written by Bronte Dod | photo courtesy of Astoria Warrenton Chamber of Commerce
Southern Oregon | Ashland Independent Film Festival | April 7-11
Thousands of film lovers will be in Southern Oregon in early April for the Ashland Independent Film Festival, which recently received a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. This year’s festival will screen ninety documentary, feature and short films from around the world in downtown Ashland at the Art Déco Varsity Theatre.
Portland | Soul’d Out Music Fest | April 13-17
Portland’s Soul’d Out Music Fest differs from the usual music festivals. The four-day event brings together surprising pairs for rare performances, and the venues are spread across the city. The headlining acts for the seventh annual festival in Portland are Gary Clark Jr., Sharon Jones + Trombone Shorty and Bonnie Raitt.
Columbia River Gorge | Hood River Hard Pressed Cider Fest | April 16
With more than 400 orchards, Hood River County has become known as Oregon’s “fruit loop.” Hood River is now home to eleven craft cideries, and gaining a reputation as the craft cider hub of the Pacific Northwest. This festival is your chance to get versed in cider by trying brews from twenty cideries from Hood River the Pacific Northwest.
Columbia River Gorge | Northwest Cherry Festival | April 22-24
The Northwest Cherry Festival marks the official return of spring in the Columbia River Gorge. Now in its thirty-seventh year, the festival has been expanded to last three days. Sample cherries from Oregon Cherry Growers while you enjoy live music from local bands. Throughout the weekend, there will also be a parade, car and tractor show, 10k race and more, culminating in the coronation of the king and queen of the Cherry Festival.
thedalleschamber.com/northwest-cherry-festival
Coast | Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival | April 22-24
In Oregon, seafood and wine are always delicious pairings. At the Crab, Seafood and Wine Festival, you can explore the best of Oregon’s wine and some of the freshest seafood on the coast. The festival has consistently been ranked as one of the best local festivals on the coast, and draws thousands to Astoria try the variety of Oregon’s seafood, from smoked oysters to shrimp tacos. There will also be two stages with live music performances throughout the weekend.
Willamette Valley | Eugene Marathon | April 29-May 1
The Eugene Marathon is consistently ranked as one of the best running courses in the marathon world. Chances are that if you’re not running in one of the events yourself, you probably know someone who is. After all, it is “Tracktown USA.”
