8
BEHIND THE SCENES
DECEMBER 29, 2021�JANUARY 5, 2022
FROM THE
COVER
Celebrate the new year in downtown La Grande
By Lisa Britton
Go! Magazine
NEW YEAR’S EVE
BLOCK PARTY AND
BALL DROP
L
A GRANDE — A traditional
New Year’s Eve celebra-
tion is returning to downtown
La Grande this year after going
virtual in 2020.
A block party will start at
10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, and the
ball drop at midnight will wel-
come 2022.
The intersection of Adams
Avenue and Depot Street will
be closed off for the celebra-
tion, which includes burn barrels
to keep revelers warm and a
warming tent sponsored by
John J. Howard & Associates
Real Estate with hot cocoa and
other goodies. Many downtown
restaurants and shops stay open
late, and Becky’s Burger Wagon
is scheduled to be serving up
food.
Also, Loveland Funeral Home
will be providing free rides home.
The event is organized by La
Grande Main Street Downtown.
In 2020, the organization did not
sponsor a block party and the
10 p.m. Dec. 31
Adams Avenue and Depot
Street
Downtown La Grande
ball drop was livestreamed on
Facebook.
“This year it’s back to normal,”
said Ashley O’Toole, Realtor and
property manager with John J.
Howard & Associates.
O’Toole was the one who pro-
posed the idea for a New Year’s
Eve party to La Grande Main
Street Downtown.
This is the event’s eighth year.
“There’s a lot of laughter, a
lot of conversation. It’s a fun,
celebratory atmosphere,” said
Taylor Scroggins, executive di-
rector of La Grande Main Street
Downtown.
Near midnight, the illuminated
ball will descend the fl agpole
on the Phoenix Building as the
crowd counts down to the new
year.
The Observer, File
Locals fi lled downtown La Grande during the New Year’s Eve block party on Dec. 31, 2019, to watch the ball drop and
welcome in 2020.
“It actually glows pretty im-
pressively,” Scroggins said.
He said John J. Howard &
Associates is a major partner for
this New Year’s Eve tradition, and
O’Toole makes sure all the lights
— for the ball and the illuminated
2022 — are in perfect order.
Winter Classes at Crossroads
December Class
Tuesdays
Portrait Painting with Acrylic
December 28 – February 8 • 5:30-7:30pm
FULL - Call to be placed on waitlist
www.crossroads-arts.org
January 20
Adult Wheel Throwing For Beginners
January 20, 27 and February 7
FULL - Call to be placed on waitlist
January 13
Intro to Calligraphy – “Easy Uncials”
January 20 and 27 • 6:00-8:00pm
January Classes
Fridays
2020 Auburn Avenue
Baker City, Oregon
541.523.5369
www.crossroads-arts.org
Exploring with Paint and Canvas
January 14 – February 11 • 10:00am-Noon
FREE High School Class
Scroggins said many commu-
nity events came back in 2021.
La Grande Main Street Down-
town organizes Crazy Days, the
Eastern Oregon Beer Festival,
Downtown trick-or-treat, Plaid
Friday and Small Business Satur-
day, the holiday parade and tree
Children’s Ballet Classes
Tuesday
Ballet I
January 4 – February 22 • 4:00-5:00pm
January 15
Barn Quilt Painting Workshop
9:30am–3:00pm
Wednesday
Ballet II
January 5 – February 23 • 4:00-5:00pm
January 17
Adult Intermediate Wheel Throwing
January 17, 24 and February 7
Thursday
Ballet III
January 6 – February 24 • 4:00-5:00pm
Crossroads is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm
Crossroads in accordance with the Oregon Health Authority requires masks for everyone age 5 and above.
lighting, and a guided lights tour
(in partnership with the Union
County Chamber of Commerce).
2022 may bring even more
activities.
“We’re looking to expand our
events next year,” Scroggins
said.