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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (July 11, 2019)
A6 COMMUNITY East Oregonian Downtown district revives festival’s roots By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian HERMISTON — Herm- iston’s longtime mid-sum- mer festival is returning to its original roots. With the Hermiston Downtown District taking the reins of the mid-July event — in recent years it was called Funfest — they decided to revive the fam- ily-friendly festival known as Spudfest. While “fun” is no longer a part of the festival’s name, Spudfest returns with lots of familiar and popular activi- ties. The event is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in and around Hermiston’s down- town festival street area. Get there early — free bags of potatoes will be handed out while supplies last. “It was a great event to start with,” said Brandi Howard, Hermiston Down- town District vice presi- dent. “Also, of all the down- town functions, it’s the most family-driven one.” Spudfest features music, a variety of live entertain- ment, kids’ games and ven- dor booths (as of Mon- day, 50 had confirmed). In addition, the Rotary Breakfast is at 7:30 a.m. (also downtown) and the 24th annual Cool Rides Car Show is being held at SPUDFEST ENTERTAINMENT •9 a.m. Zumba by Joy •9:30 a.m. Big Top the Clown •10 a.m. Trinity Martial Arts Academy •11 a.m. Dallin Puzey •12 p.m. Bram Brata Steel Band •1 p.m. Wood Carvers Auction EO File Photo Garrett Aries of George Kenny School of Chainsaw Carving visits with Kay Willhoft of Hermiston during Funfest in 2016. The festival, which the Hermiston Downtown District is re- viving as Spudfest, is Saturday on and around Hermiston’s festival street. McKenzie Park. Highlighting the festi- val street is part of a collab- orative effort between the downtown business own- ers, the city of Hermiston and the Hermiston Cham- ber of Commerce. Judy Pederson, president of the Hermiston Downtown Dis- trict, said the idea is to con- tinue to encourage more visitors to the Main Street area. The original SpudFest, which was organized by what was then known as the Downtown Hermis- ton Merchants Associa- tion, was held for about a decade, ending in 2000. Several years later, it was reinvented as Funfest. Howard, who also owns Andee’s Boutique, said with the Hermiston Cham- ber of Commerce stretched thin with staff changes and additional projects, it made sense for the Main Street businesses to take a more active role. “It really is a downtown event, so we stepped up,” Howard said. “We’re still working together with the chamber and the city. They have been so helpful.” In addition to the monthly First Thursday, other upcoming Hermiston Downtown District events include Umatilla County Fair Parade Kick-off (Aug. 3), Annual Sidewalk Sale (Aug. 8), MelonFest (Aug. 17), Farm to Junk (Sept. 21) and Harvest Fest (Oct. 5). Volunteers and vendors are needed for Hermiston Downtown District festi- vals. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ hermistondowntown or call 541-667-5026. ——— Contact Community Editor Tammy Malgesini at tmalgesini@eastorego- nian.com or 541-564-4539 EOU to host award-winning writers East Oregonian LA GRANDE — Sev- eral award-winning writ- ers will participate in liter- ary readings and lectures as part of Eastern Oregon University’s annual summer residency. The events, which are July 16-18, are being hosted by the university’s master of fine arts program. They are free and open to the public. Award-winning novelist Stephanie Oakes will pres- ent a craft lecture Tuesday, July 16 at 4 p.m. and an eve- ning reading at 7:30 p.m. Both events are in Acker- man 208 on the university’s La Grande campus. Oakes’ debut novel, “The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly,” was a finalist for the William C. Morris Award. It chronicles a teenager’s escape from a fictitious reli- gious cult in the Montana wilderness. It premiered last summer as “Sacred Lies,” a drama series on Facebook Watch. Her follow-up novel, “The Arsonist,” received a Washington State Book Award in the youth category. Also, a handful of award-winning MFA fac- ulty members will read from their recent works. That pro- gram is Wednesday, July 17 at 7 p.m. at Art Center East, 1006 Penn Ave., La Grande. It features novelist Megan Kruse, poets Christopher Howell and James Crews, and essayist Jodi Varon. And rounding out the events on Thursday, July 18 is Kevin Goodan with a craft lecture at 4 p.m. and a reading at 7:30 p.m. Both events also are in Ackerman 208. Born and raised on the Flathead Indian Reserva- tion, Goodan worked as a firefighter for 10 years. His first collection of poetry, “In the Ghost-House Acquainted,” won The L.L. Winship/ PEN New England Award in 2005. Since then, his poetry, which has been described as exhibiting “both pastoral eloquence and psychological inten- sity,” has been published in various publications. Author’s books will be available for purchase at each of the events. For more information, contact English professor David Axelrod at 541-962-3633 or daxelrod@eou.edu. BRIEFLY sion with astronaut stories, activities and a For more about the tour or garden club craft. Advance registration is not required. activities, contact Sue Stefancik at slaf- For more information, call 541-966- leur53@aol.com or 541-443-2334. PENDLETON — The Pendleton Pub- 0380 or visit www.pendletonlibrary.wee- lic Library is hosting several activities to bly.com. Pilot Rock changes commemorate the 50-year anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. Dirt Dabblers to tour local community yard sale PILOT ROCK — The city of Pilot A special after-hours party is set for gardens Rock is changing things up with their Friday, July 19 at 6 p.m. at the library, 502 PENDLETON — The Dirt Dabblers annual city-wide yard sale. S.W. Dorion Ave. While the event is free, Garden Club will visit three area gardens Instead of holding it in conjunction advance registration is required. with August’s Community Days, it will “Astronomy Then to Now” features a during its annual tour. The event is Monday beginning at be held July 27-28. People are invited to presentation by Andrea K. Dobson, Whit- man College astronomy department chair. 