The Lifewise Oregon Berry Festival, running Friday and Saturday, is an opportunity to explore the wonderful diversity of berries in our state. Fresh raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, Marionberries, and Ollalieberries will be available, and 40 different booths, including Bull Run Cider, Hotlips Pizza (apparently they have a special blueberry pie), Eastside Distilling, Salt’ n Straw, and Blossom Vinegars will be offering berry foods, products, and gifts.
There’s also a blackberry pie contest for amateurs and pros alike, cooking demonstrations (including a boysenberry glazed chicken recipe), talks (Merc contributor Heather Arndt Anderson will be discussing the history of berries in Oregon on Friday at 4 pm), children’s entertainment, and music. If you really want to indulge your berry obsession, there’s a four-course gala dinner prepared by iconic chef James Dodge at OMSI on Saturday night, too.
LifeWise Oregon Berry Festival, Ecotrust Event Space, 721 NW 9th, Fri 17, noon-6 pm; Sat 18, 11 am-5 pm, free; Gala Berry Dinner, OMSI, Sat 18, 6 pm, $105, tickets available here
- Lifewise Oregon Berry Festival via Facebook