I Spy The Dalles - 41st Annual Cherry Festival 2022

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Grand Marshall

In 1941, the first-ever Northwest Cherry Festival was held, and Helen (Spickerman) Elton was named its Cherry Queen. This year, at age 99, Elton is returning, this time as grand marshal.

Elton’s reign as Cherry Queen 81 years ago came with quite a few perks. In her room, she’s got a picture of her sitting on Queen Marie of Romania’s throne at the Maryhill Museum, in a resplendent gown to fit the occasion.

She represented the Cherry Festival in the Portland Rose Parade, and had a front row seat at the burial in summer 1941 of a time capsule at Thompson Park.

By Neita Cecil

Elton’s daughter, Diane Cates, has teased her mom that she wasn’t smiling in the picture for the time capsule burial. Her mom told her that was because it was an uncomfortably hot July day. Asked to describe her mom, Cates said, “To me, she’s a saint. She’s sweet, easygoing, and has a great sense of humor. She’s just a happy, nice person. Everybody likes her.

“She’s still pretty. She has really beautiful skin and likes to fix up and has her nails done. I tell her she’s my beauty

queen,” Cates said.

Elton was born at home, in late 1922, at 214 W. 10th St., in the front bedroom, Cates said. “They lived there before 10th Street went through all the way.”

When Elton was a student, The Dalles High School burned down, so she spent her high school years attending other schools while the new school was built. Her husband, Bill Elton, a year younger than her, was in the first class to graduate from the school in 1942, Cates said.

After he graduated, they got married, he headed off to fight in World War II and Helen worked at the Five and Dime, where the former JC Penney parking lot is now.

After the war, Bill joined the family business, becoming a third generation cherry orchardist, building a house on the orchard on Pleasant Ridge Road. After 30 years, he got out of the business, selling to Leo Polehn after too many crop failures, Cates said.

Helen did the books for the orchard and “dedicated her life to taking

care of her family,” Cates said. “My memory is that she worked so hard fixing our clothes. Ironed our clothes so nothing was wrin kled, even when they came out with permapress.

“Living in the middle of an orchard, with the dust and dirt, she was constantly cleaning,” Cates said.

She was a faithful church-goer at Calvary Baptist Church and was active in the women’s missionary group and taught Sunday School. She never learned to drive, but had a circle of friends who could take her places, Cates said.

This year isn’t even her first goround as the grand marshal of the Cherry Festival. She and Bill were grand marshals years ago, and the family still has the magnet that went on their car.

King & Queen Bing

Casey and Jody Pink of Pink Orchards will take a break from their busy spring season to serve as King and Queen Bing of the Northwest Cherry Festival in The Dalles.

Raised on the cherry farm his father started in 1954, Casey is happy to represent one of the main industries in Wasco County.

“I love raising cherries and living in a cherry orchard,” Casey said. “It’s like living in a park. We plan to continue farming cherries as long as we spend less than we make.”

Casey is also president of The Dalles

By Neita Cecil

Irrigation District, which draws its water from the Columbia and distributes it to growers. He’s served on the board for about a dozen years now. Over the decades – he’s 66 now -- Casey has seen a lot of change in the cherry industry. Like his royal title suggests, Bing used to be king. Now, that particular varietal is on its way out, and orchards like his that once grew just Bings and Royal Anns now have 15 types of cherries.

The new varietals all peak at different times, meaning harvest lasts longer, but they need half as many people for

as they used to.

Cherry trees are shorter now, about 10 feet instead of up to 18, making harvesting them safer and quicker, and they’re planted closer together. Watering is much more scientific and economical. He can get soil moisture readings from his phone using sensors throughout the orchard. Gone are large, wasteful sprinkler system, replaced by more efficient micro and drip systems.

The job has changed in other ways too: more regulations and inspections. Costs are going up by a third on some things, a few have doubled. Still to be seen is the sticker shock of shipping this year.

Growing up as a child on the farm, some of Casey’s fondest memories were the relationships he built running around the orchard with other kids that came with their families. Over the years Casey evolved into the boss but continued to employ the same families that have come for harvest year after year creating a sense of family.

The name of the business is actually Pink & Pink Orchard LLC. It once stood for when he joined his dad in the business when he was in his 20s. Now it stands for him and his son, Josh. Josh has two boys, so maybe it will take on yet another similar meaning in another generation. Further keeping things in the family, Casey’s wife Jody takes care of the

books for the operation. And while he’s growing cherries, she likes to garden.

Casey’s parents bought their first cherry orchard in 1954. “That was the year of a great big freeze that killed half their orchard, so that’s how they started. They really, really had a hard time getting started but they were tough and they made it.”

