State Fair, 1862 November 17 Episode.
What could the State Fair, the Linn County Pioneer Picnic, the Happy Canyon Pageant & Wild West Show, the Scandinavian Festival, and the Fourth of July Pet Parade possibly have in common? Well, other than people and fun, of course. They are all designated as Oregon Heritage Traditions! To date, there are fourteen such illustrious events so designated. This just goes to show that history can be fun and entertaining, too.
What could the State Fair, the Linn County Pioneer Picnic, the Happy Canyon Pageant & Wild West Show, the Scandinavian Festival, and the Fourth of July Pet Parade possibly have in common? Well, other than people and fun, of course. They are all designated as Oregon Heritage Traditions! To date, there are fourteen such illustrious events so designated. This just goes to show that history can be fun and entertaining, too.
Some time back, we received a press release announcing that the Happy Canyon Pageant & Wild West Show, part of the Pendleton Round-Up since 1916, had been designated an "Oregon Heritage Tradition." Somehow, we had never heard of this designation in our years in historic preservation, so, of course, we had to check it out. We contacted the folks at the Heritage Division of Oregon State Parks who offered to send Katie Henry, their Cultural Outreach specialist, to educate us on this relatively new program.
Katie advised that to be nominated, the event has to have run continuously for at least 50 years, be associated with people, places, events and activities that characterize the heritage of the state, demonstrates an appeal to the broad public, has a distinguished public profile and reputation, provides participatory activities, and adds to the livability and identity of the state. The Oregon Heritage Commission bestows the designation after reviewing applications submitted from events across the state.
Katie advised that to be nominated, the event has to have run continuously for at least 50 years, be associated with people, places, events and activities that characterize the heritage of the state, demonstrates an appeal to the broad public, has a distinguished public profile and reputation, provides participatory activities, and adds to the livability and identity of the state. The Oregon Heritage Commission bestows the designation after reviewing applications submitted from events across the state.
Let's highlight a few of these Heritage Traditions. The Linn County Pioneer Picnic, held in Brownsville, began in 1887 as a reunion for pioneers who arrived in the area before January 1855. The three-day event has become a quintessential small town fair, bringing back generations of folks who share the memories of the pioneers and a time when gathering to have fun and fellowship meant taking time to connect with your neighbors in person, complete with parades, talent shows, class and family reunions, and a logging jamboree showcasing traditional logging skills.
| The first Oregon county fair was hosted by Yamhill County in 1854, with the first official State Fair being held in Oregon City/Gladstone area in 1861--it moved to its current Marion County site for its second year. It began as a way for area farmers to showcase the crops grown in Oregon, as well as to display innovations and share knowledge for the burgeoning agricultural industry. Over the years, the State Fair has become the showcase for new inventions and technology: the phonograph and telephone in 1877, the first automobile display in 1904, the "flying machine" in 1910, the 90-foot Titan Missile that launched a satellite into orbit in 1961, the Gemini spacecraft and moon rocks in 1970, and the first high-definition TV in 1998. |  Early Fruit & Vegetable Displays  State Fair Gates, 1911 |
The Happy Canyon Pageant/Wild West Show began in 1916 as evening entertainment for Pendleton Round-Up attendees. At first just a Wild West Show, it later expanded to include cultural performers from the local tribes of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla. The Pendleton Round-Up began in 1910 and continues to be one of the largest events of western traditions.
Scandinavian Festival, 1961 The "Festival That Saved A Town", the Scandinavian Festival began in 1961 as a way to bring people and commerce back to the small town of Junction City once the new I-5 Freeway detoured traffic away from its main street, Highway 99. Although it has grown into one of the largest ethnic festivals on the west coast, it continues its tradition of honoring the hard-working Danes and other Scandinavians who settled the town by hosting Scandinavian and Bavarian dance and instrumental groups, demonstrating old-country crafts, and offering conversational groups to practice the mother tongues of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
Heritage Traditions are a valued part of our Oregon character. Many area towns have long-time celebrations. We were surprised to learn that Mt. Angel's Octoberfest, Portland's Rose Festival, and McMinnville's Turkeyrama were not yet designated, although all have been operating for at least 50 years. Perhaps it's time for your town to nominate your historic special event. The staff at the Heritage Division/Oregon State Parks are ready to help you. For more information on Heritage Traditions, visit their website.
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