Fall is Festival Season in Oregon
As the leafs began to change and the weather turns damp, fewer people search for campgrounds near Salem, Oregon. However, just because visiting Oregon’s many beautiful parks and camping spaces requires a little more waterproofing this time of year doesn’t mean the state doesn’t have plenty of activities to fill the calendar.
Fall is festival season in Oregon, and whether you’re looking for the Great Pumpkin, hankering for exotic mushrooms or excited to see the 2016 WFTDA Championship, you’ll be certain to find a compelling reason to jump into your RV and seek out a little entertainment.
Wooden Shoe Pumpkin Fest
September 30 to October 30: Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from 10am to 6pm
33814 S. Meridian Rd Woodburn, OR 97071
While pumpkin patches receive plenty of attention this time of year, the Wooden Shoe Pumpkin Fest makes taking a trip to the farm a family activity everyone will enjoy. From tube slides to duck races, pumpkin picks to corn mazes, the Pumpkin Fest has a little bit for every age group in your family.
For those looking for a little more adventure, the Fest offers a Paintball Gallery Ride where participants will get 50 paintballs for $5. Visitors who feel like spending the day outside are invited to navigate through the 9 acre walking corn maze. Those interested in farming can participate in planting tulips for next year’s spring, green bean canning and wheat grinding.
Tickets are free for kids 2 and under and $8 for those 3 and up. Tickets for seniors 60 over are $6.
17th Annual Yachats Village Mushroom Fest
October 21 to October 23
Yachats, Oregon and Cape Perpetua
The annual Yachats Mushroom Fest puts the fun back into fungi. Visit to try the delicious wild mushroom cuisine, cooking demonstration, wine and beer tasting, or to make a purchase from one of the culinary markets. The Mushroom Fest also offers the opportunity to learn about mushrooms, their role in forest ecology, how to grow your own mushrooms at home and much more. Staff with a highly knowledgeable staff of mushroom experts, visitor can attend mushroom talks, guided walking tours and workshops as well.
There is no charge to attend the festival, though individual activities may carry a cost.
Polk County Folklife Fest
October 29
Polk County Fair Grounds, 520 S. Pacific Hwy Rickreall, OR, 97371
With a mission to preserve and promote the cultural and ethnic traditions of the people in the Mid-Willamette Valley through food, crafts, arts, dance, exhibits and folk music, the Polk Country Folklife Fest offers a wide variety of cultural performances. From live music to drummers, dancers and stage acts galore, the Fest provides singers, songwriters and performers from the Pacific Northwest the chance to shine.
In case all of your dancing and clapping make you a little parched, the Fest will also offer food, drinks, wine and beer, as well as booths featuring the work local artisans.
Children 12 and under get in for free while general admission is $10. Bring 5 cans of non-perishable food and receive $5 off on your ticket price.
2016 WFTDA Championship
November 4 to 6
Hosted by the Rose City Rollers at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR
The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association will hold its annual championship in Portland from November 4 to 6. The championship marks the final match between the Division 1 and Division 2 playoffs winners. Come to root on your favorite roller derby team or just come out to see exciting roller derby action up close and personal.
This year’s tournament includes the Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Victorian Roller Derby League, London Rollergirls, Calgary Roller Derby, Charlottesville Derby Dames, Brandywine Roller Derby, Blue Ridge Rollergirls, and Portland’s own Rose City Rollers, who will be defending their 2015 title.
Tickets range from $30 to $40 depending on the type of ticket.