Three Major Festivals Fill Ten Days in Oregon's Columbia Gorge

Three Major Festivals Fill Ten Days in Oregon's Columbia Gorge

Published 06/21/2010

(The Dalles, Oregon) - Three major events - Fort Dalles Rodeo, Jammin’ July Streetfest, and Historic The Dalles Days - have combined into one 10-day celebration from July 9-18, 2010 to be held in The Dalles, Oregon. The new name, Fort Dalles Days & Rodeo, encompasses over 70 family-friendly activities, ranging from historic building and museum open houses, street fairs, concerts, dances, re-enactments and culminates with the three day “Rough and Wild” Fort Dalles Days NPRA Pro Rodeo.

The decision to merge the three events was easy. “It’s something we’ve wanted to do for a long time,” said Wally Wolf, president of the Fort Dalles Rodeo Association. “It gives the families attending the rodeo, which is held in the evenings, lots of fun things to do during the day.”

“It’s a good fit,” said Susan Buce, chair of the Historic The Dalles Days committee. “The Dalles was pivotal in the settling of the Pacific Northwest. The rodeo and the downtown streetfest were perfect additions to our historic celebration.”

The highlight of the 10-day event will be the Fort Dalles Days Rodeo, from July 15-17.

“We got a whole lot bigger last year,” Wolf said. “The rodeo joined the Northwest Pro Rodeo Association, and we went from being a small fish in a big pond to being the biggest fish in the pond. The number of rodeo contestants we had doubled last year, which made things a lot more exciting.”

Maggie Wood, Fort Dalles Days steering committee chair, said, “The community has come together to make this celebration a ‘something for everyone” opportunity.’”

Activities kick off July 9 with a Heroes Welcome at the Civic Auditorium, honoring veterans and military troops returning from the middle east. The downtown Jammin’ July streetfest will be held July 10, with vendors, kid-friendly activities, music. The Turkey-Creek Desperados will be in town and rumor has it they’re looking for a bank to rob, so be on the lookout! A fast-draw competition July 17 will determine who’s the fastest gun in the west. Open houses will be sprinkled throughout the 10 day event and offers a chance to tour some historic buildings not normally open to the public. All the local museums will offer reduced or free admission during Fort Dalles Days. A full list of events is available online at www.historicthedalles.org.

Concerts, re-enactments, dancing, music, races, food and family entertainment will guarantee that Fort Dalles Days & Rodeo offers fun for the whole family.

The Dalles is located in the Columbia Gorge National Scenic area and was selected as one of the “Top True Western Towns of 2010” by True West Magazine. The Columbia Gorge tied for 6th place in National Geographic Traveler’s list of 133 Destinations in the World.