To learn more about and to follow up on Frommer’s recommendation, visit our Adventure Passport Page where we feature  the Zip, Sip, & Stay package.  You can also call our Front Desk for info and to make a reservation at 866-968-5757.

Zip, Sip, & Stay is your passport to Washington County Oregon’s extreme adventure, vibrant flavors, and peaceful rest.
Passport for 2 Adults $245.00 and Includes

• Deluxe Suite for (2)
• Tree to Tree Adventure Admission
• Wine Tasting + $29 Wine Voucher
• Gourmet Lunches
• Specials at Local Restaurants

Join the North Willamette Vinters  this holiday weekend as they celebrate Independence Day with Red, White & Celebrate!  Here is a listing of this weekend’s events posted on http://www.northwillamettevintners.org

Take a picnic lunch out to our wineries, located just 20 minutes from Portland, and join in the celebrations!

• Red, White & Blueberry! at Apolloni Vineyards, 11-5, Saturday- Monday.

We’ll be pouring wonderful wines and featuring the long-awaited arrival of local blueberries. We’ll have some pre-picked on hand or we will give you directions to Tom’s Berry Patch where you can pick your own! And, to add a sweet treat to your picnic lunch, we’ll have some blueberry baked goods for sale.

• Red, White & Celebrate! at ADEA Wine Company. Open on Saturday or by appointment on Sunday and Monday

• Red, White & REV! at Ardiri Winery and Vineyard, 10-5, Saturday-Monday.

Tastings all weekend with special REV activities on Saturday. We will have exotic, high performance cars on display at the winery. Ferrari, Maserati and Lotus! Onsite BBQ with traditional BBQ fare, available for purchase. Serving our regular tasting flight, 5 wines, $10: 2 Carneros Pinot, 1 Oregon Pinot, 2 Oregon whites. Our owners/winemakers, John Compagno and Gail Lizak will be in the tasting room pouring wine!

• Red, White & Strawberry! at Cooper Mountain Vineyards, 12-5, Saturday – Monday

We will be sampling local strawberries, drizzled with our artisanal Balsamic Vinegar, produced from our very own Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

• Red, White & Fun! at David Hill Vineyard & Winery, 11-5, Saturday and Sunday only

Featuring art, music, food and lawn games

• Red, White & Rose! at Elk Cove Vineyards, 10-5, Saturday – Monday

Featuring our 2008 Pinot Noir – Willamette Valley, 2009 Pinot Blanc and 2010 Pinot Noir – Rose’

• Red, White & Firelight! at Garden Vineyards, 2pm-10 on Monday July 4th

View the valley’s fireworks, enjoy grilled foods and play lawn games

• Red, White & Blues! At Helvetia Vineyards, noon-5, Saturday – Monday.

Tasting, picnics and salmon snacks, Saturday through Monday from noon until five. Don’t miss our 2008 Pinot Noir Reserve. Bob Shoemaker, Delta Blues music master, will perform on Monday afternoon from 1:30 until 4:30. Bob brings Leadbelly, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee to life with his National steel guitar and his Telecaster as well as his brother Dave.

• Red, White & Barrels! at Kramer Vineyards, 11-5, Saturday – Monday

2010 Vintage preview. Taste the 2010 Pinot Noirs from the barrel

• Red, White & Sangria! at Montinore Estate, 11-5, Saturday – Monday

Complimentary Pinot Gris Sangria and live music from 1-4 on Saturday only

• Red, White & Rose Festival! At Oak Knoll Winery, 11-5, Saturday-Monday

Celebrating our commemorative Rose Festival Labels for Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Rose varietals.

• Red, White & You! at Patton Valley Vineyards, 11-5, Saturday and Sunday only.

We’ve got red wine and white wine, but we’re missing you! Join us for a very special wine tasting to include our 2009 Wente Clone Chardonnay, as well as a vertical tasting of our 2007, 2008 and 2009 Patton Valley Pinot noir. Palate pleasers and perfect for the upcoming summer months.

• Red, White & Watermelon! at Plum Hill Vineyards, 11-5, Saturday – Monday

Our traditional wine and watermelon event has returned for the 3rd year. Come sit on the covered patio and have a free slice or two of watermelon with or without the toppings.

• Red, White & Bocce! at Ponzi Vineyards, 10-5, Saturday-Monday

Enjoy red and white wine flights available for tasting. Outdoor seating and Bocce ball courts are open! Relax outside and enjoy the wine country landscape.

• Red, White & Berry Fest! with Provincial Vineyards pouring at Smith Berry Barn. 12-5, Saturday – Monday

• Red, White & Celebrate! at Purple Cow Vineyards, 11-5, Saturday only.

• Red, White & Celebrate! at Raptor Ridge Winery, 11-4, Saturday – Monday

Also featuring Rose as part of our weekend lineup!

