Oregon Travel Council | Page 73

BEND Located in Deschutes County on the eastern edge of the Cascade Range, Bend is home to over 75,000 people. Relying heavily on tourism, the city is known for its ski resort which brings tourists from all over the west. The nearby Cascade lakes are also a popular recreation stop. The Lava River Cave, just south of town off U.S. Highway 97 was formed from an eruption about 80,000 years ago and is the longest continuous lava tube in Oregon. Bend is home to several small breweries, the largest of which is the Deschutes Brewery. City-County Airport and still serves the Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway. For more information, contact: Bend Chamber of Commerce 777 NW Wall Street Bend, Oregon 97701 [phone] www.bendchamber.org [email protected] SANDY DUFUR This farming community within Wasco County was incorporated on February 10, 1893. Dufur holds the annual Threshing Bee, a festival celebrating the local agricultural economy, on the second full weekend in August. The event features demonstrations of horse-drawn harvesting equipment and a belt-driven threshing machine that is powered by a steam tractor. HOOD RIVER The seat of Hood River County, this city is located on the Columbia River directly opposite White Salmon, Washington. The Hood River area is known for some of the best kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, and hiking in the country. The area experienced a boom in tourism when it was discovered as an excellent spot for windsurfing and recently, kiteboarding. This rich agricultural area is home to many wineries. Several museums and annual events contribute to the city’s cultural depth. For more information, contact: Hood River County Chamber of Commerce 720 East Port Marina Drive Hood River, Oregon 97031 [phone] or Toll Free [phone] www.hoodriver.org MADRAS Madras, originally called The Basin, was incorporated in 1910. Today, it is home to about 5,500 people. The town developed as a service center for the booming agricultural and railroad industries. During WWII, a US Army Air Base was established. The city has several private airports in addition to the public WWW.OREGONTRAVELCOUNCIL.COM Sandy, the gateway to the Mount Hood Corridor, is about 30 miles southeast of Portland. The city is close to wonderful skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. Yearly events include the Sandy Mountain Festival, the Sandy Oktoberfest and the Hometown Holiday Festival and Parade. For more information, contact: Sandy Area Chamber of Commerce 38963 Pioneer Blvd. Sandy, Oregon 97055 [phone] www.sandyoregonchamber.org SWEET HOME In proximity to numerous lakes, rivers, and the Cascade Mountains, this city is often called the gateway to the Santiam playground. Each year since 1992 Sweet Home has hosted the Oregon Jamboree, a three day country music and camping festival. The Santiam Wagon Road, a historic freight route between the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon regions from 1865 to the 1930s, went from Sweet Home to Cache Creek Toll Station. REGION 5: CENTRAL NORTHWEST CULVER Incorporated in 1946, this city within Jefferson County has a population of roughly 1,500. Culver is near The Cove Palisades State Park, a popular destination for wakeboarders who enjoy the park’s Lake Billy Chinook, where the Crooked, Deschutes, and Metolius Rivers meet. For more information, contact: Madras-Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce 274 SW 4th St. Madras, Oregon 97741 [phone] Toll Free [phone] Madraschamber.com For more information, contact: Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce 1575 Main Street Sweet Home, Oregon 97386 [phone] www.sweethomechamber.com THE DALLES With about 12,500 residents, The Dalles is the largest city and county seat of Wasco County. The area’s development was largely due to it being one of the few sites along the Columbia River that was relatively easy to build, launch, and load rafts, barges, or cargo canoes and cargo boats that carried th e lucrative beaver pelts and supplies. The Dalles is the sight of the annual Northwest Cherry Festival in April and is home to several museums and other points of interest. WARM SPRINGS Located on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, this unincorporated community is home to about 2,500 people. It's an excellent destination for those who appreciate the great outdoors. Activities include hiking, biking, rafting, and fishing. Other attractions include an eighteen-hole golf course, a casino, and a relaxing mineral water spa. 71