(Sunday) December 8th, 2013 ~ “Oregon Trail Christmas Village” ~ 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

at the “Oregon Country Settlement” (a living history village)

73370 East Buggy Trail Drive

in the historic Village of Rhododendron, Oregon

[located behind the Still Creek Inn]

No Admission!  Free Parking!


This 29th annual celebration is a free, festive gathering held on Mount Hood that features two special events associated with the history of the Oregon Trail, where it traversed around the Mountain’s southern flank.  This gathering will take place at a former logging camp that was established along this heritage path, that has now been transformed into a living history village.

On Sunday afternoon, visitors will gather at the “Oregon Trail Christmas Village” from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Featured is a traditional holiday festivity held at a pioneer village along a section of the Barlow Trail [i.e., the Willamette Valley-bound emigrant’s route over the 1295-foot Mount Hood] with reenactors, dressed in period clothing, allowing visitors to listen in to conversations that would have taken place back in time, interpreting this Winter holiday as it was in our past, making it an ideal event for adults and children alike.  

 

There will be traditional Christmas caroling, Native American flute and pioneer flute music, free Christmas goodies and hot drinks.  This is also an opportunity to shop for unique historical and nature books, Huckleberry and other Wildberry jams, and specialty products made from this wildland bounty, that would be ideal for gifts..,.especially for those who are hard to buy for.  And, naturally, Santa Claus will be there on duty from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.    

 

The main feature, however, is “Christmas Tales of Old Oregon” at 2 p.m., which is a unique storytelling program that takes you from the days of the Lewis & Clark Expedition at the rainy and cold Pacific Coast in 1805, to the days of the Oregon Trail and pioneer settlement, and concluding on the slopes of Mount Hood in the early 1900’s.