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About The Columbia press. (Astoria, Or.) 1949-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 27, 2020)
The Columbia Press November 27, 2020 3 Post-turkey weekend activities kick off the holidays State tops in food production Events can be enjoyed virtually, Oregon may not be a major producer of turkeys, but you can thank the state’s farm- ers for other staples found throughout the holidays. Oregon is No. 1 in the nation for Dungeness crab -- $68 million worth! We’re No. 2 for pears and onions, No. 3 for cranberries, and No. 4 for green peas and potatoes. If you raise a toast during the holidays, remember that Oregon hops are used to pro- duce many of the region’s craft beers. The state ranks No. 3 in the United States for growing hops. The Oregon wine industry has surged to 1,297 vineyards in the past decade with 908 wineries. Wine grapes are the state’s No. 7 agricultural com- modity, valued at $238 mil- lion, according to the Oregon Farm Bureau. “Thanksgiving is all about making time to reflect on the many things in life for which we’re grateful,” said Anne Marie Moss, the bureau’s communications director. “In conversations around the din- ner table, (we) urge readers to remember the farm and ranch families who grew the food.” The bureau announced a #CelebrateAg promotion this month to highlight the state’s contributions to the nation’s food supply. Other interesting facts: Oregon is No. 1 in the nation for Christmas tree produc- tion. Tree farms sold more than $104 million in trees last year, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture. We’re also No. 1 nationwide for blackberries, hazelnuts, peppermint, rhubarb, grass seed, and florist azaleas. A hundred percent of the na- tion’s hazelnut market comes from Oregon, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Close behind is crim- son clover and orchardgrass seeds at 98 percent. by foot, or by automobile The Columbia Press The weekend after Thanks- giving is the official kick-off for many Christmas activi- ties. There’s no question the holidays will look and feel different during these days of COVID-19. Yet there still are things that you and your household can do. Distanced Santa visits Downtown Astoria is all lit up for the holidays. The Christmas tree on Ma- rine Drive at 17th Street was put up and lit Nov. 21, al- though there was no ceremo- ny this year due to the pan- demic. Santa will greet visitors from noon to 3 p.m. every Saturday through Christmas at the Liberty Theatre’s ki- osk. Children 5 and older are required to wear masks and should bring written wish lists. Tour of lights Seaside Chamber of Com- merce is having a contest to see which homes and busi- nesses have the best decora- tions. The contest is open in Sea- side and Gearhart and runs from Nov. 30 to Dec. 18. Residents are urged to take a self-guided tour of partici- pating spots between 6 and 9:30 p.m. each night and then vote for their favorites. The chamber will have a map of participating loca- tions and a ballot. Cannon Beach in Lights Haystack Holidays Can- non Beach will turn on all the sparkly lights downtown between 5 and 10 p.m. daily through New Year’s. Participating businesses are competing for best window display and visitors can vote for their favorites between Dec. 3 and 20. The winning business will be announced Dec. 21. Crab Pot Drive-By The Port of Ilwaco is the site of a drive-by Christmas parade between 5 and 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Participants are encouraged to decorate their vehicles and drive by for the annual crab pot tree lighting. They’ll be able to tune in and listen to the ceremony and carols on their vehicle’s radio. For those who’d prefer to watch it virtually, the event will be shown live on the Dis- cover Ilwaco Facebook page. The event is hosted by Dis- cover Ilwaco and the Ilwaco Merchants Association. Art of the Ilwaco crab pot event by Pacific County artist Don Nisbett graces the Discover Ilwaco Facebook page. Deck the Walls Trails End Art Associa- tion in Gearhart kicks off its monthlong Deck the Walls show of original art and gifts from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. The nonprofit association supports local artists. Their gallery is at 656 A St. The Christmas shopping season has begun! Holiday concert Columbia River Symphony has invited several musical groups and talented musi- cians for its annual holiday concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11. The concert is free and can be viewed online live or after the event at columbiariver- symphony.org. Those who will appear in- clude the Astoria Tuba Quar- tet, David Drury, North Coast Choral and North Oregon Coast Symphony. Columbia River Symphony is a nonprofit performing arts group led by Conductor Cory Pederson. Place your ads for Dec. 4, 11, or 18