A Blossom Welcome

It spans three weekends, beyond the traditional three-day event over a single mid-April weekend.

This is part organizational, part scientific: that is, Chamber of Commerce is looking at more and more community activities to promote in April, and Mother Nature seems to have evolved in terms of delivering local flora.

Simply stated, it used to be that you could count on the blossoms making themselves known on or about April 15 or so. People would plan their visits to the splendid orchards of this valley at about that time.

But “blossom creep” started happening a few years ago: in some parts of the valley the flowers would emerge somewhat earlier than the accustomed time, meaning some folks might miss seeing them if all they had was one weekend to plan around.

So the Chamber decided to stretch Blossom Festival, as it was once known, into Blossom Time: a three-week arc in which people can plan, at some point, to see the flowers at or near their peak.

Of course, this year the blossoms appeared in March, for the first time in memory. The full emergence, mid-valley, by April 1 was no joke, but documented as the earliest blossoming since records were kept at OSU Experiment Station starting in 1944.

Blossom Time is about the flowers, to be sure, but it is about the community and the way we revolve around the cycles of nature. The past week has been a tense time for many orchardists as overnight temperatures dipped at or near freezing, in a time when the young blossoms and fruitlets are highly susceptible to damage.

Blossom Time is about community events, and the way our lives do cycle around the agricultural heritage of this magnificent valley.

Whether you are a visitor or a local, now is the time to enjoy a cornucopia starting this weekend, primarily: Hard-Pressed Cider Fest in Odell, Wine Passport Month events, Abstract Fiber Trunk Show near Odell, Second Saturday at WAAAM, and Gorge Artists Open Studios Tour.

One result of all these remarkable events happening in one weekend is that people will need to drive from place to place, so caution on the roads is definitely in order. Take your time, enjoy the scenery (marvelous even in inclement weather) and be on the lookout for farm equipment.

For many, the work doesn’t stop for the festivities. The work is year-round meaning that for farm workers in Hood River valley, it is always blossom time.