The Boarding House will present its bluegrass sounds during Music in the Parks on July 29, 2024, at Boardman Marina Park.

Star party planned in Halfway Aug. 3

HALFWAY — Stargazers are invited to a star party on Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Pine Valley Fairgrounds in Halfway.

The event starts at 8 p.m. with kids’ activities, snacks, drinks and stargazing. Telescopes will be set up, and those attending are encouraged to bring their own telescopes, binoculars or spotting scopes.

And that’s not the only event that day in Halfway — a concert by the Bad Penny Pleasuremakers starts at 7 p.m. on the Main Street Stage. This part of a summer concert series is supported by the Cornucopia Arts Council, Oregon Community Foundation and Leo Adler Foundation.

Summer speaker series continues at library

LA GRANDE — ”How do we understand ourselves as a force of nature?” Paul Nauert, upcoming guest lecturer for the “Summer Speaker” series at Cook Memorial Library, asks this question on July 31 at 6 p.m. Nauert will lead a discussion on our relationship with the environment over the last 100 years, taking a look at human beings’ impact from a local to a planetary level.

Some of Nauert’s previous research topics have explored how American industries developed post-World War II. Subjects ran the gamut from Asian-Americans’ role in the California floral industry to the role of women in winemaking in the late 1900s.

Nauert has degrees from Stanford University and Harvard, and currently serves as assistant professor of history at Eastern Oregon University. He is currently working on a book, tentatively titled “American Choices in the Age of Global War and the Making of the Great Acceleration.”

Catch a concert every Thursday

ENTERPRISE — The Courthouse Concert Series continues on Thursdays, 5:30-7 p.m. at the Wallowa County Courthouse, 101 S. River St. Attendance is free, and this series is sponsored by the Wallowa Valley Music Alliance.

July 25 features Heidi Muller and Bob Webb. Next month includes Karyn Ann (Aug. 1), Bikini Drone (Aug. 8), Jenny Parrott (Aug. 15), The Bad Penny Pleasuremakers (Aug. 22) and Desert Moondogs Band (Aug. 29).

Monthly dance is July 27 in La Grande

LA GRANDE — The BlueMountaineers will have their monthly dance on Saturday, July 27, 6-9 p.m. at the Union County Senior Center, 1504 N. Albany St.

Admission is $5 or free for ages 12 and younger. The evening includes a finger food potluck.

‘Native Innovation’ on exhibit at Cook Memorial Library

LA GRANDE — Cook Memorial Library is partnering with the Museum of Natural and Cultural History for “Native Innovation,” an exhibit celebrating how the First Nations in Oregon have used knowledge, creativity, and problem-solving skills to live and thrive for thousands of years.

This free exhibit is displayed at Cook Memorial Library through Aug. 6 in the library’s studio. Exhibit open hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon and 3-5 p.m. Drop-in hours (inquire at the front desk) are Monday from 10 a.m. to noon and 3-5 p.m., and Saturday from 9-11 a.m.

For more information on upcoming events visit the library’s website, www.cookmemoriallibrary.org, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest pages.

Tractor pull raises money for scholarships

HAINES — The Spc. Mabry James Anders Truck and Tractor Pull is Saturday, July 27, 7 p.m. at the Haines Stampede rodeo arena. Spectator gates open at 5:30 p.m.

Admission is $15 adults and $8 for ages 5-12. For rules and pre-entry information, call 541-379-5174.

The event is a fundraiser for the Spc. Mabry James Anders Memorial Foundation, which provides scholarships to local students who plan to attend college or a trade school. As of 2024, the foundation has awarded more than $120,000.

The foundation honors Anders, who started serving in the U.S. Army in January 2010. He was killed in action in Kalagush, Afghanistan, on Aug. 27, 2012. He was 21 years old. Anders was buried with full military honors at the Haines Cemetery and was honored at the Memorial for the Fallen at Fort Carson, Colorado.

To learn more about the foundation, visit mabryanders.org.

Explore art classes at Crossroads

BAKER CITY — Crossroads Carnegie Art Center has a few special workshops on the horizon. For details on the registration fee, and pay-what-you-can option, visit crossroads-arts.org.

