Warmer weather means one thing in Oregon: time to hit the great outdoors! Hopping on your bicycle and hitting one of the many bike paths and trails in our region is nothing less than blissful.

Fortunately for us, there is no shortage of bicycle trains to explore for all levels. Whether you are a seasoned cyclist or a newbie- there is something for everyone here.

Just remember to travel at a safe speed and follow the rules of the road!

WCVA recommends checking out the Banks-Vernonia State Trail for 21 miles of uninterrupted, car-free, smooth riding.

L.L. Stub Stewart State Park (featured in the above video), a 1,673 acre park where outdoor lovers are invited to explore more than 20 miles of trails. Bring your horse or bicycle and spend hours exploring the far reaches of the park.

Other tips:

• Be sure to visit the City of Tigard’s new bicycle resource featuring bike maps, links, and a listing of upcoming events.
• Visit the WCVA’s new comprehensive bike map detailing bike trails, lanes and designated paths and routes throughout Washington County,
• Check out rideoregonride.com for featured Itineraries, events, maps, recommendations and more.
• Check out the WCVA list of local Bicycle rental and repair shops

Credit: Travel Portland

Want to take a grand tour of Portland without breaking the bank? Lucky for you, there are many ways to enjoy our city on the cheap! Here are 5 of our favorite ideas from the article, Portland on a Dime on Travel Portland.

You can even get to many of these attractions for free when you ride on The Free Rail Zone which includes most of downtown Portland (within the boundaries of the Willamette River, NW Irving and I-405), as well as MAX stations from the Rose Quarter to Lloyd Center.

1) Visit Powell’s City of Books: You will find a book lover’s heaven in the heart of downtown Portland. Powell’s City of Books is the largest used and new bookstore in the world. You can spend an entire day browsing their estimated 1 million titles. You are even allowed to bring up to 3 books into the coffee shop for perusing). Location: 1005 W. Burnside St. 503.228.4651 www.powells.com

2) The Grotto: This serene and beautiful sanctuary and gardens located on Northeast Sandy Boulevard at 85th Avenue is filled with surprises and attracts over 175,000 visitors each year. There is no charge to see the lower-level gardens and structures. To access the upper gardens, each visitor must purchase an elevator token. Tokens are $4.00 for ages 12-64, ages 6-11 $2.50, and seniors over 65 $3.00. Children under 6 are free. 503.254.7371

3) Pioneer Courthouse Square: Located in the heart of Downtown Portland, this is a public space hosting more than 300 programmed events each year. With more than 26,000 people visiting the Square each day, it is the single most visited site in Oregon’s most visited city. Location: Bordered by Southwest Sixth Avenue, Broadway, and Yamhill and Morrison streets.

4) Visit the 24 Hour Church of Elvis: 3 words: Elvis, Quirky and Free. Need we say more? Location: 408 N.W. Couch St.

5) Portland Farmers Market & Saturday Market- Features locally grown and prepared foods, live music, handmade crafts, jewelry, clothing, artwork and more!

The Portland Farmers Market is held on Saturdays in the South Park Blocks at Portland State University, March-December. On Mondays, the market comes to Pioneer Courthouse Square (June-October), and Wednesday’s market is held in the South Park Blocks of the Cultural District (May-October).

Portland Saturday Market: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., March through December 24. Location: Southwest Ankeny Street & Naito Parkway (in Waterfront Park, Skidmore Fountain MAX station) 503.222.6072

Credit: Travel Portland

Springtime is here, which means- sunshine (on some days), Easter, Mother’s Day, warmer weather, and Portland comes alive with fun events and festivals.   Here are just a few event highlights from Travel Portland to check out during your visit this spring:

Portland Farmers Market Saturdays, March 17 through December 15
Celebrating its 20th season, Portland Farmers Market operates vibrant farmers markets that contribute to the success of local food growers and producers, strengthen the food economy and serve as community gathering places.

18th Annual Spring Beer & Wine Fest April 6-7, 2012
A Taste of the Best! Sample from over 100 brewers, vintners, cheese makers and chocolatiers on April 6-7, 2012 at the Oregon Convention Center. The festival also features great food and music.

