3
FESTIVALS
EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS
AROUND EASTERN OREGON
AUGUST 18�25, 2021
An old-
fashioned
festival with a
cherry on top
Cove Cherry Fair has
something for everyone
By John Vollinger
Go! Magazine
C
OVE — The annual Cove
Cherry Fair is returning on
Saturday, Aug. 21, at the Ascen-
sion Conference Center. This is a
family-friendly, all-day event, free
to all.
The Cherry Fair has a storied
history in Cove, originating in
1911, with Cove’s community
members gathering in their ex-
citement to share their bountiful
fruit harvests with surrounding
communities, and the rest of the
Western
Feed,
LLC
Pendleton, OR 97801
country as well. With a “Royal
Court” of youths from the com-
munity, as well as parades, music,
and poetry readings, the fair was
a festive time for the entire region
for eight years. The annual event
then went into an 80-plus-year
hiatus until 2000, when Cove
recommenced holding the joyous
occasion.
The event kicks off with a pair
of Fun Run/Walk Races, with a
length of either 1 mile or 3 miles
(registration is at 7 a.m.), with
pricing varying on the length of
the race you select, and whether
you decide to register alone or
with your family; medals are up for
grabs, and proceeds go to sup-
port the fair and the Union/Cove
Boston/Philly trip.
The Observer/File
Children compete in a cherry-pie-eating contest at Cove’s Cherry Fair in August 2016.
There will also be some other
cherry-themed contests off ered,
including a cherry-pit spitting
contest, and two types of pie-
eating contests: one dubbed
“polite” while the other is hands-
free. There will additionally be
many activities for kids, such as
taking a ride on the Hog Wild Days
Piggy Train, jumping in the bouncy
house and investigating mounds
of bubbles (supplied by the fi re
department).
Also quite notable are the quilt
show and raffl e (on display in
Ascension’s Coe-Kerr Community
Center), the sourdough pancake
breakfast (7-11 a.m. in Founder’s
Hall; $8, $3 age 5-11, younger than
5 eat for free) and the community
parade, with all kinds of small-town,
family-friendly fl oats welcome. As
an addendum, the parade — as
well as the entire event — is adver-
tised as 100% politics-free, with
the focus being solely on the unity
of the community.
The cherries on top will be the
live music throughout the day
from the likes of Elwood, Jezebel’s
Mother and The Wasteland Kings,
as well as the myriad vendors sell-
ing their goods and/or services.
Expect to hear combinations of
folk, soul, blues and Americana
as the day rolls on, and enough
vendors of such various wares and
food to make your head spin.
In the evening, the Cove Drive-
In across the street hosts a ring-
toss tournament, karaoke and live
local music.
Whether you are looking for
some handmade jewelry or art,
curious to learn about tending
your own cherry tree in Cove, or
even want an introduction to the
members of the Cove City Council,
the fair will have something you will
enjoy.
The event is completely volun-
teer-oriented, and extra hands are
always welcome. If you would like
to sign up to help out, register a
parade fl oat, or want some more
information on the event, visit
www.covecherryfair.com.
(503) 317-3145
jon.westernfeedllc@gmail.com
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