The Milton-Freewater Public Library has many events planned for the summer reading program.

Monthly dance is June 29 in La Grande

LA GRANDE — The BlueMountaineers will have their monthly dance on Saturday, June 29, 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.

Catch a concert in Halfway

HALFWAY — Summer concerts kick off Saturday, June 29, when the Sean Hatton Band comes to Halfway for a free, 7 p.m. concert on the Main Street Stage adjacent to the Three Color Building.

A veteran of the Boise music scene, Hatton and his bands have performed on stage alongside such notable acts as Trace Adkins, Chris Isaak, Maroon 5, Kings of Leon, Dr. John, Guster, Dawes, Leon Russell, Michael Martin Murphy, and many more.

Audience members are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and an extra layer for later in the evening when the air starts to feel brisk.

The concert is sponsored by Cornucopia Arts Council with support from the Leo Adler Community Fund and Oregon Community Foundation. While admission is free, donations will be gratefully accepted.

Subsequent Main Street Stage concerts will feature Fox and Bones on July 7; Terry Robb on July 20; Kathryn Claire on July 27; Bad Penny Pleasuremakers on Aug. 3 and Greenman and the Martians on Aug. 16.

Additional concerts are in the works and may be added to the schedule.

Hermiston library hosts scavenger hunts

HERMISTON — A pair of exciting adventures await participants as the Hermiston Public Library hosts a pair of scavenger hunts.

The Adult Scavenger Hunt is June 26, 5-7 p.m. at the Oxbow Trail, 1311 W. Elm Ave. And the Teen Scavenger Hunt is June 27, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the library, 235 E. Gladys Ave.

For more information, search www.facebook.com/hermistonlibrary or call 541-567-2882.

Fiddlers play the summer concert series

BAKER CITY — The Blue Mountain Old Time Fiddlers will play for the Powder River Music Revue on Sunday, June 30, 4-6 p.m. at Geiser-Pollman Park.

The musicians will set up in the Powder River Pavilion, and the audience can either find an available bench or bring chairs or blankets.

The music series is supported by grants, sponsorships and donations. Each performance is free, although the audience can donate by buying raffle tickets for prizes, such as gift cards donated by local businesses. Raffle tickets are $5 each or $20 for five.

Jackalope Jamboree hops into fifth year

PENDLETON — Jackalope Jamboree, a three-day Americana and country music festival, is June 27-29 at Happy Canyon Arena in Pendleton. Nightly headliners for 2024 are Silverada (formerly Mike and the Moonpies), Charley Crockett and Randy Rogers Band.

The Jamboree started as a one-day show in 2019. After postponing its two-day event in 2020 because of pandemic shutdowns, it returned in 2021 and then expanded to three days in 2022. The 2024 festival boasts more than 30 musical acts on three stages.

Other featured performers are Kaitlin Butts, Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Bella White, Cody Canada & The Departed, Vandoliers and Cat Clyde. In addition, there are pre-party and after-party events at several downtown Pendleton venues.

The festival is billed as a “community-inclusive event for music fans of all ages, from the first-time concert-goer to the well-traveled and young at heart.”

For tickets and more information, visit jackalopejamboree.com.

Catch a ride on a train this summer

SUMPTER, ELGIN — The Sumpter Valley Railroad and Eagle Cap Excursion trains offer riders different ways to experience the landscapes of Eastern Oregon.

The SVRR runs between McEwen and Sumpter, through the dredge piles left from long-ago mining and to the Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area. For tickets, visit sumptervalleyrailroad.org. The schedule in the next few weeks includes:

• June 29: 10 a.m., McEwen Depot
• July 5 and July 6: Short diesel runs leave from Sumpter at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

The Eagle Cap Excursion Train leaves from the station in Elgin. For tickets and prices, visit eaglecaptrainrides.com. A few themed rides are on the horizon, including:

• June 26: Alpen Train, 10 a.m. Bavarian theme related to Oregon’s Alpenfest, which happens Sept. 27-29 in Joseph.
• July 3: Veterans I Love America Train, 10 a.m. Veterans, active military and first responders ride for free.
• July 6: Minam Bonus, 10 a.m. This longer route takes about six hours and travels along the Grande Ronde and Wallowa rivers.

Bram Brata brings the beat to Boardman

BOARDMAN — Get ready for “an unexpected party,” as Bram Brata plays Caribbean, jazz, classical and other popular music during Music in the Parks.

Featuring senior performers from the Tri-Cities Steel Band Association, the event is Monday, July 1, 7 p.m. at Boardman Marina Park, 1 NE Marine Drive. Bring a picnic and a lawn chair to enjoy the free outdoor show.

The concert series continues each Monday through Aug. 19, alternating between Irrigon and Boardman marina parks. The full schedule is available via www.facebook.com/boardman-irrigon.