Becky Litke will teach “Wildlife with Watercolor” on July 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Students will learn how to make backgrounds with different methods to achieve texture, and then paint small birds. All paper is provided — students just need to bring watercolors.

Two different sessions of ceramics summer art camp will be offered later this month with Tina Ota. The first is July 29 and July 31 from 10 a.m. to noon. The second is July 30 and Aug. 1 from 1-3 p.m. This is for ages 10 and older.

Dawn-Marie DeLara will teach Scrap Happy Hats for ages 13 and older on July 30 and Aug. 6 (two-part class) from 6-8 p.m. Students are welcome to bring fabrics.

Find a Friday fiesta in Milton-Freewater

MILTON-FREEWATER — Milton-Freewater’s Friday Nights on Main Freewater Fiesta starts at 6 p.m. on July 26 in Freewater Square, 417 N. Main St.

This month’s celebration features Ballet Folklorica Estrellas de Mexico, a Salsa Roja Contest, the Rural Fire Department Community Water Fight, Mariachi Band — Grupo Buenas Vibras, the YoungLife Teen Zone with free popcorn and soda, an ice cream eating competition, a pinata competition, a street car and race car show, and much more.

The Milton-Freewater Chamber Downtown Alliance provides family fun activities to draw people to Milton-Freewater for shopping, dining, wine, music, art and more.

The annual summer season of “Friday Nights on Main” is held on the fourth Friday of each month from May to September.

To enter a car into the Street Car/Race Car Show or enter the salsa contest, visit mfcda.org. Click on “Shows & Attractions” at the top of the page, then click on a contest to enter.

For more information, call 541-938-5563 or email info@mfcda.org.

Free flick at Butte Park in Hermiston

HERMISTON — The final Summer Movies in the Park series features “Barbie” on Friday, July 26, 8:30 p.m. at Butte Park, 1245 NW Seventh St.

In addition to watching the family-friendly movie, participants can enjoy free potato products from the Lamb Weston fry truck. Grab the family, chairs and blankets and enjoy the free movie on an outdoor screen.

For questions, call Hermiston Parks and Recreation at 541-667-5018.

Spend Sunday afternoon in the park

BAKER CITY — Brady Goss will play for the Powder River Music Revue on Sunday, July 28, 4-6 p.m. at the Powder River Pavilion in Geiser-Pollman Park.

Admission is free, although the audience can support the concert by buying raffle tickets for prizes, such as gift cards donated by local businesses. Raffle tickets are $5 each or $20 for five. Also, season memberships are available for $35.

Fans of Goss are familiar with his boogie-woogie piano style, based on Jerry Lee Lewis. He grew up in Wallowa where, around age 4, he reached up to try and play his dad’s piano. He learned to play by ear — but later took piano lessons — and began developing his rock ‘n’ roll style while channeling Lewis, The Eagles, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, Hank Williams and more.

Catch a movie in the park

PENDLETON — Pendleton Parks and Recreation is again sponsoring Movies in the Park on Fridays through August. Each evening begins at 7:30 p.m. at Community Park with pre-movie activities such as kickball, cornhole, flag football and concessions with popcorn, soda, candy and more.

Planned movies are: “Barbie” (July 26); “Shrek” (Aug. 2); “Wonka” (Aug. 9); “Hook” (Aug. 16) and “Migration” (Aug. 23).

Call for artists: Wallowa Valley Arts Festival

JOSEPH — The Josephy Center for Arts and Culture is planning the 42nd Wallowa Valley Arts Festival Sept. 20-22. The deadline to submit work is by 11:30 p.m. July 31.

Each year, the festival showcases sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, fiber arts, glass, jewelry, an En Plein Air competition and more. This year’s judge is Karen Bakke.

The entry fee is $35. For information, visit josephy.org or call the center, 541-432-0505.

Maxwell Market welcomes Tyson Huckins

HERMISTON — The featured entertainer during this week’s Maxwell Market is Tyson Huckins.

