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.