2012 Bridgetown Comedy Festival, April 12-15
The Pacific Northwest’s premier comedy festival, returning for its fifth year! Local comedians and fans banded come together at one of the nation’s funniest and fastest-growing comedy festivals.

Stumptown Comics Festival April 28 & 29, 2012
The annual Stumptown Comics Fest is the largest comic book convention in Portland, Oregon, dedicated primarily to the artists, writers, and publishers who make everyone’s favorite comics! “Best. Comic book festival. Ever.” -Travel Portland

28th Annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta May 4th, 5th, and 6th, 2012
Waterfront Park will be transformed into a Mexican Fiesta for the weekend and features live entertainment, authentic food, rides, family fun, and much more!
Presented by Portland Guadalajara Sister City Association (PGSCA).

Taste of the Nation Portland, OR Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Held at JELD-WEN Field, this is one of the city’s premier food and wine-tasting events. The best part is ticket sales support Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger. This event features food from the finest Oregon chefs and restaurants, wine, microbrews, local music, and a silent auction.

Crafty Wonderland SPRING SHOW - Saturday, May 12th, 2012
Portland’s Art + Craft Extravaganza features 200+ artists selling their amazing handmade goods!

Portland Indie Wine Festival May 14, 2012
Join the independent producers that represent the heart and soul of Oregon’s world-class wine industry as they pour their wines on May 14th at the Bison Building.

Montinore - Image Credit: Janis Miglavs

Willamette Valley is the place to be for Memorial Day 2012! Over 150 wineries and tasting rooms will be open all over the region May 26-28, 2012 for the 22st annual Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country.

This is the perfect way for wine lovers to kick off the summer season with extraordinary tastings, vineyard tours, food, special events and entertainment.

As an added bonus, Willamette Valley Wineries will donate a portion of event fees (or other proceeds) to Ecotrust’s Farm to School Programs. These programs work to bring more locally-grown, healthy products to the school lunchroom, educate children about agriculture and support regional farmers.

Here are some tips from The North Willamette Vintners to get the most of your holiday weekend:

• Drive less, taste more. Avoid the long drive and congested roadways by visiting the wineries located in Portland’s backyard, shaping the northern gateway to Oregon’s wine country.
• Discover new wineries. Experience a new label or visit a boutique winery not typically open for tastings.
• Taste exceptional wines. Be among the first to enjoy new releases, barrel samples and paired flights.
• Learn from the pros. Meet the winemakers and learn about the style, characteristics and unique attributes of their wine.
• Experience wine country. Participate in a traditional tribal salmon bake, watch a live landscape painting, stroll along a garden walk, tour the vineyards, relax to live music and soak in the spectacular vineyard views while enjoying a picnic lunch.

For more information and to plan your weekend visit Willamette Valley Wineries Association.

Need a place to stay? The Grand Hotel Bridgeport is proud to offer wine lovers luxurious accommodations, free parking, free WiFi(helpful as you are planning your afternoon of wine tasting!), and a free chef prepared breakfast the following morning! What more do you need?  Book a Grand Hotel at Bridgeport Wine Package and you will see what we mean!

Tulips in full bloom at the Woodburn Tulip Festival

It might feel chilly outside now, but Spring is officially here and the Willamette Valley is an ideal destination to enjoy natural beauty, entertainment, food, family friendly events, and of course- Willamette Valley wine! To make your visit even more enjoyable, we have several packages at The Grand Hotel at Bridgeport to add value to your trip:

March Madness Special – Stay 2 Nights and get the 3rd Night FREE!
For the weekends in March stay Friday and Saturday night at the regular rate ($129 or $139) and get Sunday night FREE. The offer is valid for our Classic King or Classic Double Queen rooms. Please call the front desk at 503-968-5757 and ask for the “March Madness” special to reserve this offer.

It’s Tee Time Golf Package
Love Golf? We have forged dynamic partnerships with local golf courses so that when you come to play golf, you will receive some of the best deals possible!