Hailing from Wasco County, the singer-songwriter will perform folk, rock, blues and original tunes on Thursday, July 25, 4-7 p.m. at the Maxwell Siding Event Center & Pavilion, 145 N. First Place.

The farmers market features locally grown produce and local artisans and craft vendors. In addition, beer and food are available for purchase.

For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/3zHgYhb. For questions, contact 541-561-1047 or maxwelleventcenter@gmail.com.

Boarding House brings bluegrass jam to Boardman

BOARDMAN — Get your Irish and bluegrass on as The Boarding House performs Monday, July 29, at Boardman Marina Park, 1 NE Marine Drive. The free show starts at 7 p.m.

Dubbed as the next generation of The Irish Singers, the group was formed in mid-2023 by Jeremiah Doherty and his cousins, Nick and Pat Doherty. Rounding out the ensemble are singers and musicians who often gather to play during weekly bluegrass jam sessions at the Great Pacific in Pendleton.

Morrow County’s Music in the Parks runs each Monday through Aug. 19, alternating between Irrigon and Boardman marina parks. The full schedule is available via www.facebook.com/boardman-irrigon.

CCT Summer Theater Showcase is July 27

PENDLETON — This week, young actors are honing skills and developing skits based on trickster mythology from around the world, and the community is invited to see the final product on Saturday, July 27, 6 p.m. in the Bob Clapp Theatre at Blue Mountain Community College. Attendance is free.

Students have worked this week with professional actors, artists and staff from the program from the theater program at Seven Peaks School in Bend, learning about masks, improvisation, stage combat, technical theater and music. Each student has worked with story theater featuring tricksters like Anansi, Loki, Coyote, or Raven.

The Get Ahead rides into Round-Up City

PENDLETON — A Portland-based group that was formed out of a shared love for folk, gospel and old-school rhythm and blues will perform during Wednesdays in the Park.

The Get Ahead will take the stage Wednesday, July 31, 6-8 p.m. at Roy Raley Park, 1205 SW Court Ave. The group is said to offer a gritty soulful sound, along with compelling lyrics that are highlighted through dynamic vocal harmonies.

Local food vendors and a beer/wine garden also will be onsite. The free concert series continues weekly through Aug. 21. For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/4c3ha8X.

Community Kindness hosts concert Aug. 3

LA GRANDE — Community Kindness of Eastern Oregon, 1315 Adams Ave., is hosting an evening of music and song on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 6:30 p.m. featuring Larry Knapp.

Knapp’s piano and vocal stylings include elements of ragtime, swing, blues and the classic romantic ballads from The Great American Songbook. He has entertained throughout the world at dinner shows, cabarets, and piano bars. However, he is happiest when sharing his love of music at senior communities or gathering a crowd wherever he finds a random piano, be it antique stores, malls, cruise ships, or even a thrift shop.

Admission is by donation with $5 recommended. For more information, call 541-605-0340, visit the Community Kindness website at ckthriftstore.com or check out their Facebook page.

Book sale continues in Baker City

BAKER CITY — Friends of the Baker County Library continues the annual summer book sale through July 28 at the library, 2400 Resort St.

The sale hours coincide with the library: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The sale ends with most books priced at 25 cents on July 27 and July 28.

Umatilla County Fair announces Latino Night lineup

HERMISTON — Four musical acts are featured during Latino Night at the 2024 Umatilla County Fair.

The special dance and concert will be held on Saturday evening — Aug. 10 — during fair week. The outdoor concert area opens at 7 p.m. at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, 1705 E. Airport Road.

The schedule of acts includes Rebeldes de la Sierra at 7:30 p.m., followed by Alacranes Musical at 9 p.m.; Banda Rancho Viejo at 10:15 p.m. and closing out the night is Los Canarios de Michoacan at 11:35 p.m.

Tickets for the Latino Night concert and dance are $50 each. Fair admission is included with tickets purchased by Aug. 9.

Buy tickets at www.umatillacountyfair.net, the fair office at EOTEC or Velasco Used Car Sales, 80596 N. Highway 395, Hermiston. For questions, contact 541-567-6121 or fair@umatillacounty.gov.