FIND FRUIT and plenty more at the Fruit and Craft Fair, or stop at any of the local fruit stands, including Draper Girls near Mt. Hood, along the Hood River Valley Fruit Loop. At left, Ranch Sorting events will also entertain in the horse arena during the Fruit and Craft Fair.
FIND FRUIT and plenty more at the Fruit and Craft Fair, or stop at any of the local fruit stands, including Draper Girls near Mt. Hood, along the Hood River Valley Fruit Loop. At left, Ranch Sorting events will also entertain in the horse arena during the Fruit and Craft Fair.
Hood River News file photos
Ranch sorting events will entertain in the horse arena during the Fruit and Craft Show.
One of the Columbia Gorge’s most popular autumn events — the Gorge Fruit and Craft Fair — arrives Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the park-like Hood River County Fairgrounds, 3020 Wy’east Road, near the community of Odell. Admission and parking are free.
Celebrating the people and products of the Columbia River Gorge — and only the Columbia Gorge — as all offerings have been grown or made in the Gorge. The fair features arts and crafts, gourmet food products, fresh Hood River fruit, flowers, baked goods, local wines, jewelry, furniture, plants and flowers, soft goods, and much more. The Hood River County Fair Board organizes the event.
In addition to the wide selection of products and creations offered by exhibitors, the event features a full slate of special activities:
The Odell Garden Club holds its annual autumn flower show and sale in the Floral Building throughout the weekend. The Hood River Art Club presents a large gallery-style art show and sale.
Try local fruit and savor tasty food, including barbeque by the FFA, favorites from the fair kitchen, and other tasty choices, along with delicious Gorge wines.
Special Olympics will be holding a fundraiser for their important work.
Enjoy live music by the Gorge Strings Sunday afternoon. Kids always find seasonal fun and treats at the fair, too.
Feeling lucky? Local 4-H members are inviting Fruit & Craft Fair attendees to play Cow Pie Bingo all day, Saturday only.
And fair attendees will have another special opportunity on Saturday. Just steps away, in the fairgrounds arena, a Ranch Sorting competition will be taking place. It’s a Western-style equestrian sport in which two riders work together — and against the clock — to cut the correct cattle from a herd and drive them into a pen. Practice rounds will be in the morning, with competition beginning at 12:30 p.m. In case of rain, look for it in the big livestock barn. Admission is free.
The fair is one of the special Harvest Weekend events and observances taking place throughout the Hood River Valley the third weekend in October. Allow plenty of time to tour the valley enjoy all of them. It’s the perfect way to welcome autumn.
Those wishing to spend the whole weekend enjoying the fair, and all of the other beauty and attractions of autumn in the Hood River Valley, may want to camp at the lovely rural fairgrounds. Camping and R.V. sites are available, which include electricity and access to a dump station.
For more information about the 2015 Gorge Fruit & Craft Fair, check the Hood River County Fairgrounds website at www.hoodriver-fair.org, the fairgrounds’ Facebook page, or call the fair office, at 541/354-2865.
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