Events Taking Place for Competitors – April 23, 2010:

Tonight and tomorrow night, Dry Hollow Vineyards wine tasting.
5:00-6:30.

Tonight, world famous flamenco guitarist Joel Kabakov.

7:00pm at River Tap Brewery

The 2010 Cherry Blossom Cycling Classic Preliminary Tech Guide is now available to view as a PDF file!

>> Please Click Here to View the Preliminary Tech Guide <<

2010 Poster Art by Mike Jones Illustration

The 2010 Cherry Blossom Cycling Classic is happening THIS WEEK!

Photo Courtesy Pat Malach

The weather is forecasted to be beautiful, the cherry trees are in bloom, and the city of The Dalles is ready to put on an amazing Cherry Blossom Festival weekend!

Here is a list of events:

The Dalles has Cherry Mania! It’s…
Cherry Festival Weekend

Friday, April 23

The Cherry Blossom Cycling Classic will be held in The Dalles, April 23 to 25 and has been selected to be part of the Nature Valley Pro Ride. This is a series of six road races sprinkled throughout the United States giving the riders with the best overall record a chance to compete with the pros and in front of huge crowds in the Nature Valley Grand Prix held in June. More importantly, it gives riders the chance to get noticed by pro team managers and potentially receive a pro contract. Amateur riders will be selected from a series of six races (Cherry Blossom Cycling Classic included) sprinkled throughout the United States with the overall leaders selected to ride among the best. The Nature Valley Grand Prix has emerged as the top women’s bike racing event and one of the top men’s races in the U.S. since its inception 11 years ago.

‘‘It’s the Pits” Lip Sync contest, 7 p.m., The Dalles Wahtonka High School Auditorium, tickets available at The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce. (541) 296-2231, membership@thedalleschamber.com

April 23-25 – NW Natural Home and Lifestyle Show presented by Bicoastal Media; The Dalles Armory; FREE, Friday (23): 5-8pm; Saturday(24): 10am-6pm; Sunday (25): 10am-3pm.The Dalles Armory. (541) 296-2211

Saturday, April 24

Cherry Festival Breakfast, 7:30-10 a.m., Mid-Columbia Senior Center (541) 296-4788

31st annual Cherry Festival Parade, 11 a.m., regular parade route through Cascade Square and downtown The Dalles. (541) 296-2241. The biggest parade of the year in The Dalles, The Cherry Festival is sponsored by Bob Stone Freeway Autocenter. Be there as a spectator or as a parade participant.

POKER RUN & TEDDY BEAR PARADE: The ninth annual Cherry Festival Poker Run and Teddy Bear parade will be on April 24. It is sponsored by ABATE of Oregon, Inc. River City Chapter and the Mid-Columbia Medical Center. Participants will meet at Kmart in The Dalles at 10:30 a.m. for the parade with the Poker Run to follow. There is no charge for the parade. Poker hands are $15 for the first and $5 for each one after that. There will be cash prizes for the high and low hands as well as door prizes.For more information call Richard Misener at (541)739-2879 or email debra.lutje@gmail.com. ABATE of Oregon Inc. promotes motorcycle awareness, education, safety and liberty through community involvement and legislative action.

Cherry Festival Walk-Run, 3K, 5K, 10K, 8:30-10 a.m., Dry Hollow Field, The Dalles. Day Registration: 7am-8:20am (8:20am start for Walk/Jog). 8:30am Start, Park at Dry Hollow Elementary School. Please be early. You have to walk ¼ mile up Dry Hollow Road to start. $5 without Shirt, $17 with Pre-reg. by 4/22, $10/$20 Day of. Course: 3K & 5K are out and back, with a nice uphill at the start. The 10K does a loop, with rolling uphills the first half, then enjoy the nice 2+ miles of downhill to the finish. You will be on paved, scenic, and orchard country roads. Contact Info: Steve Thompson, 541.296.6398 or sstevee47@yahoo.com. Proceeds will benefit TDWHA Cross Country Teams.

Cherry Festival Quilt Show, United Church of Christ, 5th & Court Street; 10:00am-3:00pm Info: Corliss: 541-296-8618.

