From the Organizer
Celebrate Oregon Berry Season at the 6th Annual Oregon Berry Festival! Oregon loves it local, and come summer, berries play an important role in our local fare… so much so that we throw a fair just to celebrate Oregon berries! Come join us at the 6th Annual Oregon Berry Festival, held once again at the Ecotrust Event Space in Portland. This free, family-friendly event will be packed with locals and visitors, since there’s no better way to get a taste of what makes Oregon berries so special. The Oregon Berry Festival offers an array of delicious bites and fun, including two days of an all- berry marketplace, musical entertainment on the Bluesberry Stage, cooking demos, information about berries, and a lot of tasting products like cider, wine, shrubs and vinegars, dumplings, ice cream, sauces, soups, candies, vodka, and of course, fresh berries from Oregon’s finest family farms. Got a sweet tooth? Don’t miss Oregon’s Best Blackberry Pie Contest, which will be open to home chefs and features a pie-making demo by Sarah Curtis-Fawley, owner of Pacific Pie Company. Feel like throwing your (berry-flavored) hat in the ring? It might be time to dust off Grandma’s pie recipe and enter win one of three great gift-basket prizes from Columbia Empire Farms. After you’ve stocked up on fresh berries and berry gifts, take time to visit the Healthy Berry Pavilion, where professional dieticians will answer any questions you have about berries and how they contribute to a healthy lifestyle. The Healthy Berry Stage will have a demos and talks to help you learn new ways to incorporate berries into your diet, and the master gardeners will help with tips on growing berries in your own garden. If you haven’t been to a Gala Berry Dinner, it’s an event you shouldn’t miss. Held on Thursday, July 14, as a kickoff to the festival, the Plate & Pitchfork dinner will feature gourmet menu items showcasing Oregon’s luscious berry harvest. This special dinner will be prepared by Chef Anthony Wilkie of Bluehour with Chef Chris DiMinno of Gourmet Century Events, and features wine from Andrew Rich Vintner. This limited-seating dinner is a highlight of the summer, so be sure to get tickets before they sell out. Mark your calendar and tell your friends—the Oregon Berry Festival is pure summer fun and tastes so good! The Ecotrust Event Space is located at NW 10th Avenue and NW Johnson Street in Portland, Oregon. Festival admission is free; hours are noon-6 p.m. on Friday, July 15, and 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 16. For more information, visit www.oregonberryfestival.com.