Wine Tour Package
When you book our Wine Tour Package, you will spend Friday and Saturday touring some of the valley’s finest vineyards and wineries and end your adventure with us for a night of relaxing bliss. You will also receive (8) wine tasting vouchers to the 4 wineries of your choice and (1) bottle of local Oregon wine. Our partner vineyards include: Cooper Mountain Vineyards, Elk Cove Vineyards, Helvetia Vineyards, Kramer Vineyards, Montinore Estate, Oak Knoll Winery, Plum Hill Vineyards and Tualatin Estate Vineyards.

Up, Up, and Away!
What could be more breath-taking than a hot air balloon adventure! Between April and October, weather permitting, you will be able to enjoy a beautiful scenic flight with Pacific Peaks Balloons. This package includes: Hot Air Balloon Adventure (this includes transportation to and from launch site), Gourmet Breakfast at a local restaurant, Jacuzzi Suite, late checkout.

Here are some tips and upcoming events to make the most of your Willamette Valley springtime getaway:

Upcoming Events at Bridgeport Village

• Strolling Easter Bunny: Visit the Easter Bunny on Saturday, April 7 from 12-2pm in Center Court. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
• Easter Seals Oregon BloomFest: April 5-7 and 12-14 Easter Seals Oregon will be selling Tulip bundles for $5 from 11am to 5pm in Center Court.
• VaVa Bloom: Seek inspiration for your garden and get top tips from local experts at our weekly Saturday seminars in April. Check out installations from local nurseries and garden centers throughout Bridgeport Village.

North Willamette Wine Trail Weekend
Explore Oregon’s wine country March 31-April 1, 2012 with the North Willamette Vintners (NWV). Journey to 24 local wineries and experience a weekend full of wine, culinary samples, education and fun! northwillamettevintners.org

Vineyard and Valley Scenic Tour Route
When traveling through wine country, experience the natural beauty of the area by taking the Vineyard and Valley Scenic Tour Route. This beautiful 50 mile stretch of road is home to many of the local wineries as well as farms and spectacular mountain views.

Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival March 30-April 30 (Woodburn)
This family friendly event features 40+ acres of spectacular tulips and daffodils along with food, entertainment, and more. www.woodenshoe.com/tulip-fest

Tualatin River Bird Festival – May 18-20th
This annual event takes place at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. This three-day event features hands on activities and experiences for kids and adults. tualatinriverbirdfestival.org

Need more ideas? visitwashingtoncountyoregon.com will help you plan a great vacation!

The North Willamette Vintners (NWV) represents the wineries located in, or immediately adjacent to, Washington County, Oregon. Together this diverse group of wineries shapes the northern gateway to Oregon’s wine country.

Guests are treated to complimentary wine tastings, pairings, entertainment and activities at EACH participating winery. Taste a new release, reserve label or a barrel tastings while enjoying specially paired samples. Then, participate in a variety of activities at each location. In addition, Wine Trail guests receive a variety of discounts and offers from restaurants, hotels and other wine tour partners.

After reserving a ticket for the weekend, guests are treated to the following benefits at EACH participating winery:

• Complementary tastings! New releases, reserve labels, barrel tastings and much more
• Pairings! Paired samples from a variety of culinary collections carefully selected to enhance each wine.
• Activities! Tours, one-of-a-kind demonstrations and hands-on activities

To purchase your tickets, visit shop.northwillamettevintners.org and choose from a Wine Trail Full Weekend Ticket or Wine Trail Sunday Only Ticket.

Make it a weekend getaway by booking  The Grand Hotel Bridgeport Wine Tour Package Where wining is encouraged. Spend Friday and Saturday touring some of the valley’s finest vineyards and wineries and end your adventure with us for a night of relaxing bliss.

Photo: Paul Loofburrow

From wine tasting to hiking; from shopping to golfing, there is something for everyone who visits Washington County Oregon (located just outside of Portland and home to Tigard & Tualatin). We are thrilled that many new attractions and businesses have been added to our area in the past year. On your next visit, we recommend taking some time to experience some of these new additions. Here is a list of some of the newest attractions:

Source: Washington County Visitors Association

1. Mountain Bike Freeride Trail. Washington County’s first single-track, mountain bike freeride trail and skills area is scheduled to open at L.L. “Stub” Stewart State Park in spring 2012. Spearheaded by the Westside Trail Federation and built by a grassroots group of volunteers, the freeride area will add another amenity to the four-year-old state park. Earlier this year, the park saw the completion of an 18-hole championship disc golf course.

