The Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is a thriving this Memorial Day Weekend. Check out the following activities, then go to the Wallowa County, Union County and Baker County websites for even more happenings. Have a safe, fun and meaningful Memorial holiday weekend.

Saturday, May 27th
Eagle Cap Excursion Train / Two River Bonus, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm, Elgin Depot
Following the Grande Ronde and Wallowa Rivers as they tumble their courses and join together at Rondowa, this longer ride takes you to Minam, before returning to Elgin. The ride offers beautiful views that can’t be seen from the highways. The scenery is fantastic! Lunch is included. Departs from Elgin Depot at 10 a.m. and returns at about 3:30 p.m.

La Grande Farmers’ Market, Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon, and Tuesdays, 3:30 to 6 p.m.; Adams Ave. & Fourth St., Downtown La Grande
The La Grande Farmers’ Market is a seasonal open-air market featuring fresh local produce, baked goods, specialty foods, quality meat, eggs, garden products, arts, crafts, and live music. Enjoy shopping locally while interacting with farmers, artists, musicians, craftsman and friends. Also visit many of the market suppliers along the Cove-Union Farm Loop.

Wallowa County Farmers Market Opening Day, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m,, Joseph St. and Main St., Joseph
Spring Planting Fest/Opening Day for the Wallowa County Farmers’ Market!! Live music, plant starts, produce, handmade crafts, homemade baked goods and more!!

Lower Valley Farmers’ Market, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m,, 301 E. 1st St., Wallowa
Year-round indoor farmers market. Our mission is to increase our community’s access to fresh, local products from local producers and to offer a vibrant social gathering place.

Bigfoot Hot Air Balloons Is Open For The Season, 
Bigfoot Balloons is now open in Joseph, OR. We will be offering sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flights all summer long. We have 2 special pricing options for local Wallowa County and Union County residents. If you have a specific date that you would fly you may book our Shared Flight at $50 off per person and if you are flexible with your dates we will put you on a standby passenger list for our shared flight with a $100 per person discount. Look for us up in the sky at sunrise! To make reservations call 432-443-7994 or go to our website.

Joseph Branch Railriders Is Open for the Season
Joseph Branch Railriders will open  May 20  and end Oct 9, 2017  for our 4th season.  We will serve you five days a week, Thursday thru Monday.
Choose between the 2 hour Joseph departure or the 6 hour Minam adventure which includes a lunch break in Wallowa. Now is the time to plan ahead for your summer adventures. We are looking forward to seeing you all this summer. Online reservations are open and can be accessed through our website,

Some trips this season have been designed with vacationing families in mind. Others offer lively entertainment, while still others are focused on the amazing fall foliage colors. Go to www.eaglecaptrainrides.com and select Ride The Train to find out more information.

The Mother’s Day Brunch Train departs at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 11, from the Elgin Depot. This ride offers a rare chance to see the canyon scenery in the vibrant colors of spring.

Brunch is served during the 3.5 hour ride beside the Grande Ronde and Wallowa Rivers. The meal includes a selection of breakfast and lunch entrees, pastries, fruit and beverages. Passengers can relax in their seats or move about the train. Car hosts answer questions and encourage conversation among passengers.

Tickets are available through Alegre Travel, the excursion train booking agency, train@alegretravel.com or 800.323.7330. Agents can also, upon request, book motel rooms and offer advice on other activities and attractions in the area.

“This is one of our most popular trips of the season” said Peggy Weishaar of Alegre Travel. “We always sell out, so don’t wait to reserve your seats.” Weishaar noted the train robberies are also very well received, as are the Fall Foliage trips in October. “We are offering more variety this season, so that is getting lots of attention from a wide range of ages and interests.”

The historic Joseph Branch, now known as the Wallowa Union Railroad, was rescued from salvage in 2003 when the Wallowa and Union county governments formed the Wallowa Union Rail Authority and purchased railroad from Elgin to Joseph in Oregon’s northeast corner. Volunteers with the Friends of the Joseph Branch, non-profit organization, assist the rail authority with managing the excursion business and the depot, operating the train, hosting passengers, restoring the rail cars and preserving the history of the railroad. See the web site, www.eaglecaptrainrides.com for information about the 2014 schedule and how to volunteer.