First Friday in Downtown TD Starts in 3 hours; bring your appetite
Bella Byrd and Spencer Hansen, both 27, said they would be offering Baldwin Saloon desserts tonight including cheesecake, peanut butter pie and dulce de leche. You might want some wine to pair with that.
By Tom Peterson
First Friday in downtown The Dalles is starting in 3 hours and it looks to be tasty.
More than 30 different businesses are participating this month as they keep their shops open from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight, May 6, to welcome a host of foods, and beverages - some adult in nature - guitars and hats.
This evening’s event theme is “Taste of the Gorge”, and locals are drooling.
This is the second time for First Friday and Bella Byrd of Sunshine Mill said turnout thus far has been great.
“There is more of a sense of community lately,” the 27-year-old said. “It’s cool to see people engage with the town and local businesses.”
Sunshine will be doing a little trade with sister restaurant The Baldwin Saloon. Desserts from the Baldwin will be available at Sunshine. And conversely, Sunhine’s Sangria will be on tap at The Baldwin.
Down the street, Alan Swartz said he would have the Jazz delights of Rosscoe Wright and Ati Yates with a drum circle with friends to start the night. Swartz has recently opened a guitar and instrument store at 410 ½ E. Second Street.
“We did this last First Friday,” he said. “It went really great.”
Danyelle Heinz said she was looking forward to the Magic Juice - fruit juices - that will be available at Beau Toi tonight. And where your best hat - you might win $100 in Beau Toi prizes.
Beau Toi Day Spa and Salon will cap the night with its Kentucky Derby Hat Contest at 308 E. Second Street, said Danyelle Heinz who was cutting hair this afternoon. Wear your best hat to enter our contest and win over $100 in cash/prizes donated by our amazing team at Beau Toi, according to their Instagram.
While you’re at it, bring your hunger for culture, food and drink. And have a large appetite as there is so much to be sampled.
Some of the offerings include gelato, beer, local farm goods, jams, cured meats, teas…
Here is a list of food and beverage businesses that are participating:
Mill Creek Garden and Farm, Working Hands Brewery, Trucker Hat Hot Sauce, Roasted Salt Co., Stamboom Meats, Cascadia Creamery, Janel’s Kitchen, Oregon Growers, CENTR CBD Sparkling Water, Columbia Gorge Confections, Sweet T Kreations, Wy’East Vineyards, Local Rhoots, Sandoz Farms, Swell Gelato for Dogs, Backwoods Brewery, Idiot’s Grace Winery, Gorge Food Cooperative and Cupcakes by Cyndi (Camp)
Downtown businesses who are hosting the above list are Terra Cotta Gorge Co., Sigman’s Flowers, Lines of Design, House of A La Mode, The Workshop, Willow & Bark, Last Stop Saloon, Emma’s Bowtique, Klindt’s Booksellers, Route 30, Smoke Wring BBQ, Westwind Frame & Gallery, Freebridge Brewing, 15 Mile Winery, Gorge Provisions, The Gorge Wine Library, Wines on Second, Breezeway Antiques, Studio Fit, Herbal Revival Apothecary, Starseed Curiosities, Shannon’s Ice Cream, Universal Business, The Dalles Art Center, The Foley, Wyn House, The What Not Shop.
If that’s not collaboration, then what is. Hey, if you can’t get together over food and drink, what can you do? Nice work TD merchants. See you there.
