It’s LifeWise Oregon Berry Festival Time!

Whether you crave juicy, plump blackberries, mouth watering strawberry preserves or a good old fashioned blueberry pie, Oregon’s bountiful berry season will be on full offer in Portland in July at the 4^th annual LifeWise Oregon Berry Festival. 

This free, family friendly event will feature a 2-day farmers market, a children’s booth with activities and crafts, a main stage with cooking demos and entertainment, health and wellness seminars and more berry deliciousness than you can possibly imagine.

New for 2014, the expanded festival will feature a Know Your Oregon Berries booth, which will provide berry handling and storage tips, harvest dates and everything you need to know to help you enjoy the berries when you get them home (if you can resist eating them on the way!)

Returning to the berry calendar in addition to the popular daytime events will be the Gala Berry Dinner on Saturday, July 19.  Held on the rooftop terrace of the Ecotrust building, the dinner will feature a berry centric menu from a selection of Portland’s top chefs. And if you want more, LifeWise Oregon Berry Festival Restaurant Month will be happening across the city, with a range of local restaurants highlighting specialty berry menu items available all July long.

Mark your calendars for the 4^th annual LifeWise Oregon Berry Festival.  The Ecotrust Event Space is located at NE 10^th Ave and NE Johnson St in Portland.  Festival admission is free, and the hours will be from noon to 6pm on Friday, July 18 and 11am to 5pm on Saturday, July 19. For more information visit www.oregonberryfestival.com

LifeWise Health Plan of Oregon, a local health plan known for its commitment to wellness, is the title sponsor for the 2014 OBF. Committed to actively supporting their members’ healthy decisions from foods to activities, LifeWise celebrates the health benefits of Oregon berries through this partnership.

Visit www.activelynorthwest.com for more information to support healthy decisions. For more information about LifeWise, please visit www.lifewiseor.com.

For more information about top events in Oregon take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Oregon.

Mucking, Drilling and Mining for Free in Virginia City, Nevada

Step back in time and celebrate Nevada's mining history during Comstock Muckfest in historic Virginia City, Nevada, Saturday, June 7, 2014. 

This family-focused event is free and takes place from 10am until 5pm held at various locations including the Marshall Mint Museum, the Fourth Ward School and more.

The Virginia City Trolley provides an all-day on and off pass for transportation to locations where demonstrations take place. At the Virginia & Truckee Train Depot watch professionals drive spikes, then head to the Marshall Mint Museum to see a live coin minting. At the Fourth Ward School, kids can test their mining skills with a chocolate chip cookie mining activity. At the Gold Hill Depot, find the Comstock Modern Mining Park with its massive displays of modern-day mining equipment, as well as a mucking demonstration. Download the complete schedule online.

Join in on the fun and experience a day in the life of a Virginia City miner. For $10, enter the team handrail race competition, mucking or bucket-lift contest that takes place throughout the day. Winners take home bragging rights and a trophy, not to mention some great photos.

Coinciding with Comstock Muckfest is the Virginia City Wine Tour Series, taking place the first Saturday of each month. The wine tour includes a commemorative Virginia City stemless wine glass, a map and wine samples at 23 locations throughout town for $20. Tickets are available for advance purchase online or at the Visitors Center in Virginia City, located at 86 South C Street.

Comstock Muckfest is an official Nevada 150 event. Learn more about Nevada 150 celebration at Nevada150.org.

For more information on Virginia City, Nev. and the Comstock Muckfest & Heritage Wine Tour, visit online or call the Virginia City Tourism Commission (VCTC) at 775-847-7500.

A short 30-minute drive from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport takes visitors to one of the largest historic districts in the United States - Virginia City, Nevada. Experience this mining “boomtown” as it was in the 1800's. Step back in time while visiting the numerous historic buildings, saloons, churches and museums or take a mine tour or even ride a real steam train.

The Comstock Adventure Passes offer the best value with discounted attraction packages. For lodging, event calendar or Comstock Adventure Passes, visit online or call 775-847-7500. The Visitor Information Center is located at 86 South C Street, Virginia City.

For more information about top events in Nevada take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Nevada.