The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center and Trail Tenders volunteer group are hosting a Dutch Oven Cook-off on Saturday October 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the outdoor Wagon Encampment. The Cast Iron Chef Cook-off is a fun team competition celebrating open air cooking, community, and the local harvest. Ten teams of...Continue Reading

Following is a guest post by Chuck Anderson, Oregon’s Alpenfest WALLOWA LAKE, Oregon__Alphorns – those 12-foot-long horns popularized in Ricola cough drop commercials – made history during the 37th edition of Oregon’s Alpenfest, Wallowa County’s annual Swiss-Bavarian festival. The traditional Swiss horns were played all over the Wallowa Lake area, known to many as Oregon’s...Continue Reading

Baker City, Oregon__The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center will be re-enacting an Oregon Trail Pioneer Wagon Encampment on September 5 and 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. At the encampment, located outdoors in a circle of replica covered wagons, historical re-enactors cook meals over open fires, and offer samples of the types of...Continue Reading

BAKER CITY, OR. – The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is hosting performances by the roots music group “Parlour” of Bend, Oregon. “Seeing the Elephant: Songs Inspired by the Oregon Trail” will be presented on Friday, August 28 and Saturday, August 29 with shows at 10:30 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. on both days....Continue Reading

Celebrate everything Celtic! The Eastern Oregon Celtic Festival and Highland Games takes place in La Grande at the Union County Fairgrounds this Saturday, August 22, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy entertainment, dance, highland games, food and more at the 8th Annual Celtic Festival & Highland Games. For more information, see the website. Tiller’s Folly,...Continue Reading

BAKER CITY, OREGON__Crossroads Art Center is pleased to welcome Zimbabwe Artists Project (ZAP) – a non-profit organization which partners with the artists of Weya, Zimbabwe, in strengthening self-sufficiency, building cultural understanding, and creating educational opportunities. By purchasing the artists’ beautiful creations, ZAP helps the artists afford food, clothing, school fees, medicines, transport, seeds and fertilizer,...Continue Reading

To celebrate the 7 Wonders of Oregon, Travel Oregon asked seven of Oregon’s best bicycle makers to create seven one-of-a-kind bikes. All this summer, the bikes will be hidden where they belong, at Oregon’s 7 Wonders, for lucky adventurers to find, own and ride. This week, collect the clues and start searching for the custom made...Continue Reading

A heavy rainstorm Friday evening cooled things down and gave a good drink to the extremely thirsty landscape. Baker City was especially hit with the deluge. But there were riders on the roads in every direction – geared up for rain. I talked with some riders in Union who had just come from Joseph. They...Continue Reading

Crazy Days is a decades-long summer tradition in downtown La Grande. This year, the event takes place Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18. The theme is Fabulous ’50s! The Union County Timber Cruisers Car Club will host its annual “Grande Ronde-A-View Weekend” Car Show. Registration for the car show starts at 5:30 p.m. on Friday,...Continue Reading

Philip Wolfmueller discovered one of Oregon’s best kept secrets and wants to share the news. For those who aren’t afraid to get off the beaten path a bit, Troy, Oregon, crouches on the banks of the Grande Ronde River in the far northeast corner of the state, and offers an outdoor lover’s paradise. Philip Wolfmueller...Continue Reading

Fans and residents of Eastern Oregon know this corner of the state has some pretty incredible beer. Our microbreweries are national and international award-winners, many times over. So it was no surprise to us that three of them were selected by Thrillist as among Oregon’s sixteen best brew pubs outside of Portland. Beer lovers (and...Continue Reading

The public may visit many federal recreation day-use sites on two Saturdays in June without paying a fee. These fee waivers acknowledge National Trails Day, June 6, and National Get Outdoors Day, June 13. These are two of six such fee-free days offered by the Pacific Northwest Region of the U.S. Forest Service during 2015....Continue Reading

Baker City, OR – In celebration of National Fishing Week, several Free Fishing Day events for children are planned for Saturday, June 6. No license is required for anyone who wants to fish during the annual Free Fishing Weekend June 6 and 7; however all Oregon fishing regulations still apply. Children attending Fishing Day events...Continue Reading

Beer lovers, take note! The second annual Eastern Oregon Beer Festival takes place in La Grande, June 19 and 20, at the Union County Fairgrounds. Now a two-day event, the festival features beer from over twenty breweries across Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. Live music, local crafts, great local food, and Q&A’s with brewers...Continue Reading

