Northwest Cherry Fest - Putting the Fun in Homegrown Happiness
Cherry Fest Roundup 2023
By Jim Drake
The scope and scale of the Northwest Cherry Fest in The Dalles has grown leaps and bounds - and the 42nd Annual event coming April 21-23 promises more Fun for the family, the community and an even larger showcase for the iconic celebrated Cherry industry.
“This is my 11th year with the Festival. I remember when Cherry Fest was only scheduled for one day and was limited to one City block. We’ve drastically changed the event to a three day festival that covers the whole downtown,” said The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce president Lisa Farquharson.
Farquharson said that efforts to put on the festival takes a coordinated effort from her chamber staff, community members, the cherry farmers and processing industry, and essential financial support from local business sponsorship. The result is a festival that everyone can participate in.
“Our partners range from Bishop Sanitation, Discover Rentals, Northwest Natural, and BiCoastal Media and many others work all year on producing the Northwest Cherry Festival. We literally start planning the next one as soon as the festival ends,” Farquharson said.
Cherry season is a busy and chaotic time for growers, but the festival gives everyone a chance to participate, wether it’s in the annual parade or in dozens of other events and special gatherings that are planned for the three day weekend.
“We had a couple of local orchards step up with sponsorship this year which helps our smaller events. It’s hard for farmers to volunteer for the day but they participate in the Cherry Parade which is super fun and it’s a great way to have visibility to the community.”
The Dalles is surrounded by thousands of acres of cherries, and the area has been labeled as the third largest producer of cherries in the United States.
“The Dalles has an unusual known fact in that we are the largest sweet cherry producer per capita. Our sweet cherries are used in many markets, including Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream (Cherry Garcia) and with specialty maker Dilettante Chocolates, using our Pacific Northwest Bing cherries in their chocolate covered cherries.”
Farquharson said, Dilettante uses The Dalles cherries to do all of the Chamber’s promotions that involve chocolate covered cherries, too.
This year, the Homegrown Happiness theme of Cherry Festival is a nod to the 1950s era, and Farquarhson said she’s excited to see how people respond.
“It’s all about 50s music and 50s fashion. We see the 50s as a time of change and acceptance and celebration and sometimes just the simplicity of really connecting with people. We wanted some laughter, we wanted some fun and ease of celebration, so that’s why we chose the theme of Homegrown Happiness.
A Cherry Festival event Farquarhson is particularly fond of is the Great Cherry Trail, a passport program that takes participants on a tour of 20 different businesses, all showcasing cherry-themed specials.
“The Great Cherry Trail is a program that recognizes the impact that a large street festival can have on our local brick and mortar businesses. Years ago I noticed that even when one block was closed off, businesses can suffer because of all the additional outside vendors and other entertainment. The Cherry Trail program can get folks back into the stores, and participants can enter their passport into a grand prize drawing, including a Paddleboard and lots of cherry fun goodness from the community.”
“The Cherry Trail is a treasure hunt that adds an element of fun and discovery, and helps to make sure our businesses are supported. Passports are available at our Grand Entrance Booth and at all of the participating locations.”
Other Cherry Festival highlights include the coronation of the Little Royals - along with the King and Queen Bing, celebrated in the official guide to the festival.
“The winners of the Little Royals get a special backpack full of fun prizes and gift cards including a gift card to Fred Meyer to go shopping for their outfit for the parade and coronation. They get to pick something fun and new to wear. They all get to ride in a vehicle provided by Tonkin of The Gorge, our parade sponsor. They have so much fun, and they’re so cute. That’s the fun part, the smiles part - involving the community that way,” Farquharson said.
In addition to the three-day Outdoor Market, which will feature over 60 vendors, a Community Fair will be featured on Saturday (in the Discount Plus parking lot) for various community non-profit organizations. It will be a chance to meet/greet and learn about potential job recruitment opportunities.
Farquharson said this year’s Cherry Pie Eating Contest found support from Fred Meyer with a donation of pies for the event Saturday on the Main Entertainment Stage.
“It’s a kids 18 and under event to come down and there will be prizes and they’ll be taking lots of pictures because it’s a lot of fun. It’s really back to the 50s with these fun family activities. You’ve to have giggles.”
The Chamber of Commerce also offers a special $10 discount on Carnival ride bracelets if purchased before noon on Friday, April 21.
A complete Northwest Cherry Festival Guide can be seen at:
https://issuu.com/marketingplatinum/docs/cherry_festival_pub_2023-web
Vote for the Little Royals until 4-14-23
https://mms.thedalleschamber.com/members/evr/reg_event.php?orgcode=TDAC&evid=74166525
CHERRY TRAIL
Friday April 21 thru Sunday April 23
Various Locations throughout The Dalles
RAINIER AMUSEMENTS CARNIVAL
Friday April 21 thru Sunday April 23
First Street, The Dalles
GORGE ARTISTS OPEN STUDIOS
Friday April 21 thru Sunday April 23
Various Studios will be open 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
KODL CLASSIC CAR SHOW
Saturday April 22nd • 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Awards at 3:00 p.m.
Federal Street Between 2nd Street & 4th Street
OPEN-AIR MARKET
Friday April 21st • 4:00 p.m.
Saturday April 22nd • 11:00 a.m.
Sunday April 23rd • 10:00 a.m.
Between 1st & 2nd Street, Court to Laughlin Streets
Artists, Crafters, Food Vendors & More
UNDERRINER FORD AND NISSAN OF THE DALLES ENTERTAINMENT STAGE
Second & Federal Street
Friday April 21st
Tyler Boeh Beat Boxer & Comedian • 4:30 p.m.
Tyler Boeh
Roll On - Tribute to Alabama • 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Roll On - Tribute to Alabama
Saturday April 22nd
Dancing Horse Performance •12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
The Dalles Dance Academy Performance •
3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
The New Prohibitions • 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cherry Pie Eating Contest • 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Shade of Huey • 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Shade of Huey
Sunday April 23rd
Grupo Super Escandialo • 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Chervona • 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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 a.m.
Coronation • 8:30 a.m.
Mid-Columbia Senior Center • 9th & Cherry Heights
CHERRY FESTIVAL QUILT SHOW
Saturday April 22nd • 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
St. Peter's Landmark & Herbring House Courtyard
405 Lincoln Street • 314 West 3rd Street
TEDDY BEAR RUN
Saturday April 22nd • 9:45 a.m.
Start at Eagles Lodge
TONKIN OF THE GORGE
CHERRY FESTIVAL PARADE
Saturday April 22nd • 10:00 a.m.
Starts at Sixth & Webber
NW NATURAL COMMUNITY FAIR
Saturday April 22nd • 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Parking lot at 2nd & Washington Street
GORGE GRAVEL GRINDER
Sunday April 23rd
Dufur, Oregon
www.oregongravelgrinder.com/gorge-gravel-grinder
Other Cherry Festival Events
Parking Lot Dance
The Mid-Columbia Senior Center will be holding a Parking Lot Dance on Friday April 21. Point Man Ministries will be BBQing hamburgers and The Got Your Six Band will be playing the music. Food will be served starting at 5:30 p.m. and music starts at 6 p.m. Cost is free, but donations to support MCSC and Point Mann will be accepted.
Cherry Blossom Spring Fling Dance
The Granada Theatre in The Dalles presents the Cherry Blossom Spring Fling Dance on Friday, April 21, at 7 p.m. featuring dance music from The Crawdaddies. Tickets and more information at:
