by Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director
As you’re reading this, Sierra and I have embarked on the Chamber-coordinated trip to Ireland. We’ll be back by the end of April, along with everyone who chose to travel with us to the Emerald Isle.
And while we might only be in the middle of April (happy Tax Day everyone), we are in full-on event planning mode at the Chamber – even while we’re in Ireland.
First on the docket is the fifth annual Cork & Brew Tour: an early-summer event that has become a favorite for businesses and residents alike.
If you’ve never been, consider a night out on the town enjoying coastal beers, Oregon wines and foods prepared by local vendors and chefs. Each stop features a different pairing of wine, beer and food for guests to sample. You don’t have to make every stop; that’s up to you how many you want to enjoy, but every completed passport that’s turned in at the end of the evening is eligible to be entered into a drawing for some great local prizes.
Last year was our first time throwing a more extensive launch party on the Pelican Brewery Bottling Warehouse floor with games, live music and beer and food. We’re excited to be partnering with them again for the launch party, which begins at 4:30 until 6:30. Show up at anytime during that time to get your bracelet, passport and tasting glass.
We’re also partnering again with Art Accelerated, who will be staying open late to collect completed passports and offer water and coffee.
I remember when this was just an idea being tossed around the table about a simple way to get the community downtown, and now here we are five years later and it has grown into not only a town favorite, but also one of the biggest community events we have the pleasure of hosting. The Cork & Brew Tour isn’t a fundraiser for the Chamber; business sponsorships and ticket sales help secure the beverages for each location and help with the expenses of the Launch Party. Our goal with this event is simply to give people something fun to do before the summer really kicks off and that promotes our downtown businesses.
You can get your tickets either online at corkandbrewtour.com, or by this Friday we will have tickets available at the Pelican Taproom, Sunflower Flats and the Chamber Headquarters. This event sells out every year, and we do not sell tickets the night of, so if you plan on going you have to buy your tickets ahead of time.
As we get closer to the date we will announce the beer, wine and food line ups as well as our partnering downtown businesses. Plan to come hungry and stay late.
June is also the start of the Tillamook Farmers Market season on June 16, and the 61st annual June Dairy Parade on June 23. We are still taking parade entry forms online at junedairyparade.com, as well as nominations for this year’s Grand Marshal. Be sure to get those forms in before their deadlines. If you have any questions, you can email Tammy at info@tillamookchamber.org or call 503-842-7525.