LC06-10

Lebanon Strawberry Festival

The **Lebanon Strawberry Festival**, a longstanding tradition in Lebanon, Oregon, is a community-wide celebration that has been held annually since 1909. Scheduled to take place from May 30th to June 2nd, 2024, the 114th festival, themed “Peace, Love & Strawberries,” is organized each year by a board of directors comprised entirely of volunteers. The festival, deeply rooted in tradition for many Lebanon families and welcoming to new residents and visitors, is celebrated at Cheadle Lake Park and offers a variety of activities and experiences for attendees.

Ryan Long, with the Sue Long Realty Group, explored the festival, highlighting various aspects and engaging with attendees. The festival features a carnival with numerous rides, an entertainment stage in the grass area, and notably, what is referred to as the “world’s largest strawberry shortcake,” which is served free to attendees. One volunteer emphasized the community spirit, stating, “Lebanon is so unique in the fact that people here are so generous. You cannot believe how generous they are.” The shortcake, which is approximately “32 by 17” feet in size, is assembled and served by volunteers, and while there is no official “governing body” confirming its status as the world’s largest, it is a significant feature of the festival.

The festival is not only a celebration of strawberries but also a community event that brings together people of all ages. Children, for instance, were seen enjoying various rides, with one child naming “the sizzler” as their favorite. Adults, too, find joy in the festival, with one attendee sharing that she has been coming to watch the parade for over 60 years, finding the sight of her “grandkids…sitting on the curb watching them smile and enjoying it” to be her favorite part.

The festival also includes a traditional element of royalty, with a strawberry queen, who interestingly noted that while having red hair is not a requirement for the role, “it does help.” The festival, therefore, serves as a multifaceted event, providing not only a celebration of the local strawberry harvest but also a venue for community engagement, tradition, and entertainment.

The Lebanon Strawberry Festival, with its rich history and array of offerings, from the notable strawberry shortcake to various rides and entertainment options, stands as a testament to the community spirit of Lebanon, Oregon. It is an event that, through its various activities and the involvement of numerous volunteers, seeks to bring the community together and celebrate not only the local produce but also the beauty and friendliness of Lebanon itself.

Strawberry Festival Website | Facebook | Instagram

Corvallis Spring Roll

The **Corvallis Bicycle Collective** in Oregon, with its mission to “enhance health, safety, sustainability, and happiness through bicycling,” operates a community do-it-yourself (DIY) bike shop, which offers free tool use and guidance. The shop also provides a selection of affordable used bicycles, new, and used parts and accessories. The collective is notably active in the Corvallis community, promoting access to bicycles and neighborhood livability through various initiatives and events.

One such event, the 9th annual Corvallis Spring Roll, was hosted at Cloverland Park and was not about the food item, but rather a cycling event for children. The event featured a route that was “about three-quarters of a mile, a little more,” and children were encouraged to complete “as many laps as they want,” according to the host, Ryan Long. The route, forming “a nice big rectangle,” extended “from 29th all the way to 23rd.”

Children of various ages participated, with one child estimating they had completed “probably like 10 or 15” laps. Another child, when asked about the number of laps they had done, humorously exaggerated, “Three? Probably three.” The children were not only cycling but also engaging in other activities.

The event was not strictly regulated in terms of age, as evidenced by a comment: “I’ve seen less than two-year-olds, stick them on a balance bike or whatever they can run around with everyone else.” The event was not only about cycling but also incorporated other fun activities for children. One child expressed his enjoyment of the “water cannon,” which was one of the features at the event.

The collective’s involvement in such community events, like the Spring Roll, underscores its commitment to promoting bicycling among all age groups in the community. The collective not only provides practical resources and support through its DIY shop but also fosters a community spirit and encourages bicycling as a healthy and sustainable mode of transportation and recreation through its various initiatives and events.

The collective appreciates various forms of support, including volunteer time, financial contributions, and donated bicycles, parts, accessories, and tools. It is reliant on volunteers in various capacities, such as in the shop, in the community, and behind the scenes, to further its mission and initiatives.

