In Northeast Oregon, summer and fall are packed with special events that celebrate the personality and history of each community. Special interest groups gather for car shows, motorcycle rallies, cycling events, rodeos and star-gazing. Go to the site’s Visitor Resources page and check out the calendars of events for each of the chambers of commerce. You are certain to find events that appeal to your interests.

The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center near Baker City offers entertainment and events of its own throughout the year. Coming to the center June 26 through 29 is musical duo Bill Boycott and Joanne Orr, who perform as Buffalo Bill and Dr. Jo.  This Lander, Wyoming, couple tours around the west, sharing the legacy of traditional and folk music, as well as original compositions and stories about the west – pioneers, cowboys, Native Americans, and the railroads. The couple uses vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle. Their performance titled “Along the Oregon Trail” includes multi-media, as well as a program on Indian Sign Language. Known for their outstanding vocal harmonies, they won a Western Music Association Harmony Duo Award. Bill has also won awards for his traditional western style yodeling.

Buffalo Bill & Dr. Jo perform each day at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., through Saturday, June 29.

The presentation of original contemporary music is based on life along the Oregon Trail through words and song. The show incorporates narratives, multi media photo display, and songs inspired by diaries and memoirs of Oregon Trail pioneers who crossed the continent over 150 years ago.

“Parlour” is a quartet that writes and performs acoustic Americana roots music and includes guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and vocals. Band members Linda Quon, Mark Quon, Mike Potter and Susan Bonacker perform throughout Oregon and have become well known for their harmonic talent, and weaving historic influences into captivating contemporary songs and lyrics.

At the Interpretive Center, the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the National Conservation Lands continues every day through August with presentations highlighting resources and history on public lands. If planning a weekend visit to see Parlour, visitors can also see demonstrations of flint knapping and fur trade skills. On Sunday August 30th, join a Leave No Trace mini-workshop, or see an outdoor program about horses with Norm, a former wild mustang adopted through the BLM Wild Horse and Burro program. The special exhibit “Cargo for a Continental Crossing” will be open in the Flagstaff Gallery.

The Trail Center is located five miles east of Baker City, Oregon on Highway 86. Take Exit 302 from I-84. The Center is currently open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission for adults is $8.00; for seniors it’s $4.50; children 15 and under are admitted for free. Federal passes are accepted. Call (541) 523-1843 for updates on programs and events. For more information about the Trail Center visit www.oregontrail.blm.gov.