Friday history talks hosted at Josephy Center

JOSEPH — Rich Wandschneider will host a summer coffee talk history hour on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. on the upper deck of the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, 403 N. Main St.

Each gathering will feature a different story about Alvin Josephy and his contributions to the understanding of Native American history and culture. Here’s the schedule:

• June 28: “Nez Perce in Oregon — Removal and Return.”
• July 5: “Alvin Josephy and American Indians.”

World War II reenactors occupy museum

WALLA WALLA — Visitors to the Fort Walla Walla Museum on June 29 and June 30 will experience an immersive journey into the era of World War II thanks to a group of reenactors.

The public is encouraged to engage in conversation and ask questions to gain a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made during the 1940s. The event features weapons, tools, uniforms and vehicles, including a field ambulance and half-track. Multiple nations’ militaries will be represented by the reenactors.

Events run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at the museum, 755 NE Myra Road. For more information about the museum, visit fwwm.org.

Admission is $12 adults, $10 seniors and students and $5 for ages 6-12.

Farmers Market fundraiser set for June 30

LA GRANDE — On Sunday, June 30 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Market Place Fresh Foods and McLaughlin Events and Marketing will host a fundraiser for La Grande Farmers Market at Market Place Fresh Foods, 1912 Fourth St.

The event will feature banana foster french toast and an omelet station. Mimosas and fresh-squeezed orange juice will be available for an additional charge. The cost is $20 per person and $15 for children under 12 with $5 going directly to La Grande Farmers Market.

Splash into summer in Milton-Freewater

MILTON-FREEWATER — Milton-Freewater’s Friday Nights on Main Summer Splash starts at 6 p.m. June 28 in Freewater Square, 417 N. Main St.

This month’s celebration features Young Vintage, a band that plays modern and classic music, a vintage car show, comedy night, and an ice cream eating competition, along with many vendors.

The Milton-Freewater Chamber Downtown Alliance looks forward to providing family fun activities and drawing 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.

“We are bringing life, happiness, and excitement to Main Street and we would love for you to be a part of it all,” said MFCDA Executive Director Maryelizabeth Garcia.

To enter a vintage car into the show, go to www.mfcda.org. Click on “Friday Nights On Main” at the top of the page, then “About” and the entry form is at the bottom of the page.

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

Milton-Freewater summer reading underway

MILTON-FREEWATER — Summer Reading 2024 “Read-Repeat-Renew” sign-ups have begun for all age groups so go to the Milton-Freewater Public Library, on the corner of Southwest 8th Avenue and South Main Street, and get started.

The library is open Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Visit their Facebook page “Milton-Freewater Public Library” where they post many upcoming events for adults and children. For more information, visit www.mfcity.com/library or call 541-938-8247.

Rick Steber Makers plans special celebration

PRINEVILLE — Hitch up your saddle and head to the heart of Central Oregon for an event featuring art, spirits and music Saturday, June 29, noon to 4 p.m. at Rick Steber Makers, 131 NE Fifth St.

The special party and celebration includes a meet-and-greet with Kathleen Franks-Crabb. The Central Oregon artist, whose paintings highlight the spirit of the High Desert, will be on display in the gallery. The event also features John Stafford, who will provide samples of his award-winning Stafford’s Reserve Bourbon, music by Chuck Balkwill and hors d’oeuvres.

In addition to serving as the literary headquarters for the award-winning western writer, Rick Steber Makers is a collaborative community of local artists and artisans. For more information, search Facebook via bit.ly/4ebyF8i. For questions, contact 541-447-3115 or ricksteber@gmail.com.

Summer sale planned at the grange

JOSEPH — The Hurricane Creek Grange indoor summer yard sale is July 5-6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the grange, 82930 Airport Lane. Items include household collectibles, dog supplies, hand-crafted specialties and more. The kitchen will be open both days for breakfast and lunch.

East End Rod & Gun Club First Shots

MILTON-FREEWATER — “There’s never been a better time to take your first shots,” say Milton-Freewater’s East End Rod & Gun Club members.

The club’s First Shots program is held the second Saturday of each month from June through October. Instruction starts at 8:30 a.m. and goes to noon. First Shots covers shooting with handguns only and is free of charge.

Located at 54752 Cemetery Road, the range is adequate for many types of shooting events and has a rifle range to 800 yards. The club motto: “Promoting the safe use of firearms and a safe place to shoot!”

They invite the public to this monthly event. Eye and ear protection is provided, if needed. Participants should bring water or other refreshments, as well as a chair. Wearing a ball cap and closed-toe shoes is highly advised.

The upcoming First Shot dates are July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 14 and Oct. 12.

For more information, or to sign up for a session, email events@eergunclub.com or call 541-203-0124.