For those seeking to engage with the collective or to learn more about its offerings and initiatives, it is recommended to visit their [official webpage](https://www.corvallisbikes.org/) for the most recent and detailed information, reviews, and any alerts or updates regarding their operations and events.

Spring Roll Website | Facebook | Instagram

Dimple Hill

The “Dimple Hill and Horse Trail Loop,” located in the vicinity of Corvallis, Oregon, within the Chip Ross Park and Natural Area, extends a 7.5-mile loop that has become a favored spot for outdoor enthusiasts. With an elevation gain of 1,476 feet, the trail is categorized as of moderate difficulty and has garnered a rating of 4.4 based on 247 reviews.

The trail, known for its scenic vistas and tranquil environment, facilitates a range of activities including hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. It is also accessible for walking and running, providing a versatile outdoor space for various users. The trail is recognized for its capacity to accommodate family outings, being kid-friendly, and also welcomes dogs, albeit with the stipulation of being leashed.

One visitor, reflecting on a decade of engagement with the trail, shared, “I’ve been living in Corvallis for about 10 years now and probably running Dimple Hill for the last nine years.” The trail, which is open year-round, is acknowledged for its solitude during quieter times, despite its popularity, and is described as a wonderful hike just outside of Corvallis, offering views over the city below.

The trail’s condition is subject to the weather, with potential variations including muddy and snowy paths. Ryan noted the practicality of the trail’s construction, stating, “Last night we got about a half an inch of rain, and as you can see, the gravel road that we’re on makes nice trail conditions so that we can actually hike without getting too muddy or damaging any trails.” The trail also offers a network of gravel roads, providing numerous options for reaching the top of Dimple Hill, where beautiful views await.

The trail is not only a destination for hikers but also for mountain bikers. A regular visitor, reflecting on their frequent visits, mentioned, “Yeah, I used to live in Corvallis, and I’d bike out here five days a week. This is my bread and butter. I come here all the time.” They also highlighted the variety in the trail, stating, “Sometimes I come from Chip Ross side. That one’s a little bit more difficult, particularly in the winter.”

The trail, while offering a serene and scenic journey through the forest, also provides opportunities to observe wildlife and can be experienced differently in various weather conditions. The lush, green scenery, wildflowers, and the beautiful view from Dimple Hill have been highlighted by reviewers as notable features.

The trailhead can be reached by following specific directions: taking 99 north out of town, turning left onto Walnut Blvd headed west, taking a right onto Highland, and after about a quarter-mile, taking a left onto Lester Ave, continuing to the parking area at the end of the road.

In summary, the Dimple Hill and Horse Trail Loop provides a multifaceted outdoor experience, offering various activities and scenic views, with the added benefit of being accessible year-round. For the most recent and detailed information, reviews, and any alerts or updates regarding the trail conditions, weather, and any other relevant information, it is advisable to check the [official webpage](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/oregon/dimple-hill-and-horse-trail-loop).

Dimple Hill Website | Facebook

The Melon Shack

“The Melon Shack,” situated off of Highway 20 in Corvallis, Oregon, emerges as a seasonal attraction, particularly during the Halloween period, offering a variety of activities and experiences that intertwine the agricultural with the recreational. The establishment, which is notably visible on one of the major thoroughfares in North Corvallis, Garden Avenue, provides a space where families and individuals can engage in traditional fall activities, such as navigating through a corn maze, selecting pumpkins from a field, and indulging in freshly made donuts.

The pumpkin patch, as described by a representative, is “on the side of an actual field of pumpkins,” and the planting process involves both machine and manual labor to ensure a variety of pumpkins are available. Visitors can expect a range of options, including “white ones, Cinderella types of various colors, and all kinds of shapes of the jack-o’-lantern varieties.” A visitor, reflecting on their experience, stated, “We’ve come down here the last few years to pick pumpkins, so it’s kind of a little family tradition to come to this patch.” The selection process appears to be a thoughtful one, with another visitor noting, “We just try to get a variety of shapes and sizes and colors.”

The Melon Shack’s corn maze, which takes “literally weeks and months” to construct, offers an engaging and somewhat challenging experience for visitors. One visitor, amidst their journey through the maze, pondered, “How much further do you think we have to go? Miles?” Another acknowledged, “It was a long one, though. It was good. It took a long time.”