2. Super Zip-Line. Tree to Tree Adventure Park, a seasonal aerial ropes course complete with tree-top obstacles and zip-lines that opened to much fanfare and success in 2010, will mark its spring 2012 opening with an 800-foot-long “super zip-line” and up to 10 additional lines.

3. Create Your Own Glass Art Masterpieces. Live, Laugh, Love Glass is an innovative glass-blowing studio, located in downtown Tigard.  The studio, which opened May 2011, offers private and group instruction for artists of all levels. Saturday evenings, the studio hosts a unique style of dinner theatre, “Dinner Party and Hot Shop Show,” where guests participate in a group creation of a glass masterpiece, while dining on a buffet meal provided by local caterers. 12230 SW Main Street, Suite B, Tigard, Oregon; 800-913-7015 (toll-free); 503-244-7811

4. Two Kilts Brewing Company’s tasting room opened in Sherwood in 2011. In its short time, Two Kilts has amassed a following and praise from local beer enthusiasts with their India Pale Ale, Scotch Ale and other brews made with local ingredients. 14841 SW Tualatin-Sherwood Road, Sherwood, Oregon; 503-625-1700

5. Comfort Food with a Twist. Forest Grove, Ore., welcomed its newest upscale eatery, 1910 Main – An American Bistro, in April 2011. With entrees that put modern spins on American classic comfort food, chef Russ Schillereff uses locally sourced ingredients in a menu that changes weekly. 1910 Main Street, Forest Grove, Oregon; 503-430-7014

6. Banks-Vernonia State Trail. After nearly a decade, the final portion of the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, linking the towns of Banks and Vernonia, Oregon, was completed in late 2010. Construction of the 21-mile trail, which follows the route of an abandoned railroad corridor, started in the 1990s and was Oregon’s first rails-to-trails project, spearheaded by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. While parts of the trail—paved and unpaved—have been accessible to the public for several years, the opening of the trailhead in the town of Banks marks the completion of the final leg of the trail. The trail is open to all non-motorized traffic—hikers, runners, cyclists and horseback riders—and is marked by moderate and steep climbs. This scenic trail boasts 13 bridges and two 700-foot long, 80-foot high railroad trestles, popular spots for wildlife viewing and photography. Camping is available at nearby L.L. “Stub” Stewart State Park, which also is home to the Hares Canyon Horse Camp.

7. Blend Your Own Wine at Tigard Wine Crafters-Billed as a “local micro winery,” Tigard Wine Crafters is a new tasting room specializing in custom-made wine blending and features a range of white and red wine varietals. Guests can handcraft their own wine blends, design custom labels and receive 27-30 bottles of their own handcrafted wines after the fermentation and bottling process is complete, according to their website. The process is simple: guests create their own blends, while the winemakers at Tigard Wine Crafters ferment the custom-made blends for six weeks. Guests return after fermentation to bottle their creations and add their own specialty label. The tasting room, which opened in late 2010, also pours wines from around the world, including a merlot infused with dark chocolate and other surprising varietals. 12436 SW Main Street, Tigard, Oregon; 503-895-0538

ABOUT OREGON’S WASHINGTON COUNTY
Oregon’s Washington County is scenically situated between Portland and the Oregon Coast. The destination covers 727 square miles and includes the growing communities of Banks, Beaverton, Cornelius, Forest Grove, Gaston, Hillsboro, King City, North Plains, Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin and Wilsonville. Washington County is home to world-class golf courses, award-winning wineries, an array of outdoor recreation opportunities, lush, natural and scenic wetlands and wildlife preserves, superb dining, and myriad shopping. For more information, visit the Washington County Visitors Association’s official destination website.

