Portland Events, Music, Art, Entertainment, Sustainability | PDXPIPELINE.com

Wine, beer, food, live music, art, beautiful scenic views, and twenty-five thousand people and huge party tents = a pretty serious festival. If you don't need to be in Portland this weekend, take a short drive to Hood River and check this out.

Related from Pipeline: Portland EVENTS LIST

From Hood River Press Release:
The event is held in festival tents on the Hood River waterfront. This year, we have over 100 artists, a huge kids' zone with a 20' climbing wall, a large entertainment tent with live music all weekend long, Full Sail beer and Naked wines overlooking the Columbia River, over a dozen fresh produce vendors including a fresh artisan cheese maker, a large food court with over 14 vendors.

27^th Annual Hood River Harvest Fest Offers Fun for the Entire Family
An Authentic Autumn Experience in an Open Air Setting

At the 27^th annual Hood River Valley Harvest Fest (October 16-18, 2009), you'll have plenty of opportunity to hug a farmer, get a jump start on your holiday shopping, and fully experience an authentic autumn festival that has become a yearly tradition for visitors and locals alike.

For the second year in a row, Harvest Fest will take place outdoors in large event tents on the Hood River waterfront overlooking the Columbia River — adding a breath of fresh air and true harvest experience. As attendees enjoy Harvest Fest, they can also relax on the Hood River waterfront and watch windsurfers and kiteboarders play on the Columbia River.

Each year, more than 25,000 people wind their way through a bounty of festivities, including:

• freshly harvested fruits and vegetables from world-class orchards and farms of the Hood River Valley;
• over 100 artists from around the country displaying unique, hand-crafted merchandise just in time for the holiday season;
• a kids' zone for all sorts of family fun — including a 20' climbing wall, bounce house, face painters, kids' bands, balloon twisters and a gathering place for families;
• the Hood River Valley Adult Center is back with their homemade pies including apple, marionberry, strawberry/rhubarb and huckleberry;
• a food court with menus from around the world, along with all the traditional festival favorites;
• an entertainment tent with Full Sail craft beer and wine from Naked Winery. Live music will be featured throughout the entire weekend;
• wine tastings from award-winning Columbia Gorge wineries!

"Visitors seldom leave Harvest Fest without boxes of Anjou pears, heirloom apples, pumpkins, berries, flowers and a smorgasbord of prepared foods from pies to jams and smoked salmon to chocolate-covered nuts," said Mary Closson, Executive Director of the Hood River Valley Chamber of Commerce. "And vendors offer everything from fine art to glass, wood sculpture, ceramics, photography, fiber art and jewelry — as live music keeps shoppers entertained. It is truly a wondrous event."

Harvest Dash

This year marks the 2^nd Annual Harvest Dash, a walking and running event organized by Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital. The event on Saturday, Oct. 17, includes 10K and 5K runs, and a 1K family fun walk. Cost is $25, which includes admission to Harvest Fest. Registration runs from 7:00 to 8:30 a.m., followed by the race at 9 a.m. For more information, visit www.providence.org/hoodriver.

Harvest Fest Hours:

Harvest Fest runs from 1 to 7 pm. Friday, Oct. 17; 10 am to 7 pm Saturday, and 10 am to 5 pm Sunday.

Harvest Fest Directions:

To reach the event, take Exit 63 from I-84 in Hood River, and turn toward the river. Signs will direct motorists to free parking adjacent to the event venue. As in years past, admission to Harvest Fest grounds is $5, and children under 12 are admitted at no charge.