State Senator Ted Ferrioli sponsors the Open Air Market & Entertainment Stage. Artists/Crafters/Food Booths, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring your pocketbook as you are going to want to eat and shop at the 4th Street Open Air Market and Entertainment Stage. The market will be opened all day from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Enjoy!

JUSTIN SHANDOR, “The World’s closest Elvis look and sound-alike” headlines on the Cherry Festival entertainment stage at Fourth and Federal, Saturday, April 24, starting at 1 p.m. Shandor performs three sets, one each from the decades of Elvis’ performing life, the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s.

Cherry Festival Wasco County Farm Bureau AgFest, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., The Dalles Civic Auditorium. (541) 296-2231

2010 Cherry Festival Health and Safety Fair, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Fourth Street between Washington, and Union. Don’t forget to check out the Cherry Red Glow of good health and healthy living at the Health and Safety Fair on 4th street between Washington and Court Streets. This is another all day event. (541) 296-7288.

April 24 and 25 – CAR SHOW: The KODL Classic Car Show will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 24 and 25 in downtown The Dalles. The car show is part of the Northwest Cherry Festival and Cherry Blossom Cycling Classic. The entry fee is $10 and entrants compete for trophies and plaques in several categories. Registration is from 8 to 10 a.m. at the radio station office at 404 E. Second St. All entrants receive dash plates. Awards are given at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Festivities include a parade, food booths and entertainment in walking distance of the show. Cars will be on display from noon to 5 p.m. Early exit will be available at 3 p.m. For more information, visit the station website at kodl.com or call (541) 296-2101 and ask for Marcia.

PLANT SALE: The annual Spring Plant Sale will be Saturday, April 24 starting at 9 a.m. in front of The Dalles Art Center. Part of the Cherry Festival, the sale offers plants adapted to our area and includes a wide variety of perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, bulbs, berries, trees and shrubs, and houseplants, all reasonably priced.  There will be OSU Extension Service Master Gardeners on hand to answer your garden and plant questions.  If you have questions about the plant sale, or to volunteer, contact Carolyn Wright at (541) 506 5001 or at carolyneewright@gmail.com.

The Dalles Lions Club Cherry Festival Sporting Clays Fun Shoot. All Shooters Welcome! NSCA registered targets. Shooting begins at 9am. Saturday, April 24, Crazy Quail-5 Stand, shooting starts at 2:30pm. $10 per event. $60 per shooter – 100 targets; $70 Same Day Registration; Re-entry price $35+3 if registered (Clays). For more information, contact The Dalles Lions Club, C/O Jim Wilcox, 416 W. 7th St., 541-296-2292 Days, 541-980-1129 Evenings, or email Jim@FadnessRealty.com

17th Annual Cherry Stomp Dance Party; three bands in two rooms of The Dalles Civic Auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and music starts at 7:30 featuring three bands on two floors in one night. Country band Unwound plays in the gym, rock-n-rollers Phoenix and Hookah Stew share the ballroom!. Live music on 2 floors at the same time! 21 and over show. www.thedallescivic.org

Sunday, April 25

The Dalles Lions Club Cherry Festival Sporting Clays Fun Shoot. All Shooters Welcome! NSCA registered targets. (Lewis class division for awards) Sunday, April 25. R & M Gamebirds (Lyle, Wa.); $60 per shooter – 100 targets; $70 Same Day Registration; Re-entry price $35+3 if registered (Clays). For more information, contact The Dalles Lions Club, C/O Jim Wilcox, 416 W. 7th St., 541-296-2292 Days, 541-980-1129 Evenings, or email Jim@FadnessRealty.com

The 2nd Annual Cherry Blossom Cycling Classic concludes in the final races being held in downtown The Dalles on Sunday, April 25, starting at 11:00am. Come downtown and join in the fun. There will be food provided by downtown restaurants, Cherry Festival vendors will be there with more goodies, downtown merchants will be open offering Cherry Blossom Cycling Specials. It is an exciting way to end the 31st Northwest Cherry Festival.