar. Dinner will highlight dazzling seasonal produce and savory local meat raised right here in the Gorge. Cocktail hour will feature appetizers and locally-crafted beer from pFriem Family Brewers, and local wine from Cor Cellars will be paired with each course. Tickets: $85/person.

October 16 – 18

Hood River Valley Harvest FestCelebrate Hood River’s harvest season at the Gorge’s biggest fall festival. This old-fashioned three-day festival brings together 125 vendors offers a cornucopia of seasonal produce & food, wine, cider and beer tastings, and local arts and crafts. There are also family-friendly activities and live music. It’s also a great place to get a head start on holiday shopping. Visitors can browse an array of arts and crafts by regional artists, including glass, wood sculpture, ceramics, photography, jewelry, fiber art and much more. Hood River Valley Harvest Fest is held along the scenic Hood River waterfront, with kiteboarders and windsurfers zipping along in the background.
 

October 17 – 18

Gorge Fruit & Crafts Festival. Celebrating the wonderful people and products of the Columbia River Gorge, the Gorge Fruit & Craft Fair – held annually at the Hood River County Fairgrounds– features arts and crafts, gourmet food products, fresh local fruit, baked goods, wine, jewelry, furniture, plants and flowers, soft goods, and more – all grown or crafted in the Gorge.

October 25

Columbia Gorge Marathon. Experience the Columbia River Gorge on two feet at this spectacular full and half marathon event that follows a portion of the Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway. Participants can soak up the spectacular fall colors and views of snow-capped mountains. Even dogs are welcome!
 

November 6 – 8

Columbia Gorge Winegrowers’ Thanksgiving Weekend. Head to Oregon’s new wine hotspot for this fun weekend, which features 30 Gorge wineries hosting open house events. Enjoy new releases, deep discounts and delicious food-and-wine pairings. In an effort to give back to the community, some wineries donate tasting fees from the weekend to their favorite charity. For a list of participating wineries, maps and hours, visit columbiagorgewine.com
 

November 14 – December 27

Mt. Hood Railroad Polar Express. All aboard the Mt. Hood Railroad! Read along with this classic Chris Van Allsburg story as the train makes its way to the North Pole. Meet Santa and enjoy caroling, hot cocoa and a special treat for each child.
 

December 4 – 26

Hood River Holidays. Each December, Hood River is transformed into an idyllic holiday wonderland, featuring a month of special holiday events and activities. Avoid the crowded malls and do your holiday shopping in Hood River’s charming downtown. Enjoy fantastic food, wine tasting, theater performances and more throughout the holidays. The Hood River Holiday Kick-off Party takes place in downtown Hood River on Friday, December 4, 2015. Visitors can jump-start their holiday spirit with the lighting of the community tree, an old-fashioned downtown parade, caroling and – of course – a visit with Santa.

 

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