Cherry Fest Survival Guide: who, what, when and where
Click to enlarge - here are a few of the main locations listed in large black type for happenings at Cherry Fest.
By Tom Peterson
Cotton Candy, Dancing Horses, Parade, Carnival, Comedians, Car Shows, Mariachi Bands, Quilt Shows.
The options are immense - and what about the who, when where?
No problem, CCCNews has you covered.
To avoid a Cherry bomb, check out this survival guide for how to get the best out of the three-day Cherry Fest in TD starting on Friday, April 21.
PARADE
The Cherry Festival Parade starts at the corner of Sixth and Webber Streets next to Burger King at 10 a.m. However, it takes a while for the parade to make its way through town, so the farther away from the beginning you are, the longer it will take to reach you. If you’re at the corner of Washington and Third, for example, it might get there around 10:45 or so.
Click to Enlarge - the poorly drawn red line indicates the Parade route. It starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, but the timing of when you will see it depends on where you choose to view it from.
The route flows east down Sixth Street past Safeway and then turns onto Third Street and flows past Optimist Printers before heading north on Laughlin Street before heading east on Second Street and ending at the Post Office. Insider Tip - want to see your friends or favorite float twice - watch them on Third and then walk to Second to see them on the swing around.
Teddy Bear Ride
Also, prior to the parade be on the lookout for bikers. The will be making their Teddy Bear Ride, where they donate stuffed animals to Mid Columbia Medical Center, and the bears are given to kids who need comfort during stressful times. Earplugs? Your call. They will begin riding through after 9:45 a.m.
RAINIER AMUSEMENTS CARNIVAL
Daniel Martinez of The Dalles works on the bumper car platform at Rainier Amusements Carnival on First Street on Wednesday afternoon. The Carnival opens on Friday, April 21
When: Friday, April 21 through Sunday, April 23
Where: On First Street between Court and Federal Street.
THE PRESALE CARNIVAL TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT! You will still be able to purchase armbands at the ticket booths once the Rainier Amusements opens on Friday, April 21, at 4pm.
Damian Valdez takes a quick photo op while constructing the Rainier Wheel on First Street on Wednesday. Need a bird’s eye view - this is the place.
ENTERTAINMENT STAGE
Where: Second & Federal Street
Here is the lineup:
Friday, April, 21st
Tyler Boeh Beat Boxer & Comedian, 4:30 pm
Roll On - Tribute to Alabama band, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Saturday, April 22nd
Dancing Horses provide an amazing spectacle. Better ware your steel toed boots. We’ve got word that this group will be bringing skilled dancers from as far as California.
Dancing Horse Performance, 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
The Dalles Dance Academy Performance, 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
The New Prohibitions band, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cherry Pie Eating Contest, 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Shade of Huey band, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Sunday, April, 23rd
Grupo Super Escandialo, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Chervona, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
CHERRY FESTIVAL QUILT SHOW
Saturday, April 22nd • 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
St. Peter's Landmark & Herbring House Courtyard
405 Lincoln Street • 314 West 3rd Street
Corliss Marsh
Dozens of quilters have been working all year to bring this incredible display of locally made quilts. There are so many in fact, the show will be at two venues in order to have enough space to show them all. Victor Johnson, who operates Herbring House, said even his daughter Rory Johson-Hoover was getting into the act. Corliss Marsh sent along the photo below demonstrating the intricate work.
Saturday we will be part of the Cherry Festival Quilt Show. There will be handmade quilts displayed in St. Peters Landmark and in the Herbring House courtyard. It's our first fully public event and should be super cool. We'll be open 10 am to 4ish so come by before or after the parade if you like.
Illustration taken from Dennis McGregor’s Dream Again. He will be at the Herbring House on Saturday, April 22 selling the book and his art.
Artist/author Dennis McGregor will be up from Sisters with his books and art for sale. Dennis is the poster artist for the Sisters Quilt show and Sisters Folk Festival. His book Dream Again is about a quilt that comes along the Oregon Trail and ends up in The Dalles of all places. The illustrations are gorgeous and the story is very sweet.
There will also be some material for quilt making for sale too so come by and check out the space and beautiful artwork.
Rose of Sharon Quilt - this is just a sampling of the fine stitching that will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 22.
OPEN-AIR MARKET
Friday April 21st • 4:00 pm
Saturday April 22nd • 11:00 am
Sunday April 23rd • 10:00 am
Between 1st & 2nd Street, Court to Laughlin Streets
The Market will feature some 60 Artists, Crafters, Food Vendors & More
In addition to the three-day Outdoor Market, which will feature over 60 vendors,
COMMUNITY FAIR
Discounts Plus Parking Lot, 212 E. Second St.
The fair features various community non-profit organizations such as Mid-Columbia Medical Center. Lots of handouts and goodies and even a station where kids can learn to bandage their favorite stuffed animal.
It will be a chance to meet/greet and learn about potential job recruitment opportunities.
CHERRY TRAIL
Friday, April 21 thru Sunday, April 23
Various Locations throughout The Dalles
The Cherry Trail is a treasure hunt that adds an element of fun and discovery and helps to make sure local businesses are supported. Passports are available at our Grand Entrance Booth at the corner of Second and Federal Streets and at all of the participating locations.
GORGE ARTISTS OPEN STUDIOS
Friday, April 21 thru Sunday, April 23
Various Studios will be open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
www.gorgeartists.org Follow the Tour on Facebook or Instagram for more information.
KODL CLASSIC CAR SHOW
Saturday, April 22nd, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Awards at 3:00 pm
Federal Street Between 2nd Street & 4th Street
Register for the show at 620 E. Third Street by 8 a.m. Judging will be at 10 a.m.
PARKING LOT DANCE AT MID-COLUMBIA SENIOR CENTER
Mid-Columbia Senior Center • 9th & Cherry Heights
Friday April 21st • 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm • Burgers & Chips $5.00 / Soda $1.00
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm • Got Your Six Band
LITTLE MUSIC CITY
Al Hare the man behind Little Music City
Friday April 21st through Sunday April 23rd
Live Music at Various Locations in The Dalles
Check the Community Calendar for Live Music Around The Dalles
CHERRY FESTIVAL ROYALTY CORONATION & COMMUNITY BREAKFAST
Saturday, April 22nd • Breakfast 8:00 am
Coronation, 8:30 am
Mid-Columbia Senior Center • 9th & Cherry Heights
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION
Saturday, April 22nd • 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Lewis & Clark Festival Park
There are a bunch of Earth Day events in The Dalles which include tree plantations, going green, singing earth day songs, and a lot more.
GORGE GRAVEL GRINDER
Sunday April 23rd
Dufur, Oregon
The Gorge Gravel Grinder bike race is the first race of the Oregon Gravel Grinder Series. www.oregongravelgrinder.com/gorge-gravel-grinder
CHERRY BLOSSOM SPRING FLING DANCE
Friday • April 21st
7:00 PM / $10.00 Entry
Granada Theatre, 221 East 2nd Street
