By Justin Aufdermuaer
Executive Director
What a week! The Tillamook County Fair and the Tillamook Bay Run have all come and gone. It was a busy time for our Chamber staff, board and volunteers who all help out at both the fair booth and the Bay Run, making sure that both are successful and fun.
The fair in particular is always a fun and informal time to see people, catch up and eat some delicious food. It’s also traditionally the last hurrah of the summer before the kids pack up and head back to school – no doubt dragging their feet a bit and dreaming of next summer. And while the days are rapidly getting shorter and the nights are cooling off, there is still a lot of summer left in Tillamook, with plenty of things to do for the entire family.
First up is the Old Iron Show at the Blue Heron on Aug. 18 – Aug. 20. This is a fun event each year as hundreds of antique tractors and tools, engines, and old-time farm and logging equipment take over the entire field. Roughly 40 exhibitors from all over the Pacific Northwest travel to Tillamook to display their collections.
Admission is only $3 a day or $5 for all three days to this unique living museum that gives visitors an opportunity to see a bit of working history. Plus, you can enjoy a variety of vendors selling everything from woodcrafts to jewelry and clothing.
Right after the Old Iron Show is, of course, the Total Solar Eclipse on Aug. 21. Don’t forget to pick up your eclipse glasses if you’re planning on watching, and keep them on the entire time to avoid any eye damage. Be extra cautious and patient while driving that day, as we will have a lot of people visiting our area to enjoy this natural phenomena.
And while September might not traditionally be considered “summer,” the nice weather and activities still continue all month. On Sept. 9, the Monday Musical Club of Tillamook is hosting the second annual Oktoberfest at the Second Street Plaza from noon – 6 p.m. Throughout the day, guests will enjoy an authentic celebration of food, drink and music. Local dancers, The Polkatones, and students from Oregon Coast Dance will be entertaining audiences again this year, and the Tirolean Dancers of Oregon, a professional traditional Bavarian dance troupe, will also be performing.
This event is a fundraiser for the club’s cultural event series that brings four professional musical entertainment each year to Tillamook High School. (The first concert of the year is Swing Fever, a swing and jazz band out of San Francisco, on Oct. 15 at 2 p.m. at Tillamook High School.) Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased here at the Chamber office or through the Monday Musical Club’s Facebook page. The first 100 people through the gate will receive a commemorative beer mug.
Also in September is Pelican Brewing Co.’s inaugural Salmon Run 5k & 10K on Sept. 23. The race begins at 10:05 a.m. at the Tap Room on First Street, and runners will be treated to a scenic race course that winds through pastoral Tillamook and ends back at the Tap Room.
Runners receive an official race shirt, pint glass, and those 21 and over will also get a pint of Pelican Brewing Five Fin West Coast Pilsner. Stay for the post-race bash at the Brewery, featuring live music and tours. You can register for the run at www.pelicansalmonrun.com. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Salmon SuperHwy and help their efforts to restore access to almost 180 miles of blocked habitat.
And of course, we have several more Saturdays to enjoy the Tillamook Farmers Market, which won’t be wrapping up its season until Sept. 24. So come down and enjoy fresh produce, flowers, baked goods and artisan gifts from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Don’t let summer pass you by without enjoying one or all of these family-friendly events headed our way.