In addition to the maze and pumpkin patch, the Melon Shack also provides culinary delights, notably their donuts, which are “hot, served about two minutes from the time they go on the fryers.” The maple bacon donut, identified as their best seller, is crafted with maple from Vermont and bacon derived from a local source, described by a visitor as “crunchy” and eliciting an “awesome” response.

The establishment also features a super slide, which seems to be a hit among younger visitors. One child, when asked about their experience, responded, “That’s probably the best part.”

The Melon Shack, while providing a space for seasonal enjoyment, also places a strong emphasis on delivering a “good product” and keeping people safe, according to a representative. The goal, it seems, is to “give the families an opportunity to have some fun,” providing a space where traditions can be formed and enjoyed annually.

In a concluding note, it’s essential to acknowledge that while the Melon Shack offers a variety of activities and experiences, the information might require verification directly from the source for the most accurate and up-to-date details. Visitors may engage with the establishment directly or potentially explore their offerings in person, located conveniently on Garden Avenue and Highway 20 in Corvallis.

Melon Shack Facebook

OSU Tailgating

The Oregon State University (OSU) Beavers Football team, representing OSU in Corvallis, Oregon, competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, being a part of the Pac-12 Conference. With a rich history in college football and a tradition that has produced numerous professional football players, the team has become a cornerstone of the community and its sporting events.

In the words of a local on game day, “Saturday for me in Corvallis means an amazing game day. The whole community comes out, and we all get together to have a good time.” Tailgating, a significant event for Beavers football games, is described as a “family event” where people come together to celebrate and support the team. A parent of a former student shared, “My older son, Anthony, is the one that puts this one together. He has a lot of his friends that come from the Portland area primarily.”

The Beavers have made multiple appearances in the prestigious Rose Bowl and have fostered notable NFL players, such as Terry Baker, Steven Jackson, and Brandin Cooks. The team also holds a longstanding rivalry with the University of Oregon Ducks, known as the “Civil War,” which is one of the longest-running football rivalries in the nation.

A fan, discussing their pregame routine, mentioned, “My pregame routine is really to fast for about 12 hours so I can come in and enjoy the beer and the food. I make sure I have all my clothes laid out. I’ve got to have the right colors, orange and black.” The colors, orange and black, are a significant part of the team’s identity, with another fan noting, “Halloween all year.”

The Beavers, known for their dynamic offense and sturdy defense, have experienced various performance levels over the years, with seasons of strong performance and playoff appearances, as well as rebuilding years. The team’s playing style has evolved, adapting to the strengths of their players and coaching philosophies.

A dedicated fan shared, “We have tailgated every year that I’ve been here the last five years. Our boys played in 95 to 2002, so we’ve been coming for a while.” “We hit every single home game in football, every single home game in baseball, and every single home game in women’s basketball.” This dedication is mirrored by many in the community, with another stating, “Forty-some games here. You can’t beat the environment at a game.”

The Beavers’ games are not only a sporting event but also a community gathering, where attendees can explore various activities and engage in playful competitions. One attendee explained, “We’re playing some big Jenga, and as you get pretty high, there’s a lot of weight on all of them. If you try to go too slow, you move the tower too much. You’ve got to be quick, and you’ve got to try to set everybody else up for failure.”

Reflecting on the meaning of attending an Oregon State game, a fan expressed, “Oh my gosh, it’s energy, it’s the people and family, the color, and pageantry of college football’s electric. The pageantry, the colors, the band and the drum majors, the cheerleaders.” Another added, “It’s really fantastic to see a college football game and to be part of it. It’s just amazing. It’s a great environment here at OSU for Saturdays and every day.”

In conclusion, the OSU Beavers Football team is not merely a sports team but a focal point around which the community of Corvallis, Oregon, gathers, forming bonds and creating memories, all while partaking in the vibrant and spirited environment that college football brings. The team, while working towards improving their standings in the Pac-12 Conference, also serves as a conduit through which the community can express its collective identity and camaraderie.

OSU Football Website | Facebook | Instagram