9:30 a.m. People are invited to meet at provide information to have their yard She’ll talk about the moon landing, infor- the Vert Auditorium, 345 S.W. Fourth sale included on the yard sale map. The mation learned about the moon since then St., Pendleton, and carpool from there to cost is $5. For more information, contact Vir- and careers in science. The all-ages event the locations. Participants are encouraged to dress accordingly — a prize will be ginia Carnes at 541-443-5832, Pilot Rock is open to everyone. Kids ages 0-7 are invited to blast off awarded for the best garden hat. In addi- City Hall at 541-443-2811 or the Com- during Astronaut Camp, which is Tues- tion, people are encouraged to bring a munity Day/Reunion Weekend Commit- day, July 23 at 11:30 a.m. Little explor- sack lunch and drink and enjoy conversa- tee at communityday_reunionweekend@ yahoo.com. ers will prepare for their first space mis- tion afterwards. Pendleton library blasts off with celebration Thursday, July 11, 2019 COMING EVENTS THURSDAY, JULY 11 SMART DRIVER CLASS, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Blue Mountain Community College, 311 N. Columbia Ave., Milton-Free- water. Learn strategies for safe driving, adjustments for age-related driving issues, the latest rules of the road and more. Cost is $15 for AARP members (bring card) or $20 for non-members. Lunch is on your own. Registration required. (541-938-4082) PENDLETON SENIOR MEAL SERVICE, 12-1 p.m., Pendle- ton Senior Center, 510 S.W. 10th St., Pendleton. Costs $3.50 or $6 for those under 60. Pool, puzzles, crafts, snacks, Sec- ond Time Around thrift store 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For Meals On Wheels, call 541-276-1926. (Tori Bowman 541-276-5073) BOARDMAN SENIOR MEAL SERVICE, 12 p.m., Board- man Senior Center, 100 Tatone St., Boardman. Cost is $4 for seniors 55 and over or $5 for adults. (541-481-3257) HERMISTON SENIOR MEAL SERVICE, 12 p.m., Harkenrider Center, 255 N.E. Second St., Hermiston. Cost is $4 for adults, free for children 10 and under, $4 for Meals on Wheels. Extra 50 cents for utensils/dishes. Bus service available by dona- tion. (541-567-3582) SENSORY STORY TIME, 12:30 p.m., Boardman Public Library, 200 S. Main St., Boardman. For children from birth to age 4. (541-481-2665) YARN CLUB, 5:30 p.m., Hermiston Public Library, 235 E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston. (541-567-2882) THE ARC UMATILLA COUNTY BINGO, 6-10 p.m., The Arc Building, 215 W. Orchard Ave., Hermiston. Doors open at 6 p.m., seats may be held until 6:30 p.m., then all seats first come, first served; games begin at 7 p.m. Proceeds benefit Umatilla County citizens with developmental disabilities. 18 years or older, must have proof of age and photo I.D. Basic pot $20, prizes range from $20-$750. (541-567-7615) FIDDLER’S NIGHT, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Avamere Assisted Living, 980 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston. Enjoy light refreshments, listen to some favorite oldies or join in the jam session. All ages welcome. (Lori 541-567-3141) FRIDAY, JULY 12 WILLOW CREEK FARMERS MARKET, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Hep- pner City Park, 444 N. Main St., Heppner. Vendors will offer produce, baked goods, plants, jams and jellies, hand- made and artisan items and more. Vendor space available for $25 adults, $10 school-aged children. (Andrea DiSalvo 757-285-5792) TODDLER STORY TIME, 10:15-11 a.m., Pendleton Public Library, 502 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. (541-966-0380) FREE FRIDAY LUNCH, 12 p.m., Echo Community Church, 21 N. Bonanza St., Echo. Everyone welcome. HERMISTON SENIOR MEAL SERVICE, 12 p.m., Harkenrider Center, 255 N.E. Second St., Hermiston. Cost is $4 for adults, free for children 10 and under, $4 for Meals on Wheels. Extra 50 cents for utensils/dishes. Bus service available by dona- tion. (541-567-3582) STORY AND CRAFT TIME, 2 p.m., Echo Public Library, 20 S. Bonanza, Echo. (541-376-8411) ATHENA CALEDONIAN GAMES, 5:30-10 p.m., Athena City Park, 215 S. Third St., Athena. Music, dancing and piping competitions, parades, vendors, car show, Caledonian Tat- too (Saturday) and more. Free admission for most activities. Full schedule available at www.athenacaledonian.org (Sue Friese 541-566-3880) VFW BINGO, 6 p.m., Hermiston VFW, 45 W. Cherry St., Herm- iston. Doors open at 6 p.m., games begin at 7 p.m. Everyone welcome. (541-567-6219) SATURDAY, JULY 13 ATHENA CALEDONIAN GAMES, 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Athena City Park, 215 S. Third St., Athena. Music, dancing and piping competitions, parades, vendors, car show, Caledonian Tat- too (Saturday) and more. Free admission for most activities. Full schedule available at www.athenacaledonian.org (Sue Friese 541-566-3880) Mom & Baby Support Group We meet every Friday 9AM -11AM at St Anthony Hospital in Conference Rooms 3 & 4 This support group is Free and specifically geared toward Moms and Caregivers. We provide Free snacks, support, breastfeeding help and baby weigh ins. St. Anthony Clinic 3001 St. Anthony Way Pendleton, Oregon www.sahpendleton.org