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About The Observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1968-current | View Entire Issue (July 7, 2022)
20 JULY 6-13, 2022 CULTURE & HERITAGE CELEBRATING THE HISTORY OF EASTERN OREGON Hermiston Herald/File People flock to downtown Hermiston during a past Fun Fest. The festival, which the Hermiston Downtown District revived as Spud Fest, is July 9 on and around Hermiston’s festival street. Head to Hermiston for Spud Fest on July 9 By Jennifer Colton Go! Magazine HERMISTON — Spud Fest returns to downtown Hermiston this Saturday with giveaways and activities for the whole family. “This is a community, family event where you come down to downtown and there’s a lot to do, a lot of free stuff, and a lot of fun,” said Judy Peterson, owner of Lucky Endz and president of the Hermiston Downtown District. The July 9 event begins with the Rotary Breakfast at 7:30 a.m., and vendors and other entertainment will begin at 9 a.m. Festival Street Entertainment includes the Hermis- ton FFA Animal Showcase, with live animals, the KOHU/ The Q Cash Machine, street bowling with Desert Lanes, Kids Building Kits with Home Depot, a bounce house and a number of games. Vendors and activities in downtown will run until 3 p.m. Outside of downtown, Spud Fest also features the Cool Rides Car Show at McKenize Park, and Club 24’s 5K Glow Run on the Oxbow Trail that begins at 10 p.m. Spud Fest has long roots in Hermiston, but it only Hermiston Herald/File Desert Lanes provided free bowling for kids at the 2019 Spud Fest. This year’s event is July 9 in Hermiston. recently returned to the Downtown District. For years, the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce ran the event as “Fun Fest,” and it returned to the Hermiston Downtown District — and its potato-related title — in 2019 to rec- ognize the importance of agriculture to the Hermiston area. It also means that, yes, one of the giveaway items is bags of Bud Rich Potatoes, alongside cotton candy, popcorn, and kids cowboy hats. Peterson said the event is important for the Down- town District because it is a chance to give back to the community, to make memories and to celebrate being downtown. “It’s about giving back to the community but also letting people see exactly what Main Street does have to offer. We are growing,” she said. “I was born and raised in Hermiston. When I grew up, you could get everything you needed on Main Street. It was full and always busy. Then, I saw the change (away from Main Street). Now, Main Street is coming back. We want people to see what businesses and restaurants we have downtown. It’s a great thing for our community to have.” Find more information on the Facebook page or website for the Hermiston Downtown District.
