People from Oregon are renowned for their love of community and for appreciating the rich sounds, flavors, and scenery of the Pacific Northwest. Six popular events and locations are currently receiving national notice. Three Oregon festivals and three art destinations are nominated for the finest in the nation in this year’s USA Today Readers Choice Awards.
A group of specialists nominates the top 10 winners in a variety of travel categories, and the public is asked to choose them for the USA Today awards. The awards, which cover cuisine, hotels, travel, destinations, activities, and more, are narrowed down to 20 nominations in each category.
Up to the voting deadline of March 3 at 10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel, readers may vote once per category each day. Later this year, the winners will be revealed.
Nominees for the Oregon Festival
Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival, Oregon’s Rose Festival, and the Waterfront Blues Festival are all nominated for best in their respective categories, demonstrating a solid showing across three festival nominations.
On Saturday, June 8, 2024, the Lloyd District in Northeast Portland, Oregon, hosts the yearly Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade.Meagher, Sean/The Oregonian
The Portland Rose Festival, known for its magnificent rose displays and the recognizable Grand Floral Parade, is a candidate for Best Flower Festival. The festival has more than a century of history, with origins that date back to 1907. The tradition is further enhanced by its Annual Spring Rose display, which is recognized as the biggest and most established rose display globally.
Because of its breweries, museums, emerging music and arts scene, and eccentric festivals, Astoria has become a popular tourist destination.
The Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood & Wine Festival, which showcases the abundance of the Oregon coast with locally caught salmon, fresh Dungeness crab, and regional wine, is nominated for Best Specialty Food Festival. While perusing the products of more than 150 merchants, attendees also take in live music, wine tastings, and food demos.
On Saturday, July 1, 2023, Portland’s Waterfront Blues Festival got underway.Graves, Mark/The Oregonian
Last but not least, Portland’s Waterfront Blues Festival, which is a contender for Best Music Festival, is well-known for its lineup of musicians playing funk, soul, and blues on several stages.Over 100 acts were slated for the four days of the festival last year. The event, which takes place in Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland, is a summertime favorite for music fans and promotes regional food producers, drink makers, and distinctive goods.
Nominees for Oregon’s arts scene
Damon Smyth, a comic book illustrator and muralist from Portland, created “Streets of Hope.”The Portland Street Art Alliance provided this image.
With nominations in two categories, Portland is also causing a stir in the arts community. The city’s colorful murals, which cover areas including the Central Eastside Industrial District and the Alberta Arts District, have earned it the title of Best Street Art.
On February 15, 2024, Live Wire records in front of a live audience at the Alberta Rose Theatre.Nakamura, Beth
In addition to contributing to Oregon’s amazing street art, the Alberta Arts District is regarded as one of the Best Arts Districts. The sector, which is well-known for its independent shops, neighborhood galleries, and monthly Last Thursday Art Walk, captures the diverse and imaginative essence of the city.
The historic entrance to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival stages, the Plaza area in downtown Ashland, is surrounded by small businesses with a large following outside of theatergoers.The Oregonian/Janet Eastman
Ashland is also a candidate for Best Small Town Arts Scene. The famed Oregon Shakespeare Festival, a lively First Friday Art Walk, and the Schneider Museum of Art, which attracts art enthusiasts from all over the region, are all located in this little town in Southern Oregon.
Chiara Profenna discusses faith, religion, and cultural ties. You may contact her at [email protected] or @chiaraprofenna, or 503-221-4327.
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust supports The Oregonian/OregonLive in its efforts to provide readers with articles about faith, religion, and cultural ties in Oregon. All content is the exclusive property of The Oregonian/OregonLive.
