wiser
10-12-2000, 06:13 PM
For those few who want something just a little different with great low cost activities for kids you can't beat the Salmon Festival at Oxbow Park (8 miles east of Gresham via Division Street) on the Sandy River. Six dollars per car load is all it costs to enjoy. Agencies ranging from ODWF to BLM, City of Portland, Metro, Mt Hood National Forest and many others will be there to answer your questions of what really is going on with the salmon resource. They will tell you what you can do to help and what they are doing. Groups ranging from watershed councils, friends groups and conservation groups will be there with information on how to get involved. From Northwest Steelheaders to Oregon Trouts' positions on the future management direction for salmon and steelhead in the Sandy River. Hear it from their representatives, what they believe and why. Every displayer is ready to provide you with information on their agency, group or organization and most will have activities for the kids---all free.
A sprinkling of art exhibits is included. The art shows are not focused on sales but rather demonstrations of how their individual craft is done. Watch or even try your hand at wood carving. Watch and learn from master net maker Terry Courtney Jr. how the did and seine nets of the Columbia River are made. Ward Stroud will fascinate you with his handcrafted wooden flutes and flute playing. The beadwork of Gwenn Miller or Clifton & Christine Bruno is all handmade with demonstrations throughout the festival. All art is hand made by exhibiting artists. Light entertainment includes Celtic Dancing and music at 12:30 each day, followed by Rattling Thunders Native American dancing and lore. At 3:50 PM renowned Native American story teller Will Hornyak will entertain from the stage. Kids can go "inside" a fish(fish shaped tent), listen to storytellig then come out and join in a costumed parade, costumes provided. Five 20 foot by 20 foot tents are formed together for a kids activity area where kids can participate in interactive games and activities aimed at educating them about rivers, riparian habitat, and how they are connected to each of us.
Horse drawn wagons pull people down to the boatramp where kids can go through the river learning center where fish are being disected, watersheds are being explained with kid sized models and Naturalists will lead you to viewing areas where you might get a glimpse of the star attraction, Spawning fall chinook salmon. The native fish life cycle is explained and the importance of these wild fish is discussed.
Some food is provided and is the only item that costs extra(unless you choose to purchase something from one of the artists). Metro sponsors a solmon bake that is staffed completely by volunteers. All income(not just profits) generated from the salmon bake are deposited directly into a trust fund specifically earmarked for the future construction of a nature center at Oxbow Park. Flying Pie Pizza is back serving pizza for those who have caught and eaten plenty of their own fish. Indian fry bread is served by the Rattling Thunder group when they aren't performing. Marcee Bakery provides hot drinks, pastries and cookies.
All in all bring your own sack lunch and a great day can be enjoyed for as little as six bucks for a whole family.
I know this is a little long but I don't think this kind of value is easy to find.
A sprinkling of art exhibits is included. The art shows are not focused on sales but rather demonstrations of how their individual craft is done. Watch or even try your hand at wood carving. Watch and learn from master net maker Terry Courtney Jr. how the did and seine nets of the Columbia River are made. Ward Stroud will fascinate you with his handcrafted wooden flutes and flute playing. The beadwork of Gwenn Miller or Clifton & Christine Bruno is all handmade with demonstrations throughout the festival. All art is hand made by exhibiting artists. Light entertainment includes Celtic Dancing and music at 12:30 each day, followed by Rattling Thunders Native American dancing and lore. At 3:50 PM renowned Native American story teller Will Hornyak will entertain from the stage. Kids can go "inside" a fish(fish shaped tent), listen to storytellig then come out and join in a costumed parade, costumes provided. Five 20 foot by 20 foot tents are formed together for a kids activity area where kids can participate in interactive games and activities aimed at educating them about rivers, riparian habitat, and how they are connected to each of us.
Horse drawn wagons pull people down to the boatramp where kids can go through the river learning center where fish are being disected, watersheds are being explained with kid sized models and Naturalists will lead you to viewing areas where you might get a glimpse of the star attraction, Spawning fall chinook salmon. The native fish life cycle is explained and the importance of these wild fish is discussed.
Some food is provided and is the only item that costs extra(unless you choose to purchase something from one of the artists). Metro sponsors a solmon bake that is staffed completely by volunteers. All income(not just profits) generated from the salmon bake are deposited directly into a trust fund specifically earmarked for the future construction of a nature center at Oxbow Park. Flying Pie Pizza is back serving pizza for those who have caught and eaten plenty of their own fish. Indian fry bread is served by the Rattling Thunder group when they aren't performing. Marcee Bakery provides hot drinks, pastries and cookies.
All in all bring your own sack lunch and a great day can be enjoyed for as little as six bucks for a whole family.
I know this is a little long but I don't think this kind of value is easy to find.