Save the Date!

As the rain starts tapering off, and the sun starts making more of an appearance, the outdoor activities in McMinnville get in high gear. Here are some local food/gardening events I recommend:

• Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival: Not in Mac, but close enough, and it is truly spectacular. It's going on right now through April 27. Click HERE for an up-to-date field report, complete with pics of what's blooming. Woodburn, OR
  

• Spring Garden Swap: Bring plants & gardening supplies to this community swap. It's all free! Sunday, April 13th. 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Coldwell Banker parking lot (2077 N. Hwy 99W)

• Linfield College's 36th Annual Luau: The Linfield Hawaiian Club puts on a pretty decent production. The food served in Dillon Hall (in my opinion) is not the highlight, but the performance (Ted Wilson Gymanasium) is quite fun. There is also a little Hawaiian store where you can purchase Hawaiian food and goods (including fresh leis). Saturday, April 19, dinner starts at 5:00 p.m.
  

• Yamhill County Master Gardener's Plant Fair & Sale: April 26 at the County Fairgrounds (Lafayette Ave.) 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  

• McMenaman's 9th Annual UFO Celebration: OK, this really doesn't have a whole lot to do with food or gardening, but it is QUITE the event. There are serious seminars on UFOs and a fun parade which brings out lots of local families. Alien attire optional for the parade, but you'll probably wish you had some if you come unadorned. Event: May 16 & 17; Parade: Saturday, May 17, 1:00 p.m.
  

• McMinnville Farmers' Market: This is the heart of the community in the summertime. Come and browse, listen to some live music, have some dinner. Bring a re-usable bag for your weekly produce. The peaches here are out of this world! Sign up for Oakhill Organics' CSA early, as spaces tend to fill up quickly. Thursdays, May 29-October 16, 1:30-6:30 p.m. Cowls Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets.

• Brown Bag Concerts: Bring your lunch and chair (unless you arrive early) down to the US Bank Plaza (3rd Street and Davis) and enjoy the live music. Thursdays, June 5-August 21, 12-1:30 p.m. (Then head on over to the Farmer's Market!)

• Oregon Brews & BBQ: A new event benefiting Habitat For Humanity. There will be local beer, food, music, and (living in wine country...) wine. Saturday, June 21, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. in McMinnville's Granary District (5th and Irvine)

• McMinnville Garden Club's Garden Tour & Faire: Visit some fabulous gardens in private homes throughout the community, and then stop by downtown for the Garden Faire of local nursery vendors and artisans. This is where I bought this piece of cheery garden art. Sunday, June 22 10 a.m. -4 p.m.

• Downtown Festival at Turkey Rama: I'm curious to see how it goes this year. In the past it's been a hodgepodge of booths: some local, some not; some good non-profits;a lot of junk; small-town carnival rides; junk food galore. This year they're moving the carnival away from the downtown area, allowing local 3rd Street Businesses to use their sidewalks for their own space, and putting the booths down the center of the street. They really seem to be focusing on family activities and local food/business vendors. We may not be able to call this "Turkey Trauma" any longer. The changes look promising. July 11 & 12, 3rd Street.

• Summer Concert Series: The Rotary Club & McMinnville Parks and Rec. are co-hosting this annual concert series. Gather with your friends at Linfield's Oak Grove on Tuesday evenings (usually 7-9 p.m. on occasional July/August nights) for music, food (bring your own, as well as chairs or picnic blankets), and a delightful evening. We look forward to these stress-free evenings, always meeting up with a group of friends. The adults chat and listen; the kids twirl, dance, and play games. Best of all: it's free! Dates will be posted as they're announced.
  

• Flapjacks & Fiddles, Bluegrass Festival: Is this a new event? I know they've had pancake breakfast benefits around this time, but this is the first I've heard of it being combined with bluegrass music. It might be worth checking out! August 16, US Bank Plaza (3rd Street & Davis).