Historic Columbia River Highway Centennial Season of Celebration

May 11, 2016 (Updated November 21, 2016)
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Known as the “King of Roads,” the Historic Columbia River Highway is America’s first Scenic Highway and a National Historic Landmark, spanning 70 miles (113 kilometers) along the towering walls of the Columbia River Gorge. With awe-inspiring waterfalls, vistas and forested trails, the highway is not just a way to travel, it’s a destination.

In 2016, the historic route turns 100 years old, sparking a season of celebration. Honor the Historic Columbia River Highway by attending the centennial festivities, and see for yourself why this is one of the most significant roads ever built in the United States.


 

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June 7, 2016

Pictorial Postcards

Pick up two limited edition pictorial postmarks commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Historic Columbia River Highway. The Bridal Veil Post Office will host temporary philatelic stations at Multnomah Falls and the Vista House from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mail-in request for postmarking will also be offered by the Bridal Veil Post Office until August 12.

June 7, 2016

An Unveiling of Visionaries

Witness the unveiling of a new bronze monument honoring the Historic Columbia River Highway’s main visionaries, Samuel Lancaster and Samuel Hill.

Renowned artist Rip Caswell created the monument. Actors will bring the bronze to life by impersonating Hill and Lancaster at 3 p.m. at Troutdale’s Visionary Park.

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June 18, 2016

10th Annual Gorge Ride

Experience the beauty of the Historic Columbia River Highway on two wheels. The 10th annual Gorge Ride covers both the historic highway and the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, which is only open to pedestrians and bicyclists. The ride begins at the Gorge Discovery Center and loops around the Senator Mark O. Hatfield West Trailhead, before returning to the start. The out-and-back route is a total of 38.5 miles. Course opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m.

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July 4, 2016

Corbett Fun Fest

Enjoy a day filled with fun activities at the Corbett Fun Fest, from a full lineup of music and games, to an old-fashioned parade and car cruise-in. You’ll relish in small town joys, like a pie-eating contest, a petting zoo and a generational queens court; then it’ll be time to test your skills on a mechanical bull or in the human hamster balls.

Best of all, the Corbett Fun Fest hosts the only fireworks show in East Multnomah County.

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July 15, 2016

Eagle Creek Recreation Area 100th anniversary

Celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the Eagle Creek Recreation Area, which includes the country’s oldest campground developed by the U.S. Forest Service. (The area also features the first flush toilets at a USFS campground.) Learn the history of the site and its important location along the Historic Columbia River Highway.

Explore the outdoors! The recreation area provides easy access to the Eagle Creek Trail, Ruckel Creek Trail, Gorge Trail, Wauna Viewpoint Trail and the Cascade Hatchery.

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July 23, 2016

Troutdale SummerFest

Bring the whole family to the 44th annual Troutdale SummerFest. The event kicks off with a pancake breakfast and a display of classic cars, followed by a community parade and lots of family-friendly activities — including a dunk tank and pony rides.

If you love baking, enter a sweet competition at the SummerFest’s first-ever Columbia Gorge Cupcake War. The winning team wins $500 and a display at the Antique Car Picnic.

The fun takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Glenn Otto Park.

July 23, 2016

Antique Car Tour

Watch a parade of antique cars — released in 1949 or older — as they travel from Troutdale to The Dalles. In observation of the Historic Columbia River Highway centennial, this year’s tour will be bigger than ever.

Cars will travel from Troutdale’s SummerFest to the Vista House for a biplane flyver, then parade through the Columbia River Gorge’s famous waterfall area. The antique vehicles will park at Cascade Locks Marine Park and then continue to Hood River and Mosier, passing through the Mosier Twin Tunnels. The last stop is the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum in The Dalles.

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July 23, 2016

Mosier Parade

First settled in 1854, the city of Mosier has remained an important community in the Columbia River Gorge. One of the most famous sections of the Historic Columbia River Highway is the Mosier Twin Tunnels, which reopened in 2000.

The Mosier Parade celebrates the historic highway’s role in Mosier’s past, present, and future. The Antique Car Tour will make a stop at the festivities before the after-party picnic.

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August 7, 2016

Bridge of the Gods Half Marathon
& 10K Run

Join one of the most scenic runs in Oregon, the third annual Bridge of Gods Half Marathon and 10K Run. Runners begin on the Washington side of the river and cross the famous Bridge of the Gods. Then, the route connects with the Historic Columbia River Highway State Park Trail and heads towards Dodson. In all, runners cross four bridges and creeks and pass old-growth trees.

The finish line is at Cascade Locks, where a beer garden, live music and exposition turn Thunder Island into a giant riverside party.

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September 9, 2016

Dinner and Lecture Series at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center

Listen to Robert Hadlow, the Senior Historian for the Oregon Department of Transportation, as he speaks about the Historic Columbia River Highway at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. Hadlow is also the Vice-Chair for the State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation, specializing in historic roads and bridges.

Guests will be served dinner at 6 p.m., the
program begins at 7 p.m. Fee and registration is required.

September 10, 2016

An Insider’s Tour of the Historic Columbia River Highway

Take an exclusive all-day tour of the historic highway with local historians and transportation professionals on buses reproduced from the 1930s. Sponsored by the Architectural Heritage Center, the tour will journey from Troutdale to Hood River and back, with a break in Cascade Locks.

The buses are ADA-accessible and each tour get will a commemorative booklet.

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September 18, 2016

Gorgeous Relay

Experience the Historic Columbia River Highway by foot as it winds past waterfalls, vistas, creeks and forests in this 12-leg, 60-mile, one-day relay. Beginning just east of Cascade Locks and finishing in the heart of Portland, the Gorgeous Relay is truly one of a kind.

You’ll get amazing views of the Columbia Gorge, the Columbia River, eight waterfalls, the Historic Vista House at Crown Point and the Willamette River, before capping off the day at Base Camp Brewing Company in Southeast Portland. Organizers say this will be the most gorgeous relay you’ve ever run!

September 23, 2016

Dinner and Lecture Series at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center

Hear Dr. Tim Davis, Historian for the U.S. National Park Service, speak about National Park Roads and the Historic Columbia River
Highway at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. Davis has written extensively about the American landscape and has been published in numerous publications.

Guests will be served dinner at 6 p.m., the
program begins at 7 p.m. Fee and registration is required.

September 24, 2016

Historic State Trail Dedication at
Starvation Creek

Attend the dedication of a new segment of the Historic Highway State Trail system, located between Lindsey Creek and Starvation Creek near Hood River. This special trail will only be accessible to cyclists and pedestrians. Elected
officials, community leaders, Gorge residents and
outdoor enthusiasts will be present, celebrating the opening.

The 1.2-mile trail connects Starvation Creek’s existing trailhead to Lindsey Creek. Starvation Creek features a spectacular 186-foot waterfall.

October 21, 2016

Dinner and Lecture Series at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center

Listen to Garnier Vineyards owner Tom Garnier discuss the Mayerdale Mansion, which overlooks the Historic Columbia River Highway. Garnier bought the historic Mayerdale Estate in 1999 and built his winemaking business on the 335-acre property.

Guests will be served dinner at 6 p.m., the
program begins at 7 p.m. Fee and registration is required.

October 23, 2016

Columbia Gorge Marathon and Half Marathon

Run along the Historic Columbia River Highway as the trees display colorful fall foliage. During the Columbia Gorge Marathon and Half Marathon, runners will pass through Mosier and the famous winding Rowena Viewpoint, as well as numerous waterfalls and amazing vistas. Finish the marathon on the picturesque banks of the Columbia River.

The run’s slogan is “the most scenic marathon in the country” — and it’s easy to see why.

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