QUICK TAKES A BRIEF LOOK AT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN EASTERN OREGON CELEBRATE LA GRANDE WITH FREE DRIVE-THRU DINNER ON SEPT. 9 album over Labor Day weekend in 2020 at Churchill School. That album was officially released in February 2021, and now he’s returning to that same stage to play live. The show is Saturday, Sept. 11, at Churchill School, 3451 Broadway St. (enter through the 16th Street parking lot). Doors open at 6 p.m., and the music starts at 6:45 p.m. Tick- ets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. For more details and tickets, visit www.churchill- baker.com. LA GRANDE — The 26th annual Celebrate La Grande end of summer block party will be held Thursday, Sept. 9, from 5-7 p.m. at the Union County Fairgrounds, 3604 N. Second St. To adhere to public health mandates to curb the spread of COVID-19, like last year, this year’s event will feature a drive- thru meal. Load the car and celebrate La Grande with free hot dogs, soda and ice cream. GRANT COUNTY JUNIOR RODEO IS SEPT. 11 JOHN DAY — The Grant County Junior Rodeo is hap- pening Saturday, Sept. 11, at the John Day Auto Parts Outdoor Arena on the Grant County Fairgrounds, 411 NW Bridge. The action starts at 9:30 a.m. Concessions will be available onsite. Contestants up to the age of 16 (as of Jan. 1, 2021) are en- couraged to enter. Age divisions are: peewee, 5 and younger; youth, ages 6-9; junior, ages 10-12; and senior, ages 13-16. PINE FEST MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH ONE-DAY EVENT Gary Calicott/coyotewillowmusic.com Coyote Willow plays at Pine Fest Sept. 11 in Halfway. Events include mutton busting, calf riding, steer riding, dummy roping, breakaway roping, pole bending, barrel racing and goat tying. An “all around” prize is awarded for each age division. Buckles go to first place in each event and age division, and awards are given up to third place in each event and division. To enter online, go to Grant County Junior Rodeo on Face- book. For information, call 541- 620-1617 or 541-575-1900. CATCH ROB SCHEPS AND THE TBA BAND AT CHURCHILL SEPT. 11 BAKER CITY — Rob Scheps and the TBA Band recorded an HALFWAY — Pine Fest, a music festival set in one of Baker County’s smallest towns, returns this year for a one-day event Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Pine Valley Fairgrounds. The music goes from 2-10 p.m. Admission is $25, and tickets are available at www.brownpa- pertickets.com. Entry is free for children younger than 12. Featured bands are Coyote Willow, Steve Fulton Music, Never Come Down Band and 5 SEPTEMBER 8–15, 2021 Kris Deelane and the Hurt. Between these headliners, local talent will perform on the smaller stage. In addition to the music, there will be food, beverage and craft vendors. HERMISTON RACEWAY GEARS UP FOR PATRIOT NIGHT ON SATURDAY HERMISTON — The Home- town Heroes Championship at Hermiston Raceway offers some of the best talent from the Pacific Northwest. Billed as Patriot Night, the racing event, which includes seven divisions, is Saturday, Sept. 11. The gates open at 4:30 p.m. and the racing starts at 6 p.m. The raceway is located at 81236 N. Hwy 395. General admission for adults is $20, students/youth/military are $15, and a family pass is $50 (for two adults and three youth). In addition, Speedy’s Grill offers a variety of food and beverages. Advance tickets are avail- able via www.hermistonrace- way.com. For questions, call 509-845-5510 or email info@ hermistonraceway.com.