Casey went off to school and had a few jobs in his 20s before coming back home to join his dad in the business. The recent snow storm was a first for Casey. “I’ve been around for 66 years and I’ve never seen snow stick on cherry trees when they were in full bloom.”

He doesn’t think the snow harmed the cherries, in fact, it may have insulated the cherries from frosts. Cherries are about 1/16 of an inch long right now, and bright green. It’s easy to tell if they freeze because they turn black within a day, and that hasn’t happened.

Being constantly at the mercy of weather and the global market isn’t for the “faint of heart,” Casey said. “I put my faith in God, he’s never let me down before, so I don’t stress over it. I know that one way or another we’re going to be ok.”

Little Royals Contest

The 41st Northwest Cherry Festival is pleased to announce our annual Little Royals Contest, sponsored by Rivermark Community Credit Union! Since the very first crowning of the Little Royals in 1988, this time-honored tradition has warmed the hearts of our entire community. Candidates must be between the ages of four and seven and may be entered on The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce website at https://thedalleschamber. com/northwest-cherry-festival/.

Our community votes for a few weeks prior to cherry festival every year for our Little Royals! The winning candidates will ride in the Royal Vehicle in the Cherry Festival Parade Procession and will receive gifts from Rivermark Credit Union. This year’s Royal Court Coronation, with the crowning of Little Miss Royal Ann and Little Mr. Royal Andy, along with King Bing and Queen Anne, will take place during the Cherry Festival Breakfast which will be held at the MidColumbia Senior Center on Saturday, April 23rd at 8:00 am.

Northwest Cherry Festival Schedule of Events

www.NorthwestCherryFestival.com

“SIP AND TOAST TO THE 2022 NORTHWEST CHERRY FESTIVAL” BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

Thursday • April 21 • 5:00pm Gorge Wine Library

THE GRANADA THEATREMOVIES FROM THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD & BEYOND

Friday • April 22 • 5:30pm Granada Theater, 221 East 2nd St

CHERRY TRAIL

Friday • April 22 thru Sunday • April 24 Various Locations throughout The Dalles. Look for the PINK Cherries on the sidewalk for all the Cherry Fun! thedalleschamber.com/northwestcherry-festival-cherry-trail-2022

COLUMBIA GORGE HONDA & TOYOTA CARPOOL KAROKE

Friday • April 22 thru Sunday • April 24

Grand Entrance, 2nd and Washington St

RAINIER AMUSEMENTS

CARNIVAL

Friday • April 22 thru Sunday • April 24 First Street, The Dalles

I SPY THE DALLES CONTEST WITH FARMHOUSE FACTORY

Friday • April 22 thru Sunday • April 24

Grand Entrance, 2nd and Washington St

GORGE ARTISTS OPEN STUDIOS

Friday • April 22 thru Sunday • April 24 Various Studios will be open 10:00am – 5:00pm www.gorgeartists.org

THE DALLES ART CENTER POCKET PARK SCULPTURE FORGE PROJECT

Friday • April 22 thru Sunday • April 24 Parking lot at 2nd & Washington St

MARYHILL RATZ TOUR Friday • April 22 thru Sunday • April 24 2022 Spring Free-4-All & Tour de Maryhill, Historic Maryhill Loops Rd

LITTLE MUSIC CITY

Friday • April 22 thru Sunday • April 24 Live Music at various locations in The Dalles

DISCOVERY CENTER REIMAGINING AMERICA - THE MAPS OF LEWIS & CLARK Friday • April 22 thru Sunday • April 24 Columbia Gorge Discovery Center

OPEN-AIR MARKET

Friday • April 22 • 4:00pm Saturday • April 23 • 11:00am Sunday • April 24 • 10:00am Between 1st & 2nd Street, Court to Laughlin Streets Artists, Crafters, Food Vendors & More

COLUMBIA GORGE TOYOTA & TOYOTA CORP ENTERTAINMENT

STAGE | Second & Federal Street

Friday • April 22

6pm - 9pm, Family Pit Party with DJ-E

Saturday • April 23

12:30pm – 2:30pm, Dancing Horses Performance – Laughlin Street 2:30pm – 3:30pm, Lon LaBrache 3:45pm – 4:45pm, The New Prohibitions

5:00pm – 6:00pm, Cherry Idol Competition 6:00pm – 6:30pm, Oregon Cherry Growers Cherry Pie Eating Contest

6:30pm – 8:00pm Shades of Huey

Sunday • April 24

10:30am – 11:30am, Community Church Service 1:00pm -3:00pm, America’s First Corps Band Rock Band 3:00pm -5:00pm, River Twain

