150 Years of Forest Grove

The City of Forest Grove is proudly celebrating 150 years. The earliest inhabitants of the area were a sub group of the Kalapooya Tribe, the Tualatin Indians.  Missionaries arrived in 1841 with a dream of educating and spiritually enlightening the native peoples in the ways of ‘Civilization”.  Among those missionaries were Alvin T. and Abigail Smith and Rev. Harvey Clarke and his wife Emeline. The Tualatin Academy was Chartered by the Territorial Government in 1848 and Pacific University was added to that charter in 1854. The West Tualatin Plains became Forest Grove in 1851, although the City was not incorporated until October 5, 1872. Many houses and buildings from those early years remain and Forest Grove is proud to boast four National Register Districts and other structures individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

– Mary Jo Morelli

A Forest Grove’s Event Guide

Ralph Brown was more than an educator or a runner, the former Cornelius mayor, school administrator, city councilor, school board member, and devoted husband, father, and grandfather was dedicated to finding ways to include and engage his community. Ralph proudly shared that he was still a member of the 1200-mile club in 2020 and was happy to roll around on the floor with his great-granddaughter who was just starting to crawl. In May, Ralph, who suffers from dementia, went missing and has not been seen since.

This run, which he started in 1986, is dedicated to Ralph because Ralph never stopped being active: both in his community and physically. We hope that Ralph’s service to his community and to the Oregon Road Runner’s Club can help encourage others to get involved because nothing would make him happier than seeing lots of people out on a run together.

The event will feature half marathon run, and a 10k run/walk, start at 9 am. Start and finish will be at Tom McCall Upper Elementary School, and the course will go through back roads via scenic wine country.

Prior to the arrival of the first Europeans, Oregon was populated by 125 Native Americans groups, who survived by practicing seasonal forms of agriculture, hunting and fishing. Although Oregon had been first roughly mapped in 1579, it wasn’t until Lewis and Clark expedition searching for the Northwest Passage that the state was officially discovered by the colonies. Oregon became a U.S. territory in 1846, followed by the nomination as the 33rd state in 1859, on February 14th.
This year we are celebrating 163 years of the state of Oregon.

Cupid’s arrow is striking Oregon Wine Country for the 9th Annual Valentine’s Wine Tasting Loop! Nineteen of Tualatin Valley’s most esteemed wineries, restaurants, and local businesses are joining up for a weekend of special events, wine tasting, food & more! You’ll LOVE what we have in store!

February 11-13, 2022 time varies
Cupid is returning to Oregon Wine Country for the 10th Annual Valentine’s Wine Tasting Loop! A dozen of Tualatin Valley’s most esteemed wineries are joining up for a weekend of special events, wine tasting, food & more! You’ll LOVE what we have in store!  Contact:  https://ardiriwine.com/valentine/

February 12, 2022 at 5:00pm - 8:00pm: Valley Art Gallery – Souper Bowl Saturday
Bowl + Soup + Art = FUN! Materials are provided. Location: Valley Art Gallery, 2022 Main Street, Forest Grove. Contact: For information call 503-357-3703 or go to www.valleyart.org

February 19, 2022 at 3:00 pm:  United Church of Christ Organ Concert
Bruce Neswick enjoys immense popularity and is in demand throughout the country as an organist, improviser, choral conductor, and composer. His playing vibrates with energy, is full of radiant color, and is always expertly crafted. He is the Canon for Cathedral Music at Trinity Cathedral (Episcopal) in Portland, Oregon.
Contact:  http://www.fgucc.org/event/organ-concert-to-be-presented/.
Cost:
Donation ($20 suggested; $10 Students)

February 25-27, 2022 at 11:00 am - 8:00 pm Zesti Food Carts Mardi Gras
Come join us in celebration of Mardi Gras for Music, Food carts with Mardi Gras specials, vendors and more!
Contact:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1090270591789696/

 

Built in 1922, McMenamins Grand Lodge draws energy from a long and mystical past as a rest home for Masons until 1999 when McMenamins took the helm and reimagined the space into a hotel and restaurants with a hint of magic. Its purpose may have changed, but McMenamins hasn’t forgotten the past of this indomitable building: history is peppered throughout the building in the form of original art and historic photos.

Today, the property is alive with live music, special events, a day spa, small bars, soaking pool, theater, expansive grounds, beautiful gardens and even a few mysteries.

On March 5, 2022 Grand Lodge celebrates 100 years with live music, food & drink specials and enough merriment to last the next 100.

McMenamins Announces NEW Outdoor Concert Venue at Grand Lodge, “Concerts in the Grove”.
Multi-Show Concert Series Debuts Summer 2022.