Why Oregon? Because Oregonians are wild, adventurous and inquisitive. Oregon is a place where people often find themselves roaming endlessly with no other goal than the next great meal, powdery slope, lighthouse view or salmon run. We encourage you to approach Oregon the way Oregonians do, with a sense of humor and adventure. So giddy-up! You’ve got some Oregon exploring to do…

So here are some facts about our state (compiled by Travel Oregon) that you may know have known:

• Oregon is the 10th largest state in the union, covering 97,073 square miles.
• The population of Oregon is only 3.4 million, with 1.5 million living in the Portland area.
• Oregon has no sales tax.
• Oregon’s birthday is Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1859
• The highest elevation point is Mt. Hood at 11,239 feet, and the lowest is at sea level.
• There are more than 6,000 lakes and 112,000 miles of rivers and streams.
• Oregon contains more than 5,900 registered campsites along with 230 state parks and 13 national forests.
• Nearly half of Oregon’s total area is forested – close to 30 million acres.
• There are 16 known hot springs in Oregon.
• At 1,932 feet, Crater Lake, located in Southern Oregon is the deepest lake in the United States.
• Located in the Northeastern corner of the state, Hells Canyon is the deepest river-carved gorge in North America. At 7,900 feet, it’s deeper than the Grand Canyon.
• The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is one of the richest fossil bed sites in the world.
• In the Klamath Forest National Wildlife Refuge, visitors can view more than 1,000 majestic bald eagles – the largest concentration of wintering bald eagles in the U.S.
• The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is home to the largest freshwater marsh in the U.S.
• Oregon has 12 commercial downhill ski areas, with 400 trails in three mountain ranges.
• Naturally carved within an outcropping of solid marble, Oregon Caves National Monument is one of southern Oregon’s oldest attractions.
• Oregon has four National Historic Trails and 14 National Historic Districts.
• Oregon has more than 7,000 bridges, including 53 covered bridges.
• There are nine lighthouses and one light ship along the Oregon Coast.
• Oregon is pronounced OR-UH-GUN, never OR-EE-GONE.
• There are currently 17 ghost towns in Oregon.
• The Oregon hazelnut is the state’s official nut, and Oregon grows 99 percent of the entire U.S. commercial crop.
• The pear is Oregon’s state fruit, ranking as the top-selling tree fruit crop.
• There are more than 700 vineyards in Oregon, planted on about 13,700 acres. In the 2004 vintage, there were 19,400 tons of wine grapes harvested, and nearly 1.2 million cases of wine made. Oregon produces more than 40 different varietals of wine grapes.
• Letting an attendant pump your gas is mandatory; you may not pump your own in the state of Oregon.

Happening Now
Fertile Ground Festival through January 29, 2012
This is a 10-day, citywide arts festival presented by Portland Area Theatre Alliance.  This event showcases play premieres, art installations and events, all created by local artists.

Chinese New Year January 23-February 6, 2012
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon!  This is a two-week celebration at the Lan Su Chinese Garden and includes lion dances, children’s activities, martial arts and cultural and historical demonstrations. The festival culminates with a traditional lantern-viewing ceremony. Events are free with garden admission.

Coming Up:
Portland Seafood and Wine Festival February 3-4, 2012
This festival celebrates both the bounty harvested from the Pacific Ocean and the state’s vineyards (and scheduled smack dab in the middle of the Dungeness crab season!).  Festival-goers enjoy great food, wine and live music at Oregon Convention Center.

Portland Jazz Festival February 17-26, 2012
Timed to coincide with Black History Month, the Portland Jazz Festival features performances around the city, including ticketed headline concerts, free shows and a range of educational opportunities.

Want more?   Visit travelportland.com for a great list of art galleries, museums and other attractions (like Powell’s City of Books) to explore this winter.

SportsEvents is a trade publication serving the sports event industry, including event organizers, sports commissions, destination marketing organizations and other sporting event-related industries and businesses.

Sports event professionals were asked to name the sports commission, convention and visitors bureaus, or sports events venues that they believe display exemplary creativity and professionalism toward the groups they host.

Nominations were received from readers throughout the year, and the top picks were selected based on the results from an online system that registered more than 3,000 votes.

2012 Readers’ Choice Award recipients represent destinations and sports venues throughout the United States. Recipients in Oregon include: Eugene, Cascades & Coast Sports; Washington County Visitors Association (Beaverton) and Visit Bend

A complete list of award winners is available online, and winners are listed in the January 2012 issue of SportsEvents.