18TH ANNUAL KODL CLASSIC CAR SHOW

Saturday • April 23 • 8:00am Downtown Federal St. Info: 541-296-2101

CHERRY

CHERRY

TEDDY BEAR RUN

Saturday • April 23 • 9:45am Start at Eagles Lodge

TONKIN SUBARU CHERRY FESTIVAL PARADE Saturday • April 23 • 10:00am Starts at Sixth & Webber

COMMUNITY QUILT SHOW

Saturday • April 23 • 10 am - 4 pm UCC Church, 5th and Court Street

COMMUNITY FAIR

DANCING HORSES PERFORMANCE Saturday • April 23 • 12:30pm –2:30pm Laughlin St (between 1st and 2nd)

The 41st Annual NW Cherry Festival

I Spy Local Businesses on the Cherry Trail!

Support our local business community by participating in the Cherry Trail. Local businesses will be offering specials during the Northwest Cherry Festival. Scan the QR code to see what businesses are participating and what special they are offering. As you take in the Cherry Festival look for the Pink Cherries spray-painted on the sidewalk to indicate a participating business. There will be an interactive map on our Cherry Trail webpage. Once you purchase the special, businesses will initial their space on your passport. Passports with at least 13 spaces marked off can be turned into The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce at 404 West 2nd Street The Dalles, Oregon or dropped off at our Cherry Festival Booth. The Cherry Trail Basket includes a Nautical Paddleboard and local cherry goodness. Thank you to our sponsor Columbia Bank for making this activity possible!

Cherryfest Specials

THE WORKSHOP

201 E 2nd St

The Dalles Gear- 20% off. Cherry DIY Garland2 for $30. Snap a picture in front of the cherry tree mural next to our shop and tag @ thedallesworkshop for 10% off your purchase.

STARSEED CURIOSITIES AND GIFTS

404 Washington St Cherry Agates, Cherry Creek Jasper, Cherry Quartz

LAST STOP SALOON 209 E 2nd St Chocolate Cherry Stuffed French Toast, Cherry Mule

SAWYER’S ACE HARDWARE 500 E 3rd St Lawn Care Products 15 MILE WINERY 623 E 2nd St

Cherry of a Deal Pack $ 55 for a 3-pack of wine! 1x Meristem Red Blend 1x Gewurztraminer 1x Rose

STARBUCKS

1200 West 6th St Suite 200 Cherry Blossom Frappicino

HOUSE OF A LA MODE 215 Court St

Non-purchase raffle for a knitting bag, yarn, book, and notions package, valued at $120

WINES ON SECOND 316 E 2nd St 10% off all rose wines by the glass (cherry Blossom colored wines)

SMOKE WRING BBQ

801 E 2nd St

Various cherry themed foods and drinks

CANNON PACKER

1006 East 2nd St

Cherry FUN FUN FUN and a Drawing for an oil cloth cherry printed tote bag

STUDIOFIT

402 E 2nd St Cherry and Cherry Blossom Merchandise

ROUTE 30 BURGERS, BOTTLES AND BREWS

317 E 2nd St

Pulled pork with cherry BBQ sauce, cherry cocktails, and Homemade ADULT spumoni ice cream with a very special RUM and MORE cherry fun all weekend

TERRA COTTA GORGE CO.

111 East 9th St

$5 off anything RED!

WEST SECOND STREET MARKET

1433 West Second St

50% off homemade cinnamon rolls for Cherry Trail participants

GORGE ACADEMY OF COSMETOLOGY

422 E 2nd St Spa Deluxe Cherry Facials for the cost of a Regular Facial, Saving $10 / Tinsel Bar...Hair Tinsel for $5

SUNSET LAVENDER FARMS LLC

Open Air Market between Washington & Federal

Lavender: Hand Sanitizer, Lotion, linen spray, bundles, culinary lavender, Insect repellent, flower arrangements and more.

COUSINS RESTAURANT

2114 W. 6th St

Cherry Cinnamon Rolls, Cherry Pie, Cherry Milkshakes, Cherry Cocktails, Cherry Bomb, Cherry Lemon Drop, Cherry Limeade

RIVERTAP

701 E 2nd St

701 East 2nd Street

Slow roasted pulled pork sandwich with a bourbon sauce and choice of side, Cherry Limeade, Cheesecake with Cherry Compote

BARGEWAY PUB & CATERING

1535 Bargeway Rd

Cherry Drink Specials, Cherry Awesome Water

ZIM’S BRAU HAUS

604 East 2nd St Cherry Drink Specials

SIGMAN’S FLOWERS

200 East Second St

10% off chocolate covered cherries