Who likes wine? If you enjoy it as much as we do, then the Willamette Valley is the place to be Thanksgiving weekend. Why is it special? Because this is one of the only times certain wineries open their doors to the public, while others feature fantastic live music and break out special vintages for sampling.  Whichever wineries you choose to visit, throughout the entire Willamette Valley region, you will see why we love it here.  Want to join us? Travel all throughout the Willamette Valley - both north and south - and drink it all in.

- The Editors

Wilsonville Wintertime Gifts from the Garden

Barn Owl Nursery Open House
Wilsonville
Nov. 12-15 & 19-22; 10am-5pm

For the 27th year in a row, the Barn Owl Nursery - a lavender farm, herb nursery and gift shop - is hosting a fantastic holiday open house that brings together the pleasure of making, giving and using many herbal products with the annual harvest from the garden.  Browse culinary, fragrant and ornamental herb and lavender gifts for the holidays as well as home décor in a country atmosphere, all while enjoying homemade herb-infused treats such as jams and baked goods.

For more information please visit
www.barnowlnursery.com

Corvallis Bucks Up for a One-of-a-Kind Fall Rodeo

Thanksgiving Thunder Rodeo
Benton County Fairgrounds, Corvallis
November 22; 7pm

Giddy up, cowboys and cowgirls!  Is there any better way to celebrate this great nation then a rodeo? Well maybe a rodeo right before Thanksgiving. A great family activity, the Thanksgiving Thunder Rodeo is a rough stock rodeo and includes barrel racing.  A great time is sure to be had by all who attend.

Forget Shopping - Wine Tasting is the Thing to Do After Thanksgiving

Wine Country Thanksgiving
Various Wineries, Yamhill County
November 28-30; 11am-5pm

Thanksgiving weekend is a magical time of year (for more reasons than the leftover turkey) in the Willamette Valley, and in particular Yamhill County, as this area is home to the highest volume of wineries in the state.  Stretching from Newberg to McMinnville, with Dundee, Dayton and Carlton in between, Yamhill County is renowned for its vineyards, and this special tasting weekend is great time to experience it all.  

Three Nights of Lane County Christmas Fun

Westfir Bridge Lighting Festival
Westfir and Oakridge
December 5-7

For an exciting Christmas adventure in the Cascades, this newly expanded event at the foot of the mountains can't be missed.  Spruce up your holiday fun with a Friday performance by Emmy-nominated harpist/guitarist John Doan, a Saturday lighting of the longest covered bridge in Oregon - Office Bridge in Westfir - and a Sunday tree lighting at Green Waters Park in Oakridge.

For more information, call 541-782-2158 or visit
www.visitlanecounty.org

Enjoy the sights and sounds of an old-fashioned holiday celebration in historic Albany.  This self-guided tour features historic homes, churches, museums and a library, all of which have been lovingly restored and beautifully decorated for the season.  Music, refreshments, horse-drawn wagon and vintage trolley rides are all included in the $10 ticket price.

For more information please contact the Albany Visitors Association at 541-928-0911 or
www.albanyvisitors.com

Salem's Mission: Have a Merry Christmas

Magic at the Mill
Mission Mill Museum, Salem
December 19-23

What could twinkling lights, holiday music and tales from the past mean in Salem? It means that magic is in the air! Grab your mittens and whip up some cocoa, as Salem's annual holiday event gets everyone ready for Christmas.  Each night will feature exciting activities ranging from living history, carols, guided tours, craft demonstrations, kids activities and more.  Come join the fun in the state's capital!