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