Rodeo and Fair in Canby, OR. August 2024

The Canby rodeo I came to find, is an annual event that is lauded as one of the best rodeo's in the country. It is highly competitive and highly anticipated every year. The rodeo is filmed and televised on the Cowboy Channel, and thousands of fans turn out every day of the week to see the status results of the cowboys and riders who've competed. Growing up in the areas of California that I did, I was never exposed to rodeo life and this was my first time coming to watch. The athleticism was quite amazing and something to see from these cowboys and riders. There is also a fair onsite with food stalls lining the mid-way walking paths between the rodeo, and the rides and games. Four H members have animals on display in the barn areas as well. A traditional fair to be sure, all the favorites for food options and games with prizes. Certainly a fun time to be had by all when you're searching for a traditional country fair.

Festival of Balloons in Tigard 6/22/24

The Festival of Balloons in Tigard, OR. Bring in summer solstice with the Tigard balloon festival. The festival starts before dawn as the balloons arrive, set up, and start to fill and take brave folks on an adventure at sunrise. The balloons certainly take center stage in the morning but the afternoon and evening shift into carnival style fair, evening balloon lights, and music performances. I arrived early in the morning as the balloons were just finishing the set up and starting to take off. Quite a few poeple had gathered by 7am but it was still quiet enough to walk around and see all the attractions. A fun spectacle and worth it for balloon fans. Your ticket and wristband could be used in the morning and would give re-entry for the evening shows if you decided to leave and come back. A joyous time for sure, and a must see for those in the area.

UFO Festival in McMinnville 5/18/24

The UFO Festival is an annual event and parade in McMinnville OR. The town comes out to celebrate the weird and wonderful world of extraterrestrial life. The parade winds through town bringing forth a local merchants, doctors offices, high school marching bands, and community outreach programs. Everyone involved is vying to have the best parade float, all having fun, and bringing smiles to the lines of on-lookers. The festivities continue throughout the day with a street fair, food hall sponsored by McMenamins, costume contest, and the all too cute animal costume contest. The town lights up for this one of a kind festival, and it was such a pleasure to explore. I will definitely return.

Thorns Game! May 4, 2024

Fun time in Portland at Providence Park watching a Thorns game. The stadium is used for Thorns women’s soccer and Timbers men's soccer clubs based in Portland. The Thorns game was highly attended, even as it was raining that day. Fans really get into it, chants, traditions, drums and trumpets encourage the crowd and players. Waving scarves and colored cannon blasts, permeate through the crowd as the team scores a goal. Families, adults, and kids of all ages attended this game. Everyone got into the spirit. The best part was the drums and trumpets, they really got the crowd going, and they’re just avid fans who come every time and play. Not paid for by the Thorns or Timbers. My next game will be a Timbers, apparently they saw off a piece of wood for every goal scored, sounds like a blast, hahaha! Lots of food choices for every appetite. Beer and cider to juice and coffees. Burgers and pizza to salads and lighter fare. Swag from the shops and side cart merchants. No shortage of swag to purchase!