“The intimacy of our culinary scene is one of the incredible, relatively undiscovered aspects of Oregon,” said Travel Oregon’s Director of Brand Strategy, Holly Macfee. “It’s one of the few states where you can eat or drink right alongside the producers that grow, make or cook the ingredients. Fall is one of the best times of year for Oregon foodie travel since many of the products are at their peak.”

From August 23rd through November 30th, Oregon Bounty highlights unique travel experiences, fall events and the state’s chefs, winemakers, brewers, farmers and culinary artisans. For a complete list of celebration information, contest rules and to enter, visit www.Traveloregon.com/Bounty.

Image Credit: pdxpipeline.com

In case you have missed it- the City of Tualatin, Oregon has been providing residents and visitors great musical entertainment throughout the summer!

Concerts on the Commons is a free outdoor concert series with performances every Friday night in August. The concerts begin at 6:30 PM and end around 8:30 PM. Concerts on the Commons are held on the plaza near the lake at Tualatin Commons.

Bands of all genres including rhythm and blues, contemporary jazz, big band, bluegrass, salsa, reggae have been entertaining crowds all summer.  So pack a pic-nic, a blanket, bring your lawn chairs (but leave the adult beverages behind- Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the Tualatin Commons.)

Make sure you catch the last 2 performances of the season:

August 20 : intervision (Pop)

August 27  Aquamiel (Salsa)

Directions to the Summer 2010 Concerts on the Commons

From I-5, take Exit 289, Tualatin-Sherwood Rd. Follow Tualatin-Sherwood Rd until turning north onto Boones Ferry Rd. Turn east onto Nyberg St and proceed to the end of the block.

It’s said that the heart of a Japanese garden is harmony with Nature… Hosted by The Travel Channel, this relaxing walk through the Portland Japanese Garden with Head Gardener Michael Kondo covers five distinct garden styles. With bubbling streams, waterfalls, koi fish, raked sands, moss beds, and flowers in bloom–glimpse inside “a beautiful manicured garden in the heart of the metropolis.” Produced by Black Diamond Television, UK.

The Portland Japanese Garden is approximately 14 miles from the hotel and will take you approximately 20 minutes to arrive.  Click here for Driving Directions.

This year will mark the 60th year of the Tualatin Crawfish Festival and the The Tualatin Chamber of Commerce is proud to continue this beloved tradition. Festival organizers announced on their site: www.tualatincrawfishfestival.com they have made a few changes to make the festival better than ever.

The community parade will take place Saturday, Aug. 14th and begin at 10:00 AM. This year’s festival, presented by West Coast Bank, will feature the theme “Crawfish Fiesta!”

The Festival offers a wide variety of food, entertainment and activities for the entire family. Free admission Friday night for the classic Crawfish Cook-Off provides affordable fun for families staying close to home this summer. Saturday admission is $4 for adults; $2 for seniors over 55 and youth age 6 – 17; children between 2 – 5 receive a discounted admission of $1 and children under 2 are FREE.

Bridgeport Village is Bringing Back the Train!

Summer is in full swing and what better way to celebrate the long warm days than to spend time with the entire family.  Many of our guests have been enjoying the variety of activities (many of them free) that have been happening at the shopping center.  And the list of fun keeps growing!

Check out what is happening in August.

Summer Concert Series : Each Thursday through August 26 beginning at 5:30 Take in the sights and sounds of talented musicians that represent a diverse range of musical genres.  These concerts also feature youth performers from the Tualatin-Tigard School District who perform before the main act.

Guests can now order to-go concert picnic menus by placing an order through Guest Services (503-968-1704) and receive a reserved table at the concert!

Storybook Playhouses Imagination Celebration through August 14: At long last the Storybook Playhouse Project will come to life in Portland this summer! This amazing project features a showcase of storybook themed playhouses designed and built by a select group of Portland’s local architects and home builders.  The Playhouses are open from 11am to 6pm Monday through Sunday. Storybook Readings will take place at 11:30am, 2:30pm and 4:30pm daily.

Free Train Rides August 4-8 Due to popular demand, The Bridgeport Express Returns for a limited summer engagement. We loved the train rides around the center during the holidays!  Catch a ride around The Village from 11am-5pm daily!

Camp Bridgeport Wednesdays now through August 25, from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Join Radio Disney AM1640 and Bridgeport Village for dancing, games and awesome prizes! Located in Center Court.

Regal Cinemas Free Family Film Festival 10 – 11:30am every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday through August 25. Enjoy popular movies for the whole family for free! Click here for more information.

Very Engaging Bridal Event is Sept. 12 at Bridgeport Village

Being this close to Portland, Oregon has its advantages when it comes to wedding planning.   Locals and visitors really have their pick of dream wedding locations: vineyards, outdoors, historic buildings, you name it.  Here are some tips to planning your perfect day in Washington County.

Visit the Washington County Visitor’s Association list of local venues. The WCVA’s Wedding Wonderland Page contains great suggestions for vineyards and other unique and special locations well suited for for your big day!