Walk among the pines, beside ruts made by covered wagons over 150 years ago! Savor the fresh mountain air as you try to imagine the creak of wagon wheels, the grunts of oxen and the whispering footsteps of weary pioneers. The season is upon us when history comes to life at the Oregon Trail Interpretive...Continue Reading

BAKER CITY, OREGON__Trail Tenders’ 2015 Run to the Ruts takes place Saturday, June 6, at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, near Baker City. This fund-raising race is for the whole family and it happens on a free fee day at the Trail Center. The Trail Center is located at 22267 Hwy 86, five miles east...Continue Reading

The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center near Baker City, Oregon, will have two days of living history presentations for visitors over the Memorial Day Weekend at the “Meet the Pioneers” event. On Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, volunteers and staff will demonstrate pioneer skills such as quilting, crafts, and food between 10...Continue Reading

The Bird Festival takes place at Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area near La Grande, Oregon. A Community Celebration of International Migratory Bird Day, the Ladd Marsh Bird Festival is an uncrowded, non-competitive birding opportunity for the whole family. Bird Festival 2015 kicks off on Friday evening, May 15, with music, a wine tasting and a presentation about...Continue Reading

There is nothing quite like the thrill, beauty, and history experienced on a jetboat trip down the Snake River with Hells Canyon Adventures. Check out their tour schedules for early May 2015, and visit the website for complete information. www.hellscanyonadventures.comContinue Reading

Two big western heritage events along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway this weekend are sure to please. Chief Joseph Days in Joseph is a classic western rodeo, with professional cowboys, top quality rodeo stock, a big parade, and  a healthy dose of wild west fun and excitement. The rodeo grounds also happen to have one...Continue Reading

Elgin, Oregon__What could frozen yogurt and steelhead possibly have in common? Both are topics for upcoming rides on the Eagle Cap Excursion Train in northeast Oregon. Thursday, July 31, the Summer Sundowner is an opportunity to enjoy a scenic evening train ride, with a sweet delight at the end. The train leaves the Elgin Depot...Continue Reading

BAKER CITY, OR. – Award winning western singer and songwriter Mary Kaye Knaphus will perform six presentations at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center on Aug. 1 and 2, at 10:30 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. each day. Mary Kaye was recognized by the Western Music Association as Female Performer of the Year and...Continue Reading

The Baker City Herald and The La Grande Observer have launched a free app for mobile devices and smart phones called Go! Northeast Oregon. The app is partnered with the two newspapers’ annual visitor guides and their weekly Go! print and online magazines. “It makes sense that we share the information we publish in our...Continue Reading

BAKER CITY, OR. – The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is hosting several performances by The Quons of “Seeing the Elephant: Songs Inspired by the Oregon Trail.” The performances with readings and commentary will occur on Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26 with shows at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 and 2 p.m. on both...Continue Reading

Here is a unique way to enjoy the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, created just for quilters! Mark your calendars and plan to visit 13 wonderful quilt shops in eastern Oregon and eastern Washington, from September 25 through October 5, 2014. The fun-filled new shop hop is called QUILTING ON THE DRY SIDE! These dates provide...Continue Reading

The businesses and communities along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway welcome participants in the Hells Canyon Motorcycle Rally this weekend. Thousands of motorcyclists are expected to gather in Baker City and spend the next few days exploring byway country and beyond. There are lots of events and opportunities to view the amazing bikes at Baker...Continue Reading

The vacation season is fully upon us in northeast Oregon and The Wallowas, and the range of events and activities available to byway travelers is amazing. Here are some highlights for the coming week, but be sure to check the event calendars for the full list and details: Visit Baker, Union County Chamber, Wallowa County...Continue Reading

The first Eastern Oregon Beer Festival takes place this Saturday, June 21, in La Grande, at the Union County Fairgrounds. 15 regional craft brewers will be pouring. If you have missed out on buying a tasting ticket for the event (Only 500 were available and they sold out quickly!), there is still plenty of opportunity...Continue Reading

BAKER CITY, OR. – The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is offering presentations in the Leo Adler Theater, located inside the Center, daily throughout the remainder of June. Featured visiting presenters are Buffalo Bill Boycott and Michael Terry. Boycott is a Wyoming based performer who presents a program of music both contemporary and traditional...Continue Reading

ELGIN, OREGON__It’s rumored train robbers will strike the Eagle Cap Excursion Train Saturday, June 28. Passengers are warned to leave their valuables at home but bring their camera and a sense of adventure on the ride. It happens every year, about this time. Bandits stop the train and reinforcements ride out of the woods to...Continue Reading