• Red, White & Sake! at Sakeone, 11-5, Saturday & Sunday only, closed Monday

• Red, White & Rose! at Tualatin Estate Vineyards, 12-5, Friday – Monday

More to come…

Twenty-nine teams competed in the 2011 World Beat Dragon Boat Races. Looks like they had some fun!  Way to represent The Grand Hotel at Bridgeport Amber!

Kayla Strauch from Salem Conference Center and Amber Templeton from Grand Hotel Bridgeport Team Up in the 2011 Dragon Boat Races!

The Duo is Ready to Paddle!

If you are planning to be in the Tigard, Oregon the weekend of June 24-26th, you are in for a wonderful summer treat! You must check out the Tigard Festival of Balloons in Cook Park!  We are especially excited about this event because The Grand Hotel at Bridgeport  just signed on as a sponsor!

If you want to catch the balloon launch, plan to arrive VERY EARLY in the a.m. to Cook Park to experience the spectacular hot air balloons as they launch. Balloons launch from the field on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings. Ascensions are between 5:45 AM – 6:15 AM (weather and winds permitting).

If waking up that early is not your thing, there is much much more to do and see!  2011 Festival of Balloons will include a carnival from Funtastic Traveling Shows, a premier youth soccer tournament, exhibitors, food, Festival of Cars, Rogue beer garden and and NW Natural Night Glows!

Learn more about tickets for this spectacular event by visiting their site:  www.tigardballoon.org You can also Like them on Facebook and share with friends and family! Check out this video from the 2010 Festival of Balloons:

Driving directions to Cook Park from The Grand Hotel in Bridgeport (via Google Maps)

2.2 mi – about 7 mins

1. Head north on SW Hazelfern Rd 102 ft
2. Turn right to stay on SW Hazelfern Rd 167 ft
3. Turn left at Lower Boones Ferry Rd 0.1 mi
4. Continue onto SW 72nd Ave 0.2 mi
5. Turn left at SW Durham Rd 1.3 mi
6. Turn left at SW 92nd Ave 0.5 mi

We Are Proud of our Awards! Thank you WCVA!

The Washington County Visitors Association (WCVA) honored 14 of its stakeholders during its annual Stakeholder Appreciation Luncheon and Tourism Awards held earlier this month.   Winners of the WCVA’s 2010 Tourism Industry Awards are selected for their support of Washington County’s tourism industry, and for their continued efforts to enhance the tourism experience for visitors. Recipients represent those who have acknowledged the importance of the tourism industry, and have continued to support the industry, as well as the WCVA’s efforts to increase visitation to Washington County.

Awards were presented to a variety of businesses, each representing a key asset or market to the local tourism industry. The following awards are presented to attractions that continuously strive to provide new and exceptional experiences to visitors and guests:

• Best New Asset: Tree to Tree Adventure Park
• Agritourism Stakeholder: Smith Berry Barn
• Retail Stakeholder: Washington Square
• Specialty Retail Stakeholder: Stash Tea
• Arts & Culture Stakeholder: Bag&Baggage Productions
• Nature Stakeholder: L.L. “Stub” Stewart State Park
• Winery & Brewery Stakeholder: Ponzi Vineyards

The following awards are presented to venues, facilities and organizations that have gone the extra mile to bring new business to Washington County, as well as their continued support of the WCVA’s sales efforts:

• Meeting Venue: Jenkins Estate
• Group Tour Lodging Stakeholder: The Grand Hotel at Bridgeport
• Sports Event Venue: Horning’s Hideout
• Sports Event Organizer: Tournament Golf Foundation (LPGA Safeway Classic)

The following awards are presented to properties who have continued to support the WCVA’s efforts by responding to WCVA-generated leads and sales requests:

• Top Responder (Sports Sales Leads): The Grand Hotel at Bridgeport
• Top Closer (Sports Sales Leads): Springhill Suites by Marriott Portland- Hillsboro
• Top Responder (Service Requests): Embassy Suites- Washington Square

Want to win? Tune into LITE 95.1 Friday morning at 9:05am for the “Song of the Day”. When you hear it played again sometime before 5pm, be the 5th caller at 541-318-LITE (318-5483) and win!

Here is what the contest page has to say about us:

This week’s winner will experience classic yet distinctive elegance at the Grand Hotel at Bridgeport, in Tigard. Located within walking distance of the Bridgeport Village Shopping District and fine dining, the Grand Hotel at Bridgeport features first class service and amenities. Each over-sized room and suite comes standard with leather furniture in the living room area, complimentary high-speed internet access, coffee station with organic Northwest coffee and local teas, and a double-sized bathroom complete with separate shower and tub.