Saturday, April 9, 2022, 4:30 p.m. dinner, 6:30 p.m. show (doors open at 5:30)

Pacific University’s Nā Haumāna O Hawai‘i will present the only completely student-run and student-directed lū‘au in the Northwest. The annual Lū‘au and Hō‘ike is a culmination of many hours of hard work and many hearts coming together to share a unique aspect of island heritage.

The 2022 Lū‘au and Hō‘ike theme is Nā Mele Ho‘oheno o ke Aloha, or “the cherished love songs.” The show will include music and dance celebrating the culture and traditions of the Hawaiian Islands, the home state of many Pacific University students.

The dinner will feature authentic, Hawaiian-style cuisine including traditional staples kalua pig, chicken long rice, teriyaki chicken, poi, haupia cake, and punch.

Additionally, the Lūʻau & Hoʻike Country Store will operate the day of the show. Tickets will be available to the public in March with the option to purchase admission to the show or dinner and the show. For more information, please visit pacificu.edu/luau.

It all began in 2005, when Adelante Mujeres launched the Farmers Market that would promote cross-cultural exchange during this family-focused event. The market features small farmers and food producers, creating a connection within the Forest Grove community, making healthy food accessible for the whole town.

Between the farmers and the stands, visitors can enjoy local fresh produce, eggs, meat, honey, baked foods and prepared foods, flowers, plants, hand crafted soaps and more. Thus, it also function as a small business incubator for businesses participating in Regenerative Agriculture Program and the Empresas Small Business Development program.

The Farmers Market kick off for 2022 begins May 4th at 4-8PM, continuing through October 26th.

The Farmers Market kick off for 2022 begins May 4th at 4-8PM, continuing through October 26th.

Farmer’s Market Birthday – July 20, 2022 @ 4-8pm

Forest Grove Market Salsa Fest – August 17th @ 4-7 pm

Day of the Dead Celebration – October 26, 2022 @ 4-7pm

Artisan’s in the Grove Every First Wednesday of the Month.

Time: June 9, 2022 5 pm - 8 pm
New York steak with all the trimmings.
Location:  Pacific University
Tickets: TBD buy from any club member or at ACE Hardware, VanDyke Appliances, News Times or Chamber Office. All proceeds benefit the Rotary Youth Exchange Program.
Contact:  https://www.fgrotary.org/about-our-club/

The Rotary Club of Forest Grove is pleased to announce a new event for the premier Concours d'Elegance Festival Weekend on July 15,2022. We will be celebrating not only our 48th Anniversary for this historic event, but also the Forest Grove Sesquicentennial (150th Anniversary). The Annual Car Show will be held on Sunday July 17, 2022.

In the spirit of celebration, we are hosting "The Celebration of Our Senses", an incredible Winery Concert, Dinner, and Beverage Tasting Event at Elk Cove Winery, 27751 NW Olson Road, Gaston, Oregon 97119. It will feature the dynamic Brazilian Jazz and Bossa Nova Group, BossaPDX. Multiple International foods and local indigenous Cuisine will be included, along with Elk Cove Wine , SakeOne Sake, Beer, and Cider. Dinner will include a Farm-to-Table salad prepared by Chef Eric Bartle, known as the Wilderness Hunter, Hawaiian Bowl from Kama’aina Chef Kevin Yamada, and Sushi.

Tickets will be limited to 200 people, First-Come, First-Served The total package price will be $90 per person to include the Concert, Dinner Food tickets, and Beverage Tastings (5). There will be retail sales of beverages onsite also. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets for the festival seating, and to carpool with their friends,family and relatives.

Gate opens at 4:30 PM, and the Concert will conclude about 8:30 PM.

Tickets must be acquired through the following link in advance: forestgroveconcours.org/attend

Directions to the Elk Cove Winery Concert event at: elkcove.com

It all began in 1973, when the Rotary Club Created the Forest Grove Concourse D’Elegance to raise funds for scholarships and community service projects. This, allowed for $1 Million in projects to the community, and Financial Aid to over 700 Washington county Students.

This year’s event will consist of a Friday night multi-vineyard wine, food and concert kickoff at Tualatin Estates, a road tour to Salem and dinner at Pumpkin Ridge and a British-themed car show and competition on Sunday.

Farmer’s Market Birthday will be on July 20th, come and enjoy a birthday cake to celebrate Forest grove 150th anniversary while observing the period costumes worn by Friends of Historic Forest Grove.

Farmer’s Market Birthday will be on July 20th, come and enjoy a birthday cake to celebrate Forest grove 150th anniversary while observing the period costumes worn by Friends of Historic Forest Grove.

