Chrissy Hollett By DOUG BATES/Editor/The Herald — The pandemic has put the kibosh on traditional parades and pageantry, but there will still be an Oakridge-Westfir Tree Planting Festival, and it will be here soon.
Festival planners have announced a preliminary schedule of festival events for the weekend of April 30-May 2, and they promise to fill in many of the blanks with a new festival website to be launched on Thursday, April 22.
This year’s 68th Annual Oakridge Westfir Tree Planting Festival will be a hybrid event, with both in-person and virtual events, activities and presentations. The festival committee asks that all participants follow coronavirus health and safety guidelines and planners ask for community understanding and forbearance as the schedule is finalized in the next few days.
“We are doing the best we can, with what we have,” said Festival Secretary Amy Prince of Oakridge. The theme, she said, will be “Trees, Hope & Growth.”
She said the festival is now accepting submissions for a virtual talent show. The winner will be announced on the new festival website and will perform live at the coronation ceremony detailed in the schedule below. Email or DropBox submissions to [email protected]. To see what video formats are acceptable, see supported video formats.
Here is the schedule, as provided by Prince, with asterisks explained at the end:
FRIDAY, APRIL 30
Coronation Ceremony*** Starts at 3 p.m.
The Festival opens with the Coronation Ceremony, which will be held at Greenwaters Park amphitheater. A video will be posted on the festival website for those who are unable to attend.
SATURDAY, MAY 1
WoodFest* 12:00 – 4:00 pm
Volunteers will be handing out kits for children to build at home with parent/guardian supervision, in the field between the elementary and junior/senior high school. While supplies last.
Oakridge Museum Tours* Noon – 4 p.m.
Located on East First Street, between the blocks of Pine and Cedar. See the authentic covered wagon which traveled here via the Applegate Trail. Marvel at the 1938 Hines Lumber Co. chain-driven Mack log truck. Hear it run as it is started every hour on the hour beginning at 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Come support the museum and have coffee and cookies. Admire the display of selected quilts by the “Upper Willamette Piecemakers.” Learn about their organization and how you might join.
Art Gallery Tours*** Noon – 4 p.m.
The new gallery is located at 48523 Highway 58 in Oakridge and will be open to the public. A virtual tour of the Art Gallery will also be posted on the new website. Open Sat/Sun.
Geocache Treasure Hunt* – Ongoing
Participants find a code at the geocache, which they can enter on the website to claim a
“prize.”
Virtual Quilt Show & Raffle** – Ongoing
There will be a quilt raffle. Quilts will be displayed on the website. Send entries with quilter’s first and last name, title and brief description of quilt, plus a quilt photo to [email protected].
SUNDAY, MAY 2
Willamette Riverkeeper’s Spring for Your River Cleanup* 9 a.m. – noon
Meet at the Westfir Portal for this event led by the City of Westfir, Forest Service and Southern Willamette Forest Collaborative. Register online: http://bit.ly/Westfircleanup
Tree Planting Ceremony*** 2 p.m.
Location to be determined. Princesses and volunteers will be planting trees. There will be a larger planting this autumn, time, date and location to be announced.
WHAT THOSE ASTERIKS *** MEAN
* In-Person: This will be an in-person event with social distancing and masks required.
** Virtual: To be viewed or accessed online via the internet.
*** Hybrid: Event which features both in-person and virtual presentations.
