Hood River Valley Blossom Festival
April brings a blanket of white to the orchards and hills of the Hood River Valley in Oregon. No, it’s not late spring snow, it’s the 58th annual Hood River Valley Blossom Festival.
Celebrating the annual explosion of blossoms in local orchards, the festival runs on the three weekends between April 14 and 29, 2012, with a host of special events and a self-guided tour of the Hood River Valley Fruit Loop, including more than 30 fruit stands, wineries, flower farms and U-pick stops.
Start in Hood River (map), and take a tour of the 35-mile loop in your car or on your bike. Check out the blueberry patches, cherry, apple and pear orchards and lavender and chestnut farms. Stop and sip wine, or check out the goods at a local fiber farm. Craft and quilt shows, pancake breakfasts, a pansy party, a grange blossom dinner and wine and beer tastings are all part of the fun.
(Photo courtesy of Hood River County Chamber of Commerce)