This week’s winner will ALSO receive a round of golf at Langdon Farms Golf Club, courtesy of the Grand Hotel. Rated four out of five stars by Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play, Langdon Farms is home to 18 holes of stunning golf.

Click Here for Complete Rules!

All nominees will be recognized during the WCVA’s annual Stakeholder Appreciation Luncheon and Tourism Awards event in Tigard, OR on Thursday, May 12th. This annual event is held in honor of National Travel & Tourism Week and celebrates Washington County’s tourism community.

Stay tuned!  We will keep you posted on the results!

About the Washington County Visitors Association
The Washington County Visitors Association (WCVA) is a non-profit destination marketing organization (DMO), which markets Washington County, Oregon, as a tourism destination.

Visitors to Washington County include: business, leisure and group travelers, meetings, sports and event planners, and tour operators, among others.

Destination marketing outreach includes advertising, public relations, online marketing, tourism research and other activities, as well as stakeholder and tourism development, group, tour and tourism sales, and sports sales, and more.

Wish Upon a Wedding is the world’s first nonprofit wish granting organization providing weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. They are devoted to helping couples in dire situations who do not have the energy, time, money, or resources needed to plan their wedding. This organization takes care of all the details, and offers couples a chance to relax and enjoy a very special day while surrounded by the love of their closest family and friends.

We are honored to know of this couple and this wonderful organization.   Thanks to Wish Upon a Wedding, Patti and Phil were married on November 12, 2010 and they are Portland’s first Wedding Wish Recipients!  See their story below…..

Who Do the Angel Trees Help? Families with incomes of no more than 130% of established poverty levels are encouraged to make an application with The Salvation Army for holiday assistance for food and toys. They screen these families with other organizations to do their best to make sure there is no duplication. Last year Salvation Army Angel Giving Tree program served approximately 4,622 families with a total of 8,749 children in the tri-county metro area (Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas).

Each family received food and at least two age appropriate toys per child. When we don’t have enough toy donations, they must purchase toys so that no child goes without. These purchases are made with funds that are needed for other emergency assistance throughout the year. This is why it is so important for The Salvation Army to develop these partnerships that help us to meet these needs and stretch our dollars as far as possible. Your toy donation will make a real difference for a child in need.

Our friends at Washington County Visitors Association put together this helpful guide for travelers to find the best local spots for holiday shopping! Enjoy!

Washington Square Mall
9585 SW Washington Square Rd.
Tigard, OR 97223
(503) 639-8860

• Traditional major mall located in Tigard along Hwy. 217 near its junction with Interstate 5
• Built in 1974, expanded and renovated in 2005 to become one of the largest retail centers in the Portland metropolitan area
• Four anchor department stores including Oregon’s largest Nordstrom, 170 distinctive retailers including the West Coast’s only Dick’s Sporting Goods, five restaurants and 11-eatery Food Court

Bridgeport Village
7455 SW Bridgeport Rd.
Tigard, OR 97224
(503) 968-8940

• Easy-access location just off Interstate 5 on the border of Tualatin and Tigard
• European-style, outdoor shopping area with nearly 500,000 sq. ft. of retail, restaurant and theater space
• Blend of upscale national and local retailers, 10 restaurants, multiplex movie theater with IMAX

Nearby:
The Stash Tea Store
7250 SW Durham Rd., Bldg. J
Tigard, OR 97224
(503) 603-9905

• Exclusive retail location of nationally recognized tea producer
• 200 loose-leaf teas and more than 80 in tea bags, including seasonal and rare varieties
• Daily free tea tastings, weekly tea samplings to compare varieties, teapots and gifts for tea lovers

The Streets of Tanasbourne
19350 NW Emma Way
Hillsboro, OR 97124
(503) 533-0561

• Located just off Hwy. 26 on NW Cornell Road
• Outdoor shopping cluster of more than 50 specialty shops and national retailers, eight restaurants

Hazelnut Growers of Oregon
195 N. 26th Ave.
Cornelius, OR 97113 (moving to Hillsboro’s Orenco Station in August)
(503) 693-0662

• The only hazelnut cooperative in the U.S. with more than 150 growers and 7,500 acres
• Largest processor and handler of Oregon hazelnuts in North America, founded in 1984
• Retail store sells wide variety of hazelnut products under Oregon Orchard and Pride of Oregon labels

Antiques

Le’Stuff Antique Mall
234 E Main St.
Hillsboro, OR 97123
(503) 640-9197

• Located in downtown Hillsboro
• Antiques and collectibles including furniture, pottery, jewelry and clocks, plus clock repair

Railroad Street Antique Mall
16167 SW Railroad St.
Sherwood, OR 97140
(503) 625-2246

• Located in the heart of historic Old Town Sherwood
• Antiques and collectibles including toys, vintage posters, pottery, glassware, costume jewelry, furniture