Utilize Local Wedding Planners and Search for Vendors Recommended by the WCVA and Local Merchants.   Here are a few to get your started on your search:

• Columbia Crossroads: Tours, Travel, Events (503) 225-9995
• Convention & Meeting Planners of Oregon, Inc. (503) 846-1742
• Peter Corvallis Productions 503-222-1664
• Royce’s Prop Shop (503) 283-8828

Also check out:

Wedding Resource Studio in Tigard

WCVA Resource Page

Attend the Very Engaging Bridal Event at Bridgeport Village on Sunday, September 12 from 11am to 4pm
This is your chance to find free expert advice from local wedding planners, sample delicious cakes, nibbles and sip on wine and champagne. Meet bridal jewelry designers, try on sparkly baubles and get inspired by invitation and gift ideas.  See beautiful floral creations, get pampered and beautified and register for your must-have gifts and much more!  Visit www.bridgeport-village.com for more info.

Consider Hosting Rehearsal Dinners, Showers and Parties at Bridgeport Village. We love Bridgeport Village because it is elegant, unique, service oriented and convenient to our guests.  The center also provides a variety of popular restaurants to suite any taste and budget.  You may also want to consider booking one of their specialty salons and spas to pamper your bridal party on the big day!

Consider the Service Options Available at The Grand Hotel in Bridgeport.   There are numerous reasons we are a great choice to host your important event. Wedding guests love our amenities (Free WiFi, Indoor Pool, Hot Tub, Workout room, and hot breakfast buffet) Our committed staff will provide the outstanding service you deserve to make your day perfect.

Terry will give visitors a glance at the hidden gems and attractions to be found throughout Washington County, Oregon in his video-blog series produced by the WCVA.   To see other travel videos highlighting our area, be sure to visit the WCVA You Tube Channel and subscribe!  Watch this premiere video as Terry visit’s Tree to Tree Adventure Park in Gaston, Oregon.

The Washington County Visitors Association serves the region’s tourism industry by actively promoting Washington County, Oregon, as a destination for sports, business, and leisure travelers. Washington County is scenically situated between Portland and the Oregon Coast. Spanning 727 square miles, it includes the growing communities of Banks, Beaverton, Cornelius, Durham, Forest Grove, Gaston, Hillsboro, King City, North Plains, Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin and Wilsonville. Washington County is home to world-class golf, award-winning wineries, an array of outdoor recreation, and superb dining and shopping. For more information about the WCVA, visit www.yourwaytoplay.com/about or www.visitwashingtoncountyoregon.com, or call 503-644-5555, toll-free, 800-537-3149.

Visit TravelOregon.com for more adventure stories, photos, videos and more!

Sure you can sightsee our beautiful coast, volcanic mountains, crystal-clear lakes and rivers and deserts that stretch as far as the eye can see. But to really know our state, you have to get out and experience it. Which is why Oregon is one of the best places in the world for outdoor adventure. If youre looking for world-class golfing, cycling, kayaking, skiing, rafting, windsurfing or just about anything else-ing, look no further. Better yet, dont look, come out here and leap.

It is a little known fact that we are located close to some of the finest 18-hole, championship courses and executive nine-hole and public courses in the region.  Here are a couple of recommendations for nearby course, but we recommend visiting the Washington County Oregon Visitor Association’s Golf Guide!  Enjoy!

Golf Courses Close to The Grand Hotel at Bridgeport

Summerfield Golf Club: Summerfield Golf Club is a beautiful executive golf course in a park-like setting with nine holes for a par of 33. The course features a chipping area, putting green, driving range, an on-staff pro, golf cart rentals, and a restaurant and lounge. (503) 620-1200

Tualatin Island Greens Features an impressive driving range, putting course, and Island Grill restaurant. Also offers golf instruction from our PGA Teaching Professionals, along with club fitting and repair services.(503) 691-8400

Outdoor Movie Series: Wednesday Nights July 21 & 28 and August 4 &11

Bridgeport Village is launching their first annual Outdoor Movie Series on the top floor of the parking structure! Doors open at 7pm, movies start at 9pm. Under 18 not permitted without a parent. All movies are rated PG-13.

July 21 – The Blind Side
July 28 – Big Fish
August 4 – Dirty Dancing
August 11 – Love Actually

Summer Concert Series: Thursdays July 8 through August 26 from 6:30 to 8:30pm

Youth Performers from the Tualatin-Tigard School District will perform from 5:30 -6pm before every concert.

July 8: The Beatniks & Ian Stephens, James Fogerty and Derek Harris (Tigard High) – Guitar Jazz

July 15: Hit Explosion-B’Elanna Rhodehamel (Hazelbrook) and Parker Ediger (Twality)- African Marimba

July 22:  Cool-Ade- Euphony Brothers: Justin Lacey and Cole Sashkin (Tualatin High) – Singer/Guitar

July 29:  GruVbox- Shaelynn Dalton (Tigard High) – Singer/Guitar

August 5:  Keegan Smith and the Fam- Noah Hocker (Tigard High) and Andrew Olson (Tualtain High) – Jazz

August 12: Zuzo Blue- Rebecca McDade (Tualatin High) – Vocalist

August 19: The Retros- PDX Jazz: Kyle Monitor, Tristan Weitkamp (Tigard High) and Andrwe Olson and Hanna Dexter (Tualatin HIgh) – Jazz

August 28: Suprise Guest & Mhofu Marimba: (Deer Creek Alumni) – Marimba