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Hood River County, Oregon Story Tip Sheet.
January 2016
While Hood River is known for its outdoors access and adventures, it has another side that is attracting a growing number of visitors all year long: its arts and music scenes. This February, Hood River is celebrating its musical side with the inaugural Hood River Music Month, which showcases local and regional talent at some of Hood River’s most celebrated venues. Currently, there are 50 musical events taking place throughout the month at a dozen venues – see below for more details.
And though it’s hard to imagine during this intense winter, we’re looking ahead to spring, when the blossoms cover Hood River Valley and the Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest is back for a fourth year and bigger than ever. See below for more details and other top reasons to visit Hood River this spring.
Please let me know if you need additional information or images, and be sure to check out Hood River’s newly redesigned website, hoodriver.org. It’s a terrific resource for where to eat, shop, stay and play in Hood River, and includes useful seasonal itineraries for all ages and interests, including top winter and spring activities. Plus, check out the online press room to view previous story tips sheets and press releases.
Cheers,
Amy Hunter
amy@weinsteinpr.com
+1 503.927.5872
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Hood River Launches Inaugural “Hood River Music Month” in February 2017
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This February, Hood River County Chamber of Commerce is inviting visitors to discover Hood River’s diverse music scene during its inaugural “Hood River Music Month.”
Featuring more than 50 musical events, this multi-week celebration includes everything from classical, jazz, acoustic, indie, rock and bluegrass performances to musicals, films and lectures. Almost a dozen Hood River venues, including wineries, cideries, theaters, hotels, and restaurants, welcome music-lovers of all ages.
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“While Hood River is best known in the winter for its access to the ski slopes on Mount Hood and waterfall hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, it’s just becoming recognized for its musical offerings,” said Mike Glover, CEO of the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce. “We're excited to help people plan a February getaway to Hood River, where they can experience exceptional musical performances while also exploring the outdoors and Hood River’s excellent restaurants, accommodations, museums and galleries.”
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Go here for a full calendar of Hood River Music Month events and artists. Go here for more wintertime trip ideas.
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Find Yourself in Hood River This Winter: Winter Getaway Contest, and Stay & Ski Deal
This winter, Hood River invites visitors to discover why Hood River is the ideal winter basecamp. In less than an hour, one can be pulling up to family-friendly Cooper Spur Mountain Resort, or Mt. Hood Meadows, which has a base of 150 inches and groomed Nordic skiing. Those looking for low-key winter activities can go shopping in Hood River’s historic downtown, explore local craft breweries and cideries, or cozy up to a fire with a good book. Go here to find winter itineraries.
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Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort, Hood River County Chamber of Commerce and local lodging partners are also making it easy to hit the slopes and save big. Visitors staying in Hood River now through April can access these great deals: 3-out-of-5-day adult pass for $99, Single-day Adult Lift Passes for $59, and $39 Single-day Junior Lift Pass when they stay in Hood River. For Stay & Ski details, visit hoodriver.org/ski-hood.
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Top 3 Reasons to Visit Hood River This Spring
Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge provide unparalleled beautify in the fall, with acres of orchards covered with blossoms, wildflowers galore and gushing waterfalls. Here are three more reasons for travelers to put Hood River on their spring schedule:
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1. Sip Your Way Through Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest.
On April 22, 2017, the fourth annual – and expanded – Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest gives people the chance to sample cider from local and regional cideries. More than 20 cideries will serve up 40 different ciders.
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Due to its popularity, the Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest is growing its footprint in 2017. The venue will include outdoor tents and increased seating and a ‘market’ featuring a variety of local arts, crafts, fruit and produce vendors. As in years past, live music and a kid’s area add to the fun for the whole family.
Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest is the centerpiece of Hood River Valley Blossom Time. Visit Hood River in April and enjoy family-friendly farm events, craft shows, culinary treats and wine and cider tasting. One of the best ways to enjoy Blossom Time is to drive the Hood River County Fruit Loop, a gorgeous 35-mile drive that follows the county’s Scenic Tour Route and passes the valley’s plethora of orchards, wineries and farms.
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2. Become a Wine Connoisseur in Hood River’s Wine Country.
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Just named by Wine Enthusiast Magazine as a Top 10 Wine Travel Destination for 2017, Hood River’s wine scene is truly coming into its own as a top Oregon wine destination. Featuring traffic-free wine touring, relaxing tasting rooms and the wild beauty of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the Gorge offers more than 30 wineries and 45 vineyards – 16 of which are in the Hood River area.
As noted by Wine Enthusiast, Hood River is in the heart of the Columbia Gorge American Viticultural Area (AVA), which includes vineyards in Oregon and Washington. Each winery takes full advantage of the diverse growing conditions in the Gorge, which allow for a wide variety of grapes to be grown and produced into world-class wine. The Columbia Gorge Winegrowers Association and its online Visitors Guide is a great resource for wine-loving travelers, and includes seasonal itineraries, including the Spring Trail.
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A juried event, this annual self-guided tour features 40 artists representing the highest quality work available from the region. It is timed with Blossom Festival to welcome many out-of-town visitors seeking a taste of spring and inspiration.
The artist roster for 2017 features a variety of mediums, including painting, drawing, jewelry, glass, sculpture, photography, textiles, fiber and more. Artists’ studios are located throughout the Gorge region, from Cascade Locks to The Dalles and from Parkdale, Oregon to Trout Lake, Washington. 20 of the studios are in Hood River County.
The Gorge Artists Open Studios Tour is free, with detailed maps available at gorgeartists.org and at area chambers of commerce, Art on Oak in Hood River, and The Dalles Art Center.
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February 1-28
Hood River Music Month. This February, discover Hood River’s diverse music scene during the inaugural Hood River Music Month. Featuring more than 50 musical events, this multi-week celebration includes everything from classical, jazz, acoustic, indie, rock and bluegrass performances to musicals, lectures and movies. Almost a dozen Hood River venues, including wineries, cideries, breweries, pubs, theaters, hotels, and restaurants, are participating. See above for more details.
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March 11
Second Saturday at WAAAM Air and Auto Museum. The Second Saturday of each month the WAAAM Air and Auto Museum opens the doors to roll out and run some of its antique airplanes and cars. Visitors watch airplane operations up close and may get to ride in old cars too! Open 9-5; activities 10-2.
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April 1-30
Hood River Valley Blossom Time. Hood River Valley marks the arrival of spring with its annual Blossom Time, a month of special events across the region. See above for more details.
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April 22
Hood River Hard-Pressed Cider Fest. Now in its fourth year, this family-friendly festival celebrates Hood River Valley’s booming hard cider scene, giving seasoned and novice cider drinkers alike the chance to sample cider from the Northwest’s top cideries. More than 20 cideries will be participating, with more than 40 ciders on tap.
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April 28-30
Gorge Artists Open Studios. This yearly public tour of 40 art studios showcases the wonderful art of the Gorge artists and provides insight into the environment in which art is created.
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May 6
Mt. Hood Meadows Season’s End Festival. Celebrate the close of an epic ski season on Mt. Hood with live music, bbq, drinks and a raffle. Dancing boots encouraged on the Mt. Hood Meadows Sun Deck all day, snow or shine, from 11 AM to 4 PM.
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May 27-30 (Memorial Day Weekend)
Grape to Table Weekend. Memorial Day Weekend is the kick-off to tasting room summer hours, countless wildflowers, incredible weather and endless fun in the Gorge. Visit the participating Columbia Gorge wineries and learn why Gorge wines are perfect for the table. The long weekend will feature special wine releases, food pairings and live music.
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