‘I love America’ train rides are set

Jun 27, 2022 (view the original article here)

ELGIN — The Eagle Cap Excursion Train’s “I love America!” rides on Saturday, July 2, will honor U.S. veterans, active military, law enforcement, fire and other emergency personnel — and one guest — to ride for free.

The first train departs at 10 a.m., and the second departs at 3 p.m., for 2 1/2 hour rides. A meal and a beverage are served on the rides, sponsored by Ten Depot Street and the Friends of the Joseph Branch, the nonprofit organization that manages and operates the excursion train.

Tickets for other passengers are $60 for adults and seniors or $35 for youth. To reserve a seat, call 541-437-3652 or visit www.eaglecaptrainrides.com.

Make art at La Grande Farmers Market

LA GRANDE — Art Center East will be at the La Grande Farmers Market on Saturday, July 2, 9 a.m.-noon, with art activities for kids and adults. In addition, visitors to the booth can also sign up for ACE classes, purchase an annual membership or learn about volunteering with ACE. All art activities are free.

The market is held in Max Square on the corner of Fourth Street and Adams Avenue.

First Friday and artist talk at ACE

LA GRANDE — Celebrate La Grande culture, food, drink and art on on First Fridays at Art Center East, 1006 Penn Ave. The next is Friday, July 1, 6-8 p.m.

ACE will offer after-hours social gatherings with complimentary refreshments. Visitors can see the current exhibits, shop the Gift Gallery and visit new artisan pop-up shops inside the art center.

July 1 also will feature an artist talk with Nancy Coffelt at 6:30 p.m. This day marks the closing reception of her show “Wild and Whimsical.”

Laney Jones coming to Baker City

BAKER CITY — Laney Jones and the Spirits play live at Churchill School, 3451 Broadway St., Saturday, July 2. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the music begins at 6:30 p.m. with special guests Kathryn Claire and Margot Merah. Jones will be joined by Brian Dowd on drums and James Bandini on bass.

Tickets are $12 in advance at www.churchillbaker.com, or $18 at the door. Proof of COVID vaccination or a negative test is required. Admission is free for fully vaccinated youth age 15 and younger who attend with a ticket-holding adult.

Pianist Brady Goss plays on July 3

BAKER CITY — Brady Goss, a pianist who grew up in Wallowa and for 10 years has toured the West Coast, will perform Sunday, July 3, in Baker City’s Geiser-Pollman Park for the Powder River Music Review concert series. The concert begins at 4 p.m. Goss plays a variety of covers and originals, from rock ‘n’ roll to country to jazz.

Goss has released four albums. The first was a 2008 home studio project recorded in Enterprise, and two more studio albums were recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2010 and 2012 with the Jerry Lee Lewis backing band. His most recent release was a live album recorded with his Portland-based band on stage at the Pendleton Round-Up in 2015. Currently there is an all original album in the works.

Museum will be open for Fourth of July

UNION — The Union County Museum will be open Monday, July 4, from noon-6 p.m. as part of the Fourth of July festivities. The museum collects, preserves and displays items that tell the stories of Union County and the surrounding area. Among the exhibits are the Cowboys Then and Now Collection, Agriculture, Timber & Transportation, the Livery Station and Pioneer Cabin, Settlement Period Rooms, the General Store and the Watchmaker’s Collection.

Regular days and hours are Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Go to www.ucmuseumoregon.com for events and information.

Sumpter hosts flea market, train rides

SUMPTER — This year, the Fourth of July flea market in Sumpter is condensed and will only be along the main street of town July 1-4. No vendors will be set up at the fairgrounds.

The Sumpter Valley Railroad will be running four shorter train rides on July 2 and 3, starting from the Sumpter Station. Departure times are 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Fares are $15 adults, $14 seniors/military and $8 for ages 3-17. Make reservations at www.sumptervalleyrailroad.org.

The Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area will also be open for visitors to tour the historic dredge and explore trails around the park.

Celebrate the holiday with High Country Days

UKIAH — High Country Days returns to Ukiah the first weekend in July. A community potluck is planned in Ukiah’s city park at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 1, with lawn games and a movie when it gets dark.

Those who plan to bring food are asked to follow these suggestions: for last names that start with letters A through J, bring a main dish; for last names K through R, bring side dishes or snacks; for last names from S to Z, bring a dessert.

Saturday, July 2, begins the city-wide yard sales, which run July 2-4. At noon, cooks are invited to join the Dutch oven cook-off at Ukiah City Park. Organizers are asking a $5 donation fee to enter, but this is not required. Food will be judged at 6 p.m., and there is a $25 cash prize for first place. To round out the day, a street dance starts at 7 p.m.

On Monday, a Fourth of July parade starts at 10 a.m. in front of the post office. Entries — horses, bicycles, ATVs, cars, trucks, etc. — are encouraged to decorate with red, white and blue. The holiday celebration culminates with slip-and-slide kickball games for kids and adults from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Ukiah City Park.

Find a free flick in Eastern Oregon

HERMISTON, UMATILLA, LA GRANDE — Hermiston Stadium 8 Cinema, 355 W. Theater Lane, is throwing open its doors for Free Summer Movies for Kids. Sponsored by Advanced Pediatric Dentistry, the free flicks are Wednesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 25. Adults accompanying kids are welcome at no charge. The doors open at 9:15 a.m. and the movie starts as soon as the room fills. The last show starts at 10 a.m. To see what’s showing, search www.facebook.com/hermistoncinema. For more information, call 541-567-1556.

As part of Umatilla Parks and Recreation’s summer programming, Free Movies in the Park is offered every other Friday. The shows start at dusk at Umatilla Marina Park, 1710 Quincy Ave. Upcoming dates are July 8, July 15 and Aug. 15. People are encouraged to bring their own chairs and snacks. Free popcorn will be provided. For more information, visit www.umatilla-city.org/parksrec or contact Luke Romerol, recreation coordinator, at 541-922-3226 or [email protected].

And, in La Grande, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department is hosting three movie nights at Pioneer Park. The flicks scheduled are: “Sing 2” on July 8, “Raya and the Lost Dragon” on July 29, and “Detective Pikachu” on Aug. 19. Come to the park by 9 p.m., and the free movies begin at dusk. Bring snacks and lawn chairs or blankets. Learn more at www.secure.rec1.com/OR/la-grande-or/catalog or call McKayla Rollins, recreation superintendent, at 541-962-1367. The movie nights are sponsored by the Union County Safe Communities Coalition.