We are excited to announce that we will be hosting a Natsu-Matsuri festival on August 3rd between 4pm and 8pm, right here in Forest Grove!

A matsuri is a summer festival historically and contemporarily held all over Japan from July through August. They are intended to celebrate the gods, the seasons and the historical events, by allowing everyone to experience Japanese power and traditions!

There will be Japanese food provided by locals, kids friendly games and raffles, while immersing in the culture and the summer season.

The 57th Forest Grove Corn Roast and Harvest Festival will carry on the tradition of recognizing the importance of education through the community by introducing new teachers to the collective. The festival also has the task of brining the city together with food and entertainment to kick off the school year and fall! This is the second largest fund raiser for Forest Grove, a way to have fun and eat all together with the FG “Family”.

The Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival will be on September 17th from 8am to 4pm. The event consists of spending a day creating masterpieces on one of the hundreds of squares that line the downtown corridor. It is the 32nd annual celebration, hosted by Valley art, as a fundraiser for the Forest Grove Community.

Sept. 1, 2022, 11 a.m.

Professor Jim Moore will share a lecture on the history of land use laws in Oregon and the local impact on Washington County, including the unexpected ways in which land use laws have impacted the region. Jim Moore serves as Director of Political Outreach for the McCall Center for Civic Engagement and Associate Professor of Politics and Government at Pacific University.

Forest Grove is hosting the inaugural tournament which will support up to 120 players on courts throughout the city. The tournament is co-organized by Brandon Lawrence of Lawrence Sports Productions and the Forest Grove/Cornelius Chamber of Commerce and will include prizes as well as t-shirts.

This tournament will also be a memorial to Charles Kingston, III (Chuck) who was a leader in the community of Forest Grove and loved playing pickleball until his passing in 2019. The Championship award will be in his honor and given to the winner by Chuck’s son, Nick Kingston.

Look for tournament registration forms at pickleballtournaments.com and discoverforestgrove.org soon.

Begun as a wedding party for Germany’s Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese in 1810, and today Oktoberfest is celebrated all over the world with music, singing and dancing, beer, food and revelry.

Whether German or not, come celebrate Oktoberfest at the McMenamins Grand Lodge! Bubbling away in a tucked-away chamber at the lodge, you’ll find all kinds of fermented goodness, which we’re making especially for Oktoberfest. It’s traditional, but above all good for you, and it’s delicious! Eat with brats and drink an ale; repeat! The event will feature live music, typical food, bratwurst and kümmel kraut, and delicious beer!

Nyuzen Adult Delegation Visit *during 150th Anniversary:
Delegration arrives Mon. Oct 3rd and departs Thursday Oct 6th (morning)

Wednesday, Oct. 5, 4 p.m.
All are welcome to visit the Old College Hall museum for an open house in celebration of Forest Grove’s sesquicentennial anniversary. Alumni, students and employees will provide tours of Pacific University’s Forest Grove Campus. Tours will depart from Old College Hall every 15 minutes from 4-5:30 p.m.

Verboort, a small Dutch community, celebrates the 88th Sausage and Kraut Festival, during which tradition, comradery, friendship and relatives are brought under the same roof. The preparation of the Sausage, which takes months, the fermenting of the sauerkraut for six weeks, each ingredient for this event is local and handmade, with family recipes passed down through the generations
Most of the events proceeds support the operations of the Catholic Elementary School in the heart of Verboort. This special night aids to maintain the bond in the community, local farms and teamwork from the neighbors, their desire to work toward maintaining the tradition alive for the future generations to come!

The festival will begin 10 am to 8pm, come have fun with us!

The Light Parade started when there was momentum in the community for a parade. Holiday was chosen as a way to focus on the downtown to build community and support the local small businesses as stated in the Mission.

In a collection of events, Forest Grove celebrates the holidays bringing fun and entertainment, with a jolly spirit to this small town. At the beginning of December, the FG club releases a list of events that will allow everyone from the community and any visitor to participate in fun activities, bringing laughs and memories for everyone to cherish.

We begin on December 3rd at 8:30am to 5pm with hay rides, breakfast photos with Santa, artisan crafts, several contest with prizes to maintain the fun through the cold and festive month of December, including a stocking decoration, a window decoration for local businesses and so much more!

All events are subject to change

Acknowledgements

Adelante Mujeres – Sage Fairman
McMenamins – Jake Robbins, Renee Rank &Kat Nyberg
Pacific University – Janalei Chun
Verboort Dinner – Donna Heesacker
Holidays in The Grove – Mary Jo Morelli
Ralph’s Run – Ralph’s Family
Concourse D’Elegance – Ryan Garcia
Corn Roast Festival – Chamber of Commerce