June
FREE
2014 The
News for the Mid-Willamette Valley
June Loc Events C al alendar Page 2
Strawberry Time
Albany’s outdoor “Cool Pool” will open when school vacation begins.
by Rick Rogers
Summer of Fun!
Points
With the arrival of June, one thing that quickly comes to mind is strawberries. We have been seeing strawberries grown in other states, even other countries, in our supermarkets for the past couple of months. But when it comes to fresh, plump, delicious berries, nothing beats locally grown strawberries arriving in June at stores and farmers’ markets throughout the mid-valley. Just the thought of strawberries stuffed with cream cheese and chocolate bits, strawberries on ice cream and strawberry shortcake makes my mouth water and wish that June could last all year. We can’t think about strawberries without mentioning the annual Lebanon Strawberry Festival taking place this year on June 5, 6, 7, and 8. This year marks the 105th annual festival and while the festival site is at Cheadle Lake Park, just east of Lebanon, a trip through the city’s downtown will convince you that everyone is in a strawberry mood. The festival features two fun parades, including a junior parade starting at 3rd and grant Streets at 2:30PM on June 6. The junior parade theme is “Strawberry Night Fever.” The huge grand parade, which draws thousands of spectators, winds its way through downtown Lebanon beginning at 11AM on Saturday, June 7. The grand parade theme this year is “Strawberries of the Round Table.” The parade concludes with the serving of the “World’s Largest Strawberry Shortcake” to over 15,000 spectators at the festival site. We can’t let June go by without mentioning another huge event. While not directly associated with strawberries, the 127th annual Pioneer Picnic in historic Brownsville offers three days of family fun on the weekend of June 20, 21, and 22. The event centers around downtown Brownsville and the adjacent Pioneer Park offering food, games, talent shows, a Logger’s Jamboree and much more. The grand parade will go through downtown Brownsville beginning at 10AM on Saturday, June 21. Here’s to the month of June offering fun, excitement and, oh yes, STRAWBERRIES!
Photo by Oliver J. Anderson
by Rick Rogers
Get ready for a busy summer of family fun throughout the mid valley. Not only does our beautiful area offer a wide variety of summer entertainment, there are also activities for every member of the family. From a day drive to visit the covered bridges located throughout the mid-valley, to walking tours of Albany’s nationally recognized historic districts, rich with Victorian architecture, we offer something for everyone. With school letting out in mid-June, the Albany Parks and Recreation Department will open its outdoor “Cool Pool” at Swanson Park near the Pacific Boulevard overpass. The pool offers great opportunities for a refreshing summer swim and a spectacular water slide. Your can also enjoy the fun paddle boats on Waverly Lake at the north end of Albany. When we get into the month of July, the activities really heat up with the start of the popular River Rhythms and Mondays at Monteith free concerts at Albany’s Monteith Riverpark. Also in Albany, Friday night will be filled with the popular free outdoor movies series on Friday nights, sponsored by the Albany Downtown Association. This year the film series, formerly known as Movies by Moonlight, will
High
Photo by Oliver J. Anderson
Paddle Boats are available on Albany’s Waverly Lake during the summer.
become Movies at Monteith because the location is being changed from a parking lot on Water Street to the Riverpark where they will be projected on a giant, inflatable screen. Look for other free concerts and movies in Lebanon and Corvallis as well. Starting next month, check for the concert and movie schedules on the event calendar on page two of each issue of High Points. Let’s not forget the many popular events held in the mid-valley over the summer months, including the Linn County Fair in mid-July and the Benton county Fair in late July and early August. Another event that draws thousands of people to the area each year is the Wah-Chang Art and Air Festival with all of its hot-air balloons in late August. The Albany Visitor’s Association, the Albany Regional Museum, and the Monteith House Museum is sponsoring its “Journey to the Center of Albany” promotion for a third consecutive year, beginning with a kick-off celebration at the downtown Carnegie Library on June 14. Families with children can participate by getting special passports stamped a various locations and winning prizes ranging from Amtrak Tickets, a ride on a fire truck, and more. Contact the Albany Visitors Association at 641-9280911 for details...and HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!
Photo by Oliver J. Anderson
Covered Bridges in the Mid-valley make for a fun summer bike ride.